Background

This assignment is to commission a mapping and ensuing report of existing initiatives and activities around the world at the nexus of livelihoods for displaced people and/or certain migrants, and digitalization.

A central hypothesis of the ‘Migrant Nations’ initiative is that digitalization may open up or enhance livelihood opportunities for certain displaced individuals or migrants, who are generally excluded from such opportunities in host or transit countries. Digitalization has potential because it could open up trans-border livelihood opportunities (thus displaced people and migrants would not be competing for local jobs with host communities, yet could contribute fiscally to host countries, thereby potentially reducing dependency on aid and host countries); it could help overcome key obstacles related to documentation or credentialing (for instance, Digital IDs could provide a proof of identity and related educational and work history required by employers); it could also be mobile (thus accessible and sustainable for a person in transit, or who may soon be on the move again). Furthermore, in accordance with research on the ‘Future of Work’, which finds that digitalization will drastically transform work and labor, livelihood opportunities that intersect already with digitalization could provide long-term benefits by leap-frogging skills and employment experience into a future where they will be increasingly relevant.

The aims of the commissioned research would thus be to (a) better understand to what extent this hypothesis may be realizable; (b) provide a database of existing experiences that Migrant Nations prototyping and implementing work would be able to build on, crowd in, or support; (c) surface key insights on opportunities and challenges, potential difficulties and ethical considerations, as well as infrastructural, educational, or other foundational necessities to realize the potential of such an initiative at scale.

Crucially, the envisioned work is not meant to focus simply on digitization (the transition from analog to digital) but digitalization (the broader changes in institutions, markets, and governance associated with the digital revolution). Further, the aim is not to map the use of digital in financial inclusion, but rather focus on digital livelihoods – the intersection of livelihood building and opportunities with digitalization.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work

Core research should take incorporate relevant extant literature, use cases, interviews and dialogue in order to develop a mapping database of all relevant initiatives, as well as an input paper to be presented at the Summer Convening (tentatively end June 2019), and a publishable final paper, incorporating insights from dialogue and workshopping at the convening.

Crucially, research should be undertaken with regular dialogue and engagement with the Migrant Nations team and core partners.

Please see ANNEX: ROADMAP FOR ACTION – ‘MIGRANT NATIONS’: EMPOWERED LIVELIHOODS at the following link:  http://www.catalyst.undp.org/content/dam/Catalyst/documents/Migrant%20Nations-%20Roadmap%20of%20Action.docx  

Deliverables

• Mapping of initiatives world-wide (or in significant host and transit countries from across all major regions of the world, as research findings will be different across different contexts) at the intersection of digitalization and migrant and refugee livelihoods, taking into account findings on the ‘Future of Work’.
• Analysis & Report Write-up based on findings and their relevance to the objectives of the Migrant Nations Initiative including answers to the following questions: 
  • What are the challenges and constraints, as well as the opportunities, presented for migrants, refugees, and displaced people by new trends in the digitalization of work?
  • What are the primary challenges and successes that these different initiatives present?
  • What insights or characteristics of existing initiatives should be crowded in to ensure a more sophisticated prototype?
  • What skill levels are needed for the livelihood activity in question? Did the refugees/ migrants in question have these skills, or was training needed?
  • Who are key private-sector stakeholders engaged on the job supply side?
  • Where a digital form of identification is used, what standards and operating characteristics are necessary to ensure a safe and useful Digital ID that could unlock and enhance livelihood opportunities?
  • Crucially, what is the view of the displaced people and refugees themselves about this kind of work?

• Regular engagement and communication with Migrant Nations Project Manager so as to collaborate, discuss findings, discuss stakeholders who should be engaged in the community and convening, and engage in broader Migrant Nations community.
• Presentation of work at the Summer Convening, and finalization of report findings for publishing.

Summary of Deliverables

The following are expected deliverables based on the scope of work defined above:

• Mapping database of existing initiatives (organized in Excel);
• Draft Analytical document assessing challenges, opportunities, and providing answers to key research questions (to be presented at Summer 2019 Convening in late June)
• Presentation of Research at Summer 2019 Convening
• Final Report ready for publication by end July 2019

Schedule

• April 2019: Choosing & Commissioning Research Team
• April 2019: Preliminary scoping completed
• May – June 2019: Mapping completed; Draft report finished with findings to be presented at Convening
• July 2019: Revision and Publication of Research

Payments shall be disbursed only upon acceptance of the above deliverables and authorization to release payment by the Policy Advisor, Project Catalyst, Executive Office of the Administrator.

Application procedures:

Interested individuals must submit the following as proposals in order to demonstrate their qualifications: (NOTE: the system does not allow multiple uploads of document. Applicants must make sure to upload all documents in one PDF file).

All applications must contain the following information:

• Cover letter with a summary statement of competencies in relation to the TOR.
• Earliest availability and proposed schedule for consultancy.
• Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP.
• Personal CV or P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references.
• Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive daily fee, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided.

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials.

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology:

• Technical Evaluation Weight - 70%
• Financial Evaluation Weight - 30%

Competencies

Corporate Competencies

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards and acts in accordance with the Standards of Conduct for international civil servants
• Advocates and promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism

Functional Competencies

• Ability to create community with a range of external partners, generating enthusiasm and support for initiative
• Ability to communicate with a variety of audiences, and excellent ability to write a variety of types of professional documents, including for external communications, funders, and initiative partners
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision and manage multiple priorities according to deadline
• Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office
• Sensitivity to and responsiveness to all partners, respectful and helpful relations with all UN/UNDP staff
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude

Required Skills and Experience