Consultancy: Strategic Learning Review of the Climate Change and Migration Data (CCMD) Programme

Job Description

Introduction

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.
 

IOM is committed to ensuring a workplace where all employees can thrive professionally, while working towards harnessing the full potential of migration. Read more about IOM's workplace culture at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration
 

Project Context and Scope

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is implementing the Climate Change and Migration Data (CCMD) Programme, a multi-year and multi-country initiative funded by the Government of Denmark through a flexible, multiyear (softly earmarked) funding modality. The programme is implemented across selected countries in North, East, West and Central Africa and aims to strengthen evidence-based migration management and reduce risks associated with irregular migration and displacement in the context of climate change, environmental degradation, and disasters.

CCMD adopts a programmatic and adaptive approach, combining policy support, capacity development, data and research, and targeted interventions along key migration routes. The programme is aligned with IOM’s Strategic Results Framework and contributes to the implementation of international and regional commitments, including the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) and relevant African frameworks.

As the programme matures, IOM intends to capture structured, forward-looking learning on what has worked well under CCMD, both in terms of programme substance and programme delivery modalities, in particular the use of flexible, multiyear funding and adaptive management. In this context, IOM is commissioning an independent Strategic Learning Review to synthesize lessons, identify enabling and constraining factors, and inform the design of potential future programme.

This exercise is not a formal evaluation, but a strategic learning initiative designed to inform internal decision-making, evidence-based donor dialogue, and future programme design. 

The overall purpose of the consultancy is to produce a CCMD Strategic Learning Report that consolidates evidence and insights from the ongoing programme and provides clear, actionable lessons and forward-looking design options for future Danish-supported programming.

Specific objectives are to:

• Synthesize learning on CCMD’s strategic value, relevance, and added value, including alignment with Danish political and strategic priorities.
• Assess how flexible, multiyear funding and adaptive management have been operationalized in practice, including enabling conditions, challenges, and trade-offs.
• Identify lessons related to programme content, approaches, partnerships, and geographic engagement that have demonstrated added value.
• Generate practical, forward-looking recommendations to inform potential future programming, including adjustments to thematic focus, delivery modalities, and geographic prioritization.

In particular, the exercise will examine the programme’s contribution to advancing Denmark’s strategic and political priorities including regarding IOM’s strengthening and will identify how future programmes can build on documented achievements to respond to emerging priorities and funding opportunities. The Learning Note will focus on both what has worked well in terms of content and delivery, and the enabling conditions associated with the funding and governance model, it should also inform key elements for inclusion in the programme final evaluation.

An individual consultant is required for this review. The individual consultant will sign a consultancy contract with IOM. IOM will also consider a team of individual consultants as long as the financial proposal does not exceed the budget allocated for the vacancy post.

Interested candidates should demonstrate experience in the following areas:

• international development, strategic learning, evaluation of international cooperation projects, research (qualitative and quantitative). 
   

SCOPE

The current and future programming elements to be reviewed and covered by findings, lessons learnt and recommendations are: 

• Strategic coherence and results architecture: Including the evolution and application of the Theory of Change, alignment with the IOM Strategic Results Framework and the Global Compact for Migration, and the rollout and use of the programme level MEAL framework.
• Adaptive management in practice: Examining how flexibility was operationalized during implementation, including the use of adaptive planning, decision making processes, and the application of the flexible funding line.
• From data and research to decision-making: Assessing progress in narrowing evidence gaps on migration patterns, routes, and identifying remaining data needs for future steps.
• Geographic and route based scope: Assessing the programme’s contribution to a route based approach, including the added value of multi country engagement and IOM positioning within national and regional programming landscapes.
• Coherence and portfolio synergies: Review internal coordination and coherence across IOM units, regions, and programmes contributing to CCMD objectives; and the extent to which future programmes can generate synergies, complementarity, and alignment with the broader Danish migration and development portfolio, including other Danish‑funded initiatives and strategic engagements.
• Partnerships and UN system value: Examining how IOM has contributed to strengthening partnerships, reinforcing its institutional role and credibility, and enabling joint or coordinated engagements within the UN system and with external partners.
   

KEY QUESTIONS: 

• Which aspects of content and delivery have proven effective, and what enabling factors are linked to the funding and governance model?
• How can the existing flexibility build into the CCMD funding modality be further optimized to best serve IOM’s operational needs and the donor’s strategic objectives?
• How can future phases of the programme build on existing achievements to more clearly articulate contributions to migration management objectives, while maintaining complementarity with other Danish (RMGP, CAPACITY…) and donor‑funded interventions?
• How has the programme contributed to route-based approaches and how can this be further strengthened looking forward?
   

METHODOLOGY 

The learning exercise will apply a qualitative approach to produce a synthesis, reflection, and forward looking analysis of what worked well, for whom and under what circumstances. It is not a fully-fledged formal evaluation. The methodology will be proportional to the learning objectives and will prioritize triangulation across documentary evidence, stakeholder perspectives, and programme level data.
The selected consultants / service provider will be expected to propose a detailed tailored methodology as part of their inception report. Data collection methods are expected to include the following:

• Desk review of relevant programme documentation, including programme design and revisions (e.g. Theory of Change), reporting products, MEAL tools, governance records, learning products, and selected outputs at country, regional, and global levels.
• Key informant consultations with a purposive sample of stakeholders, including IOM staff at global, regional, and country levels; representatives of the Government of Denmark; and selected partners, as appropriate. Consultations may be conducted remotely.
• Analytical synthesis of findings across the thematic elements outlined in the TOR, with a focus on identifying patterns, enabling factors, constraints, trade offs, and transferable lessons.
• Inception and / or result review workshops
   

The selected consultant is expected to expand the methodology as needed to meet the objective of the exercise.

Responsibilities

• Inception Note (brief)
  Detailing the proposed methodology, data sources, stakeholder mapping, timeline, and analytical framework, for validation by IOM prior to the start of substantive work.
• Draft CCMD Programme Learning Note
  Presenting synthesized findings, key lessons learned, and forward looking design considerations in line with the TOR, including dedicated sections on funding modality, adaptive management, strategic value, and implications for future funding phases.
• Final forward-looking Programme Learning Note
  Incorporating comments and feedback from IOM, the donor and the learning exercise, and deliver in a format suitable for internal strategic discussions and donor dialogue.
• Inception and / or Validation workshop (conceptualization and delivery)
  Conceptualize the workshop, propose the concept note, moderate and deliver workshop report and presentation.

• Timely delivery of agreed deliverables.
• Quality, clarity, and analytical depth of outputs.
• Responsiveness to feedback from IOM and stakeholders.
• Demonstrated integration of multiple perspectives and evidence sources
• Clear communication and coordination with project team

Payments will be processed based on satisfactory completion of the deliverables above based on approval by IOM project team.

IOM reserves the right to cease the collaboration in case of non-performance against above indicators unless proactively communicated and mutually agreed.
 

Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education/Experience/Skills

Essential

• At least 7 years of experience of demonstrated experience conducting strategic learning reviews, programme reviews, or analytical syntheses in complex, multi-country programmes
• A minimum of a master’s degree in social research and/or evaluation methods, social/political science, development studies, or similar disciplines
• Demonstrated knowledge of migration and familiarity with concepts such as migration management, route-based approaches, drivers of human mobility, community resilience, evidence-based programming
• Demonstrated experience in carrying out monitoring, evaluation and learning interventions for large multi-country programming
• Proven skills and experience in quantitative and qualitative data collection and writing related technical and analytical reports
• Strong conceptual, analytical and communication skills Excellent command of English
• Knowledge of the roles, mandate and functioning of IOM
• Proven ability to deliver quality assignments under tight deadlines
• Excellent organization skills, including the ability to work independently, sustain regular communication, prioritize tasks, manage deadlines and coordinate multiple activities
• IT proficiency with Google and Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Teams.

Desirable

• Experience working across Africa 
• Experience working with or carrying similar assignments for UN or intergovernmental organizations.
• Familiarity with IOM programming and the Danish development and migration policy landscape.
• Completed a master’s degree in political or social sciences, international relations, migration, monitoring and evaluation or related field.
   

Other requirements

The consultant must adhere to the IOM Data Protection Principles (IN/138) and maintain confidentiality.

Timeframe

The assignment is expected to be completed over three-month, defined period. A detailed workplan will be agreed during the inception phase and will typically include the following indicative phases and timelines:

• Start-up and inception: Finalization of scope, methodology, stakeholder mapping, and workplan (duration: 10)
• Desk review and consultations: Review of documentation and conduct of key informant consultations (duration: 20)
• Analysis and drafting: Synthesis of findings and preparation of the draft Learning Note (duration: 5)
• Review and finalization: Incorporation of feedback and delivery of final outputs (duration: 10)
• Presentation (duration: 5)
• Inception and / or Result review workshop conceptualization and delivery (duration: 5)
   

The workplan will include clear milestones, validation points, and submission dates, and will remain flexible to accommodate availability of key stakeholders.

Travel required

The consultancy will require travel to Copenhagen and may require travel to field visits. Travel costs will be covered by IOM directly in line with IOM travel policy.
 

Budget

The budget for the assignment will be an all-inclusive lump sum based and commensurate with the scope, duration, and level of effort required. The budget will cover all costs associated with the assignment, including professional fees, coordination meetings, and any other necessary inputs. Work is mostly expected to be conducted remotely, and IOM will cover cost of any travels in addition to this lump sum and in line with IN/6 Travel.

A detailed budget breakdown will be submitted as part of the proposal and will be cleared by IOM prior to contract signature.
 
Submission of application

Candidates must annex to their application the following required documents:

• Copy of CV of the candidate/s
• Proposal outlining the proposed methodology and specification of timelines
• Financial or budget proposal
• Availability
• Detailed financial proposal
• A sample of previous similar work 
   

Languages

For this consultancy, fluency is English is required.

Capacity to interact in French and / or Arabic is desirable.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Required Competencies

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.

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.

Notes

IOM covers Consultants against occupational accidents and illnesses under the Compensation Plan (CP), free of charge, for the duration of the consultancy. IOM does not provide evacuation or medical insurance for reasons related to non-occupational accidents and illnesses. Consultants are responsible for their own medical insurance for non-occupational accident or illness and will be required to provide written proof of such coverage before commencing work. 

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice 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, security clearances.

IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities.

IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.

IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment system (for internal candidates link here). The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.

No late applications will be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies

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