Remittances Survey Consultant 171 views0 applications

Terms of Reference

Remittances Survey Consultant

Context:

Estimates indicate that 4.7 million South Sudanese live outside of the country’s borders, with at least 2.5 million of those living as refugees. As a result, money earned abroad by diaspora that should be sent to support the communities and individuals in South Sudan in the form of remittances, is now being used to sustain foreign economies. A large proportion of the South Sudanese economy is being supported by migrants in both formal and informal employment, and there is an assumption that a sizeable percentage of their wealth is being channelled through remittance outflows to their countries of origin. Meanwhile, there are no formal mechanisms for remittances data collection, analysis and dissemination in the country with latest figures captured in 2013 and the Bank of South Sudan has not issued disaggregated data on overseas development assistance where remittances would be captured since 2013.

There are also no tracking mechanisms in relation to how remittances are utilized to build the resilience of South Sudanese people, such as family upkeep, running enterprises, and so on. Due to these complexities, involving all stakeholders an assessment of the current landscape would ensure information-sharing and the ability to adequately inform policy. As such, IOM South Sudan would like to conduct a study on remittance flows in and out of the country. The findings will be used to determine the feasibility of eventually establishing a diaspora investment fund that can be managed by the diaspora associations through an agreed framework supported by the government.

Objective

The general objective of this consultancy is to enhance knowledge on remittance flows and costs of money transfers, as well as utilization of these remittances to promote investment and trade by making policy recommendations for reform.

Scope of survey

The survey will provide a knowledge base on remittance flows into South Sudan and establish how these money transfers are utilized. By establishing the relevant stakeholders and with feedback from the diaspora, the study will make recommendations on where the government of South Sudan can make policy guidance to enhance remittance flows at a reasonable cost and their utilization to improve investment in the country. The consultant(s) will need to undertake the following:

a) Map relevant stakeholders involved in international and domestic money transfers (including mobile money transfer companies) and establish their outreach within the country;

b) Map the costs charged for international and domestic money transfer by the identified service providers;

c) Assess the utilization of these remittances in South Sudan and identify key investment areas where diaspora can be encouraged to invest in;

d) Document the different remittance packages and products offered by the service providers to the diaspora;

e) Identify diaspora locations with the highest remittances in collaboration with money transfer organizations and engage them to establish their challenges with making money transfers back to South Sudan;

f) Make policy recommendations on how stakeholders can encourage increased remittance transfers to South Sudan such as development of diaspora products and incentives with reduced money transfer costs;

g) Collaborate with the Technical Advisory Working Group chaired by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning and Co-Chaired by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

Tangible and measurable output of the work assignment

· Report drafted and made available for relevant stakeholders on diaspora engagement and remittances in South Sudan, including policy recommendations to maximize the contribution of the diaspora to poverty reduction in communities of origin, especially female headed households);

· Finding presented and report validated at a workshop for stakeholders

b. Realistic delivery dates and details as to how the work must be delivered.

The expert’s services will be required over 4 months.

• Detailed work plan presented prior to the commencement of the assignment
• Draft report to be sent to IOM by end of third month
• Final report to be submitted by end of fourth month

c. Performance indicators for evaluation of results (value of services rendered in relation to their cost).

• Satisfactory completion of tasks indicated in the ToRs
• Quality of writing, problem clearly stated, plan based on and responding to the problem defined, clear and concise organization, appropriate methodology, achievable targets
• Adequate and prompt provision of the technical inputs
• Timely delivery of drafts and deliverables as indicated these ToRs.
• Professional and collaborative demeanor

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• A minimum of a Bachelor’s, preferably a Master’s or above university degree, in finance, Economics, social sciences or another field related to the services.

Experience

• Proven track-record of professional experience of at least 7 years on migration governance with finance, banking and remittances
• Professional working experience with national authorities/institutions about migration issues and, specifically, on remittances issues;
• Expertise in the migration sector with experience in the topic of diaspora engagement, remittances and development at international level;
• Demonstrated experience in carrying out data collection, analysis and reporting
• Proven experience in working in international settings;
• Experience in drafting regulations and /or formulating related recommendations, conducting feasibility studies, compiling research and liaising and communicating with national and/or international counterparts;
• Demonstrated ability to deliver quality work under tight timeframes.

Languages

Fluency in English is required.

Other

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this Call for Application Notice is subject to funding confirmation. Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment.