Uganda: Request for Proposal: Field-based impact research on child protection among refugees in an urban setting - 2015

Organization: UN High Commissioner for Refugees

Country: Uganda

Closing date: 02 Mar 2015

javascript:;**Budget**$100,000 (in two $50,000 lump-sum payments, inclusive of direct and indirect costs)

The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) launched new strategies in 2012 on child protection, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and education. These strategies are intended to inform UNHCR’s interventions at the country level for a five-year period. Measurement and assessment of the impact of these strategies on child protection outcomes is one key aspect of the strategies. Measurement of the impact of child protection and SGBV interventions is challenging, especially in urban, non-camp settings. Traditional impact assessment methodologies are often not applicable in humanitarian or displacement contexts, leaving child protection actors without robust evidence on the patterns and trends of violence, exploitation and abuse against children, as well as on the impact of those interventions that attempt to prevent and respond to these concerns.

In recognition of the need to develop and pilot new methods to assess and measure the impact of child protection interventions in humanitarian settings, UNHCR and the Child Protection in Crisis (CPC) Learning Network collaborated on a pilot baseline study in Rwanda as a first step towards developing tools that can measure change on key child protection indicators over time. The study developed an index to assess the strength of the child protection system, as well as two household survey instruments (adolescent and caregiver) to assess prevalence of violence, abuse and exploitation, and levels of psychosocial well-being. A follow-on impact research study is now being conducted in Uganda, which envisages assessment and measurement at two points in time (T2 taking place at least 12 months following T1) in order to show impact of child protection interventions. The project is funded through the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration, under the auspices of the *Safe from the Start*program.

Current Need

UNHCR is seeking proposals for a companion research study that focuses solely on refugees in an urban setting. Applicants are encouraged to propose such settings, one of which will be ultimately selected in close collaboration with UNHCR HQ and the UNHCR field operation. The impact research

will include a T1 baseline study in 20015 and a T2 endline study in 2016. The researcher (or research team) will avail themselves of the previously developed tools (survey instruments and index) and work collaboratively with CPC researchers who are currently engaged in conducting field research within settlements in northern Uganda; all researchers will work in close cooperation with UNHCR. The researcher(s) will pilot and adapt the tools, which have been developed specifically for a refugee camp context. The urban research team may wish also to avail itself of partnering with a national NGO, academic institution or civil society group, preferably one with which UNHCR already has affiliation. The period of the project runs from March 2015 through September 2016. The overall project is managed by UNHCR’s Division of International Protection, Operational Support Unit.

Key Tasks

 Conduct a population-based research study (in a location to be jointly selected) during the desired timeframe, with both T1 and T2 components Develop and implement a feasible methodological approach and sample frame within an urban refugee setting (e.g., respondent driven sampling), using formative research to ensure the sampling approach is feasible, appropriate and ethical for use with adolescent refugees

 Conduct in-depth interviews with key informants and focus group discussions to provide contextual analysis for the quantitative study

 Adapt and pilot the survey tools for adolescents and caregivers in an urban refugee setting

 Ensure the highest standards for ethical research, informed consent, and referral pathways are established and maintained for the safety of participants

 Ensure proper statistical methods are employed and data analysis conducted

 Produce an initial report following the completion of T1 research, as well as a final report following T2 research for UNHCR, which may be further develop

How to apply:

The following documents are requested as part of this application:

A) A two- to three-page proposal of the proposed setting(s), methodological approach(es), sample frame, and indicative time line and work plan.

B) An overall budget, indicating possible contributions from in-country partners, if applicable. A more detailed budget will be required following proposal selection.

C) The proposal should also outline the qualifications of the researcher(s) and partner(s) involved in the urban study and their individual or joint capacity to undertake such research. Detailed CV’s will be required following proposal selection.Please send materials as one PDF attachment in one email

To: hqsgbv@unhcr.org

cc: hqchipro@unhcr.org

Subject: Urban research proposal