Returned Qualified Nationals (RQN)

TO SERVE AT WOLLO UNIVERSITY

Terms of Reference

Apply now as a Diaspora Expert!

Are you currently living and working abroad? Would you like to engage in a skills transfer program in your country of origin for a limited period?

Then apply as a diaspora expert!

1. Introduction

IOM is working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora services/departments under the Better Regional Migration Management Program to implement a Returned of Qualified Nationals (RQN), Diaspora Engagement activity in Ethiopia. The activity's aim is to identify and engage skilled and qualified diaspora who have left and who are ready to give back to their country of origin by volunteering to improve institutions capacity in key socio-economic sectors agreed with the governments, such as education, health, agriculture, infrastructure, civil engineering, financial systems, and information technology.

The programme offers support for three-month assignments with state institutions or public-benefit organisations such as government agencies, academic institutions, and health facilities. The programme welcomes individuals from different careers and sectors, such as educators, organisational developers, mechanical engineers, doctors, and other health care professionals.

If you are an Ethiopian diaspora expert or professional residing abroad, we cordially invite you to join our Short-Term Placement Program and embark on a transformative journey that leverages your expertise for national progress.

2. Objective of the Assignment

Objective 1: Implement a short-term training program to enhance skills in grant writing, academic writing, and policy brief preparation, boosting publication success and funding acquisition.

Objective 2: Develop university-industry linkages and community engagement programs to improve local governance and achieve accreditation of academic programs and journals.

3. Areas of Intervention and Place of Work

·       Development studies/governance/Peace and Security/Federal Studies, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia.

o   Introduce a short-term training program on grant and academic writing, policy brief preparation, and publication

o   university-industry linkage

o   teaching and mentorship

o   support the local governance improvement

o   Develop a university-local community engagement program

o   Conduct a local context understanding workshop and prepare a policy brief. 

o   Work on internationalization and accreditation of programs and journals

4. What We Offer

·       Financial assistance towards expenses during the assignment in country

·       Paid roundtrip travel expenses

·       A basic insurance package

·       Local support during your assignment from our team of coordinators

5. Required Qualifications, Experience And Competences

·       Development studies/governance/Peace and Security/Federal Studies

·       Currently living abroad and have a migration history from Ethiopia,

·       An professor or an academic of equivalent rank specializing in one of the aforementioned fields of study.

·       At least eight years of relevant professional experience in universities abroad in teaching, research and publication, project, and/or community outreach activities. 

·       Willing to undertake a short-term assignment of three months in the above-mentioned areas of intervention

·       Proficiency in English is required

6. Supervision

The expert will be attached to a local institution and his/her daily work will be supervised by the contact person/supervisor allocated to him/her within the respective institution. The work of the expert will also be closely monitored by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) during the duration of his/her assignment. 

7. Duration and Location:

The Contract will have a duration of three (3) months and the diaspora can choose to work either on-site or remotely and the deployment can be any time between 1 October – 31 March 2025.  If they work on-site, the location will be based on the institution where they will be placed. But this will also depend on the security situation and the availability of facilities.

 

8. Reporting Obligation and Deliverables

·       Skill development: The main duty of the eligible Diaspora expert that will be used to evaluate his/her performance will be to ensure regular and consistent sharing of knowledge and skills as related to the assignment.

·       Work plan: The immediate supervisor will create a work plan with the assignee in the first week of the assignment to outline clear and time-bound activities to achieve the outputs of the assignment. The supervisor of the hosting institution and IOM will receive this work plan. This work plan can be updated during the assignment to accommodate new developments or changes.

·       Monthly Updates: The Diaspora expert will send monthly reports on their progress to the supervisor at the host institution and IOM.

·       Departure interview: A departure interview will be done to collect feedback and suggestions for future projects by other specialists.

9. How to Apply

To apply for this Short-Term placement opportunity, interested and eligible applicants can send a motivation letter, CV and contact information (email and phone number) of two professional references to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) at ehoarorqn_eth@iom.int

 

The closing date of this application is 31 January 2025.