Consultant – Innovation Capacity Development At International Organization for Migration

Position Title: Consultant – Innovation Capacity Development – Homebased

Duty Station: Homebased

Classification: Consultant, Grade Other

Type of Appointment: Consultant, two months

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 10 October 2023

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:

Project Context and Scope
The multifaceted challenges that IOM and its partners face call for systemic and transformational innovation with a long-term horizon and a deep understanding of systems and their dynamics. Embedding innovation in a systemic approach allows the Organization to harness the potential of innovation as a core driver of long-term impact and not as a quick fix. This is in line with the UN 2.0 Vision of the UN Secretary-General which emphasizes the development of a forward-thinking culture driving impact and innovative solutions. The Secretary-General calls for a UN System that fosters innovation capacities by generating, testing, and scaling up novel ideas, processes, products, or services that create value. Leveraging innovation and strengthening capacities to adopt new and transformative approaches are crucial to advance toward the achievement of GCM objectives and SDGs.

Innovation is an area of institutional investment identified in IOM’s Strategic Vision 2019-2023, which emphasizes that “IOM’s ability to adapt is the highest form of innovation. Yet for innovation to be a tool of institutional development, it needs to be incorporated systematically not only in policy and programme operations, but also in capacity development of actors working on a wide range of migration issues. Strengthening innovation capacities within IOM is imperative and IOM’s ability to innovate is a critical core competency for its staff.

To support IOM offices worldwide in developing, piloting and scaling innovative initiatives, the consultant will support in designing and delivering a pilot capacity development program that will address the following issues:

• Understanding of what innovation means and its practical applications, specifically within the

IOM context or in addressing complex migration challenges.

• Understanding of the processes/methods involved in ideating, prototyping, piloting and scaling innovative initiatives; and
• Learning and exchange with other innovators through internal and external support and mentorship throughout the innovation process

Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing:

Under the Innovation and Knowledge Management (IKM) Unit, Department of Policy and Research (DPR) at the Headquarter in Genva, Switzerland, the Category B consultant will lead the adaptation and pilot of an Innovation Capacity Development Programme that IOM will be delivering in partnership with the UNICEF Office of Innovation. This pilot initiative builds on UNICEF’s existing SPARK methodology and will create a testing ground to scale and replicate a broader institutional capacity development programme on innovation. As part of the IOM and UNICEF strategic collaboration framework, this capacity development programme will further strengthen interagency collaboration and solidify IOM’s commitment towards protecting the rights of migrant children and youth.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

Tasks to be performed under this contract

Category B Consultant hired to design and deliver innovation capacity development programme on a three-instalment payment basis:

• First deliverable – Develop annotated agenda, define objectives and content outline for the various innovation modules and workshops – to be delivered by email within 15 days from the start date.
• Building on the Spark methodology and materials, the workshop design should be based on an extensive mapping and consolidation of existing tools, frameworks, methodologies, and good practices related to capacity development for innovation, particularly in the migration context. It should also include toolkits, online platforms, and other resources from UN entities as well as those in the private sector and academia.
• The modules should address the areas in need in terms of capacity development for IOM’s innovation work.
• The consultant is to design a set of innovation modules and capacity development programme tailored to migration-related challenges, ensuring that the training content is aligned with the institutional needs and priorities on innovation. Annotated agenda for different sessions and workshops must be submitted under this deliverable based on resource mapping.
• Second deliverable – Organize and facilitate a series of innovation workshops and foster a network of innovation champions to facilitate structured exchanges and bolster programmatic innovation and learning – to be delivered within 45 days from the start date.
• Upon approval of the annotated agenda for workshops and/or outline of the innovation modules, the consultant must produce a proposal for a set of cohort-based training modules or presentations, which will be reviewed by IKM and revised before proceeding to delivery. The consultant must propose the ways in which elements of the Spark programme could be incorporated into the training.
• In consultation with IKM, a detailed training schedule will be set. IKM will assist in the recruitment of participants and the consultant will take the lead in preparing the cohort for the programme, including but not limited to, conducting pre-training surveys and Q&A sessions and responding to enquiries about the programme.
• The programme will be delivered both in-person and online (hybrid) and based on a cohort model where sessions will be offered, with asynchronous, self-guided learning elements incorporated. The modules/workshops should include the following elements:

1. Design Thinking: The participants will learn details about design thinking and become familiar with each stage of the Design Thinking cycle. The workshop will be an opportunity to train participants in a more structured idea-generating methodology that is end-user driven and focused. It should guide participants to develop and respond to a problem statement and also design a solution which will be tested and improved through iterative, short-cycle processes.
2. Prototyping and Testing: The participants will be engaged in group work to develop innovative ideas, test them out and implement them in their respective offices. Sessions should be dedicated to obtaining peer-to-peer feedback as well as expert consultation to improve the prototype. Field testing feedback gathered of the course of the program should be brought into the session for group discussion and further refinement of the solution. Internal and external subject matter experts should be brought in for consultation and guidance.
3. Connecting and Networking: These sessions will be dedicated to connecting and networking. Participants should be able to network amongst themselves to broaden and deepen their perspectives on innovation in its approaches, principles and application and provided with an opportunity to interact directly with external innovators from UN agencies as well as the public and private sectors. The format may include informal gatherings, Q&A, and roundtables.
4. Final Wrap-up: The cohort will present their project outcomes and learnings at the final wrap-up session. Expert reviewers should be invited to provide comments and feedback to improve the design and idea further. The session will include a ceremony to celebrate participants’ accomplishments and encourage and motivate them on their innovation journey.

• Final deliverable – training materials and guidelines as well as suggestions for future training – to be delivered by email 60 days from the start date.
• Materials to be provided must include a complete set of the training agenda and materials including but not limited to training modules, presentation and facilitation handouts, pre and post training participant surveys and responses, contact information for internal and external contacts.
• The consultant should provide an accompanying report, documenting lessons learned and suggesting formats and content for future innovation training programs at IOM.

Performance indicators for evaluation of results

• Quality of the outputs produced.
• Outputs listed under the section 6 should be submitted directly to IKM in Geneva

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education, experience and/or skills required

• Master’s degree in Social Sciences, Business, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience; or,
• University degree in the above fields with seven years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• Demonstrated experience in designing and delivering participatory and interactive training programs for specific learning experiences, including in-person, virtual, synchronous and asynchronous training.
• Demonstrated experience in delivering innovation training programs to mid-career professionals at the introductory and intermediate levels.
• Previous work experience with migration and development issues would be an advantage.
• Experience working in the UN and/or humanitarian context would be a strong advantage.

Skills

• Excellent writing and communication skills with the ability to prepare clear and concise documents;
• Strong facilitation abilities;
• Excellent interpersonal skills;
• Ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple, complex tasks simultaneously.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish.

For this position, fluency in Englis is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of other UN Languages is an advantage.

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

Notes

The consultant will be on a Home-based (with potential travel to Geneva / workshop venue).

The consultant must adhere to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Data Protection Principles (IN/138) and maintain confidentiality.

The consultant will be responsible to follow IOM writing guidelines and latest glossaries in all given assignments for accurate translation.

Accredited Universities are the ones listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database (https://whed.net/home.php).

Required Competencies:

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.

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. https://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/about-iom/iom_revised_competency_framework_external.pdf

Competencies will be assessed during a competency-based interview.

Other:

• The appointment 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, and security clearances. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required for individuals hired on or after 15 November 2021. This will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.
• Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.