Senior Technical Consultant – Africa Migration Data Network (AMDN) Start Up and Implementation Support 5 views0 applications

1. Duty Station of the Consultancy:
   Home‑based, with possible travel to Addis Ababa and/or selected AU / REC meetings, as agreed with STATAFRIC and IOM.
2. Duration of Consultancy:
   Five (5) months upon medical clearance.
3. Nature of the consultancy:
   Category B – Senior Technical Consultant to support the initial implementation phase of the Africa Migration Data Network (AMDN).
4. Project Context and Scope:

The Africa Migration Data Network (AMDN) is a continental technical platform within the African Statistical System, hosted by STATAFRIC and supported by partners including the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and Statistics Sweden (SCB). During its start‑up phase, the AMDN is expected to be operationalised through a dedicated Secretariat hosted within STATAFRIC, responsible for day‑to‑day coordination, technical implementation, and partner engagement. The Network will be guided by a planned governance structure, including a Steering Committee to provide strategic direction, oversight, and alignment with AU statistical priorities, with the participation of key institutional partners. The AMDN’s mandate is to strengthen the production, harmonisation, governance and strategic use of migration and displacement statistics across Africa, in line with the Migration Policy Framework for Africa, Agenda 2063, SHaSA 2, the Global Compact for Migration (GCM) and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

In its start‑up phase (2026–2027), the AMDN will operationalise its governance structure, initiate core activities (e.g. support to implementation of the AU Guidelines on Migration and Displacement Statistics, preparation of the next African School on Migration Statistics (ASMS), initial analytical products) and mobilise technical and financial resources.

The Senior Technical Consultant will support the AMDN Secretariat (STATAFRIC/IOM/SCB) through the following areas of work:

i. Operational Planning and Strategic Translation

• Translate existing AMDN Terms of Reference, governance decisions, and strategic frameworks into a practical and sequenced 6–12-month operational work plan, including clear milestones, deliverables, and roles across stakeholders.
• Advise the Secretariat on priority-setting and phasing of activities, taking into account institutional readiness, resource availability, and political considerations.

ii. Analytical and Technical Advisory Support

• Provide high‑level analytical input on the African migration and displacement data landscape, including:
• Mapping of data systems, institutional arrangements, and key gaps.
• Identification of priority thematic and scope for AMDN engagement.
• Contribute to the conceptual development of early AMDN analytical, methodological, and capacity‑building products, ensuring alignment with AU frameworks and international statistical standards.

iii. Establishment and Strengthening of the AMDN Secretariat and Steering Committee

• Support the operational establishment of the AMDN Secretariat and Steering Committee, including:
• Clarifying core secretariat functions, workflows, and internal coordination arrangements.
• Defining roles and responsibilities among AU STATAFRIC, IOM, SCB, and other core partners.
• Supporting the development of basic operational tools such as work plan templates, reporting formats, and coordination mechanisms.
• Provide technical support to the AMDN secretariat and Steering Committee, including linkages with AMDN technical working groups and AU statistical structures.

iv. Support to AMDN-related Meetings and Technical Events

• Support the planning, preparation, and organisation of AMDN‑related meetings, including:
• Technical working group meetings.
• Steering or advisory body meetings
• Partner coordination meetings and consultations with AU entities, RECs, and Member States.
• Assist with the preparation of background documents and support follow‑up on agreed action points.
• Contribute to the coordination of AMDN inputs into key continental events, including the preparation of the next African School on Migration Statistics (ASMS).

  v. Donor Engagement, Briefings, and Resource Mobilisation

• Support the Secretariat in resource mobilisation efforts, including:
• Preparation of donor briefing notes, presentations, and concept notes articulating AMDN’s mandate, value proposition, and funding needs.
• Supporting engagements with bilateral and multilateral donors, foundations, and development partners.
• Prepare strategic partnership and collaboration opportunities among AU organs, RECs, Member States, and international organisations to strengthen funding prospects.

  vi. Stakeholder Coordination and Partnership Building

• Facilitate coordination among key AMDN stakeholders, including AU structures, National Statistical Offices, regional organisations, and technical partners.
• Support the establishment and operationalisation of the AMDN network by setting up effective and sustainable communication and collaboration mechanisms across Member States, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and technical partners. This includes supporting the nomination and onboarding of AMDN focal points from Member States and RECs, managing and maintaining contact lists and mailing lists, and facilitating regular information‑sharing and coordination across the network.
• Contribute to the development of AMDN communication materials and visibility approach (e.g. briefs, presentations, and introductory materials) to support engagement, awareness, and coordinated participation across stakeholders.
• Contribute to building a shared understanding of roles, expectations, and complementarities among stakeholders involved in migration and displacement statistics in Africa.

  5. Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing:

  • STATAFRIC / AMDN Secretariat
  • IOM Special Liaison Office (Addis Ababa) Regional Office for East and Horn of Africa (RO Nairobi), Regional Data Hub (RDH Nairobi), in coordination with other IOM Regional Offices in Africa and relevant HQ units.

