Local Consultancy -Conduct migration governance assessment and profile for the City of Accra

Introduction

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations and the leading UN agency in the field of migration. Working closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners, IOM promotes humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It saves lives and protects people on the move, drives solutions to displacement, and facilitates pathways for regular migration, while providing services and advice to governments and migrants. 

IOM is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive and supportive workplace where all employees can thrive professionally and feel valued. By creating such an environment, IOM aims to better harness the full potential of migration and strengthen its support to people on the move.

IOM invites candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply and provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process when required. Learn more about IOM’s workplace culture at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration

Project Context and Scope

Accra, the capital city of Ghana, is a vibrant and rapidly growing metropolis that serves as a major destination, transit, and return hub for migrants. The city attracts migrants from within Ghana, across the West African sub-region, and is also a key point of return for Ghanaian migrants. Migration plays a critical role in the city’s economic, social, and demographic landscape, with an estimated 47 per cent of the city’s population comprising internal or international migrants (born outside the Accra Metropolitan Area). 

Despite the centrality of migration to Accra’s development, city-level migration data and governance assessments remain limited and fragmented. To address this gap and strengthen dialogue between national and local levels of government, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) adapted the Migration Governance Indicators (MGI) framework to the local level (Local MGI). The Local MGI is based on 87 indicators that enable local authorities to assess migration governance structures, identify good practices, and highlight areas requiring further development.

Since 2018, IOM Ghana has collaborated closely with the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), culminating in the development of the Local Migration Governance Indicators Profile for the City of Accra in 2019. The 2019 profile serves as the baseline assessment of migration governance at the metropolitan level, providing an evidence-based overview of policies, institutional arrangements, coordination mechanisms, and service delivery related to migration.

Since the publication of the 2019 profile for Ghana, Accra has undergone significant institutional, demographic, and policy developments, including:

• Increased internal mobility and return migration;

• Emerging protection risks linked to trafficking, exploitation, and irregular migration;

• The establishment and operationalization of the AMA Migration Desk (2024);

• Strengthened collaboration between AMA, national MDAs, development partners, and migrant-serving institutions.

Given these developments, there is a clear need to conduct a migration governance assessment and profiling to reflect current realities, identify remaining gaps, and inform evidence-based policy and programming at the city level.

This consultancy is implemented under the GIZ-supported project on strengthening migration management and service delivery at the metropolitan level, in close collaboration with AMA and IOM. Gender mainstreaming will be actively pursued through gender-responsive data collection, analysis, and reporting, ensuring that the updated profile addresses gender-specific migration 

• Inception notes and workplan validated

• Stakeholder consultations completed in line with the approved methodology.

   

• Draft updated migration profile 

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Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Advanced university degree in Migration Studies, Public Policy, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Urban Studies, or a related field from an accredited institution.

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in migration governance, policy analysis, or development research.

• Demonstrated experience conducting migration assessments, profiles, or governance diagnostics at national or local levels.

• Proven familiarity with the Migration Governance Indicators (MGI) framework or similar assessment tools.

• Strong knowledge of Ghana’s migration governance architecture and decentralized local government systems.

Skills

• Experience integrating gender analysis into research and policy assessments.

• Excellent analytical writing and stakeholder engagement skills.

Languages

For this consultancy, 

• Fluency in English is required.

• Knowledge of local languages spoken in Accra is an asset.

   

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

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.

Notes

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.

For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies