Background

The positive contribution of migrants towards inclusive growth and sustainable development is now recognized globally and prominently reflected in the new 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Addis Ababa Agenda for Action. While this is an extremely important and promising step towards truly ensuring that ‘no-one is left behind’, in order to fully ensure an integral approach to migration management, there is a need to go beyond national dialogue and policies and tap into the unexplored expertise and innovative actions being carried out by cities and other local and regional authorities to better respond to migration and thus harness its development potential at the local level.

Indeed, in a global context of increasing human mobility, urbanization and decentralization, it is local and regional authorities that find themselves at the forefront of managing both the positive and negative impacts of migration. This is entirely in line with the local-to-local dimension of migration whereby migrants from one territory tend to migrate to the same territory in the country of destination, creating migratory channels between territories and unique migratory contexts within countries. Thus, while a national response is crucial, this must be aligned with local realities since persisting inequalities, one of the identified drivers of migration, exist not only among different countries, but also within countries, thus necessitating an integral and bottom up approach from the local level.

Thus local and regional authorities are becoming increasingly responsible for many aspects of migration management ranging from urban planning in relation to integration, reintegration, legal protection, education, economic development and health. This is now becoming widely recognised at the international level. Indeed, the role of local and regional authorities in managing migration for development has been recognised in the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants which was endorsed in the UN Summit on Refugees and Migrants that took place on September 19th, 2016. Furthermore, the New Urban Agenda, which is the outcome document of the recently held Habitat III summit in Quito in October 2016, has considered migration and displacement as key elements to be taken into account in the management of cities in order to ensure inclusive sustainable urban development. Finally, the UNSG Special Representative on Migration Mr. Peter Sutherland, in his recent report to the UN Secretary General, has called upon UN member states to empower cities and local governments by providing them with the power and resources to respond to migration and displacement and outlined concrete recommendations to achieve this.

Given the local-to-local dimension of migration and the migratory channels among territories that consequently arise from this phenomenon and global tendencies increasing decentralisation since the 1990’s, decentralised cooperation presents itself as a strategic and efficient manner in which to respond to the challenges and opportunities that arise from migration, yet is a largely overlooked area. Decentralised cooperation can be defined as ‘actions of international cooperation carried out in partnership between two or more local or regional authorities and their sectoral branches’ and has become a pertinent dimension of international development cooperation. Decentralised cooperation initiatives are characterised by a partnership spirit and an innovative approach, when compared to the traditional donor-recipient relationship and can be extremely effective. Thus, integrating issues of migration into these can enhance the development impact of their initiatives. For example, it can ensure that migrants’ initiatives become embedded into local development priorities and actions, giving them the legitimacy and support they need while also providing necessary support to local authorities’ actions in the field. Moreover, it allows for an integral response to migration throughout the entire migratory cycle between territories where migratory channels have formed.

The UN Joint Migration and Development Initiative (JMDI) focuses on the local dimension of migrants’ contribution to development, aims to maximize the potential of migration for local development and is funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and previously supported, until December 2016, by the European Commission.  To achieve this, the JMDI provides technical and financial support to up-scale existing locally-led migration and development initiatives across 16 projects in eight target countries. Some of these initiatives have seen the integration of migration into decentralised cooperation dynamics which have brought a real added value to their development initiatives. Building on this experience, and recognising the fact that many local and regional authorities lack the tools and know-how to integrate migration into their decentralised cooperation efforts, the JMDI proposes to develop a set of Guidelines on Integrating Migration into Decentralised Cooperation for Enhanced Migration Management for Development at the Local Level. This will support local and regional authorities integrate migration into their decentralised cooperation activities for enhanced development impact.

The Guidelines will also build on the experience, tools and vast networks of other strategic partners such as the UNDP ART Programme (Articulation of Territorial Networks) which promotes sustainable human development at the local level by strengthening the capacities of local stakeholders and by facilitating the sharing of knowledge and expertise, many of whom are decentralised cooperation actors. Tapping into the ILO’s Local Economic Development Knowledge Platform will also provide insight and further enrich the guidelines through the many resources and training materials it provides and that have been developed by local economic development experts and practitioners at the global level with the objective of improving knowledge sharing and the exchange of experiences.

The purpose of this Consultancy is to develop a set of Guidelines for Local Actors on Integrating Migration into Decentralised Cooperation. To this end, the JMDI is seeking to recruit an International Consultant to conduct this activity.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of work

The consultancy will result in the production of a set of Guidelines for Local Actors on integrating Migration into Decentralised Cooperation which will act as a guide for local and regional authorities complete with practical examples and recommendations. 

Proposed methodology               

The proposed methodology consists of a preliminary desk review of all pertinent JMDI and external materials and tools followed by a consultation period with a Steering Committee to be formed with the support of the JMDI. Key members of the steering committee will be decentralised cooperation actors, international organisations and other experts in the field of migration, decentralised cooperation and local economic development. The Committee will serve to feed the expertise of its members into the Guidelines to ensure that it responds to the real needs and expectations of decentralised cooperation actors. This will also be followed with any necessary interviews with key resource persons in the field. A paper will then be submitted for approval. Upon receipt of all feedback, the consultant will then submit a final version.

The expected duration of the assignment is up to 40 working days (briefing/debriefing in Brussels,) during the period March to May, 2017.

Tasks

It is proposed that the consultancy is divided into 5 principle tasks, which are as follows:

Task 1 – Desk review (not exceeding 10 w/d)

After an initial briefing with the PMU in Brussels, the consultant will familiarise him or herself with all the necessary background materials and tools and elaborate a proposed concept, methodology (including a list of any further key resource persons to interview) and preliminary outline for the guidelines together with guiding questions. The PMU will provide input before it is submitted to the Steering Committee.

