Consultant MECC & Cities (Homebased)

International Organization for Migration

Context:

Policymakers and international organizations are becoming increasingly aware of environmental migration, but the capacity-building on migration, environment and climate change nexus remains largely unmet. To address the need for capacity-building, IOM had developed the Migration, Environment and Climate Change (MECC): Training Manual (Facilitator’s Guide). The Manual contains seven training modules aimed at deepening understanding of the key concepts and issues on migration, environment and climate change nexus, and providing practical and concrete tools to address this issue. It is designed for facilitators who can make use of the tool to deliver participatory training workshops, but it can also serve as a self-learning tool.

Since Manual’s publication in 2017, the understanding of migration, environment and climate change nexus has evolved. There is a need to develop addendums on cross-cutting topics relevant to the current discussions on the migration, environment and climate change nexus. The addendum on ‘MECC and cities’ will serve as a resource for facilitators to better understand the nexus in an urban context. Cities and urban centres are particularly relevant spaces in which climate change and migration-related issues play out as they are at the forefront of both migration management and climate action. Migration to or between cities already represents the majority of population movements in the world. Urban centres offer the hope for a better life. Urban migration is mainly the result of a collective strategy, for example, with which families diversify their resources and income. They provide economic opportunities, security, access to the labour market and access to public services such as health and education. This allows migrants to better adapt to climate impacts and other environmental challenges. At the same time, migrants can also be exposed to new risks in urban destinations, especially where urbanization is rapid and unmanaged. While cities represent more than 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions, many of them also face environmental and climate risks such as flooding, water stress, heat waves, wildfire and air pollution. Migrants often tend to settle in poorly serviced urban and peri-urban areas. These areas, sometimes unsuitable for settlement, can lack basic services, housing and infrastructure making residents more vulnerable to natural hazards and exposed to various risks.

The addendum will be used by trainers to explain the migration, environment and climate change nexus in an urban context, including climate change impacts on urban and peri-urban areas, climate change impacts on urban migration and displacement, the role of urban migrants in climate action, disaster risk reduction and local development, and the role of urban planning andgovernance in addressing migration challenges and opportunities in the context of climate change. The addendum will also highlight IOM’s best practices.

Objectives:

To develop an addendum on migration, environment and climate change nexus in cities that will help to facilitate a capacity development workshop and could also be used as a self-learning tool.

IOM Project to which the Consultancy is contributing:

Capacity Building to Support Migration, Environment and Climate Change Policy and Practice in the South-Eastern Europe, Eastern Europe and Central Asia region (SEEECA) and European Economic Area (EEA) regions.

Scope of the Assignment

The consultant is expected to produce the following:

  • Develop a work plan in coordination with the Regional Migration, Environment and Climate Change Thematic Specialist in RO Vienna.
  • Conduct a desk-based literature review of migration, environment and climate change nexus in urban and peri-urban areas, including climate change impacts on urban and peri-urban areas, climate change impacts on urban migration, the role of urban migrants in climate action, the role of urban planning and governance in addressing migration challenges and opportunities in the context of climate change and IOM’s best practices. The review will also consider other cross-cutting themes, including gender and social inclusion.
  • Finalise the addendum structure in coordination with the Regional Migration, Environment and Climate Change Thematic Specialist in RO Vienna.
  • Develop infographics on MECC and cities.
  • Develop and submit drafts and final addendum to the IOM project team in RO Vienna. The final addendum with infographics shall be a maximum of 12 pages.
  • Present the draft addendum to the IOM project team.
  • Consult with the Regional Migration, Environment and Climate Change Thematic Specialist in RO Vienna on appropriate and agreed approaches to the specified tasks prior to the assumption of the tasks.
  • Follow IOM Data Protection Principles (Annex I).
  • Follow IOM Standards of Conduct (Annex II).

Timeline

This assignment is planned to be conducted by 31 August 2022. Number of working days: 35

  • A work plan is developed consultatively and finalized with the Regional Migration, Environment and Climate Change Thematic Specialist in RO Vienna (1 day).
  • The addendum structure is developed consultatively and finalized with the Regional Migration, Environment and Climate Change Thematic Specialist in RO Vienna (1 day).
  • The first draft of the addendum (including footnotes, text boxes, infographics and references), which is written in compliance with the IOM House Style and Spelling List, is submitted to the IOM project team (18 days).
  • The draft addendum is presented to the IOM project team (2 days).
  • The final report of the addendum (including footnotes, text boxes, infographics and references), which is written in compliance with the IOM House Style and Spelling List, is submitted to the IOM project team (13 days).

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education:

  • Postgraduate degree, preferably in Social Sciences (e.g., Economics, Sociology, Political Science, Geography, Migration Studies, Development Studies, etc.), Environmental Studies or Law from an accredited academic institution with four years of relevant professional experience; or
  • Undergraduate degree, preferably in Social Sciences (e.g., Economics, Sociology, Political Science, Geography, Migration Studies, Development Studies, etc.), Environmental Studies or Law from an accredited academic institution, with seven years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

  • At least 7 years of experience in researching relevant topics (e.g., migration, climate change, adaptation, disaster risk reduction, urbanisation etc.).
  • Demonstrated professional experience in migration, environment and climate change nexus.
  • Demonstrated expertise in developing infographics.
  • Demonstrated professional experience in urbanisation, disaster risk reduction, or urban planning will be an advantage.
  • Demonstrated experience in publishing in peer-reviewed journals or being commissioned by government entities, UN agencies, or development partners to develop reports on relevant topics. At least three relevant publications are to be listed in the application.
  • Excellent proven analytical, writing and communication skills.

Skills:

  • Good understanding of the IOM programming on migration, environment and climate change nexus and disaster risk reduction.
  • Sound understanding of migration, environment and climate change nexus.
  • Sound understanding of cities, urbanisation or urban planning.
  • Excellent organization skills; analytical and creative thinking.
  • Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is required.

Technical Competencies:

  • Maintains a respectful office environment free of harassment and retaliation and promotes the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA).
  • Effectively applies knowledge of migration, environment, and climate change issues within the organizational context.
  • Correctly frames migration, environment, and climate change issues within the national, regional, and global contexts.

Languages:

Fluency in English is mandatory.

Required 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

  • 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.

How to apply

Interested candidates are invited to submit their Letter of Interest, CVs, three relevant publications and proposed budget to [email protected] by 10 June 2022 midnight at the latest, referring to this advertisement.

In order for an application to be considered valid, IOM only accepts applications duly completed.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.


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