Research Consultancy- Deadline Extended

Position Title: Research Consultant

Duty Station: Home base station of Consultant and selected target Member State

Type of Appointment: Consultancy, Approx. 16 June 2017 - 10 October2017

Estimated start date: 16 June 2017

N. of working days: 30-40 working days spread over a period of 4 months

(Exact duration /timing to be agreed in the proposed work plan)

Project Title: “Developing Innovative European Models for the Protection of Refugees and Providing Support to New Resettlement Countries” (ERN+)

BACKGROUND:

Alongside resettlement, humanitarian admission programmes, occasionally making use of humanitarian visas are an alternative safe and legal avenue of admission to EU Member States for refugees.

Due to the unprecedented increase in refugees arriving in the EU in 2014-2015, and to fulfil the commitments taken at EU level, Member States started to put in place relevant legal frameworks and operational plans to set up humanitarian admission programmes (HAP) for an identified refugee population in an extremely insecure or vulnerable situation and in need of urgent protection. As of June 2016, at least 6 Member or Associated States had in place HAP, or have had them in the past.

Despite recent progress, HAP and humanitarian visa schemes remain relatively limited in scope and differ among the Member States. The experience of several Member States with HAP reveals various challenges that need to be further researched and addressed for their development, implementation and governance.

GENERAL OBJECTIVES OF THE CONSULTANCY WITHIN THE ERN+ PROJECT:

Building on the gradual momentum developed in European resettlement over the past number of years along with innovative pathways of admission, notably the ones addressed to Syrian refugees, the European Resettlement Network (ERN+) seeks to foster innovation in the development of such complementary legal pathways. Enhancing humanitarian admission schemes and the possible use of visas for protection-seeking purposes is one of the three complementary legal pathways for admission of refugees to be further explored.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES OF THE CONSULTANCY:

Conduct desk and field research resulting in a feasibility study on a humanitarian admission model. This study will:

· Look into existing programmes and practices developed by EU countries already implementing HAP in response to the Syrian refugee crisis. Research on modalities for family referrals and/or assistance to (extended) Family Reunification through humanitarian admission is an important angle to be taken into account throughout the research.

· Explore the possibilities for setting up a HAP** that can be taken up by any interested Member State (tbc) and examine the legal and operational framework, and methodology linked to implementation, looking at existing humanitarian admission schemes, including the tool of humanitarian visas and other approaches and including links schemes supporting enhanced family reunification of refugees.

· Develop a blue-print model of an operational framework for humanitarian admission including the possible use of humanitarian visas to facilitate admission of refugees and/or extended family members under HAP to be piloted in an interested EU Member State.

TASKS TO BE PERFORMED:

Under the overall supervision of the ERN+ Project Coordinator in Brussels and in close collaboration with the IOM local mission:

1. Review the Scoping Paper drafted by the ERN + Project Coordinator as an input for the Feasibility Study in view of future publication.

2. Conduct a desk review on the legal framework on resettlement and humanitarian admission further identifying specific examples of good practices implemented in Europe. This desk review can be supported by a non-exhaustive bibliography upon selection of the research consultant. It should include priorities, timing, types of information necessary for a successful humanitarian admission programme, lessons learnt, geographical focus, etc. The desk review should include an analysis of the legal framework and implementation of HAP and visa schemes, and more concretely: the nature of the humanitarian programme (permanent or temporary protection), its main objectives, its development and main characteristics (timeline, geographical priorities, status of applicant, identification and referral, eligibility criteria, permanent or temporary residency, type of pre-departure orientation and integration support provided, potential quota, number of resettled/admitted persons and funding sources).

3. Conduct a brief survey of the national context and debate on resettlement and humanitarian admission in a selected Member State to be explored for a pilot, indicating key points of discussion and players involved.

4. Identify existing challenges and obstacles faced by Member States in the design and implementation of humanitarian admission programmes.

5. Attend the preparatory Round Table (to be held early July 2017) on HAP to collect in-depth info on key issues, referral mechanisms, legal aspects, cost-sharing arrangements, labour market opportunities and social rights to be taken into consideration for the feasibility study.

