Research Consultant (Risk Management in Cash-Based Interventions (CBI)) At International Organization for Migration

Research on Risk Management in Cash-Based Interventions

Duty Station of the Consultancy: Home-based

Duration of Consultancy: 3-4 months

Nature of the consultancy. Category B Consultancy

The consultant’s primary responsibility is to conduct a research and gather information from relevant stakeholders to draft a clear and concise report with key findings and recommendations on mitigating risks and managing safeguards in large-scale cash-based interventions (CBI) in L3 emergencies such as responses in Ukraine, Somalia, Afghanistan, Türkiye (including cross-border activities) and other similar contexts to contribute to IOM efforts to systematize and standardize minimum control measures for risks including aid diversion, corruption, fraud, and others.

The consultant will work under the overall supervision of the Deputy Director General for Operations and the direct supervision of the Senior CBI Officer, and in close coordination with the relevant colleagues in the Department of Operations and Emergencies (DOE), the Department of Financial Management (DFM) and other relevant IOM HQ colleagues. The selected candidate will be home-based but may be requested to undertake duty travel if required by the supervisor.

Project context and scope

The consultant will need to (i) Interview and coordinate with key informants from IOM to understand internal processes relevant to CBI, including resource management, risk control and auditing, as well as to agree on the expected outcomes of the external KI interviews (ii) Interview and coordinate with key informants from UN Agencies, IFRC/ICRC and large INGOs to collect information about their resource management processes, monitoring and verification requirements, safeguards and risk control measures in large scale cash operations and (iii) Draft and consolidate a research report with key findings and recommendations to IOM.

Through key informant interviews and research into mitigating risks in large-scale cash responses (both in contexts where assistance is managed and monitored remotely or in person), the consultant will draft and submit a research report, summarizing good practices and lessons learned. The report needs to be detailed, yet concise and with clear recommendations, which will then be considered by IOM to decide on any needed revision of internal procedures, minimum required safeguards and control measures allowing IOM to disburse cash assistance at a larger scale in L3 emergencies or other similar responses.

Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

1. Prepare and submit a detailed workplan – Based on the details outlined in this TOR and additional information to be provided by the IOM CBI Unit, the consultant will provide a detailed workplan that will be discussed and finalized with the Senior CBI Officer and the Department of Operations and Emergencies (DOE).
2. Interview and coordinate with key informants in IOM – To better understand CBI processes in IOM, as well as getting more clarity on the expected outcome of the external KI interviews, the consultant will carry out interviews with key IOM staff members from relevant units, departments and divisions in coordination with the Senior CBI Officer.
3. Interview and coordinate with other stakeholders – The consultant will conduct key informant interviews with other UN agencies, IFRC/ICRC and at least two other large INGOs that have previous experience implementing large-scale Cash assistance projects in Ukraine, Somalia, Afghanistan, Türkiye (including cross-border activities), and other emergency contexts.
4. Conduct literature and desk review – The consultant will collect and carry out a well-structured review of internal and external documents prepared by IOM and other agencies implementing CBI with a focus on risk and control measures.
5. Consolidate information and draft of the research report – The consultant will consolidate information obtained from the desk review and key informant interviews and draft the research report in coordination with the CBI Unit, as well as designated DOE and DFM colleagues.
6. Organize a webinar to present the key findings – In coordination with the CBI Unit, the consultant will organize a webinar/presentation presenting the key findings and recommendations.

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

The following activities and deliveries are expected:

1. The detailed workplan is expected within one (1) week after the start of the contract.
2. The interviews are expected to be completed within the first 2 months after start of contract – First instalment payment.
3. The literature and desk review can be done simultaneously with the interviews.
4. The first draft of the research brief is expected one (1) month prior to the end of the contract and the revised version two (2) weeks prior to the end of this contract – Second instalment payment.
5. The webinar/presentation is expected in the final week of the contract (unless agreed otherwise with the supervisor) – Third and final instalment payment.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

• Master’s degree in Economics, Social Sciences, Political Science or a related field from an accredited academic institution with five (5) years of relevant professional experience; or
• University degree in the above fields with seven (7) years of relevant professional experience.
• Proven working experience in the field with international experience in conducting research on CBI;
• Excellent knowledge of CBI across humanitarian, development and peace operations, including migration contexts;
• Working experience in drafting similar research briefs
• Working experience with international organizations and knowledge of the United Nations.

Languages:

Fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of French or Spanish is an advantage.

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.