Gambia: Migration, Environment and Climate Change (MECC) Study 1.0

Sep 30, 2021 | International Organization for Migration
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The International Organization for Migration is an intergovernmental organization that provides services and advice concerning migration to governments and migrants, including internally displaced persons, refugees, and migrant workers.

Terms of Reference

1. Nature of the consultancy: Conduct a study on vulnerabilities caused by climate change, existing adaptation practices and mobility impacts of environmental degradation and climate change in The Gambia.

Objective: The overall objective of the project titled, “Building Evidence and Enhancing Capacity to Formulate Policy Responses on Environmental Migration in The Gambia,” is to contribute to evidence-based policies to better address environmental migration-related challenges in The Gambia. The overall objective of the Study is to identify gaps in both national and local government authorities’ capacities as well as to highlight policy priorities in relation to the environmental degradation and effects of climate change occurring within The Gambia. The consultant will conduct the Study through a gender lens, ensuring policy recommendations are gender-specific and coherent.

Target Audience: Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources (MECCNAR); National Climate Change Secretariat; National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA); Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment (MoTIE); National Environment Agency; Ministry of Fisheries and Water Resources; Department of Physical Planning; Ministry of Agriculture. The University of The Gambia.

2. IOM Project to which the Consultancy is contributing: Building Evidence and Enhancing Capacity to Formulate Policy Responses on Environmental Migration in The Gambia

Background: The Gambia has experienced a gradual increase in out-migration as well as internal urbanization over the span of several decades. The peak of urbanization took place between 1993-2010 and the trend has since continued upwards, with migrants from all regions traveling to two key urban centres within The Gambia. According to the Government of The Gambia, climate change and environmental degradation-induced migration, particularly from rural to urban areas, is showing an increase in rate and distribution of geographic coverage. This analysis adds to the anticipated risks climate change and environmental degradation will pose to the livelihoods of a large portion of the Gambian population.

While the Government of The Gambia has taken steps to put in place a comprehensive migration governance architecture and climate change policy, there remains a gap between the two focal points. This project, therefore, will contribute to evidence-based policies to better address environmental migration-related challenges in The Gambia. The two main areas of focus for the project will be on generating knowledge on climate and environment vulnerabilities, associated movements/displacements, and existing adaption measures; and building capacity of national/local government authorities to utilize the generated knowledge to respond to environmental migration-related challenges.

The study in question for this consultancy will be for a duration of three months. It will be the first of two studies which will contribute to capacity building efforts for national and local area government authorities as well as relevant development partners.

The consultant is responsible for conducting a study that focuses on vulnerabilities caused by climate change, existing adaption practices and mobility impacts of environmental degradation and climate change in The Gambia. The study should aim to link aspects of human mobility to the effects of environmental degradation and climate change in The Gambia to ensure that policies are coherent and add to the overall improvement of the current migration governance. The consultant will conduct the study through a gender lens, being mindful of presenting gender-specific policy recommendations to relevant target audience members.

3. Tasks to be performed under this contract:

  • Organize an introductory meeting with key stakeholders;
  • Develop the research methodology and workplan to be implemented, which will be included in the inception report and give due consideration to the need of conducting the study through a gender lens;
  • Create research materials based on the type of information required for the Study i.e interview questionnaires, field assessment guidelines, etc.;
  • Facilitate field and stakeholder interviews;
  • Present key findings to and conduct a validation with relevant stakeholders;
  • Revise the study and integrate any feedback received during the validation meeting(s) with relevant stakeholders;
  • Produce a final draft of the Study and provide recommendations through a gender lens for policy guidelines.

4. Tangible and measurable output of the work assignment:

  • Inception meeting with identified key stakeholders i.e. MECCNAR, National Climate Change Secretariat, National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), Department of Water Resources, National Environment Agency;
  • Inception report summarizing key discussion points of the introductory meeting(s) and any challenges experienced;
  • Proposed research methodology and detailed work plan, including any interview questionnaires, guidelines, etc.;
  • First draft of Study;
  • Validation workshop with key stakeholders and partners to discuss the draft and initial findings of the Study;
  • Final draft of the Study, taking into consideration feedback received during the validation workshop and ensuring that a gender lens has been utilized throughout.

5. Delivery dates and details as to how the work must be delivered:

  • Output 1: Briefing with IOM The Gambia
  • Deliverables timeframe (from signing of a contract): Within 5 days
  • Output 2: An introductory meeting with key stakeholders
  • Deliverables timeframe (from signing of a contract): Within 10 days
  • Output 3: Submission of Inception Report stemming from the introductory meeting
  • Deliverables timeframe (from signing of a contract): Within 15 days
  • Output 4: Submission of research methodology and detailed work plan, including any interview questionnaires, guidelines, etc.
  • Deliverables timeframe (from signing of a contract): Within 20 days
  • Output 5: Interviews with key stakeholders and partners in Banjul and identified priority areas (urban and rural)
  • Deliverables timeframe (from signing of a contract): Within 50 days
    Output 6: Submission of first draft of the Study
    Deliverables timeframe (from signing of a contract): Within 65 days
  • Output 7: A validation workshop held with key stakeholders and partners
    Deliverables timeframe (from signing of a contract): Within 75 days
  • Output 8: Submission of final draft of Study
    Deliverables timeframe (from signing of a contract): Within 90 days

6. Performance indicators for evaluation of final output:

  • Satisfactory completion of tasks indicated in point 3;
  • Quality of the elaborated analysis;
  • Timely delivery of outlines and/or drafts as indicated in point 5 and the final draft;
  • Compliance with IOM House style Guidelines;
  • Delivery of any other tasks indicated above.

7. Minimum Qualifications:

The consultant should have:

  • A minimum of five years of experience in policy related work on Migration, Environment and Climate Change both at national and regional levels in the West Africa Region;
  • Advanced University degree in Development, Economics, Environment, and/or Natural Resources Management;
  • Experience in structurally formulating and conducting research studies on Environment and Climate Change with a focus on green livelihoods;
  • Experience in planning and facilitating trainings;
  • Demonstrated experience in producing quality reports in English language;
  • Excellent oral and writing skills;
  • Strong communication and negotiation capacities;
  • Excellent organizational skills and being detail oriented;
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

How to apply

Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications via email to IOMBANJULREC@iom.int indicating position applied on subject line by 11 October 2021.

For the applications to be considered valid, IOM only accepts applications with a cover letter not more than one page specifying the motivation for the application as well as a detailed resume/C.V., addressed to Human Resources, International Organization for Migration (IOM) and with a subject line - Migration, Environment and Climate Change Consultancy (MECC) 1.0

All applications should include a functional email address, mobile numbers and detailed curriculum vitae (CV).