CON 2017/26- Consultant - Project Evaluator - Home based with field visits to multiple project sites

Position Title Consultant - Project Evaluator Duty Station :Home based

Classification Consultant, Grade OTHE

Type of Appointment : Consultant, 2 months (output based consultancy)

Estimated Start Date :As soon as possible Closing Date : 29 June 2017

Established in 1951, IOM is the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of migration and 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:

Established in 1951, IOM is the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of migration and 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.

Over the course of 2015, the Western Balkan countries have experienced a sharp increase in numbers of people within mixed migration flows transiting through their territory along the Western Balkan portion of the Eastern Mediterranean migratory route. The mixed migration flows consist of asylum seekers, refugees, and other migrants, including vulnerable migrants, moving towards the EU. The key driving forces behind these flows include conflict and an overall increase in insecurity in the Middle East, Central Asia, and East Africa, as well as deep-rooted economic problems and conditions of poverty.

Utilization of the Western Balkan route by refugees and migrants has increased considerably since last year, from 200-300 people per day in late 2014, peaking at 4,000-5,000 people per day in September 2015. After some fluctuations, the situation has stabilized at approximately 2,000-3,000 persons per day, based on data from December and early January 2016. Since the closing of the Hungarian border in October 2015, the main route leads through Greece, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Serbia towards Croatia and Slovenia and onwards to other European Union states. According to IOM data from January 6, 892,444 migrants had entered the European Union via Greece and Bulgaria in 2015, which accounts for 85% of all arrivals, as compared to Western and Central Mediterranean sea routes (Italy, Malta, Spain, and Cyprus) .

While individual countries in the Western Balkan region have undertaken a number of steps to improve their management of this mass migration flow, the volume of migrants and complexity of composition within these flows remained a serious challenge until the flow subsided in early 2017. Additionally, interventions have typically taken place at the national level within affected countries, while many of the challenges presented by the situation remained regional. Therefore, enhancing regional cooperation to better manage these flows still remains critical. Based on IOM on-the-ground experience and an ongoing assessment of the situation by IOM within the region, key gaps in addressing mass migration flows in the region are manifested in a number of closely interlinked challenges:

1. Difficulties in screening and identification - and possible protection needs - of persons on the move and, consequently, difficulties in referring them to appropriate response mechanisms; 2. Lack of comprehensive data collection, analysis and exchange on movements to and through the region;

Page 1 / 73. Absence of a regional approach to migration management and gaps in cross-border cooperation amongst key actors;

4. Insufficient capacities of border management officials to adequately manage the flows and proactively screen migrants for vulnerabilities;

5. Lack of mechanisms to prevent trafficking in persons (TiP), especially in the case of unaccompanied migrant children (UMC).

In response to these identified challenges, the project “Enhancing capacities and mechanisms to identify and protect vulnerable migrants in the Western Balkans” was implemented by IOM

with the following overall goals: (1) to enhance the instruments and capacities in place to ensure the protection of vulnerable migrants and those in need, including victims of trafficking (VoTs) and UMCs; (2) to harmonize approaches to comprehensive migration management throughout the region; and (3) to facilitate further regional cooperation and coordination within these spheres. The overall objective of the project is therefore to strengthen capacities throughout the target region to manage migration and protect vulnerable migrants in a coordinated manner, which is in line with the strategic goals set out in the RRMRP (Regional Refugee and Migrant Response Plan) launched in January 2016 by IOM and UNHCR.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

The intended outcomes include:

Outcome 1: Enhanced awareness and capacities of relevant stakeholders at entry points and other first contact points to implement a rights-based approach to screening, identification and referrals of vulnerable migrants.

Outcome 2: Strengthened national capacities and enhanced cooperation between border officials and national and regional police in the identification and referral of UMC.

Outcome 3: Strengthened capacities of law enforcement bodies, including border officials, to identify migrant smugglers, smuggling activities, and distinguish cases of smuggling from cases of TiP, as well as strengthened capacities of prosecutors and the judiciary to prosecute identified cases.

Outcome 4: Enhanced capacities for further contingency planning in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, UNSC 1244 Kosovo, and Montenegro

Outcome 5: Regular dialogue facilitated and supported at the regional level, with IOM-UNHCR Regional Initiative informing on best practices and lessons learned.

B. Evaluation Purpose

The purpose of the final evaluation is to provide information to the Project Steering Committee, partner institutions, the donor and IOM about the results of the “Enhancing capacities and mechanisms to identify and protect vulnerable migrants in the Western Balkans” project in order to ensure accountability for the expenditures and the delivery of outputs, as well as to provide knowledge, identification of best practices and lessons learned that could be transferred to other projects.

