Consultant – Operational Guidance on the Use of Schools as Collective Centres

Position Title: Operational Guidance on the Use of Schools as Collective Centres

Duty Station: Homebased

Classification: Consultant, Grade Other

Type of Appointment: Consultant, three months

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 04 September 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.

Context:

Project Context and Scope

While some guidance has been developed by both Education and CCCM actors related to the use of schools as temporary shelter, including in the Camp Management Toolkit, Collective Centers Guidelines and Guidance on Schools as temporary shelter/collective centres, there continues to be a disconnect between the field or at the global level.

Although most guidance highlights the importance of only using schools and other educational facilities for shelter as the last resort, limited practical and operational advice are provided on using them – especially when it comes to coordination aspects.

Often this guidance does not fully address the operational and coordination challenges faced by CCCM, Education and Child Protection actors – whether around the set up and upgrade of facilities for suitable living environment, nor around the issues related to access to education. From experience, WASH concerns ore often the most pressing matters when schools are used for accommodation, while coordination with Education actors and authorities are frequently missed at the planning stage.

In order to promote better dialogue, through this project, IOM proposes to work with Education and WASH clusters in mapping and assessing the existing guidance, as well as collect best practices, challenges and key obstacles faced by field operations when schools are used as collective centres. These findings will contribute towards stronger dialogues and identification of areas of collaborations between the relevant clusters, including development of joint operational guidance around the key issues.

Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing:

Support the implementation of Outcome 2 (Improve inter-cluster/cross-sectoral collaboration on preparedness and responses to displacement crises) of the Global Project CC.0052 “Improving coordination and response to displacement crises”, managed by the Department of Operations and Emergencies in IOM Headquarters.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

Tasks to be performed under this contract Phase 1 – Desk Review

• Conduct desk review and mapping out existing guidance, documents and best practices on the use of schools as collective centres in emergency responses ( Education Cluster documents, ‘helpdesk’; CCCM Cluster, WASH Cluster, Child protection Cluster).

Phase 2 – Project Design

• In collaboration with the Education & CCCM Cluster develop an assessment methodology for ‘best practice’ field operation assessment.
• e.g. collaborations during preparedness stage,
• e.g. how/ under which conditions can safe access to education continue while schools are used as collective centres,
• e.g. reinstating school facilities.

Phase 3 – Data Collection (Interviews/Consultation/Field Visits)

• Conduct remote consultations with key stakeholders identified during Phase 2;
• Conduct 1-2 Field assessment ( KII – Ministry of Edu., FGD, spatial assessment, etc.);
• Summaries & analyse key challenges and obstacles as well as best practices and potential resolutions when schools are used as collective /evacuation centres.

Phase 4 – Draft Outline of Content

• Draft outline of operational guidance on the use of schools as collective centres for consultation.

Phase 5 – Stakeholder Feedback on Structure and Outline of Guidance

• Gain input and review from relevant actors such as CCCM, Shelter/NFI, Education, Wash practitioners (Cluster), and government stakeholders on the jointly developed operational guidance.

Phase 6 – Finalize Draft Guidance Ready for Field Feedback & Testing

• Include comments & reviews received into operational guidance document for field operations input.

Performance indicators for evaluation of results

• % of tasks listed in the ToRs that are on track/completed;
• Briefings and presentations;
• Submission of reports.

Delivery Schedule

1. Deliverable D1 – Desk Review Report & Presentation – 30th September 2022 (10%)
2. Deliverable D2 – Assessment methodology document – 10th October 2022 (20%)
3. Deliverable D3 – Presentation of initial findings from data collection to Education & CCCM Cluster focal points – 1st November 2022 (20%)
4. Deliverable D4 – Structure, format and indicative content of Operational Guidance to CCCM & Education Cluster Focal Points – 21st November 2022 (30%)
5. Deliverable D5 – Summary of feedback received presented to CCCM & Education Cluster Focal points – 1st December 2022 (10%)
6. Deliverable D6 – Draft Operational Guidance developed ready for field feedback & testing – 15th December 2022 (10%)

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Social 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

• Minimum five years (seven years for Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) of experience in humanitarian operations, program design and implementation, with at least 4 years of experience in site planning.

Languages

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

For this consultancy, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of French, Spanish, Arabic or other UN official languages 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

Travel may be required for data collection purposes, unless COVID restrictions prevail. Travel to Geneva to be agreed.

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.

Submission Requirements

• Outline of number of days within deadlines for work + daily rate.
• Sample of related work, including at least two examples of sites which the candidate has designed and established, specifying the role held for each.

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, 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.