Call for Application for Consultancy Services
CFA 2022/XK052222 

• Position Title : Research Consultant
• Duty Station : Pristina, Kosovo
• Classification : Consultancy
• Type of Appointment : 3 months
• Estimated Start Date : As soon as possible
• Closing Date : May 29, 2022

Nature of the consultancy: 

Develop and conduct a research study using the Migration Governance Indicators (MGI) elements  toolkit to identify good practices and gaps to improve the programming, operations and policy advice  on the migration, environment and climate change nexus.  

Project Context and Scope:  

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC )6th Assessment report, warming  in Europe will continue to rise faster than the global mean, increasing climate impacts across Europe  as European cities are projected to be hotspots for increasing temperatures and extreme heat, floods  and droughts. Largely negative impacts are projected for southern European regions (e.g., increased  cooling needs and water demand, losses in agricultural production, and water scarcity). There are four  key risks related to climate change likely to affect Europe - mortality and morbidity of people and  ecosystems disruptions due to heat; loss in agricultural production due to combined heat and  droughts; water scarcity across sectors; and impacts of floods on people, economies and  infrastructure. Furthermore, there is emerging evidence that climate risks in Europe may also impact financial markets, food production and marine resources beyond Europe. 

Climate change impacts act as an accelerator of migration drivers (e.g. demographic, economic,  environmental, political and social) often by exacerbating existing processes of environmental  degradation. In other countries, migration has been shown to have considerable positive impacts on  household and community-level adaptation to climate risks. However, there is lack of information on  environment and climate change in the context of migration specific to Kosovo1, and little  understanding of this topic within authorities. Hence, it is increasingly pertinent to (1) improve  understanding of the nexus between migration, environment and climate change among relevant  stakeholders in Kosovo1, and (2) provide guidance to authorities on improving Kosovo’s migration  governance structures. This will help to create the enabling conditions necessary to unlock the  adaptation potential of migration, reduce the risks related to migration as well as formulate  actionable recommendations to support well-managed migration in the context of climate action. This  includes ensuring there is evidence to guide policy development, and assessing whether certain  policies relevant to migration governance in the context of climate change are in place.  

Objectives:  

The project “Effective evidence-based responses through strengthened migration data collection and  capacities in the South-Eastern Europe, Eastern Europe and Central Asia Region” will aim to contribute  to supporting the authorities’ strategic vision of combatting climate change in Kosovo1 and  mainstreaming the migration, environment and climate change nexus into relevant policy processes.  The assessment will help to ascertain whether the policies relevant to migration governance in the  context of climate change are in place.  

The assessment will create a more in-depth look at specific policy structures and initiatives that the  authorities wish to strengthen to address migration, climate change and environment nexus which  will inform and allow relevant stakeholders to improve understanding of the nexus between  migration, environment and climate change among relevant stakeholders in Kosovo1, and provide  guidance to authorities on improving Kosovo’s migration governance structures. The study will be  carried out by a consultant targeting relevant entities using the MGI elements. This will allow us to  get a more in-depth look at specific policy structures and initiatives that the authorities wish to  strengthen to address migration, climate change and environment nexus. Officials from different  ministries (Ministries mentioned under partnerships) will be selected and depending on the  questions, one or two persons will be interviewed. IOM will use the guidance and advice from the  MGI Elements User’s Guide. The study will employ quantitative research and will lead to findings  report and a policy brief. The findings will raise awareness about the topic and inform policymaking,  and foster policy coherence. 

Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing: Regional Office Data and  Research, Effective evidence-based responses through strengthened migration data collection and  capacities in the South-Eastern Europe, Eastern Europe and Central Asia Region, DX.0077.  

Category B Consultants: Tangible and measurable outputs of the work assignment 

• The assignment will start on 30 May 2022 and will have to be completed (and approved by  IOM) by 15 September 2022. 
• Provide the first draft the research design (including methodology based on MGI elements,  sampling strategy, research questions, data collection methods, locations, data analysis plan,  timeline, data analysis and data protection considerations and risk assessment plan) and  research tools (in English) to IOM by 15 June 2022. 
• Final research design approved by IOM by 30 June 2022. Research must comply with data  protection standards in place in the context of research and should be aligned with IOM Data  Protection Principles4. 
• Present the preliminary findings based on literature review as well as interview list to IOM by  15 July 2022. 
• Present coded interview transcripts based on the coding list and general themes and sub themes extracted by 20 July 2022. 
• Submit the first draft of the research results to IOM by 30 July 2022. And provide conclusions  and recommendations for the development of policies and programmes in the context of  migration and climate change adaptation.  
• Present the preliminary findings, conclusions, and recommendations of this scoping study to  the IOM project team by 15 August 2022.  
• Finalise a complete draft (including footnotes, text boxes, figures, references and annex) of  the research report (approx. 30 pages) including but not limited to an Executive Summary,  Abbreviation, Introduction, Literature Review, Research Methodology, Findings and Analysis,  Conclusion, Recommendations, References, and relevant Annexes. And a research/policy brief (4 pages) in English summarizing key findings, conclusions, and recommendations  following IOM guidelines for submission to the IOM by 30 August 2022. The final draft should  be in accordance with the IOM Style Manual5, IOM Spelling List6, IOM Guidelines on Research  Report Writing7, IOM Publications Layout Manual8, Essential elements of house style for  research submissions9, IOM Glossary10, as well as in line with IOM Data Protection Priniciple  which will be provided on the signing of the contract.11
• Presentation of the findings to stakeholders by 10 September 2022. 

Performance indicators for the evaluation of results 

1. Research design submitted to and approved by IOM 
2. Preliminary findings submitted to and approved by IOM 
3. Final Draft submitted to and approved by IOM 

Education, Experience and/or skills required 

Education 

• Graduate degree in Migration Studies, Sociology, Human Geography, Environment and  Society studies, or other relevant social sciences. 

Experience 

• Demonstrated expertise and experience in conducting mixed methods research in the fields  of migration, environment, climate change, and sustainable development. 
• Demonstrated experience in policy analysis and/or research on relevant topics.
• Demonstrated experience engaging with relevant government authorities.
• Demonstrated experience working in the field of migration. 
• Demonstrated experience in publishing in peer-reviewed journals or being commissioned by  government entities, UN agencies, or development partners to develop reports on relevant  topics will be an advantage. 
• Demonstrated experience of research in Kosovo1 will be an advantage. 

Skills 

• Demonstrated skills in data collection, research and report writing 
• Experience in statistical analysis tools 
• Ability to conduct interviews in the official languages in Kosovo1, be it in person or via  interpreter. 
• Experience writing technical requirements documents, translating/planning specifications to  technical briefs for data capture/analysis, and compiling diverse datasets; 
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, E-mail, Outlook;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills including ability to work under time, pressure and meet deadlines. 
• Ability to manage multiple responsibilities at once, effectively perform multiple tasks and  prioritize the tasks. 
• Attention to detail, ability to organize paperwork in a methodical way; 

Languages 

• Fluency in English (oral and written), fluency in Albanian is an advantage. The ability to  conduct interviews in Albanian and Serbian, be it in person or via interpreter is required. 

Travel required 

This task requires traveling within Kosovo.

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. 

How to apply: 

Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications – CV or Personal History Form (download here) and Cover Letter to IOMPristina@iom.int by May 29, 2021 midnight at the  latest, referring to CFA 2022/XK052222 in the subject line. 

In order for an application to be considered valid, IOM only accepts applications duly  completed. 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. 

Posting period: 

From 12.05.2022 – 29.05.2022