C.Evaluation Objective

The objective of the Final Evaluation is to undertake a comprehensive overall assessment of the results of “Enhancing capacities and mechanisms to identify and protect vulnerable migrants in the Western Balkans” project, in particular to assess effectiveness in terms of if and how project results were achieved and whether any longer-term impacts (outcomes, objectives) can already be observed or are likely to be achieved, efficiency with which outputs were achieved, and relevance and sustainability of the project.

In summary, this evaluation should assess effectiveness, efficiency, impact, relevance and sustainability of the project. The specific evaluation questions will be determined in the inception phase to be finalized based on what is appropriate and feasible to meet evaluation purpose and objectives. In particular, it is proposed that the Project Evaluator review, analyze and provide conclusions and recommendations on the following:

Relevance:

• Assess the project concept and design in terms of the problem addressed and the strategy and Page 2 / 7approach taken by the project, encompassing assessment of appropriateness of objectives, planned outputs, activities and inputs as compared to cost-effective alternatives; • Assess external factors affecting the project, and the extent to which the project has been able to adapt and/or mitigate the effects of such factors in order to adapt to changing circumstances and situations.

Effectiveness:

• Analyze and document to what extent the project has achieved intended outputs and outcomes. Assess the achievement of indicators and review the work plan, planned duration and budget of the project. The degree to which the project activities listed in the Project Document have been successfully implemented and desired results achieved; • Determine the extent to which the target beneficiaries have benefited from the project activities, and level of beneficiaries’ and partners satisfaction with program implementation and results;

•Identify factors that contributed to effectiveness or ineffectiveness of the project’s approach. Efficiency:

• Assess the executing modality and managerial arrangements;

• Assess the effectiveness of management as well as the quality and timeliness of monitoring and backstopping by all parties to the project should be evaluated;

• Assess the implementation of the project in terms of quality and timeliness of inputs and efficiency and effectiveness of activities carried out and outputs delivered; • Review the approach to project management, including the role of stakeholders and coordination with other development projects in the same area;

• Assess approach to project management, including the role of stakeholders and coordination with other development projects in the same area, and the extent to which the implementation of the Program has been inclusive of relevant stakeholders and to which it has been able to create collaboration between different partners.

Impact:

• Assess the achievement of the outcomes and how these have or are likely to contribute to attaining the overall objective of the project;

• Examine if the project has had significant unexpected effects, whether of beneficial or detrimental character.

Sustainability:

• Assess the likely sustainability of project results;

• Assess needs and potentials for a continuation or up-scaling of the initiative; • Identify good practices that could be possibly scaled up or replicated in future programs and projects.

Methodology

The evaluation approach has to respond to standard international practices in project evaluation. The final methodology will be established during the inception phase based on the proposal of the selected evaluation, in consultation with the Project Team. The proposed steps in conducting the evaluation will be:

• Evaluator reviews the project documentation, monitoring records and progress and other relevant reports;

• Evaluator prepares inception report with methodological approach and evaluation matrix; • Evaluator has an initial meeting with Project Team to review and finalize the inception report to agree the specific design and methods for the evaluation, what is appropriate and feasible to meet the evaluation purpose and objectives;

• Refine the TOR as needed, in particular the evaluation questions that will need to be answered, given limitations of time and extant data;

• Organization (by IOM) and carrying out (evaluator) of interviews with key staff and key stakeholders involved in the project implementation;

• Evaluator carries out interviews with members of the project team and project beneficiaries to assess effectiveness of project implementation, take note of their perceptions of Page 3 / 7accomplishments and potentials for further development and provide suggestions for management response to evaluation findings. Objectively verifiable data should be collected whenever available, to supplement evidences obtained through interviews and focus group discussions;

• Evaluator prepares Draft Report and presents it to the Project Manager; • Project Manager compiles feedback and provides it to the evaluator;

• Evaluator incorporates received feedback into the Final Report;

• Evaluator prepares the Final Report with the Executive Summary.

A following set of information sources about the project will be made available to the Evaluator: • Project documents,

• Progress reports,

• Key documents (studies, research and policy papers, monitoring reports, surveys etc.) produced by the project.

Products expected from the evaluation

The key product expected from this final evaluation is a comprehensive analytical report in English language.

