Consultant – Ukraine crisis Europe-wide accommodation assessment

Project Context and Scope: Over 4.5 million people have fled Ukraine since February 24^th, 2022. On March 2^nd the EU activated a temporary protection directive granting qualifying persons fleeing Ukraine residency permits, access to accommodation or housing and access to other social protection mechanisms. Options and mechanisms for accessing accommodation and housing vary per country, and in some cases per region, as do the processes those in need must follow. IOM has extensive presence in Europe and relevant missions are providing support to those fleeing Ukraine. IOM is commissioning this assessment to inform its shelter response interventions in European countries. The assessment will focus primarily on EU countries and the overall EU wide operating context. Upon delivery of the first outputs, the assessment will expand to include other non-EU countries as required.

Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing: Department of Operations and Emergencies in IOM Headquarters – Shelter and Settlements unit

Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

Under the direct supervision of Shelter and Settlements Specialist, in coordination with relevant units in IOM HQ, Regional Officers and relevant field missions, the consultant will:

• Define priority countries for the assessment based on current and anticipated influx. The EU countries will be the primary focus, and the non-EU countries will be selected for assessment in the second stage.

• Identify current countries’ plan and research accommodation and housing options – immediate, medium, and long term, mechanisms in different sub territories and processes to access accommodation and housing. The research may be desk based, and with Key Informant Interviews. Travel for short assessment visits – 7-14 days as needed.

• Identify barriers/obstacles for securing accommodation and housing, and propose possible solutions, or support IOM may provide.

• Identify opportunities for the implementation of short-term accommodation support (up to 30 days) in hotels/private accommodation.

• Collaborate closely with IOM’s Cash-Based Intervention Unit to identify potential cash for rent activities and Identify impact of influx on hosting countries’ housing and rental markets.

• Collaborate closely with IOM’s Housing Land and Property Advisor to determine possible legal barriers and security of tenure issues.

• Identify aspects of rental legislation and/or practices that may expose Ukrainian tenants to eviction and other risks

• Develop country profiles for the selected EU countries detailing current countries’ plan, their needs, capacities to scale up and possible IOM interventions in the immediate, medium and long-term. Country profiles must be developed on a rolling basis based on prioritization criteria.

• Develop one single document on EU compiled profile detailing the EU wide operating context (legislative, operational and financial) and recommendations for IOM interventions.

• Develop country profiles for the selected non-EU countries detailing current countries’ plan, their needs, capacities to scale up and possible IOM interventions in the immediate, medium and long-term. Country profiles must be developed on a rolling basis based on prioritization criteria.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in social science, architecture, engineering, urban planning, or a related field from an accredited academic institution. Advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum 5-7 years of experience in humanitarian operations, particularly shelter and settlements in Urban settings, with thorough knowledge and understanding of humanitarian coordination structures and modalities.

Languages:

• Fluency in English required and Working knowledge of relevant languages desired (French, Spanish, German, Portuguese, etc.). Knowledge of Ukrainian/Russian would be an asset.

Travel required

• Travel when required to conduct in-country assessments, unless COVID restrictions prevail.

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.
• Communication: encourages and contributes to clear and open communication; explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.