Bangladesh: Utilization of remittances across different skills category

Even though, evidences are emerging on remittances utilization pattern, this is not available according to different skills categories. Understanding about remittances utilization across different skill categories is required for designing further interventions and developing financial products targeted to migrants. This proposed research also will go beyond just remittances utilization but also delve into other migration related issues as illustrated in section 3.

IOM proposes to conduct an extensive study on utilization of remittances across all categories of migrant workers. The aim of the research would be to strengthen the overall evidence base on remittance management, migration costs and the overall impact of remittances on socio-economic development in Bangladesh.

1.IOM Project to which the Consultancy is contributing:

Bangladesh: Sustainable Reintegration and Improved Migration Governance (Prottasha), implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and funded by the European Union (EU). The overall objective of the project is to contribute to the sustainable reintegration of returnees and the Progressive achievement of Goal 10.7 to facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed policies.

The specific objectives (SO) of the project are to ensure that;

• SO 1: Irregular migrants returning to Bangladesh are sustainably reintegrated (Reintegration component)
• SO2: The capacities of the Government of Bangladesh and other migration actors are strengthened to manage migration at central and local levels and to ensure reintegration of irregular migrants (Migration Governance component)

2.Objectives:

Conduct a study on “Utilization of remittances across different skills category” for Bangladeshi migrants with the view to:

a) Understanding the migration cycle and the socio-economic background

b) Investigate remittances transfer channels and associated costs.

c) Assessing remittance utilization and impact across different skills categories.

d) Measuring the costs of migration.

e) Comparison of cost of migration and income earned abroad.

f) Analyze remittances transfer motives and determinants of remittances utilization.

g) Briefly examine remittances utilization pattern of other major remittance receiving countries.

h) Compare findings with IOM BHRS 2009 and SUR 2013 to analyze trends.

The specific objective of the study would be to:

1. Gather evidence on trends of remittances utilization across various skills categories and analyze its utilization in the households and overall community

2. Delineate challenges in effective remittance utilization and propose way forward for creating more positive impact through better use

3. Key Tasks of the Consultancy:

• Review relevant documents and research reports

• Conduct In-depth Interviews/KIIs and/or surveys of various respondents including migrants, migrant households and other stakeholders

• Compile report on findings and facilitate the organization of a sharing and validation workshop for the relevant stakeholders to share, discuss and review the initial findings of the assessment;

• Submit Final Assessment report, containing recommendations addressing challenges for effective utilization of remittances

4.Methodology:

The consultant need to detail out methodology for the proposed activities however, the following can be considered:

1. Primary Information: Data collected at both central and field level through Focus Group Discussions/Key informants’ interviews/Surveys. A nationally representative sampling frame need to be designed and proposed in the technical proposal.
2. Secondary information: Review of reports and various related documents including identifying best practices for channelling remittances and optimizing its use in other countries across the globe and region

3. All work submitted must be in line with the programme communication guidelines including IOM spelling list: 2013, IOM House Style Manual and IOM Brand Guidelines 2018.

4. Deliverables

The following are the expected deliverables;

1. Inception Report containing final methodology and workplan.
2. Draft tools for survey and interviews.
3. Draft report consisting of information from primary and secondary sources

4. Facilitation at the sharing and validation workshop;

5. Final Assessment Report

6.Duration/ Timeline:

The total duration for this assignment is proposed to be approximately 10 months.

*The above is an indicative timeline. In the proposal, Consultants can modify/add according to their perspectives/reasons.

1.Method of Application:

Interested Consultants are invited to submit documents stated below by 15 September 2018 through e-mail to: faahmed@iom.int ; mentioning the RT/CO-400/014 in subject line. Please keep the attachment size under 5 MB.

For any queries please write to: DhakaProttasha@iom.int and DhakaPL@iom.int

2.Required Documents:

Consultancy Firm/Individual consultant** need to submit technical and financial proposal.

Each Submission Must Include the Following:

i.Consultancy Firm/Consultant Profile: A brief summary of the organization and CV of the expert including records on past experience in similar assignments and name of the references.

ii.Technical Proposal with detailed methodology, tools and work plan along with samples of previous work;

iii.Financial Proposal listing all costs associated with the assignment. In particular, the financial proposal should itemize the following:

1. Consultancy fees in local currency per day;
2. Variable costs inclusive of transportation costs (including to selected districts), printing of study tools; research team (if applicable); meeting/FGDs/KIIs costs
3. Costs associated with the validation workshop (venue, food and others) held in Dhaka will be borne by IOM.

3.Professional and Related Experiences:

The proposed team from the consultancy firms or the consultants should have following competence.

· Must be an expert who has completed minimum Master’s degree in Social Sciences or related field with at least five years of relevant professional experience. PhD is an added advantage;

· Sound knowledge and demonstrated capacity in designing the tools and methodology and conducting surveys.

· Solid understanding of migration sector of Bangladesh.

· Demonstrated ability to draw lessons from relevant international, regional and national practices and processes;

· Excellent presentation, oral and written communication skills;

· Proficiency in English and good analytical, drafting skills.

· Ability to deliver according to specified timeline while maintain quality of the output.

The Proposal should be written in English.

Any attempt for persuasion will be considered as a disqualification

ONLY SHORT LISTED CONSULTANTS/CONSULTANCY FIRMS WILL BE ASSESSED

ORGANIZATIONS WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY TAX OR VAT ISSUES IF APPLICABLE.