Call for Applications (CFA) for Senior Technical Consultant – Africa Migration Data Network (AMDN) Start Up and Implementation Support

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

 

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.

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

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

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.

   

Second Deliverable – African Migration Data Landscape and Priorities Note 

Concise landscape note (approx. 10–12 pages) providing:

• 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.

   

                   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

• 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).

For this consultancy, Excellent written and spoken English is required.

Working knowledge of French strongly desirable; knowledge of other AU working languages (Arabic, Portuguese, Kiswahili) is an asset.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

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.

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

IOM covers Consultants against occupational accidents and illnesses under the Compensation Plan (CP), free of charge, for the duration of the consultancy. IOM does not provide evacuation or medical insurance for reasons related to non-occupational accidents and illnesses. Consultants are responsible for their own medical insurance for non-occupational accident or illness and will be required to provide written proof of such coverage before commencing work. 

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, security clearances.

IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities.

IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.

IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment system (for internal candidates link here). The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.

No late applications will be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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