CON 2026 031 | External Evaluator Consultant

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.

Project Context and Scope

In 2019, over half of the employed persons in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), 57.8 per cent, were working in the agricultural sector[1]. Despite having the fastest growth among the 16 regions in the value of production in agriculture and fisheries at 7.2 per cent in 2021, communities in BARMM remain one of the poorest, registering the lowest average annual family income of Php 184,000[2].

With support from the European Union, IOM as leading agency, together with FAO and ITC, implemented the Farmers-Fisherfolks’ Advancement and Integration to Resilient Value Chains in BARMM (FAIR-VALUE) project from 12 September 2023 to 11 September 2026 to improve the local agricultural/sea-aqua product production in quality, diversity, consolidation and its response to the needs of the market, with a primary focus on agri-fishery communities and smallholders in conflict-affected or conflict-prone areas in the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi (BaSulTa).

FAIR VALUE delivered a series of interventions directly supporting more than 500 farmers across the BaSulTa through the 12 production clusters of coffee (4 clusters), rubber (6 clusters) and seaweeds (2 clusters) established through the project, and capacitated around 50 government stakeholders on quality production and food safety. Key outputs of the project include: 1) the mapping and analysis of local value chain to inform the decision-making of agri-fishery communities and government stakeholders; 2) capacity-building of farmers for quality, diversified, and market-oriented production; 3) establishment of pilot social enterprises with marketable production; and 4) improved and accessible processing and logistic facilities and equipment through public-private partnerships (PPPs). These outputs contribute to the improvement of local agricultural and sea-aqua product production in quality, diversity, and consolidation, in response to the needs of the market. By uplifting the socio-economic conditions of agri-fishery sector, in which majority of poor and remote Bangsamoro communities work, the project aimed to build their resilience to drivers of conflict and instability including poverty, inequality and lack of social cohesion, thereby contributing to a peaceful, cohesive, secure and inclusively developed Bangsamoro.

The joint final evaluation will be conducted to examine the higher-level results of the project and facilitate learning, promoting accountability and enhancing decision-making for policymakers, programme managers, and other key stakeholders. IOM, FAO, and ITC will use the findings and recommendations from the FAIR-VALUE project evaluation to design, implement, and monitor projects of similar nature, as well as document lessons learned and best practices from the FAIR VALUE project. It will focus on four primary objectives:

Generate evidence on the impact and results of the project, including documentation of lessons learned, effective strategies, and best practices;

Determine the significant higher-level effects of the project interventions;

Assess the program’s efficiency and effectiveness in fostering collaboration among Participating United Nations Organizations (PUNOs); and

Identify recommendations, lessons learned, and good practices to inform programming and future resource mobilization in supporting similar projects within the same themes.

The final external evaluation of the project is scheduled to occur one (1) month after the end of the project. The evaluation will cover the following:

Full project period from 12 September 2023 to 11 September 2026;

Full geographic scope of the project, including the Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi provinces;

All groups of project participants, including members of the project team, select participants and resource persons in the training, consultation, and community activities, stakeholders from the local and regional governments, and project partners including service providers and consultants, with logistical considerations for programme participants; and

Cross-cutting themes that will be assessed, including gender mainstreaming, environmental sensitivity and sustainability, cultural sensitivity, and accountability to affected populations (AAP).

Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing

Programme Support Unit, CS.1221: Farmers-Fisherfolks’ Advancement and Integration to Resilient Value Chains in BARMM (FAIR-VALUE).

Tasks to be performed under this contract

Education

• Advanced degree in a relevant field such as social sciences or statistics is required.

Experience

• Minimum of five years of experience leading and conducting evaluations is required;
• Knowledge/experience of UN system is desirable;
• Understanding of BARMM and BaSulTa context is an advantage;
• Experience in community stabilization and development projects is preferred;
• Skills in evaluation design, qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis, drafting and editing in English, communication, time management, and cultural and conflict sensitivity are required.

Languages

For this consultancy, fluency in English is required. Basic familiarity with Tagalog and the local language in Basilan, Sulu, and/or Tawi-Tawi is desirable. The evaluator shall hire translation services if the evaluator does not have adequate fluency in the local language in BaSulTa.

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

Documents for Submission of Application

6. All-inclusive budget for the evaluation (including expert fees, travel costs, translation services, coordination services, and all other expenses to be incurred), it is recommended that the proposed budget be capped at PHP 2,400,000 (approximately EUR 33,500)

Required Competencies

Notes

IOM covers Consultants against occupational accidents and illnesses under the Compensation Plan (CP), free of charge, for the duration of the consultancy. IOM does not provide evacuation or medical insurance for reasons related to non-occupational accidents and illnesses. Consultants are responsible for their own medical insurance for non-occupational accident or illness and will be required to provide written proof of such coverage before commencing work.

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, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, security clearances.

IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities.

IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.

No late applications will be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.