Researcher – Migrants’ Access to Digital Identity in Europe

Context
As the leading intergovernmental organization in the field of migration, IOM is called upon to address migration challenges, including migration management and the smooth digitalization thereof. With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic demonstrating the need for flexible and innovative approaches at borders, IOM supports Member States in adapting their border and mobility management schemes to maintain safe cross border movement for all. Against this backdrop, the project “Digitalization for Safe Human Mobility” has been developed to contribute to the global analysis of the use of digital tools for ensuring safe human mobility in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond.
To support the attainment of this objective, IOM is seeking the services of a consultant with proven expertise in digital maturity, legal identity issues and e-governance, as well as experience working with or consulting for international organizations and governments.

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission (CoM) in Warsaw and direct supervision of the Programme Coordinator, and in close collaboration with other project partners, the successful candidate will conduct research into migrant’s access to digital identity in Europe (particularly that of Third Country Nationals) from the identification to integration phase, and to what degree this facilitates access to public services, compiling findings into a written report and presenting findings at the planned Global Analysis Workshop in Warsaw in November/December 2022.

Scope of the Assignment
IOM is seeking the services of a consultant with expertise in legal and digital identity (from foundational to functional ID systems), e-governance, World Bank ID4D, strategy design and development, and processes to undertake assessment/mapping practices.

The consultant is expected to produce the following three outputs:

1. Desk review and primary research
The document should include a thorough desk review of access to digital identity for migrants in the EU, particularly those of Third Country Nationality. The desk review should address the existing policy recommendations and reports of the main stakeholders, including UN agencies such as ICAO, World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), and those of the EU and EU agencies, international cooperation agencies, and the private sector. The consultant should assess the comparative advantages and capacity gaps, risks and limitations in the field of digital identity in the EU with respect to access and effectiveness of these systems for migrants, particularly with respect to how effectively these systems facilitate migrants’ access to public services. Also, there will be a need to consult with a range of Member States to consider their perspectives.

2. Set of principles and recommendations
The findings from the desk review and primary research will be compiled into a written report, including the various elements mentioned under point 1. The report should conclude with a set of principles and recommendations with regional applicability for migrant’s access to digital identity in the EU region.

3. Summary of findings for presentation
The key findings of the report should be adapted into a presentation suitable for a multi-disciplinary audience from areas of national government, international organisations, and civil society, to be delivered at a Global Analysis Workshop planned in Warsaw in November/December 2022.

Overall, the report will include the following:

External consultation

• To undertake a mapping of the existing stakeholders on digital legal identity, their mandate and implementation capacities, including UN Legal Identity Agenda Task Force, World Bank Group (ID4D and beyond), ICAO, WFP, UNICEF, UNDP, WHO, UNFPA, UNECA; EU and EU agencies; and others.
• To consult 6 EU Member States (mindful of regional balance) on their existing support programs on digital legal identity, their priorities as well as their gaps in access for migrants.

Analysis and recommendations

• To define the EU’s comparative advantage and weaknesses in the field of digital legal identity, with particular focus on their capacity to facilitate migrants’ access to public services.
• To provide definition and guidelines on IOM’s potential involvement regarding digital identity for migrants, legal identity, and functional ID vs foundational ID systems, from technical, operational and legal perspectives, drawing on IOM’s Legal Identity Strategy.

Presentation

• Prepare a presentation highlighting the key findings of the report, to be delivered at the Global Analysis Workshop.

Methodology
The consultant is expected to provide a methodology proposal.

Timeline
This assignment is planned to be conducted between 1st May and 30st November 2022 but the actual timeline is subject to change based on the date the agreement is signed between IOM and the Consultant. Number of working days: 130.

Deliverables
Day 15: Proposed methodology and documents’ structure approved.
Day 45: Draft of external assessment of Legal Identity stakeholders is sent.
Day 60: Draft of external consultations with Member States is sent.
Day 90: All external consultations/assessments final versions are validated by IOM.
Day 100: Draft report of findings and recommendations is provided.
Day 110: Final report is approved and validated by IOM.
Day 120: Finalise Global Analysis Workshop presentation and share with IOM for review.
Day 130: Present the research findings at the Global Analysis Workshop.

All documents are to be produced and delivered in English language.

Consultant’s expected profile

QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE: IOM is seeking applications from individual consultants and consortiums of consultants. The successful consultant should have a minimum of the following qualifications and experience:

• An advanced graduate degree in International Relations, Law, Migration Studies or a related relevant field.
• Extensive knowledge and expertise on legal identity, immigration, mobility and border management, risk analysis, and to the extent possible, digital identity.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and formulating strategies.
• Demonstrated experience in engaging numerous stakeholders and driving them towards a consensus;
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience working for/with Government or an Inter-Governmental organization in fields related to immigration or identity management, including digital identity;
• Full computer literacy, including familiarity with research tools.
• Strong qualitative and quantitative research and analytical skills, competent use of social studies data analysis tools such as SPSS or Stata is desirable.
• Excellent written and spoken English. Experience in drafting documents for Governments or Intergovernmental Organizations will be an added advantage.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective relationships. Experience with IOM, the World Bank ID4D, and the UN System is a distinct advantage.
• Strong analytical, writing, and presentation skills.

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES: The incumbent is expected to demonstrate the following technical competencies:

• Experience of conducting assessments.
• Experience in formulating policy and strategy papers.
• Experience working on Legal Identity related projects.
• Experience working on Digital Identity related projects.
• Experience working with Foundational/Functional ID Systems, Identity capacity building, especially legal/operational/technical components.
• Delivers on set objectives within required timeframe.
• Effectively coordinates actions with partners.
• Works effectively with a variety of stakeholders.
• Necessary professional skills to strive towards the common goal and find solutions to work with different stakeholders and different data sets.
• General understanding of migration issues.
• General understanding of IOM and UN System mandates.
• Experience in conducting primary and secondary research.
• Experience in drafting research reports, policy documents, strategies, or policy analysis documents.

LANGUAGES: English fluency is required, including excellent drafting skills in English, with demonstrated ability in high-level documents. Working knowledge of another language is an advantage.

Renumeration
The consultant will be remunerated with a package of 8.000 USD per month, against validation of deliverables by IOM. Travel, transportation and daily subsistence allowance for travel duties are included in the remuneration package.