Research on Migration Governance in the Caribbean

Position Title: Research on Migration Governance in the Caribbean

Duty Station: Aruba, Curaçao, or Sint Maarten. Work may be conducted off-site, but candidates based in one of these three countries are preferred. 

Type of Appointment: Services Provider.

Estimated start and end date: January 2021 – July 2021 

 

IOM seeks to recruit a qualified consulting firm to lead a study on migration governance systems and needs in Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten. This activity is to be carried out under the management of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and is funded by the United States Department of State Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration.     

The first month will consist of a desk review, remote research, and adaptation/contextualization of tools and methodologies for a field visit to several government agencies to each of the countries in order to conduct interviews with government officials, civil society and other relevant stakeholders. The first month will also include outreach to the government officials to arrange for interviews in-country. The field visits and resulting reports would be completed during a period no longer than three months. During the last three months the consultant will oversee the process of editing, translation and layout of the reports. 

 

Background 

In 2018, IOM produced a comprehensive needs assessment on Migration Governance in ten Caribbean island states, and one regional report, “Migration Governance in the Caribbean: Regional Report on the Island States of the Commonwealth Caribbean”.  In 2019, a migration governance needs assessment was conducted in Haiti, followed by an assessment of seven countries in Mesoamerica and three countries in the Caribbean in 2020. 

These reports present a background of each country through concrete evidence and data, combined with the inputs of regional stakeholders to provide a larger perspective on opportunities for improvement in regional migration governance and cooperation. Furthermore, it offers actionable recommendations on how to best minimize the potential risks of migration, while maximizing its economic and development benefits.  

Utilizing the same methodology and based upon an assessment of the successes and challenges of previous needs assessments, IOM will implement a Needs Assessment on Migration Governance in 2020 and 2021 in three countries in the Caribbean. The main goal of this assessment is to improve the understanding of the existing migration governance structures in the country and to assess the national capacity to manage migration in an orderly, safe and responsible manner. 

The following countries will be included in the Needs Assessments: 

  • Aruba 
  • Curaçao 
  • Sint Maarten​ 

 

The service provider will conduct three studies – one in each of the countries listed above – and produce six reports in total – three English reports and three Dutch translations.

 

General Functions 

Under the overall guidance of the Program Support Officer for the Caribbean and the direct supervision of the Program Research Officer, the service provider will take responsibility for the quality of the assessment and report and should include the following tasks:  

Tasks 

Deliverables 

January

Design and Diagnostics

 

Identification and contact made with relevant stakeholders. 
  • Stakeholder mapping 
  • In coordination with the Program Support Officer for the Caribbean and Lead Researcher, attend meetings and consultations with government stakeholders and coordinate with other IOM staff as necessary

In consultation with the Research Officer for the Caribbean, develop methodology and instruments for data collection in the field. 
  • Methodology finalised for interviews and focus group discussions
  • Finalised and translated questionnaires for interviews with government officials 
  • Interview protocol for INGO and civil society stakeholders
  • Diagnostic interviews conducted with IOM and regional specialists 

Schedule travel and interviews. 
  • Detailed work plan and travel/interview schedule 
  • Detailed contingency plan for filling data gaps remotely in the case that, due to a public health or political crisis, it is not possible to conduct in-person interviews.

Note: If in-person interviews are not achieved, these same deliverables will apply for remote interviews

Desk review and analysis including review of current law and legislation and involvement in international and regional frameworks, published migration statistics, national strategies and action plans and related information. 
  • Reports from the desk review analysis 

 

 

 

Payment: 30%
  •  

Fieldwork and Data Analysis

 

Data collection via interviews and focus group discussions, whether conducted in person or remotely
  • Field visit brief 
  • Interview notes 
  • Collect data from stakeholders
  • Results of survey (database)*

Note: If in-person interviews are not achieved, these same deliverables will apply for remote interviews

 

*All primary data must be delivered in a clean version and distributed by country

Systematise and analyse data, write first draft of the report. 
  • Analyze data collected
  • Draft country reports in English 

Payment: 30%
  •  

Validation and Drafting

 

Validate initial findings with stakeholders. 
  • Validation guidelines and matrix 

 

Edit draft with feedback from the validation process and finalise report. 
  • Final country reports in English and Dutch translations
  •  

Editing and Publication

 

Edit report as needed to support the design and publication processes.
  • Final designed reports in English and Dutch

Payment: 40%

 

 

Main Tasks Related to the Assignment: 

  • Communicate regularly with the Program Support Officer for the Caribbean, the Research Coordinator and the Lead Researcher.
  • Review documents provided by IOM.
  • Deliver documents and other deliverables in a timely manner as stated in the action plan, or as amended in conjunction with service provider.
  • Maintain a neutral and professional approach during the desk reviews, field-visits, and throughout the process of the assessment.
  • Ensure that all and any relevant data and finding be documented throughout the assessment, appropriately archived, and shared with IOM, whether or not they are used in the final report.
  • Collaborate with Research Coordinator and Lead Researcher in leading tasks to completion to ensure a quality final product.

Based on the comprehensive assessment findings, provide a comprehensive and evidence-backed report with clear identifications of priority issues, actionable gaps in management and policy, and recommended actions to address those issues of priority and needs.

 

Desirable Qualifications  

Education and Experience

  • Advanced university degree from an accredited academic institution preferably in Public Policy, International Affairs, Law, International Development, or related technical field.
  • At least 2-4 years’ international experience, preferably in conducting fieldwork and assessments.
  • Experience collecting and managing statistical data and analysis.
  • Capacity to collate and synthesize qualitative and quantitative data in a comprehensible manner.
  • Knowledge of migration, remittances and development.
  • Knowledge of relevant policies and international standards on migration.
  • Experience working with governments, civil society, and international organizations.

 

Competencies

  • Excellent analytical, oral, and written communication skills in English and Dutch.
  • Experience in report writing.
  • Experience in leading an international research project.
  • Experience in working in complex institutional environments.
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
  • Knowledge of the Caribbean region and global migration or migration management.
  • Ability to work with minimal supervision and to meet deadlines.

 

Language(s): Fluency in written and spoken English and Dutch is required. Fluency in Papiamento or Papiamentu is also desirable.

Teams of at least two persons are preferred, in order to facilitate conducting interviews and managing interview notes and documentation. This team can be made up of a lead researcher and assistants or note-takers or may be headed by multiple lead researchers.

This is all-inclusive; candidates should include in their financial proposal all costs for travel, visas, or COVID-19-related safety measures. The payment negotiated with IOM will be the final and total amount paid to the service provider.

Candidates must submit three separate documents to iomsanjoseprocurement@iom.int by December 15, 2020:

  • A CV including a minimum of three references;
  • A technical proposal, including the candidate’s capacity to meet the objectives of the project, including relevant prior experience; proposed methodology to be used for data collection and analysis; and indication of availability (3 pages max.);
  • A budget or financial proposal, indicating the time and resources that will be required, including travel costs and consulting fee (1 page max.).
Lugar de trabajo: 
Aruba, Curaçao, or Sint Maarten. Work may be conducted off-site, but candidates based in one of these three countries are preferred.
Grade: 
Services Provider
Fecha limite: 
Martes, Diciembre 15, 2020