  6. Category B Consultants: Tangible and measurable outputs of the work assignment

  The Consultant will be hired on a deliverable’s basis. Indicative deliverables and payment structure:

First Deliverable – Inception and Start‑Up Workplan

• Short Inception Note, outlining objectives, scope, methodology, timeline, and coordination arrangements with STATAFRIC, IOM, SCB, and other key stakeholders.
• Draft 6–12‑month AMDN operational start‑up plan, translating existing AMDN ToRs, governance decisions, and strategic frameworks into:
  • Sequenced priority activities.
  • Clear milestones, outputs, and timelines.
  • Roles and responsibilities across the AMDN Secretariat and partners.
  • Initial proposals for secretariat workflows and coordination mechanisms.
  • Payment: 20% of total consultancy amount upon receipt and written approval by STATAFRIC / AMDN Secretariat and IOM.
  • Concise landscape note (approx. 10–12 pages) providing:

Second Deliverable – African Migration Data Landscape and Priorities Note

• Mapping of key African migration and displacement data stakeholders, initiatives, and coordination mechanisms (AU, RECs, Member States, international organisations, and partners).
• Identification of major technical, institutional, and governance gaps in migration and displacement statistics.
• Recommended priority thematic and strategic focus areas for AMDN’s start‑up phase, aligned with AU frameworks and policy processes.
  • A 2–3‑page AMDN value‑proposition and resource mobilisation brief, clearly articulating:
    • AMDN’s mandate, comparative advantage, and strategic relevance.
      • Priority funding needs linked to planned start‑up activities.
  • Contributions to at least two funding concepts/proposals for donors or development partners, prepared with STATAFRIC/IOM/SCB.

Payment: 30% upon receipt and written approval by STATAFRIC / AMDN Secretariat and IOM.

Third Deliverable – Partnership and Resource Mobilisation Package

• A 2–3‑page AMDN value‑proposition and resource mobilisation brief, clearly articulating:
  • AMDN’s mandate, comparative advantage, and strategic relevance.
    • Priority funding needs linked to planned start‑up activities.
  • Contributions to at least two funding concepts/proposals for donors or development partners, prepared with STATAFRIC/IOM/SCB.

Payment: 25% upon receipt and written approval by STATAFRIC / AMDN Secretariat and IOM.

Fourth Deliverable – Technical Inputs and Final Summary Report

Secretariat and coordination support outputs, including:

• Brief technical notes and coordination inputs supporting the organisation of AMDN‑related meetings (e.g. technical working groups, partner coordination meetings, preparatory meetings for ASMS).
• Draft agendas, background notes, or summaries for selected AMDN meetings, as required.
• Network establishment and communication outputs, including:
• Support the identification, nomination, and onboarding of AMDN focal points from Member States and RECs.
• Set up and management of AMDN contact databases and mailing lists.
• Draft communication and outreach materials for AMDN (e.g., introductory notes, presentation deck, short briefs).
• Inputs to an AMDN communication and engagement approach to support coordination and visibility during the start‑up phase.
  • Technical inputs or draft outlines for 2–3 initial AMDN products, such as:
    • A short guidance or technical note supporting implementation of the AU Guidelines on Migration and Displacement Statistics.
    • Conceptual or technical inputs to the African School on Migration Statistics (ASMS).
    • A brief analytical contribution to a continental or REC‑level migration or displacement statistics product.
  • Brief talking points or participation notes for AMDN engagement in at least two continental or regional fora (e.g. CoDG, STCs, REC meetings, donor briefings), drawing on activities implemented under the AMDN. These will be prepared for presentation and consideration at the Committee of Directors General (CoDG), and for information‑sharing at the STC level, based on StatAfric processes and documents produced for endorsement.).
  • Final Summary Report (maximum 8–10 pages) documenting:
    • Activities undertaken and outputs delivered.
      • Key achievements and challenges.
      • Strategic recommendations for the next phase of AMDN implementation and secretariat strengthening.

Payment: 25% upon receipt and written approval by STATAFRIC / AMDN Secretariat and IOM

7. Performance indicators for the evaluation of results

• Submission of a complete and realistic inception package and workplan, accepted by STATAFRIC / AMDN Secretariat and IOM.
• Quality and usefulness of the African migration data landscape note for steering AMDN priorities.
• Quality and practicality of the resource mobilisation package and associated funding concepts.
• Relevance and clarity of technical inputs to early AMDN products (guidance notes, ASMS, analytic contributions).
• Timely delivery of all outputs and responsiveness to feedback from STATAFRIC / AMDN Secretariat and IOM.

8. Education, Experience and/or skills required

• Advanced degree (master’s or higher) in Statistics, Demography, Economics, Migration Studies, Public Policy, International Relations or related field.
• At least 7 years of relevant professional experience in migration/demographic statistics, data governance or migration policy analysis, with substantial work in or on Africa.
• Demonstrated experience working with or advising African continental/regional bodies (e.g. AUC/STATAFRIC, RECs, African Migration Observatory, AfDB).
• Proven experience in resource mobilisation (donor engagement, proposal development).
• Experience coordinating multi‑country/regional projects and working directly with NSOs and government counterparts.
• Strong analytical and drafting skills, with evidence of lead authorship of regional/continental reports or policy briefs.
• Familiarity with the African migration data landscape, including AU/UN datasets and frameworks (e.g. SHaSA 2, AU Guidelines on Migration and Displacement Statistics, GCM Objective 1).
• Excellent written and spoken English; working knowledge of French strongly desirable; knowledge of other AU working languages (Arabic, Portuguese, Kiswahili) is an asset.

9. Travel required

At least one mission to Addis Ababa or another agreed location in Africa may be required during the consultancy to participate in Steering Committee / AMDN or related meetings, as agreed with STATAFRIC / AMDN Secretariat and IOM. Travel will follow IOM rules and procedures

10. Required Competencies

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.

Values – all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these five values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
• 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.
• Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
• Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

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 actions and delegated work.
• Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way