Consultant – Cash-Based Interventions

Position Title: Consultant – Cash-Based Interventions

Duty Station: Homebased

Classification: Consultant, Grade Other

Type of Appointment: Consultant, four months

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 31 May 2023

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:

The consultant’s primary responsibility is to conduct research and draft a publication on building more effective ways for supporting migrants and internally displaced persons through cash and voucher assistance. This publication should include key findings and recommendations on how to ensure assistance is more efficient, effective, flexible and adapted to the particular situation and needs of migrants and internal displaced populations, both while on the move or when looking for more sustainable solutions. The relation to the use of innovative technologies as well as social and financial inclusion is also expected to be researched. Migrants and internal displaced persons often have specific vulnerabilities and needs that require flexible payment systems that can be accessed safely along migration or return routes and in situations of displacement or transit.

Project Context and Scope

Through key informant interviews, focus group discussions in selected countries and research, the consultant will draft a research publication to provide key recommendations to IOM and partners on how to ensure that cash-based interventions (CBI) are flexible, portable, appropriate and respond to the specific needs of migrants and displaced populations in different phases of displacement. The research should also touch upon how CBI can be more effective and adaptive to the particular situation and needs for more sustainable solutions for internally displaced persons.

The consultant will need to (i) Identify focus countries in different contexts, (ii) Interview and coordinate with key informants from IOM and relevant partners, (iii) Liaise and coordinate interviews and/or focus group discussions with IOM Missions in focus countries, and (iv) Draft and consolidate a research publication with key findings and recommendations to IOM.

Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing:

The consultant will work under the overall supervision of the Deputy Director General for Operations and the direct supervision of the Senior CBI Officer and in close coordination with other relevant division at IOM HQ. The selected candidate will be home-based but may be requested to undertake duty travel if required by the supervisor.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

Tasks to be performed under this contract

The Category B Consultant is hired to deliver a publication on a three-instalment payment basis:

Deliverables:

1. Detailed workplan

• Timeframe: 1 week after the start of the contract
• Instalments: 1st instalment

2. Desk review

• Timeframe: The first 2 months after the start of the contract
• Instalments: 1st instalment

3. Key informant interviews

• Timeframe: The first 2 months after the start of the contract
• Instalments: 1st instalment

4. Interviews and/or focus group discussions

• Timeframe: The first 2 months after the start of the contract
• Instalments: 1st instalment

5. Report on progress

• Timeframe: The first 2 months after the start of the contract
• Instalments: 1st instalment

6. First draft of the research publication

• Timeframe: 1 month prior to the end of the contract
• Instalments: 2nd instalment

7. Final draft of the research publication

• Timeframe: 1 week prior to the end of the contract
• Instalments: 3rd instalment

8. Webinar

• Timeframe: Final week of the contract
• Instalments: 3rd instalment

Performance indicators for the evaluation of results

The specific activities, outputs and performance indicators will be laid out by the consultant in a detailed workplan to be submitted within the first week of the consultancy to be reviewed and approved by the Senior CBI Officer. The main expected outcome of this consultancy will be to draft and deliver a research publication and present findings at a webinar.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education, experience and/or skills required

• Master’s degree in Economics, Social Sciences, Political Science or a related field from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience; or • University degree in the above fields with seven years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• Proven working experience in the field with international experience in conducting research on CBI;
• Working experience in drafting similar research publications;
• Working experience with international organizations and knowledge of the United Nations.

Skills

• Excellent research skills including the capacity to collect and analyze large quantities of information and identify critical trends and findings; • Excellent writing skills that are succinct and accessible;
• The ability to communicate technical subject matter (in oral and written forms) to people with varying technical knowledge/skills and from different educational and cultural backgrounds; • Excellent knowledge of CBI across humanitarian, development and peace operations, including migration contexts.

Languages

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

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of French or Spanish is an advantage.

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 five values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
• 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.
• Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
• Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

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 actions 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, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required for individuals hired on or after 15 November 2021. This will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.
• Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date.
• No late applications will be accepted.