Task 2 – First consultation with the Steering Committee (Focus Group) (not exceeding 5 w/d)

The consultant will arrange and facilitate discussions during the Steering Committee meeting and ensure to collate and consolidate all input and feedback from the members in order to produce a revised concept, methodology and outline for the Guidelines. In addition to the steering committee members, the consultant will interview additional key resource persons that he\she will have identified.  

Task 3 – Provide first draft of the Guidelines (not exceeding 14 w/d)

The consultant will then develop and share the first draft of the Guidelines.

Task 4 – Run a consultation process with the Steering Committee for final input into the draft (not exceeding 1 w/d)

The consultant will subsequently arrange and facilitate feedback discussions with the Steering Committee, ensuring to collect and consolidate all input.

Task 5 – Provide the final version of the Guidelines (not exceeding 10 w/d)

The consultant will produce a final version of the Guidelines embedded in a publication which will act as a handbook for local and regional authorities complete with practical examples and recommendations.  

Deliverables and timeliness

The following deliverables are expected:

A: Submit a document outlining the concept, methodology and preliminary outline for the Guidelines at the end of the desk review phase (task 1);

B: Produce first draft of the Guidelines (task 3);

C: Produce final draft of the Guidelines complete with practical examples and recommendations (task 5).

 

Competencies

Core values

  • Demonstrates integrity and fairness by modelling UN values and ethical standards;

  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Core competencies

  • Demonstrates professional competence to meet responsibilities and post requirements and is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;

  • Results-Orientation: Plans and produces quality results to meet established goals, generates innovative, practical solutions to challenging situations;

  • Communication: Excellent communication skills, including the ability to convey complex concepts andGuidelines, both orally and in writing, in a clear and persuasive style tailored to match different audiences;

  • Team work: Ability to interact, establish and maintain effective working relations with a culturally diverse team;

  • Client orientation: Ability to establish and maintain productive partnerships with national partners and stakeholders and pro-activeness in identifying of beneficiaries and partners’ needs, and matching them to appropriate solutions.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree in social sciences, political sciences, public administration or related field.

Experience:

  • At least 10 years of extensive experience working in international development cooperation and/or migration management. Experience working with International Organisations will be an asset.

  • Knowledge and professional experience in the area of migration and development policy and practice. Experience working in developing countries will be an asset;

  • Knowledge and professional experience in the area of decentralised cooperation and/or working with decentralised cooperation actors;

  • Familiarity with key public documents, strategies, trends and practices related to migration and development globally;

  • Proven analytical skills and ability to conceptualize and write concisely and clearly;
  • Proven track record authoring relevant publications;
  • Proven communication skills, and ability to interact with multiple actors including government representatives, local and regional authorities, civil society, academia and other pertinent stakeholders.

Language requirements:

Fluency in English. Knowledge of French and Spanish will be an asset.

Other:

Excellent computer skills (MS Office applications) and ability to use information technologies as a tool and resource.

 

Application Submission Process:

The application submission is a two-step process. Failing to comply with the submission process may result in disqualifying the applications:

Step 1: Interested individual consultants must include the following documents when submitting the applications in UNDP job shop (Please note that only 1 (one) file can be uploaded therefore please include all docs in one file).

Step 2: Submission of Financial Proposal

Applicants are instructed to submit their financial proposals in US Dollars for this consultancy to procurement.be@undp.org using the financial proposal template available here: Annex 2. Offeror's Letter of Interest. The proposals should be sent via email with the following subject heading: “Financial Proposal for JMDI Consultancy for the preparation of Guidelines on Integrating Migration into Decentralised Cooperation latest by March 10, 2017. Proposals to be received after the deadline will be rejected. In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal should be all-inclusive and include a breakdown. The term ‘all-inclusive” implies that all costs (professional fees, travel, per diems, consumables, insurance, etc.) that could possibly be incurred by the Contractor are already factored into the financial proposal.

Travel

The cost of the official missions should be factored in the financial proposals of the applicants. As such the consultant will be expected to undertake two travels to Brussels (Belgium): a) one induction meeting with the PMU (for one day meeting) and one Steering Committee Meeting (for one day meeting). The participation in the second Steering Committee Meeting will take place virtually. The cost of the official travel should include round air tickets, lodging, and accommodation. The airfare should always be “most direct, most economical.”

Application Evaluation Process

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the cumulative analysis methodology (weighted scoring method), where the award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

  • Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and
  • Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.
  • Technical Criteria weight - [70%];
  • Financial Criteria weight - [30%].

Only Individual Consultants obtaining a minimum of 70% on the Technical evaluation would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation – max. 100 points:

  • Candidate demonstrated full understanding of ToR - 30 points;
  • Candidate’s technical proposal is of high quality and consistent with and considers all tasks outlined in the ToR - 20 points;
  • Assessment of candidate’s expertise through interview - 50 points.

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation – max. 30 points.

The following formula will be used to evaluate financial proposal:

  • p = y (µ/z), where;
  • p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated;
  • y = maximum number of points for the financial proposal;
  • µ = price of the lowest priced proposal;
  • z = price of the proposal being evaluated.

UNDP is applying fair and transparent selection process that would take into account both the technical qualification of Individual Consultants as well as their price proposals. The contract will be awarded to the candidate obtaining the highest combined technical and financial scores. Please go the following link for the General Conditions of Individual Contracts: 

http://www.migration4development.org/sites/default/files/annex_iv._general_conditions_ic_2.pdf

UNDP retains the right to contact references directly.

Payments will be made only upon confirmation of UNDP on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner.

Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.org

Due to large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.