Consultant - Missing Migrants Assessment: Mauritania

Introduction

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations and the leading UN agency in the field of migration. Working closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners, IOM promotes humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It saves lives and protects people on the move, drives solutions to displacement, and facilitates pathways for regular migration, while providing services and advice to governments and migrants. 

IOM is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive and supportive workplace where all employees can thrive professionally and feel valued. By creating such an environment, IOM aims to better harness the full potential of migration and strengthen its support to people on the move.

IOM invites candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply and provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process when required. Learn more about IOM’s workplace culture at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration

Project Context and Scope

The Consultant - Missing Migrants Assessment: Mauritania will develop a Missing Migrant Assessment for Mauritania that will provide the government and its partners with a comprehensive overview of the institutional architecture and operational procedures related to the clarification of the fate and whereabouts of missing migrants, as well as identify challenges and gaps that can be addressed through capacity-building initiatives.

This assessment is part of the project “Capacity Building of Missing Migrant National Focal Points in Rabat Process Partner Countries, Phase 1 (Mauritania and The Gambia)”, funded by the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs and implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The project aims to strengthen the capacities of government-designated missing migrants national focal points (NFPs) and other key government officials in Mauritania and The Gambia, promoting a whole-of-government and whole-of-society response to missing migrants.

This will be the first time that IOM undertakes a comprehensive institutional assessment of a national response to missing migrants from the perspective of a country where migrant deaths and disappearances occur. The assessment will be conducted in parallel with an assessment in The Gambia, which examines the issue from the perspective of a country of origin whose nationals die or go missing along migration routes outside its territory.


Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing

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

1. First deliverable – Inception report.
2. Second deliverable –Key informant interview in Mauritania and brief report with an overview of the interviews.
3. Third deliverable – First draft of the assessment.
4. Fourth deliverable –Presentation of the draft assessment to the National Task Force on Missing Migrants.
5. Fifth deliverable-Final draft of the assessment including input provided by the National Task Force and IOM. 

1. Development of the Missing Migrant Assessment:
   
   To inform the assessment, the consultant will carry out desktop research of relevant publications, data, legislation and documents. In addition, the consultant will travel to Nouakchott and Nouadhibou, Mauritania to conduct key informant interviews with government officials and other stakeholders and observe disembarkation sites. The consultant will work with an IOM technical expert on information management systems who will prepare this particular chapter of the assessment.  It is possible that the consultant will also have to work alongside a national consultant.
    
2. Present findings of the Assessment to the National Task Force on Missing Migrants:
   
   The consultant will be expected to present the finding and recommendations of the assessment to the National Task Force on Missing Migrants and incorporate the feedback received from the Task Force as well as input from other partners into the assessment.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Advanced degree in Forensic Science, Forensic Medicine/Pathology, Forensic Anthropology or a closely related field.
   

Experience

• Extensive experience working on missing persons, including missing migrants;
• Demonstrated experience liaising with government officials on issues related to missing migrants, particularly with governments in Africa;
• Experience working with humanitarian organizations addressing missing migrants issues is a strong advantage;
• Proven experience in developing institutional assessments;
• Excellent French writing skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and concisely.
   

Skills

• Capacity to engage senior government interlocutors with sensitivity and discretion.
   

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 consultancy, fluency in English and French is required (oral and written).

Working knowledge of 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.

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