1. Nature of the consultancy: The consultancy aims to develop a comprehensive Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) plan for the Integrated Border Stability Mechanism (IBSM). This consultancy will review existing frameworks and documents to align the M&E plan with the strategic objectives of the IBSM. By engaging with key stakeholders, including representatives from the IOM, UNODC, UNOCT, INTERPOL, and donor states, the plan will incorporate diverse needs and priorities. The M&E plan will define common indicators to track progress at both national and regional levels, facilitating a cohesive assessment of the IBSM’s impact. The consultancy will also focus on training and capacity building, equipping IBSM staff and partners with the knowledge and tools to implement the M&E framework effectively.

Ultimately, this consultancy will enable the IBSM to monitor and evaluate its initiatives more effectively. It will improve reporting to donors and West African states, enhance transparency and accountability, and contribute to regional stability and security.

1. Project Context and Scope:
2. Context

While instability has been a recurring theme in the Sahel and West Africa, violent events have become more frequent and deadly in recent years and their underlying dynamics have grown increasingly complex, including an ever-growing nexus between terrorism and organized crime.

Violence continues to escalate not only in the Sahel but spills over to the Gulf of Guinea countries (Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Togo). Remarkably, in this context more than 40% of violent events and fatalities occur within 100 km of a land border, and 10% of deaths from political violence occur less than 10 km from a border.[1]

For terrorist armed groups and organized crime networks border areas are of high strategic relevance. They skillfully exploit inadequately controlled borders and lack of coordination between neighboring countries to elude state security forces. For transnational organized crime networks the control of cross-border trafficking routes is essential for their operations and, in turn, their profits.

For terrorist armed groups, proximity to borders facilitates hit-and-run tactics while the absence of state security forces in remote border areas allows them to forcefully subdue local communities and exploit the vulnerabilities of these communities. Also, organized crime can be a source of income for terrorist armed groups, which cooperate with organized crime networks when it is opportune for both sides.

The situation in peripheral border areas is further aggravated by the following factors, which all fuel radicalized narratives spread by violent extremist groups:

• climate risks,
• food insecurity,
• high population growth,
• limited state capacity,
• lack of governance.

At the same time, over 90% of the migration movements in West and Central Africa remain intra-regional. Intra-regional cross-border trade, mostly small-scale in nature, constitutes 12% of West-Africa’s trade value, and is thus an important driver for cross-border movements in the region. Regional co-operation, trade, and free movement of people and goods therefore play out in a more precarious and unstable context, to which local governments must adapt.[2]

Against this backdrop, the need for unified action to promote stability in West African border areas has never been more urgent. At the same time, a twofold window of opportunity is emerging that offers momentum for realizing a more unified approach in this context: Firstly, West African states have recently demonstrated an unprecedented willingness for security cooperation across borders. This most notably reflected in the Accra Initiative and the G5 Sahel, but also in international formats such as the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF) West Africa Working Group and the Anti-IS Coalition Africa Focus Group (AFFG). Note bene: After the coup in Niger in July 2023 and the regional political consequences, it remains to be seen what level of security cooperation between the Central Sahel states and the coastal states can be preserved or rekindled. Secondly, key donor states are in the process of adapting their policies and project portfolios to the new challenges in the region while simultaneously acknowledging the need for more coordination and harmonization of efforts. Hence, both the West African states and the donor states agree that more effective governance of shared border areas and strengthened capabilities in the field of integrated border management are a key element of a joint response to the growing violence and instability along the shared frontiers.

1. The Integrated Border Stability Mechanism (IBSM)

The Integrated Border Stability Mechanism (IBSM) is a response to the urgent need for more unified and focused action in the field of Integrated Border Management (IBM) and Border Security, Biometrics, and Battlefield Evidence (3B) capacity-building as well as more effective joint cross-border approaches in this context. In the last couple of years, this need was regularly emphasized by West African governments and regional organizations, international donors, and implementing agencies. By improving coordination and cooperation among relevant national, regional, and international stakeholders, the IBSM aims at specifically supporting West African states, donors, and implementing organizations in facilitating joint action and executing regional and national strategies and policy frameworks in support of stability in border areas. Thereby, the IBSM focuses on five interlinked and complementing objectives:

1) supporting the development and/or operationalization of legal and policy frameworks and enabling effective border governance,

2) improving border management infrastructure,

3) strengthening IBM/3B capacities and improving cross-border cooperation, including support for operational level cooperation structures such as the Accra Initiative and the G5 Sahel,

4) supporting capacity development in migration management and cross-border mobility,

5) ensuring community engagement in areas directly affected by IBM capacity-building projects.

1. The development of an M&E plan

Given the importance of the IBSM and the need for a more coherent and efficient approach to immigration and border governance in West Africa, the development of a comprehensive Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) plan is essential. The IBSM aims to address complex challenges such as terrorism, organized crime, and the management of migration, which are critical for regional stability and security. As a coordination mechanism, the IBSM serves as a docking station for donor funding, necessitating a unified M&E framework to track progress across various projects and ensure accountability. A robust M&E plan will allow for the systematic collection, analysis, and reporting of data, providing clear insights into the effectiveness of the initiatives implemented under the IBSM. This, in turn, will facilitate better decision-making, optimize resource allocation, and highlight areas requiring improvement. Furthermore, by defining common indicators and standardizing reporting processes, the M&E plan will enhance transparency and accountability, allowing donors and West African states to assess the impact of their investments accurately. The ability to demonstrate tangible outcomes and progress will strengthen donor confidence and foster continued support. Ultimately, this comprehensive M&E plan will not only improve the efficiency and coherence of border governance programs but also contribute significantly to the overarching goal of enhancing regional stability and security.

1. Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing: Immigration and Border Governance (IBG).

The Tasks to be Accomplished:

1. Category A Consultants: Tangible and measurable outputs of the work assignment

The responsibilities of the consultant encompass five key stages: (i) Inception Report detailing the methodology and work plan, (ii) Development of a comprehensive M&E Plan for the IBSM, including common indicators and data collection methods, (iii) Development of training materials and documentation, (iv) Delivery of trainings to the IBSM staff, and (v) Final report summarizing the consultancy process, stakeholder inputs, and recommendations for implementation.

• Inception Report Detailing the Methodology and Work Plan: The first responsibility of the consultant is to prepare an Inception Report that outlines the proposed methodology and work plan for the consultancy. This report will serve as a roadmap, detailing the steps and processes to be followed. It will include an overview of the objectives, the approach to be taken, the timeline for each phase of the project, and the resources required. This initial stage is crucial for setting clear expectations and ensuring that all stakeholders are aligned on the goals and methods of the consultancy.
• Development of a Comprehensive M&E Plan for the IBSM: The core responsibility of the consultant is to develop a comprehensive Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Plan for the IBSM. This plan will include defining common indicators to be used across projects, establishing data collection methods, and creating mechanisms for regular monitoring and evaluation. The M&E Plan will provide a framework for tracking progress and measuring the impact of the IBSM initiatives at both national and regional levels. By standardizing indicators and methodologies, the plan will facilitate a cohesive and integrated approach to assessing the effectiveness of border governance programs.
• Development of Training Materials and Documentation: Another key responsibility of the consultant is to develop detailed training materials and documentation to support the implementation of the M&E Plan. These materials will include guides, manuals, and instructional content tailored to the needs of IBSM staff and partners. The documentation will provide clear instructions on how to use the M&E framework, collect data, and report findings. This stage is essential for ensuring that all stakeholders have the knowledge and tools needed to effectively participate in the monitoring and evaluation process.
• Delivery of Trainings to the IBSM Staff: The consultant will also be responsible for delivering training sessions to IBSM staff and partners. These trainings will be designed to build capacity and ensure that all participants are proficient in using the M&E Plan. The sessions will cover topics such as data collection techniques, indicator measurement, reporting processes, and the use of any relevant software or tools. By providing hands-on training, the consultant will help ensure that the M&E framework is implemented effectively and consistently across all projects.
• Final Report Summarizing the Consultancy Process, Stakeholder Inputs, and Recommendations for Implementation: At the conclusion of the consultancy, the consultant will prepare a final report summarizing the entire process. This report will include an overview of the methodology, key findings, stakeholder inputs, and any challenges encountered. It will also provide recommendations for the ongoing implementation and improvement of the M&E Plan. The final report will serve as a comprehensive record of the consultancy and a valuable resource for future reference, helping to ensure the sustainability and success of the IBSM’s monitoring and evaluation efforts.

The deliverables are detailed below and spread out over a period of 90 consecutive days between the 1 August 2024 and 31 October 2024.

Deliverables

Deadline

Initial meeting with the IBSM to define the details of the consultancy.

D+1

Inception Report

D+15

Data collection – preliminary report

D+60

M&E Plan

D+60

Validation of results with IBSM Members

D+65

Development of Training Material

D+75

Delivery of Training to IBSM members

D+85

Final Report

D+90

Debrief meeting with IOM

D+90

5.Education, Experience and/or skills required

EDUCATION

• Master’s degree in in Social Science, International Relations, Public Administration, Law, Migration Studies or a related field from an accredited academic institution with seven years of relevant professional experience.

LANGUAGE

• For this position, proficiency in ENGLISH AND FRENCH is required.

EXPERIENCE

• Experience in the field of migration and specific IBG experience, including operational and working with high level government authorities.
• Extensive experience in liaising with governmental authorities, UN agencies and other national/international development partners and civil society.
• Extensive work experience with Government authorities in the thematic area of immigration and border management.
• Demonstrated expertise relevant to IBG programming as follows: national migration and border management strategies; border management policy and practice, border management and security; integrated border management.
• Experience in related policy and legal areas of border and immigration governance
• Strong experience in writing reports, summaries, analytical papers, among others.
• Have a high level of computer literacy in Microsoft software (Word, Excel and PowerPoint)

SKILLS

• Ability to work under pressure, stay on track and meet deadlines.
• Analytical and problem solving skills
• Demonstrated ability to produce accurate and understandable reports and memos in accordance with IOM requirements;
• Able to work in a multicultural environment;
• High level of autonomy at work, while being a strong team player;
• Adaptability, patience, ingenuity, resilience and flexibility;
• Proactive and solution-oriented

1. Travel required

The duty station of the consultancy will be home based and may involve 2 to 3 missions in West Africa (Dakar, Abidjan and/or any other destination as relevant to the assignment).

1. 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 via email to [email protected] indicating ROWCA-HR-24-012-CFA on the subject line, by 18 July 2024 .

For applications to be considered, applicants are asked to submit applications with a cover letter (no more than one page long) specifying motivation and qualifications for applying, as well as a detailed resume/CV, functional e-mail address and mobile telephone number. Incomplete applications will automatically be rejected.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Posting Period:

From 4 July 2024 to 18 July 2024

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