Consultant – MigApp Financial Literacy Training: SMARTs At International Organization for Migration

Position Title: Consultant – MigApp Financial Literacy Training: SMARTs

Duty Station: Home based

Classification: Consultant, Grade Other

Type of Appointment: Consultant, three months

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 12 October 2021

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

Context:

Nature of Consultancy

Consultancy to deliver a a financial literacy training and tools to be integrated into MigApp.

Project Context and Scope

In 2017, IOM launched MigApp, a central and user-friendly one-stop-shop application accessible to migrants from their mobile phones. On the application, users can access readily available information and services relevant to their specific migration experience as well as directly engage with IOM resources. For instance, MigApp provides a remittance cost comparison service, allowing migrants to have access to a quote on real-time costs for sending a specific amount of money within a given corridor based on the best offer across several cost comparison partners of MigApp. With the increasing number of migrants in the world, many of whom use mobile phones to access information, there is enormous potential for further feature development of MigApp towards the development of global – yet context specific – solutions. The ultimate objective of this initiative is to help migrants become more informed about safe and regular options for migration and human mobility by offering an efficient and free of charge application for accessing information and services offered by IOM and its programming, as well as by other strategic partners.

The MigApp global team based in Switzerland has identified the need to further strengthen the existing remittances cost comparison service offered to migrants by complementing it with a tailor-made financial literacy training specifically for MigApp users among migrants residing or employed abroad, in terms of improving their knowledge on how to send remittances across borders in a safer manner. The training, however, would similarly be relevant for migrants household members in the countries of origin. The new financial literacy training will be building on existing global financial literacy products developed by UN partner agencies and other organizations (e.g., ILO, UNCDF), possibly through direct references to the opportunities of engaging in other partner similar and broader trainings.

The new MigApp Financial Literacy Training – Sending Money Across-borders Regularly, Timely and Safely (SMARTs) to be developed by IOM will offer MigApp users a possibility to become more informed about available options of sending their income and savings safely, timely and cheaply across borders and be aware of potential risks involved in the use of informal mediators. In addition to the training itself, MigApp will provide the users with access to tailor-made templates and tools helping them make better decisions on their remittance transactions and financial management based on available income, costs etc. In other words – the specificity of the MigApp financial literacy training will lie in being more targeted to a specific migrant population group – MigApp users – and tailored to the different phases of the migration cycle, including at pre-departure, during transit and travel, at destination and upon return home.

Scope

The consultant(s) propose a financial literacy training and tools to be integrated into MigApp. The design of the training and materials will be conducted independently but will be coordinated with the relevant specialists at IOM who will be responsible for reviewing and approving the deliverables including ICT specialists and app developers. The consultant(s) will have access to previous resources of this topic developed by IOM.

Under the guidance of IOM’s HQ, regional thematic specialists and relevant ICT experts and web-developers, the contractor will take the responsibility to design the content of the financial literacy training for MigApp users as well as all relevant practical tools and templates to accompany the training. The training will include specific modules on personal financial management and effective use of remittances and should be structured so that users may follow it linearly but also allowing more advanced users to skip ahead and move to a more relevant content. Also, some content is expected to be relevant also to the situation of receiving households so should also include information on how to best achieve goals as a transnational household.

The modules should cover how to structure a budget, savings and investment plans, knowledge on loan management and the cost of borrowing as well as information on how to use digital tools to send and receive international funds. These modules are expected to be practical guides to help migrants adapt their behaviour and decisions towards achieving their financial goals.

The training will include the design of specific tools to support migrants to have a better understanding on how to manage their resources and on the methods of transfer. Such tools could include a planner for achieving a savings goal, a dashboard to monitor and share progress with other users (e.g., via badges for skills and achievements), reminders, etc.

The materials and tools developed will be relevant for multiple contexts and should be conceptualised as a global tool. The training needs to be developed in a progressive manner and ensure a gender perspective.

Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing

MigApp – Connecting and Engaging Migrants though Mobile Platfrom: Phase II – (CH10P0667)

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

Tangible and measurable outputs of the work assignment

1. First deliverable: Conceptualisation of specific tools aimed at facilitating the practical applications of knowledge acquired during the training – First instalment payment 15% Deliverable by 5 November 2021.
2. Second deliverable: Draft training, script, and conceptualise tools – Second instalment payment 35% – by 10 December 2021.
3. Final deliverable: Test the materials with IOM specialists and ensure that they are integrated into MigApp – Second instalment payment 50% – by 30 December 2021.

Performance indicators for the evaluation of results

• Conceptualise and design a training including materials, tips and tools on financial literacy for global migrant communities. The training materials must be suitable for different levels of financial literacy and allow more advanced users to skip ahead to more complex modules.

• The training must be conceptualised for individual users from different countries and with different backgrounds. The materials developed must be based on migrants’ specific needs.

• Ensure that the new training developed is based on a critical review and analysis of existing trainings/courses predominantly based on face-to-face sessions.

• Ensure that the new training provides financial information to migrant populations and their households throughout their whole migration cycle – at pre-departure, during transit and travel, at destination and upon return home.

• Ensure the new training builds on user testing and feedback from migrants shared throughMigApp surveys/questionnaires.

• Ensure that the final products include tools to offer a comprehensive training on financial literacy. Such tools could include a planner for achieving a savings goal, a dashboard to monitor and share progress with other users (e.g., via badges for skills and achievements), reminders, etc.

• Ensure that the final training includes a global approach and integrates a gender-perspective.

• Ensure that the final products are ready to be implemented in MigApp and accessible for iOSor Android.

• Explore possibilities for a pilot in bilateral corridor (Mexico-USA) related to the training modules.

• Ensure that the training contains motivational messages and appealing material that encourages a change of behaviour among migrants and their household to reach their financial goals.

• Ensure that the training provides specific information on the different methods of transfer services (e.g. informal/formal). The training should promote awareness of unregulated remittance transfer risks and alternative solutions for consumers.

• Timely completion of tasks.

• Pedagogical approach of training materials including relevant tools and tips.

• Clarity and visual appeal of designs and materials produced.

• The efficiency, accessibility, and implementability of designs.

• The developed materials need to be embedded into MigApp.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education, Experience and/or skills required

• Minimum of 5 years of knowledge of and experience working on financial literacy and international migration.

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience working in design, capacity building efforts and development projects;

• A demonstrated understanding and analytical capacity in the conceptualisation and analysis of digital and mobile app trainings;

• Proven experience in the assessment and development of online materials and tools;

• Proven experience in working with and supporting international organizations;

• Proven experience developing trainings for migrant communities;

• Proven experience developing training for different stakeholders including experts, governments, and members of the civil society;

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish.

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written).

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Notes

The consultant must adhere to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Data Protection Principles (IN/138) and maintain confidentiality.

The consultant will be responsible to follow IOM writing guidelines and latest glossaries in all given assignments for accurate translation.

Accredited Universities are the ones listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database (https://whed.net/home.php).

Required Competencies:

Values – all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these three values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: respects and promotes individual and cultural differences; encourages diversity and inclusion wherever possible.

• Integrity and transparency: maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.

• Professionalism: demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators

• Teamwork: develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.

• Delivering results: produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner; is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.

• Managing and sharing knowledge: continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.

• Accountability: takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own action and delegated work.

• Communication: encourages and contributes to clear and open communication; explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link.

https://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/about-iom/iom_revised_competency_framework_external.pdf

Competencies will be assessed during a competency-based interview.

Other:

• The appointment is subject to funding confirmation.

• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment or visa requirements and security clearances.

• Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.