Strengthening the migration-development nexus in Africa (Consultant for Ghana)

Result of Service

The consultant shall, within the relevant timeframe, provide ECA SRO-NA with: - Continuous technical support advisory services and providing capacity building activities to the NDPC and Ghanian institutions/ministries to better leverage diaspora contribution to sustainable development in Ghana. - Periodic monitoring, evaluation, and follow-up reports on programme implementation and progress in implementing the matrix of reforms in Ghana. - Technical inputs and knowledge products documenting Ghana’s experience and best practices for application in other countries. - Adapted tools and adequate frameworks and related guidance to support other countries in integrating diaspora contributions into national and medium-term development planning and channeling remittances to investment. The plan and deadlines for the deliverables will be discussed and decided in consultation between the consultant and SRO-NA

Work Location

GHANA

Expected duration

6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

Background and rationale for support Diasporas contribute significantly to the sustainable development of both destination and origin countries, making diverse economic, social, and cultural contributions. They bring home significant remittances and skills from destination countries, providing significant benefits to home countries and as useful source of technological transfer, and innovative ideas for national development. Migrants also acquire financial resources for sole and joint investment to improve lives, make financial returns, or both. Despite their increasing importance, diaspora policies still receive less consideration than immigration policies. Remittances are a vital tool for development and have significant implications for economic growth through the increase of consumption, investment, and social spending (education, health, social security…). Remittances inflows have increased significantly in recent years and have become the main financial external inflow in African countries, surpassing other inflows that traditionally play an important role in these countries, such as official development assistance (ODA) and foreign direct investment (FDI). However, the positive contribution of international migrants, remittances in particular, is overlooked. And while countries have made some progress on capitalizing on migrants' contribution to development, in African countries these efforts continue to be a missed opportunity. Understanding migrants' positive contribution to their receiving countries and designing policies and tools that protect and empower them is key for maximizing the socioeconomic benefits of migration. Knowing the importance of remittances to economic development and to facilitate evidence-based policies and their implementation, the governments, the private sector, and the NGOs need clear tools, framework and policies that help to better optimize the contribution of Diasporas in the development of their countries of origin. In this context, ECA is implementing a programme on "Strengthening the migration-development nexus in Africa » from 2024 to 2027. The programme supports six African Member States that have diverse migration patterns, strategic geographical location, significant migration flows, diverse diaspora, significant remittance inflows (in percentage of GDP), and proactive efforts from the government to leverage migration for development and channel remittances to productive investments. Duties and Responsibilities: Under the direct supervision of the Chief of the Subregional Initiatives Section and the Economic Affairs Officer, and the overall supervision of the Director of the North Africa Regional Office, the consultant will provide continuous technical support and advisory services under the Programme “Strengthening the Migration–Development Nexus in Africa,” to leverage the contribution of Ghanian diaspora and channel remittances to investment including developing adequate tools/instruments, monitoring and follow-up of reforms implementation in Ghana, while supporting other countries through the transfer of Ghana’s experience and best practices to develop their own frameworks/ tools for integrating diaspora contributions into development planning and channeling remittances to investment. The consultant will: - provide continuous technical and advisory support to the NDPC, the national technical working group and Ghanaian institutions/ministries in charge of remittances and diaspora contribution under the Programme “Strengthening the Migration–Development Nexus in Africa”, especially in the area of providing: - capacity building training to Metropolitan, Municipal and Districts Assembles (MMDAs) in Ghana on how to mainstream migration and diaspora contributions and remittance in their respective Medium-Term Plans (MTDPs), 2026-2029, using the Ghana training toolkits - technical backstopping to MMDAs in preparing their respective “Migration for development and Diaspora Contributions and Remittances Action Plans; - technical coordination and support to Bank of Ghana (BoG), Ministry of Finance (MoF); Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), Diaspora Desk, Office of the President, Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC)/Ministry of Trade and Industries (MOTI) to develop appropriate instruments/tools to operationalize the migration and diaspora contributions and remittance interventions outlined in the Medium Term National Development Policy Framework, 2026-2029. These instruments/tools include National Remittance Strategy and Diaspora Investment Strategy; and - support to national dissemination and advocacy programmes on migration and diaspora contributions and remittances, instituted by NDPC. - Monitor, evaluate, and follow up on programme and policy reforms implementation in Ghana to ensure effective implementation, delivery and results, including: - finalizing the results framework for monitoring the implementation of migration and diaspora contributions and remittance interventions outlined in the Medium-Term National Development Policy Framework, 2026-2029; and - provide technical support to NDPC to mainstream relevant Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in the Medium-Term National Development Policy Framework, 2026-2029 indicator matrix, as well as collecting the baseline data and setting the relevant targets to the implementation period. - Support implementation and provide technical inputs and promoting south-south cooperation with other countries beneficiaries of the programme through the transfer of Ghana’s experience and dissemination of best practices. - Assist other countries and provide technical inputs and advisory services in developing their own tools to integrate diaspora contributions into national and medium-term development planning and channel remittances to productive investment.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree (Masters' degree) in economics, social science (Statistics, Development, Economics, Sociology, Demography, Population Studies, Migration, etc.) or any related field is required. A first-level university degree in a combination of additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the master's degree. A PhD in the same field is an advantage A minimum of 5 years of experience in Economy/social research and analysis is required Experience in policy planning and elaboration of policies, and analysis of migration trends and contribution to development is desirable Experience with national organizations in charge of planning and migration issues in Ghana or with the normative and/or operational work of the African Union and the United Nations system is desirable

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For this consultancy, Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Arabic or French is desirable

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.