IT Architect consultant At International Organization for Migration

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS 2022-25: IT Architect consultant (EURCAP Facility)

Position Title: IT Architect consultant

Duty Station: Duty station, RO Brussels

Type of Appointment: Consultancy (11 months)

Estimated Start Date: 01 September 2022

Closing Date: Published until 09 August 2022

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.

1. Context

The European Readmission Capacity Building Facility (EURCAP) is managed by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and funded by the European Commission (DG HOME). It seeks to contribute to effective and efficient cooperation in migration governance between the EU and its partner countries through capacity-building initiatives (Support Actions).

Readmission cooperation between two States requires efficient and effective communication channels to ensure that readmission/transit applications are received and processed in a timely manner and that decisions are communicated in the shortest time possible. Such communication channels are supported by the Readmission Case Management System (RCMS), which also contributes to the transparency of readmission and return procedures and to the accountability of all actors involved. IOM has developed five RCMS platforms so far: Georgia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Ukraine, and Bangladesh. Based on the experiences gained and new requirements identified, IOM (in the EURCAP framework) has developed the e-RCMS: this is a standardized platform aimed at harmonizing the existing IT processes and consolidating their common requirements. EURCAP will use the new e-RCMS in all future support actions with partner countries.

The e-RCMS solution will connect all EU Member States to/from partner country authorities through two interfaces: a Front-Processes Segment (FPS) that is used by the requesting side (“Hosting Country”) and the Back-Processes Segment (BPS) that is used by the requested side (“Country of Origin or Transit”).

1. Scope of the Assignment

The consultancy is to provide IT Architect expertise for Readmission Case Management Systems (e-RCMS)-related support actions under the EURCAP Facility. The consultant will provide IT related expert advice to the EURCAP Facility for the development, testing, piloting, and successful launch of various e-RCMS-related projects within the timeline of the consultancy.

The Consultant should undertake the required tasks to be carried out under this consultancy contract which may include:

• Together with the service provider, upgrade and maintain the System Architecture Document (SAD) with focus on security, scalability, and maintainability.
• Together with the service provider, upgrade the Blueprint document with focus on security, scalability and maintainability and the whole workflow and set of functionalities, possible scenarios for deployment, possible architectural options, and post-deployment governance.
• Identification of configuration requirements of e-RCMS upgrade including the development of relevant technical documentation such as technical set up guidelines, workflow configuration, system customization guidelines, user’s manual, etc.
• Support and collaborate regarding technical activities in relation to the development of the e-RCMS in the production environment (first deployment in Azerbaijan)
• Support and collaborate regarding technical activities related to the release of the customised BPS in the production environment (first deployment in Azerbaijan).
• Contribute to feasibility assessments and development of specifications, to evaluate the possibility of turning existing EURCAP RCMSs into BPSs.
• Support the preparation of technical specifications for the procurement of related services/equipment for deployment of e-RCMS.
• Support and provide technical advice for the development, customization, and related quality assurance work of e-RCMS.
• Collaboration with the service provider in testing, quality control and commissioning the site for live operations.
• Support and provide consultancy in relation to the offline components and material related to the operating environment, including training material and user’s manuals.
• Participating in relevant technical meetings and contributing expertise to working groups.

The consultant will respect EURCAP’s centralized communication lines and coordinate regarding any sensitive questions/issues with the EURCAP PMT in Brussels. Specifically requested technical inputs will be discussed directly with stakeholders and local project teams for input/feedback.

1. Methodology

The consultant is expected to provide a methodology proposal.

1. Timeline

This assignment is planned to be conducted between 1 September 2022 to 1 August 2023.

Number of working days: 80.

1. Deliverables

The Consultant shall submit to IOM activity reports and timesheets, which specify the number of days the consultant has worked on EURCAP, the activity and the partner country supported. The Consultant shall use for this purpose templates developed by IOM (Annex II to the Contract). The total number of days available for this consultancy is 80 working days. For the purpose of reporting and invoicing, one consultancy day should be understood as 8 working hours; the maximum number of days that can be reported and invoiced for each assigned task should be agreed and approved by the EURCAP PMT via email prior to the beginning of the task. The Consultant is expected to report on the progress of the above activities bi-monthly, engaging in progress and planning meetings with PMT managers to review progress, assign priorities and refine deliverables, submitting outputs within the deadlines set below:

• First Interim Report on all tasks and timesheets by 30/09/2022
• Second Interim Report on all tasks and timesheets by 30/11/2022
• Third Interim Report on all tasks and timesheets by 31/01/2023
• Fourth Interim Report on all tasks and timesheets by 31/03/2023
• Fifth Interim Report on all tasks and timesheets due by 31/05/2023
• Sixth Report summing up all tasks delivered and timesheets due by 31/07/2023

The Consultant shall submit the deliverables to the PMT, as described in the work plan, and highlight any obstacles in advance to the PMT. The Consultant shall regularly report on progress, challenges and mitigation measures adopted to the PMT.

1. Consultant’s expected profile

QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s Degree in Information Technologies or similar
• At least fifteen years of professional experience in the area of developing IT solutions for governmental stakeholders
• Specific experience in providing capacity building support to governments
• Working experience with IOM or other UN agencies (desirable)

A total of 80 working days are foreseen for this consultancy that can take place in a maximum of eleven months. A more concrete timeline will be developed in coordination with the selected individual or firm.

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES: The incumbent is expected to demonstrate the following technical competencies:

• Sound knowledge of IT solutions for integrated border management (especially identification and verification systems)
• Sound knowledge of Migration Management and Readmission process and procedures, among different stakeholders and partner countries.

LANGUAGES: English.

1. Renumeration

Contractual details: It is foreseen that these duties should be carried out within an 11-month timeframe, excluding Saturdays and Sundays and official holidays of the duty station (RO Brussels).

The fee level of the consultancy will be a level 4, against validation of deliverables by IOM. Should the Consultant be required to travel by the Organization, the Consultant will be provided with transportation or reimbursed for the cost of their travel following advance agreement and in accordance with IOM’s travel policies. If required to undergo official duty travel (TDY) outside their duty station, the Consultant will receive a Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) according to IOM’s established rates, during their stay in the place of duty while on TDY.

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.

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

Required Competencies

The incumbent is expected to demonstrate the following values and competencies:

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 level 1

• 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.

Other

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, and verification of residency, visa and authorizations by the concerned Government, where applicable. As part of the mandatory medical entry on duty clearance, candidates will be requested to provide evidence of vaccination against COVID-19.