Job Title: Assessment of Migration Data Management and IT Capacities in Nigeria
Location: Nigeria
Organisation: International Organization for Migration – IOM Nigeria
Sector: NGO
Background and Rationale Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa with over 160 million people and net migration rate of -0.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)1. The number of Nigerian migrants living abroad has increased from 1.9 million in 2004 to 3.4 million in 2012. In terms of remittances, Nigeria receives the highest amount of remittances in Africa, estimated by the Central Bank at USD 18 billion in 2007, more than the country receives in foreign direct investment (FDI), official development assistance (ODA) and other inflows.
However, most of these statistics rely on estimates from international agencies/organizations, and little reliable and up-to-migration-related data exists in Nigeria. Problems of generating up-to-date and reliable data on both international (regular and irregular), South-South migration, and internal migration in Nigeria has had a long history due to weak institutional framework for collecting and managing migration-related data. Where data on migration is available, it varies considerably in measurement, and indicators frequently used are incompatible with internationally acceptable standards resulting to making international comparisons impossible. There is also often lack of coordination between government, academia and civil society on how to analyze the data and prepare it in a format that can be used for subsequent decision-making. In addition, the information technology (IT) requires improvement to allow stakeholders to use an efficient and timely system for collection, analysis, sharing and dissemination of migration data and information. Given that migration data cannot be generated entirely from one source alone, an efficient data sharing mechanism is necessary as well as a methodology for incorporating migration into existing surveys and exploring additional other sources of migration data in the country. The lack of actionable plans for generating improved migration data and sharing this data between relevant institutions poses a great challenge for maximizing migration benefits for development. Harnessing the positive impacts of migration and minimizing its costs depends to a large extent on the existence of such data, which policymakers require to develop comprehensive, evidence-based migration management and development policies and strategies. Establishing a framework and concrete plan for sustainably generating and publishing timely and reliable migration data on remittances, labour migration, diasporas would be essential to harnessing the migration-development nexus and contributing to the achievement of the Government of Nigeria’s transformational agenda, Vision 20:2020, etc.
The Assessment
The African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Observatory on Migration is an initiative of the Secretariat of the ACP Group of States, funded by the European Union, and implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) with the financial support of IOM, the IOM Development Fund, UNFPA and Switzerland.
The Observatory works as a network of research centers in the six ACP regions (West Africa, East Africa, Central Africa, Southern Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific) and produces data on South-South ACP migration for migrants, civil society, researchers and policymakers for the improvement of the situation of migrants and the reinforcement of the migration-development nexus. Established in 1951, IOM is the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of migration and 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. IOM Mission in Nigeria implements a European Union (EU) funded project “Promoting Better Management of Migration in Nigeria”.
The overall objective of the Project is to enhance the capacity of Government of Nigeria to manage migration in order to achieve its developmental potential. In an effort to improve migration data collection and sharing in Nigeria, the ACP Observatory on Migration and IOM are planning to undertake an assessment to analyze the existing migration data management capacity and provide government partners with concrete recommendations in this regard.
A Migration Data Specialist is being recruited to carry out this 8 week (40 working days) assessment. The assessment is being closely coordinated with the National Consultative Committee on Migration (NCC), which includes National Planning Commission, National Commission for Refugees, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Population Commission, National Bureau of Statistics, National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons, National Association of Nigerian Traders, Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research, Network of Migration Research on Africa, UNFPA, UNODC, ILO, UNDP and IOM. Experts from key institutions are forming a Migration Data Working Group to advise and assist the specialist, facilitate access to the necessary information and contacts, and provide regular feedback on the progress of the assessment.
General Objective:
• To improve migration data through improved government capacity to collect, store, share, analyze and manage such data.
Specific Objectives
This assessment aims:
• To evaluate the current situation with regards to migration data management, including data on migration and development, irregular migration, IDPs, refugees, remittances, diasporas, labour migration, human trafficking, migrant children in Nigeria
• To access the tools and methodology for managing migration data in Nigeria, especially with regards to data sharing mechanisms with Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), National Population Commission(NPopC), National Bureau of Statistics(NBS) and other such agencies that deals with migration data
• To assess the infrastructural platform (databases, storage systems, retrieval mechanisms, software and hardware) for data exchange and sharing both at the Federal and State levels
• To assess the human capacities existing and propose capacity building needs
• To make recommendations on the possible interoperability of NIS and NPopC’s migration databases
• To formulate a strategy for developing a consolidated database on migration information management in Nigeria
• To recommend best practice in collecting data on irregular migration in Nigeria
• To develop a proposal for a Migration Data Management Plan to be presented to government officials Activities A migration data expert will conduct an 8 week (40 working days) assessment of migration data management and technical capability for migration data sharing, including:
• Evaluation of the current hardware and software architecture for migration data management ;
• Identification of gaps and needs in migration database systems and make recommendations for improvement;
• Collect baseline data currently available • Concrete recommendations and steps for the government to employ in the form of a proposal for a Migration Data Management Plan and migration data-sharing system to be presented to the government.
In coordination with the ACP Observatory on Migration and IOM, the Migration Data Expert will prepare an appropriate data collection and sharing mechanism, which will allow gathering and smooth sharing of necessary migration data/information. To do so, the Consultant will identify and analyze existing relevant migration-data related reports, data-related protocols, procedures, studies, research documents, administrative and legal documents, as well as current sharing mechanisms among relevant stakeholders. The Consultant will hold consultations with stakeholders and experts, conduct on-site visits to relevant collection and storage points, and collect migration data currently available. The Consultant will work in close coordination with the ACP Observatory on Migration Focal Point, IOM Focal Points and the Migration Data Working Group. Progress reports and updates should be shared with the Focal Points on a weekly basis and feedback incorporated into the work in progress. The draft final report will be shared with the ACP Observatory and IOM Focal Points and the Migration Data Working Group members, who will provide recommendations, which should be incorporated into the final report. The final results will be presented to government partners for validation. To the extent possible, their feedback should be incorporated into the report.
Expected Results:
• A final report for government partners, which evaluates the existing migration data management situation assesses the tools and methodology for managing migration data in Nigeria, especially with regards to data sharing mechanisms with Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), National Population Commission (NPopC), National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and other such agencies that deals with migration data and makes concrete recommendations (including short- and long-term steps). This report should recommend key steps necessary to achieve better migration data at the national level in the form of a proposal for a Migration Data Management Plan. The Plan should include recommendations on the possible interoperability of NIS and NPopC’s migration database, formulate a strategy for developing a consolidated database on migration information management in Nigeria as well as recommend best practice in collecting data on irregular migration in Nigeria
• The report should include annexes in excel format with metadata on the results of the study for easy reference, including:
o Inventory, description, baseline data and evaluation of all existing migration-related data, its quality, format, etc. and gaps;
o Assessment of the infrastructural platform (databases, storage systems, retrieval mechanisms, software and hardware) for data exchange and sharing both at the Federal and State levels
o List, description, and evaluation of human resources, those responsible for migration-related data collection, processing, storage, authorization and sharing, with relevant roles, responsibilities, qualifications and skills, as well as gaps and needs;
o Inventory, description, and evaluation of the ICT infrastructure (hardware and software) currently available to manage migration data as well as short- and long-term needs;
o Inventory, description, and evaluation of procedures and legislation related to migration data collection, processing, storage, security and sharing;
o List, description, and evaluation of all migration-related research and survey documents available.
• Migration data in the format currently available (raw data, files, reports);
• Presentation of results to government partners.
Desirable qualifications Education:
Advanced University education in Statistics, Information Systems, Databases and Data Management, Economics, Sociology, Geography.
Education in a migration and development related field an asset;
Experience: Minimum -five years of relevant experience in migration and development related data collection, processing or data management;
Technical Competencies: Excellent knowledge of computer literacy and use of relational database management systems and statistical analysis software packages.
Knowledge in data collection, storage, security and sharing is essential;
Professionalism: Demonstrating professional competence, conscientiousness and efficiency in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; Showing persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges, and remaining calm in stressful situations;
Planning and organizing: Able to work within a defined time-frame and to develop clear goals per agreed strategies; Capacities of identifying priority activities and assignments, adjusting priorities as required; allocating appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foreseeing risks and allowing for contingencies when planning, monitoring and adjusting plans and actions as necessary; and using time efficiently;
Personal/Interpersonal Skills: Excellent communication skills; speak and write clearly and effectively; exhibit interest in having two-way communication; Drive for results; Ability to work effectively and harmoniously with colleagues from varied cultures and professional backgrounds.
Language(s): Thorough knowledge of English is required.
How to apply:
Application Process ONLY CANDIDATES RESIDING IN NIGERIA WILL BE CONSIDERED
Please send your application, including a CV, cover letter, and brief proposal (with professional fee) to ACPOBSCB@iom.int.
Closing date: 10 Oct 2012.
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