6. Carry out at least one field visit to an interested Member State to research and conduct interviews in coordination with: the local IOM mission, national government stakeholders (Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of National Security etc.), international organizations, and all civil society relevant actors involved in the implementation of resettlement / humanitarian admission schemes / as well as extended family reunification/ humanitarian visa schemes.

7. Provide a concise and accessible feasibility study on the potential implementation of a Humanitarian Admission Programme. This blue-print practical model will possibly be piloted in a European Member State and should include: recommendations and possible risks/challenges/pitfalls to be taken into account and to be avoided based on the analysis of the legal, administrative and operational frameworks with context specific options and recommendations for policy makers.

OUTPUTS/DELIVERABLES:

1. Final Methodology and work plan of research including the envisaged field visit, stakeholders to contact and interviews to be conducted (see Annex I) by 20 June 2017
2. Results of desk review on possibilities for HAP in pilot Member State (to be selected and communicated by start date of the consultancy) and Revised Scoping Paper (approx. 10p) for future publication and as a basis for the roundtable/feasibility study / short brief by 26 June 2017 (before the Round Table)
3. Draft Presentation to be delivered at the Round table by 30 June 2017 (before the Round Table)
4. Participation in the round table with local stakeholders on possibilities for Humanitarian Admission in early July 2017 (1^st 2 weeks of July)\
5. Draft version of feasibility study by 15 September 2017
6. Final version of feasibility study by 6 October 2017

REQUIREMENTS:

Education

a. Minimum a Master’s or above university degree, in International Humanitarian Law, European Law or another field related to the services with a specialization in migration law, refugee law, and human rights law;

b. Thorough knowledge of relevant policies on migration, refugee protection and admission, protected entry procedures with specific expertise on humanitarian admission;

c. Language knowledge: Fluency in English and in German is a requirement. Solid knowledge of another European language is a distinct advantage. All the deliverables must be written in English.

Experience

a. Between 6-10 years of relevant working or research experience on migration and

legal immigration related areas (or between 4 and 8 years with a postgraduate university degree);

b. Experience in analysing legal regulations and/or formulating related recommendations for National Policies or developing a National Policy;

c. Experience in the field of refugee protection in the EEA region is considered an asset;

d. Field experience in resettlement and admission programmes, preferably with international organizations or in national technical cooperation capacity is an asset;

e. Project management experience in rule of law and migration is an asset;

f. Experience in working with governments, civil society, EU policy institutions;

g. Proven experience in collecting and elaborating qualitative and quantitative data;

Competencies

a) Excellent communication, drafting and editing skills

b) Excellent analytical, organizational skills and reporting skills

c) Good computer literacy and applications proficiency

d) Ability to function effectively and harmoniously in a fast-paced, cross-cultural work environment

e) Demonstrated gender and social inclusion awareness and gender sensitivity

f) Ability to deliver quality work with minimal supervision and to meet deadlines under tight timeframes

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS 5 JUNE 2017. TO APPLY PLEASE SUBMIT the following elements:

· CV indicating the experience in participation or/and organization of similar studies;

· The detailed research methodology and work plan – subject to approval - (see Annex I) inclusive of foreseen budget for the consultancy and number of envisaged working days (ranging from 30 to 40 days over a period of 3-4 months);

· The interested expert shall indicate in the work plan any additional costs (subject to approval) that may arise during the execution of the task. IOM will cover travel expenses and will provide a DSA for the field visit in the target country.

Format for submission: all required elements must be submitted via email to: lbarbato@iom.int and chermans@iom.int

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) invites all interested candidates competent to make an offer to the extent and subject to the conditions set out therein with the following restrictions:

· IOM will contact only selected experts.

· IOM reserves the right to extend the deadline for submission at its sole discretion.

· An offer presented by the interested expert shall not be the basis for any claims in relation to the IOM.

· The IOM reserves - without giving reasons - the right to withdraw from consideration of the offer received both in relation to the whole, and its individual elements.

· IOM reserves the right to conduct trade negotiations in order to select the most advantageous offer.

All the details of the substantive issues, technical and organizational measures will be agreed between the IOM and the Consultant and be consulted on a regular basis between the Parties in order to ensure the highest quality of service.

Note: The consultancy contract will be signed in the English language on a template proposed by the IOM. Payment will be made on the basis of an invoice issued by the Consultant after completion of the order and its approval by IOM. It is not possible to pay an advance.