IDMC Research Consultancy - Approaches to Address Gaps

The Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) is the world's definitive source of data and analysis on internal displacement. Since our establishment in 1998 as part of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), we have offered a rigorous, independent and trusted service to the international community. Our work informs policy and operational decisions that improve the lives of the millions of people living in internal displacement, or at risk of becoming displaced in the future.

The environment in which displacement data is produced is changing. Longstanding structural gaps in national and humanitarian data systems are being compounded by reductions in funding for humanitarian data collection. IDMC’s analysis for the 2026 Global Report on Internal Displacement (GRID) found reductions in data availability in 15 per cent of the countries and territories monitored in 2025, three times the proportion affected in 2024. In some contexts, assessment rounds were reduced or discontinued, while in others previously available sources or geographic coverage were lost.

These changes have implications for IDMC’s ability to monitor displacement comprehensively and consistently. Estimates of displacement movements depend on sufficiently frequent and geographically comprehensive information to identify displacement events as they occur, while estimates of the number of people living in displacement require regular updates and verification. Reduced data collection can therefore result in displacement events being missed, geographic gaps emerging and estimates of displacement stocks becoming increasingly outdated.

As pressures on conventional displacement data collection continue, IDMC intends to assess more systematically what alternative data sources, proxies and methodological approaches could be used to address different types of displacement data gaps, under what circumstances and subject to what quality and validation requirements.

The consultancy will also build on IDMC’s previous analysis of the displacement data landscape by analysing the final 2026 data once available. The findings will inform a public-facing report to be published around or following the release of the 2027 GRID in May 2027. More importantly, the consultancy will develop a practical methodology that can be operationalised within IDMC’s monitoring processes from 2028 onwards.

For more details on the scope of work, expected deliverables, and requirements, please refer to the Terms of Reference (ToR), in the attachment.

How to apply

Qualified consultants are invited to submit a complete application on or before 23:59 (CET) Saturday 31 October 2026, through the email address ch.gvatenders@nrc.no. The bid application should be titled ‘IDMC Research Consultancy - Approaches to Address Gaps’ and include the following information:

• a CV highlighting relevant qualifications and experience (if applying as a company please provide CVs of the project team members);
• a brief technical proposal of no more than two pages, demonstrating an understanding of the assignment and outlining the proposed approach, including how the candidate would identify and assess alternative approaches and undertake methodological testing;
• one or two examples of relevant previous work, preferably demonstrating methodological research, analysis of data gaps, use of alternative data sources or development of quantitative analytical approaches;
• a financial proposal indicating the proposed daily consultancy rate in CHF (inclusive of all costs and taxes) and total cost for a maximum of 70 working days; and
• confirmation of availability to undertake the assignment over the proposed six-month implementation period.
• List of at least two references that can be contacted to verify the quality of services; 
• Certificate of incorporation (for legal entities) or proof of registration as a self-employed individual or independent consultant, in accordance with the legal requirements of the country of establishment or residence, as applicable. Kindly note that this assignment is partially implemented under an INTPA-funded contract. As such, the applicable nationality and eligibility rules for legal entities shall apply*. We regret that we will be unable to consider quotations from legal entities that do not comply with these nationality requirements. 

* See ePRAG: PRAG 2021.1- Annex a2a1_ecprogrammes_eligibility2021_2027_en – NDICI-Global Europe - Global Challenges thematic programme.

Any request for clarification must be received by NRC in writing at least 5 working days before the deadline for submission of tenders. Questions regarding the assignment, can be addressed to Thannaletchimy Housset (thannaletchimy.housset@idmc.ch).

Please note: All service providers/consultants working with NRC should maintain high standards on ethical issues, respect and apply basic human and social rights, ensure non-exploitation of child labour, and give fair working conditions to their staff. NRC reserves the right to reject quotations provided by suppliers not meeting these standards. Consultants doing business with NRC will be screened on anti-corruption due diligence before NRC confirms a contract. 

Anti-money laundering, anti-bribery, anti-corruption and anti-terrorism legislation and donor regulations require NRC to screen contractors against various international lists to ensure due diligence. Submission of the quotation constitutes acceptance of these screening practices. 

NRC reserves the right to accept or reject the whole or part of your offer based on the information provided. Incomplete offers which do not comply with our conditions will not be considered.

We look forward to receiving your application!

Please find the full Terms of Reference and application process here: