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 challenges.

Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing

Migration Policy and Coordination Unit

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

• 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 team environment and to adapt to new situations.
• Accountability: Takes responsibility for actions, decisions, and results.
• Communication: Encourages open and transparent communication and actively listens to others.