Consultant in charge of review of Government of Armenia practices of inter-agency data sharing mechanisms related to migration

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.

Context:

Background of the activity

The IOM Mission in Armenia recently launched the implementation of the project “Strengthening Migration Management Capacities in Support of Government Reform Agenda in Line with CEPA”. This two-year project is co-funded by the European Union (EU) and aims to enhance migration governance in Armenia to foster well-managed and secure cross-border mobility and in line with the Government's Programme for 2021-2026 to continue strengthening of migration and asylum systems in Armenia.

One of the key components of the project is the technical review of migration information management systems, with a focus on migration data collection, sharing and use for policy development and implementation.

Currently, the various state actors involved in migration management use different systems and databases for collection and management of migration-related data. The lack of compatibility and coherence impedes effective data sharing and analysis to inform policy and practice. Hence, the project plans to conduct a technical review of migration data management to assess the situation with regard to linking the various databases and systems (population registry, visas, work permits, border management information system, readmission case management system, etc.). Particular focus will be placed on improved use and inter-connectivity of the Border Management Information System as well as improved foreign residents’ data capturing. It is envisaged that expert assessment will provide concrete and actionable recommendations on the necessary steps to be implemented to contribute towards improved data collection, management, sharing and protection and harmonized data flows.

General Objectives of the Assessment

The assessment will look at current systems employed by the Government of Armenia (GoA) migration related agencies to assess possible improvements for data sharing mechanisms. Moreover, the study will also address the practical problems, which would enable compatible software and databases to work efficiently and be accepted by all related agencies.

The final report will include recommendations for the leading Migration Management Information agencies in Armenia, building upon existing technical and operational level, addressing gaps as well as capacity gaps.   The study will propose recommendations for the way forward and include, where appropriate, recommendations for systems and databases merges or restructuring to improve the data sharing amongst involved agencies and further analysis. Furthermore, where appropriate, this review will provide guidelines for the implementation of subsequent steps that take forward the recommendations offered, to ensure continued progress in the data collection, analysis and sharing capacity of Armenia.

Specific objectives of the Assessment

The research will assess current information collection, analysis and sharing systems in Armenia and analyse gaps between international/European standards and agency cooperation, information sharing, and technological capacities in Armenia.

More specifically, the assessment will aim:

• to review current set up in migration information/ data capturing, processing, generation, data sharing by the main government agencies and to prepare and give very concrete recommendations on the required modernization;
• to review and evaluate the methods applied by the Government of Armenia in generating statistics ;
• to evaluate different platforms and databases, and how those could be connected in order to allow the other non-owner agencies to have access to  relevant information for the data verification
• based on connection possibility and options, to propose at least two (2) architectural solutions to interconnect and share relevant data while maintaining high levels of data protection and data security;
• to assess the efficiency of existing technical and operational applications;
• to assess the inter-operability of intra-agency cooperation between the centre, regional and local cross-border points and with the Armenian consulates abroad;
• to assess the interoperability and interconnectivity (inter-agency cooperation) of databases: population registry, visas, work permits, border management information system, readmission case management system, etc.;
• to study the practical problems which deter good software to work efficiently in Armenia, if any;
• to identify whether additional problems (lack of resources,/skills etc.) prevent the existing technical and operational application of leading migration management information sources, systems and government agencies from effective migration management with concrete recommendations on equipment to be bought and training to be done.

Developed report must include concrete actionable recommendations with a brief description of the implementation modality.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Post-graduate/university degree, preferably in law, with a specialization in migration, information systems building, statistics or equivalent training

Experience

• At least 5 years of proven experience preferably in the area of migration management, collection and analysis of migration data, information systems building;
• Previous experience covering the areas of migration management, diaspora, humanitarian law, human rights, protection, and similar;
• Previous experience, as expert or independent researcher, in preparation and implementation of multi-stakeholders’ analyses, drafting of strategic or policy documents, national action plans, standard operating procedures or similar;
• Experience in working with public administration, academia, local authorities, and institutions/organizations working on migration management issues or other related issues at national and/or local level;
• Previous experience developing reports for governments, will be considered as an advantage;
• Experience in working with international organizations and UN agencies, will be considered as an advantage.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective and constructive working relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds while maintaining impartiality and objectivity.

Languages

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Armenian or Russian is a distinctive advantage.

Other

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 and verification of residency, visa and authorizations by the concerned Government, where applicable.

How to apply:

Interested candidates are invited to submit their CV-s, cover letters and relevant publication(s) to HRIOMArmenia@iom.int with subject line “Consultant for inter-agency data sharing mechanisms related to migration” by May 10, 2022 at the latest.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Posting period:

From 14.04.2022 to 10.05.2022