Consultant - External Evaluation of the EU-UN Partnership for Migration Capacity Building Programme (C)

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 primary purpose of this consultancy is to undertake a comprehensive retrospective evaluation of the EU-UN Partnership for Migration Capacity Building Programme, covering the period from 2021 to 2026. The evaluation will not only assess the effectiveness, efficiency, relevance, coherence, sustainability and impact of the supported activities; but will also serve to identify good practices, operational challenges, enabling factors and lessons learned that may inform future initiatives implemented by the UN Network on Migration and its partners, particularly in relation to supporting Global Compact for Migration (GCM) implementation, migration governance capacity development and migration-related inter-agency coordination processes.

The consultancy aims to address both results and system-level evaluation questions, with an emphasis on measuring catalytic value, understanding what types of support generate lasting impact, and identifying pathways for institutional sustainability and scale-up.

Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing 

UN Network on Migration Secretariat, specifically the EU-UN Partnership for Migration Capacity Building Programme.

Responsibilities

Category B Consultants: Tangible and measurable outputs of the work assignment (with realistic delivery dates)

Category B Consultant hired to deliver a report on a three-instalment payment basis:

1. First deliverable – Inception Report Refined evaluation design - First instalment payment - Deliverable by email by June 14, 2026.
2. Second deliverable – Analytical Portfolio Review and Evidence Matrix Structured - Deliverable by email by 17 July 2026.
3. Third deliverable – Draft Evaluation Report – Second instalment payment - Deliverable by email by 14 August 2026.
4. Final deliverable – Final Report ready for publication – Third and Final instalment payment (no less than 25% of overall contract value) - Deliverable by email by 04 September 2026.
    

Dimension A. 

Evaluating the Relevance and Positioning of the Programme to Address Migration Needs in Alignment with Global Migration Frameworks.

1. Relevance & Coherence
   A first line of inquiry will focus on evaluating the extent to which the Programme was relevant and responsive to address migration needs and priorities of Member States, UNCTs and other stakeholders, including the strengthening of their capacities for improved policy coherence, supporting whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches, and responding to evolving migration governance challenges across diverse operational contexts. In addition, the evaluation will assess the alignment of the implemented actions with the objectives and guiding principles of the GCM, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and broader migration governance priorities at global, regional and national levels.

Dimension B. 

Assessing the Programme’s Role in Strengthening UN System-Wide Coordination and Strategic Engagement.
 

1. Efficiency & Effectiveness
   A second line of inquiry will assess the role played by the Programme in enhancing coordination and coherence within the UN system at local, national and regional levels. Specifically, the evaluation will analyse how Programme-supported activities, particularly UNCT trainings and technical support, have influenced migration mainstreaming in UN planning instruments such as the Common Country Analysis (CCA) and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF). It will also assess whether and how the Programme has contributed to strengthening the functioning of national UN Migration Networks and promoted joint approaches among agencies.
   The assessment will further explore whether Programme engagement has led to greater institutional awareness of and commitment to GCM implementation across UNCTs, including in areas traditionally outside the migration domain (e.g. health, climate, development planning) and in alignment with the GCM guiding principles. It will also seek to identify what types of support (e.g. technical workshops, Network revitalization efforts) have been most effective in triggering cross-sectoral collaboration, sustained engagement, or follow-up action within the UN system.
   Dimension C. Evaluating the Programme’s Support to Governments in Advancing GCM Implementation and Migration Governance
    
2. Effectiveness & Impact
   The third area of focus will assess the nature and outcomes of the support provided directly to governments and regional organizations. The evaluation will examine how the technical assistance delivered has contributed to concrete planning, coordination, and policy outcomes related to GCM implementation. This includes the formulation or revision of GCM Implementation Plans, national migration strategies, or other relevant frameworks, the conduct of stakeholder consultations and needs assessments, and support provided in the context of national, regional and global GCM Reviews. The analysis will also seek to determine whether the Programme has enabled governments to strengthen cross-sectoral coordination, institutionalize multistakeholder engagement, and align migration governance with broader national development priorities or international commitments such as the SDGs.
    

Dimension C. 

Assessing the Programme´s Scalability, Sustainability and Added Value in Advancing Migration Governance Within the UN System and its Member States.

1. Sustainability & Impact
   The evaluation will also assess the extent to which the interventions have fostered national ownership, built capacity within relevant institutions, and catalysed longer-term change processes. The assessment will aim to distinguish which forms or modalities of support have demonstrated the greatest potential for sustainability, scalability, and potential replication, as well as the programme’s broader strategic and institutional added value in advancing coordinated migration governance efforts within the UN system and among Member States. 

Performance indicators for the evaluation of results

• Inception Report Refined evaluation design (including an evaluation matrix linking core evaluation questions, data sources and methods), methodology, stakeholder map, drafted data collection tools, and detailed workplan.
• Analytical Portfolio Review and Evidence Matrix Structured analysis of programme documents, combined with synthesized data from interviews, surveys, and focus groups, presented in an evidence matrix aligned with the evaluation questions.
• Draft Evaluation Report Full draft report with abstract, evaluation purpose and scope, evaluation questions, design and methodology, key findings, initial conclusions, preliminary recommendations, and annexes4 shared for review, validation and feedback.
• Final Evaluation Report Final report incorporating feedback and recommendations.

1. Deliverables
   The evaluation will be conducted starting on June 01st, 2026; and will result in the following key deliverables:
2. Description
   Inception Report
   Refined evaluation design (including an evaluation matrix linking core evaluation questions, data sources and methods), methodology, stakeholder map, drafted data collection tools, and a detailed workplan3.
3. The workplan should include as minimum: 
    
   • Draft schedule and logistical arrangements, if needed; 
   • Members of the evaluation team, with defined roles and responsibilities; 
   • evaluation milestones; 
   • 4)Limitations of the evaluation, if applicable.

Qualifications

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in international development, public policy, migration studies, evaluation, or a related social science discipline; 
   

Experience

• Programmatic experience in the field of migration governance, especially related to the GCM, the UN Network on Migration, and the Migration MPTF; 
• Minimum of 8–10 years of progressively responsible experience conducting evaluations, strategic assessments, or research in the context of international cooperation, migration governance, or UN programming; 
• Demonstrated experience working with or within the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and/or the wider United Nations system, particularly in areas related to inter-agency coordination, capacity building, or country support; 
• Experience producing high-quality analytical and strategic reports for senior UN and donor audiences, demonstrating capacity to synthesize complex findings into actionable recommendations;

Skills

• Proven expertise in the design and application of qualitative and mixed-methods evaluation approaches.
• Solid track record conducting portfolio-level, multi-country, or system-level evaluations involving both UN and government stakeholders; 
• Track record managing large-scale evaluations in a professional, effective, and collaborative manner;
• Excellent facilitation and communication skills, including the ability to engage diverse stakeholders in interviews, workshops, or participatory exercises;

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French and Spanish. All staff members are required to be fluent in one of the three languages.

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written).

Working knowledge of French and/or Spanish is highly desirable.

Travel required

To be defined by the consultants. 

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 N/A

• 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.

Required Skills

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