VN Migration GIS Mapping Consultant

VACANCY NOTICE

Vacancy Notice No: IOM/085/11 Duty Station: Dadaab, Kenya Position Title: Migration GIS Mapping Consultant Duration: 2 weeks

Introduction:

The continued fight in the war-torn country of Somalia and the declared ravaging drought in both North-Eastern Kenya and Southern Somalia have led to an increased population of refugees entering Kenya’s North-Eastern Province. According to UNHCR, the migrating population is arriving at the Dadaab Refugee camps on an average of 1,300 people per day for the last 6 weeks and the humanitarian agencies are now struggling to cope with the influx of weak mothers carrying severely malnourished children. The drought in North-Eastern Kenya has also driven communities from as far as Wajir and Fafi (districts surrounding Dadaab) to the outskirts of Dadaab camps in search of cheaper access to market products in the camps, water facilities and food. Dadaab host community has a population of about 148,000 people of whom 60% are in settlements and 40% are mobile pastoralists not permanently settled in any village. The influx of refugees in this world’s largest refugee camp has adversely affected the host communities, leading to decline in biodiversity, a shortage of food and an increase in human and livestock health problems, rural-urban migration and dependency on external support.

The overstretched, limited resources available to the large refugee population are further infringing to the refugee host communities who are predominantly pastoralists, whom main source of livelihoods is livestock. The pastoralist host communities are obliged to share their already limited resources with the incoming refugees. In such cases of massive refugee influx, the host community more often than not go neglected as the humanitarian response abundantly focuses on the refugee community, this in turn creating an extremely vulnerable local group as they desperately search for alternative means to cater for their basic rights.

Given this situation, IOM is responding to the drought effects by improving the livelihood systems of the pastoralist host communities of Dadaab district. IOM is seeking the services of a consultant to conduct specialised mapping of human and livestock migration patterns within the district hosting the Dadaab refugee complex.

This information will enable IOM provide better intervention services along the routes including the establishment of strategic facilities such as water points, overnight stop points, health and nutrition intervention points to better serve the community. The mapping will enable the establishment of a GIS database to support integrated response to refugee influx and improve facilities for the host community.

Objectives

To map human and livestock migration routes of the mobile community in Dadaab district and environs. The specific objectives are:

a) To identify and map using both onscreen digitising and the use of Global Positioning System the major and minor, official and unofficial routes used by i. Refugees to access the Dadaab refugee complexes when migrating from the Somali/Kenya border ; ii. Pastoralist communities migrating in search of better livelihoods in the district and the environs iii. Grazing and browsing livestock animals in search of water and pasture within Dadaab district and the environs b) To generate a multi user Geo-database ArchSDE & RDBMS to enable spatial analysis of the migration patterns. c) To recommend spatial location of migrating refugee services, host community livelihood / livestock facilities to mitigate the impact of hostile terrain and climate on migrating persons and animals. d) To make recommendations of value additions to current mapping including the need to develop a real time web based monitoring application for migrants and livestock movement and travel time used in migration.

Timeframe:

The consultancy is expected to take two weeks in the month of August 2011

Deliverables:

1. An inception report with clearly outlined work plan and time frame, methodology and itinerary (Payment 25%)
2. A GIS based thematic layer indicating the major and minor routes used in current and historical migrations
3. Analysis of changes over time in migration patterns if any
4. A multi user geo-database of migration routes in the target area
5. Migration routes and related shape files for the area
6. A report detailing potential value additions to the current mapping initiative (Final Payment 75% deliverables 2-6)

IOM shall provide the following:

1. Provide transport for the researchers during the training
2. Meet the costs of accommodation for the consultant during the training Desirable Qualifications:

a) Education: University Degree in Social Sciences, Migration Studies, Demography, Public or related fields. b) Proven experience in GIS mapping analysis and reporting – Minimum 3 years experience. c) Clear understanding of social science research process and pastoral migration. d) IOM functional competencies required: effective communicator, creative and analytical thinker, active learner and cross-cultural facilitator. e) Relevant technical and analytical computer skills including Microsoft office, internet, and use of Geo-database ArchSDE & RDBMS.

Mode of Application: Submit a cover letter and CV including daytime telephone and email address to: International Organization for Migration (IOM), Human Resources Department, PO Box 55040-00200 Nairobi or send by email to hrnairobi@iom.int

Closing Date: 15 August 2011

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.