Format:

The Evaluation Report should contain the following:

• Title Page

• List of acronyms and abbreviations

• Table of contents, including list of annexes

• Executive Summary

• Introduction: background and context of the programme

• Description of the program – its logic, results framework and external factors likely to affect success

• Purpose of the evaluation

• Key questions and scope of the evaluation with information on limitations and de-limitations • Approach and methodology

• Findings: Summary and explanation of findings and interpretations

• Conclusions: Lessons, generalizations, alternatives

• Recommendations

• Annexes

The conclusions and recommendations generated by this evaluation should be addressed to its

main users: the Project Steering Committee, partner institutions, and the donor. Deliverables and Timeline (30 working days)

Deliverables Deadline

Inception report including work plan and evaluation matrix prepared and accepted5 calendar days from signing the contract, (5 working days)

2 days field visits in each WB country (12 days) 20 calendar days from signing of the contract, (15 working days)

Draft Evaluation Report on approximately 20 pages prepared and accepted30 calendar days from signing the contract, (6 working days)

Final Evaluation report (approx. 30 – 40 pages) with Executive Summary (3 pages max.) in English prepared and accepted by the Project Manager 45 calendar days from signing the contract, (4 working days)

The criteria of utility, credibility, and relevance/appropriateness will be used for assessing the quality of the evaluation report:

• The report has to be written in professional and high-quality English language; • The Executive Summary should be a concise chapter (not exceeding three pages), highlighting the evaluation mandate, approach, key findings, conclusions and recommendations; • The information in the report has to be complete, well structured, concise and clearly Page 4 / 7presented;

• All information in the report has to be adequately documented and supporting the findings; • The information in the report has to addresses priority or strategic information needs, as established in the inception report;

• Findings and recommendations have to be evidenced, concrete and implementable; • Human rights and gender equality perspective need to be taken into account, including specific evaluation questions and approaches established in the TOR and inception report. Required Qualifications and Experience:

The evaluation has to be conducted in accordance with the principles outlined in the UNEG norms and standards for evaluation, IOM Data Protection Principles and relevant ethical guidelines.

Skills and competencies

• Excellent analytical skills

• Ability to synthesize research and reach empirically based conclusions on related subject • Strong writing skills and fluency in English language

• Proven capacity to produce evaluation reports

• Experience to provide advice on best practices

• Knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues

• Focus on result for the client and positive response to feedback

•Good application of Results-Based Management

•Good communication, coordination and facilitation skills

•Consistent timeliness and quality of work

• Treatment of all people fairly without favourism

• Cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability • Integrity by modeling ethical standards

Education

• Masters or equivalent in relevant field of social science, political science or public administration.

Experience

• Minimum 10 years of relevant professional experience, preferably in international/multilateral development context;

• Experience in evaluating and monitoring technical cooperation and development activities and projects.

• Experience in evaluation of migration-related project

• Expertise related to protection of vulnerable groups

Knowledge

• Excellent understanding of the Western Balkan migration situation

• Understanding of current policies and legislation on migrant protection • Project evaluation experiences within United Nations system will be considered an asset • Knowledge in the use of computers and office software packages and handling of web based monitoring systems.

Personal qualifications

• Ability to deliver when working under pressure and within changing circumstances • Excellent writing/reporting and presentation skills

• Excellent interpersonal skills.

Languages

Page 5 / 7Fluency in English is required.

Desirable Competencies:

Behavioral

• Accountability – takes responsibility for action and manages constructive criticisms • Client Orientation – works effectively well with client and stakeholders • Continuous Learning – promotes continuous learning for self and others • Communication – listens and communicates clearly, adapting delivery to the audience • Creativity and Initiative – actively seeks new ways of improving programmes or services • Leadership and Negotiation – develops effective partnerships with internal and external stakeholders;

• Performance Management – identify ways and implement actions to improve performance of self and others.

• Planning and Organizing - plans work, anticipates risks, and sets goals within area of responsibility;

• Professionalism - displays mastery of subject matter

• Teamwork – contributes to a collegial team environment; incorporates gender related needs, perspectives, concerns and promotes equal gender participation.

• Technological Awareness - displays awareness of relevant technological solutions; • Resource Mobilization - works with internal and external stakeholders to meet resource needs of IOM.

Other:

Duty Station: Home based with field visits to multiple project sites

Project: Enhancing Capacities and Mechanisms to Identify and Protect Vulnerable Migrants in the Western Balkans

Countries covered: Regional programme covering Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

1. Proposal:

(i) Cover Letter – Explaining why they are the most suitable for the work; (ii) Provide a brief methodology on the approach to the work and how it will be conducted (max. 300 words);

2. Financial proposal;

3. Personal CV including past experience in similar projects and at least 3 references. The above information should be included in the following documents:

• Updated and signed CV, in PDF format, containing e-mail contacts of three referees. How to apply:

Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications via PRISM, IOM e-Recruitment Page 6 / 7system, by 29 June 2017 at the latest, referring to this advertisement. For further information, please refer to:

http://www.iom.int/cms/en/sites/iom/home/about-iom-1/recruitment/how-to-apply.html In order for an application to be considered valid, IOM only accepts online profiles duly completed.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. You can track the progress of your application on your personal application page in the IOM e-recruitment system.

Posting period:

From 17.05.2017 to 29.06.2017

Requisition: CON 2017/26- Consultant - Project Evaluator -Home based w/ field visits to multi (55062767) Released

Posting: Posting NC55062768 (55062768) Released

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