Consultancy to Support the Implementation of SADC Roadmap Towards Migration Data Harmonization At International Organization for Migration

Call for Applications

Position Title: Consultancy to Support the Implementation of SADC Roadmap Towards Migration Data Harmonization

Duty Station: Remote/Desk-based, Pretoria, South Africa

Type of Appointment: Individual Consultant (IC)

Closing Date: 27 October 2021

Estimated Start Date: 07 November 2021

Duration 60 days within the period of November 2021 – February 2022

1. Context:

The need for timely and reliable data to inform migration policies and programming within Southern Africa has been highlighted by the Member States of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) including in the context of the 2017 and 2019 Ministerial Dialogue for Southern Africa (MIDSA). Furthermore, in June 2020, the Ministerial Committee of the Organ (MCO) of SADC endorsed the Concept Paper for the development of the Regional Migration Information Management System which proposed the development of a Roadmap towards the Harmonization of Migration Data Management in the SADC region. The roadmap was developed and endorsed by SADC statutory body in July 2021 and includes technical and strategic recommendations aimed at facilitating work and cooperation among the 16 SADC Member States in the following areas: data definitions; data collection and storage; data quality, processing, and analysis; accessibility and exchange of data; data dissemination and advocacy on migration; and data governance and coordination mechanisms.

The goal of the Harmonization process is to ensure data comparability across the Member States, thereby enhancing the capacity of relevant stakeholders to capitalize on migration’s development potential, given reporting progress on commitments made in the context of global and regional processes such as the Sustainable Development Goals, the Global Compact for Migration (GCM), and other regional consultative processes. The full Roadmap proposal outlined recommended joint actions by both IOM and SADC, as well as the proposed Harmonization Plan of Action to be assessed and discussed by the SADC Member States.

To better support governments and partners to strengthen the evidence base on migration, IOM, in partnership with the SADC Member States and key stakeholders, established the Regional Migration Data Hub (RMDHub) for Southern Africa, to generate information on migration through data collection, collation, and analysis of migration trends, to help advance migration policies at the national and regional levels.

In light of the above and the key recommendations to strengthen migration data governance in the region in view of the endorsed harmonization roadmap for migration data in the region, IOM is looking for a consultant to provide technical guidance and support on the implementation of the Roadmap with a specific focus on activities aimed at strengthening the regional and national migration data governance and harmonized approach for migration data definitions including the migration data mechanism and approaches.

2. Core Functions / Responsibilities:

i. In coordination with the SADC Statistics Unit, the Member States and IOM, lead the development of common guidelines for migration data definitions and statistical methods in line with the regional and international instrument for migration statistics.

ii. Prepare relevant background documents on the common guidelines to be circulated to the Member States.

iii. In coordination with the SADC Secretariat, facilitate and support the organization of a one-day regional technical workshop for the presentation of the common guidelines and adoption by the Member States as well as drafting of workshop report(s).

iv. In close coordination with the SADC Secretariat and the Member States, coordinate the setting up and establishment of regional and national coordination mechanisms and migration data working groups including the development and endorsement of the TORs for Coordination Groups and Working Groups.

v. In coordination with the SADC Secretariat and the Member States, lead a technical engagement towards the development and adoption of a scheme for regular exchange of migration statistics.

vi. Facilitate the organization of technical engagement and workshop(s) to discuss the proposed scheme for the Member States review and validation.

3. Deliverables:

S/N

Deliverables

Date Expected

1.Draft Guidelines on migration data definitions and institutional arrangements as the reference framework coordinating the harmonization of migration statistics. – 23 November 2021

1. Workshop to present the regional guidelines on migration data definitions to the member States – 07 December 2021
2. Workshop report capturing participants’ discussions/inputs – 14 December 2021
3. Revised and Final document incorporating workshop recommendations. – 28 December 2021
4. Draft scheme for regular exchange of migration data and statistical methods – 24 January 2021
5. Workshop with to present the scheme for the exchange of migration statistics – 14 February 2021
6. Workshop report capturing participants’ discussions/inputs. – 21 February 2021
7. Revised and Final document incorporating workshop recommendations. – 28 February 2021

4. Evaluation Criteria

Prospective consultants will be evaluated for suitability to undertake the task based on the following criteria

Criteria

Points

Education and Training – 20

Specific skills – 50

General Skills – 20

Facilitation Skills -10

5. Management Arrangements and Conduct of Work

i) The SADC Statistics at the SADC Secretariat will be responsible for the overall execution of the consultancy, with technical support from IOM under the overall guidance of the RMDHub Coordinator a.i. in close coordination with the Regional Research Officer and the relevant IOM’s Regional Thematic Specialists.

ii) The consultant will be expected to work from his or her own offices and to use his/her facilities

iii) The consultant will be home-based and possibility of travels to SADC countries for consultations and facilitation of workshops as it may be required.

6. Monitoring and Evaluation

The consultant will be required to ensure reporting against measurable indicators. These indicators should reflect the consultant’s commitment to delivering quality outputs promptly, aligned to the agreed deliverables as proposed.

7. Remuneration and Payment Schedule

The Consultant will require 60 working days, spread from November 2020 to February 2022 (5 months). The breakdown of consultancy will be paid as follow:

S/N

Deliverables

Consultancy fee due

i. Development and submission to SADC and IOM of draft common guidelines for migration data definitions including the coordination framework – 30%

ii. Organization of a workshop to present the draft guidelines and TORs to the Member States for validation and submission of the workshop report – 40%

iii. Scheme for exchange of migration data finalized and presented to the SADC Secretariat and the Member States during a regional workshop. – 30%

8. Required Qualifications and Experience

Education and Experience

i. Master’s degree in international relations, political sciences, migration studies, development studies, demography, or statistical studies.

ii. The candidate must have significant experience in the topic of harmonizing migration data definitions and tools at the regional level in Africa. Experience in Southern Africa is an advantage.

iii. A minimum of 7 years of experience in migration data management systems.

iv. The candidate must have former experience in facilitating high-level multistakeholder workshops with government officials on the migration data harmonization process.

9. Languages

Fluency in English is required. Proficiency in any language of the region and sub-region is an advantage.

10. Required Competencies and Values

§ Inclusion and respect for diversity encourage the inclusion of all team members and stakeholders while demonstrating the ability to work constructively with people with different backgrounds and orientations.

§ Integrity and transparency: maintain impartiality and takes prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behavior.

§ Professionalism: demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter and willingness to improve knowledge and skills.

11. Core Competencies

§ Teamwork: establishes strong relationships with colleagues and partners; relates well to people at all levels.

§ Delivering results: produces quality results and provides quality services to clients.

§ Managing and sharing knowledge: shares knowledge and learning willingly, and proactively seeks to learn from the experiences of others.

§ Accountability: operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules.

§ Communication: encourages others to share their views, using active listening to demonstrate openness and to build an understanding of different perspectives.

12. Other

The appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.