IT Consultant for Somaliland Immigration and Border Control (SIBC)

I. Background Information:

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission (CoM) in Somalia and direct supervision of the Immigration and Border Governance Programme Manager/ Officer (IBG PM/ PO); and, in close collaboration with the Commissioner of the Somaliland Immigration and Border Control (SIBC) in Hargeisa, the successful candidate will be responsible and accountable for managing the MIDAS/ IT functions within the SIBC HQ in Hargeisa

Nature of the consultancy:

The International Organization for Migration (IOM)has been assisting the Somaliland Immigration in capacity building for migration management. One of the key activities under the bordergovernance programme is the installation and maintenance of the Migration Information and Data Analysis System (MIDAS), the border management and information system developed by IOM. MIDAS registers travelers with biometric data at ports of entries (POEs) to assist immigration authorities in data collection and analysis.

The number of POEs using MIDAS have significantly increased and so has the need for associated ITC support. MIDAS is regularly being upgraded with new features and troubleshooting requests from POEs increase. For example, the Visa system needs to be upgraded (E- Visa). Furthermore, there is a need to adequately link and maintain the connection between the HQ and the various POEs

II. Duties & Responsibilities

1. Coordinate the activities of the IT unit in SIBC offices, ensuring that all requests are addressed timely and accurately with efficient allocation of resources. Assist the administration in the adequate planning and provision of IT resources.
2. Coordinate with SIBC IT Unit, plan and advise required systems upgrades and improvements on IT infrastructure and provision of systems and services as required for the efficient functioning of operations.
3. Implement a backup solution for SIBC for data protection. Ensure that all local data is properly backed up using proper backup solution. Monitor and confirm adequate completion of backups.
4. Install systems, network components, and software and suggest optimaltechnical solutions to achieve required standards.
5. Monitor daily SIBC critical applications such as the Migration Information and Data Analysis System(MIDAS), Visa Management System, Passport processing system. Liaise effectively with technical counterparts for the proper functioning and availability of those systems. Assist with end-user training when required.
6. Ensure the required performance, security and stability of network services and servers (LAN, WAN, messaging, Internet and, VPN, etc.), to prevent and minimize downtime or service interruptions.
7. Mentor and train IT staff to increase the IT capacities of SIBC staffby conducting an on-the-spot training on immigration IT, Visa andMIDAS systems andother processes.
8. Provide remote technical support to all SIBC offices. Conduct on-site visits when necessary.
9. Submit monthly progress reports to IBM PM and SIBC to monitor the process on SIBC IT development by following the deliverables mentioned in the workplan.
10. Design and develop new digital systems and tools to support the evolving operational and administrative needs of SIBC.
11. Integrate all existing immigration-related systems (e.g., MIDAS, e-Visa, Passport System) into a unified dashboard to improve visibility, coordination, and operational efficiency.
12. Develop comprehensive IT Department policies, including SOPs for system use, data access protocols, incident response, and IT asset management.
13. Ensure all IT practices are aligned with global data protection and privacy standards. Implement data security and confidentiality protocols covering biometric, personal, and travel information.
14. Establish a cybersecurity framework including firewalls, threat prevention tools, and disaster recovery strategies.
15. Develop a Monitoring & Evaluation system to assess the performance of IT infrastructure, systems uptime, and user satisfaction.
16. Ensure sustainability of systems through the development of technical documentation, manuals, and training plans for local IT staff.
17. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Tangible and measurable output of the work assignment:

• One data center room has to be established in which all SIBC main systems (MIDAS, VISA, Passport) are controlled including one dashboard. The consultant is responsible for the completion of an adequate needs assessment, including recommendations (incl. costs) for such room.
• Backup systemopportunities have been assessed and back up recommendation planfor SIBC is developed.
• Visa management system is upgraded with new features (e-Visa system).
• Network components have been developed to connect HQ with various POEs.
• Centralized dashboard developed and functioning for MIDAS, Visa, and Passport systems.
• IT Policies and SOPs completed and approved by SIBC.
• Cybersecurity strategy and backup plan documented.
• Data privacy/confidentiality framework aligned with international best practices is drafted and adopted.

Final Deliverables

By the end of the consultancy, the IT Consultant shall submit the following:

1. Fully functional centralized dashboard integrating MIDAS, e-Visa, and Passport systems.
2. IT Department Policies and SOP Manual covering system operations, incident response, and access protocols.
3. Cybersecurity and data privacy framework tailored to SIBC’s context, aligned with the best international practices.
4. Documentation and manuals for all systems developed or upgraded.
5. A Training and Sustainability handover plan for SIBC IT staff.
6. Final consultancy report summarizing achievements, challenges, lessons learned and recommendations.

III: Requirements:

Besides the specific outputs mentioned in section III, the SIBC Support project is requiring the following deliverables to be submitted throughout the assignment. These are the standard requirements for all assignments under this project:

1. Transfer of skills: The main responsibility of the qualified local professional—which he/she will be measured against—will be to ensure continuous and systematic transfer of knowledge and skills as related to the assignment. It will have to be agreed with the beneficiary institution that staff will benefit from this knowledge.
2. Work plan: A work plan must be developed with the Supervisor during the first week of the assignment to provide clear and time-bound activities to successfully implement the outputs of the assignment. This work plan will be shared with the supervisor, SIBC commissioner and IOM project team. This work plan can be revised during the assignment to reflect on new developments or changes.
3. Monthly, Quarterly and Final Reports: Monthly and Quarterly progress reports will be submitted by the expert to the supervisor, SIBC commissioner and IOM project team. At the end of the assignment, the participant must also provide a final report covering the duration of his/her assignment.
4. Exit interview: An exit interview will be conducted to ensure that a proper exit plan has been put in place to sustain the achievements, upon completion of the assignment. With spearheading level participation by SIBC.

IV: Qualifications

Level of Education:

1. Master’s degree in computer science/ engineering, Information Technology, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with fiveyears of relevant professional experience; or
2. University degree in theabove fields withseven years ofrelevant professional experience.
3. Professional certification like CCIE, CCNP,CCNA will bea distinct advantage

Area of Study:

IT (Information Technology)

Years of work experience in what area(s):

• Minimum of 3 years’ relevant working experience in the IT sector.
  • Progressive experience in networking environments, system integration, and Windows/Linux server infrastructure across multi-site or enterprise-level organizations.
  • Demonstrated experience supervising the design, development, and implementation of IT systems, SOPs, and technical frameworks within governmental or critical infrastructure contexts
• Proven experience in leading digital transformation initiatives, including:
  1. Developing and deploying full-stack systems (web and mobile)
     1. Installing and configuring firewalls, antivirus, and system/network security controls
     2. Debugging & troubleshooting systems
     3. SQL server database experience, Python, JAVA andC#
     4. Programming languages and databases.
     5. Drafting and implementing IT policies, user access protocols, and data governance standards
     6. Working with REST APIs and building interoperable systems
  2. Experience conducting training, capacity building, and knowledge transfer for government or institutional IT departments

Good understanding on the context and dynamic of Somaliland.

Languages needed:

• Fluency in English.
• Fluency in Somali.

General Skills / Other Requirements:

• Experience in managing and mentoring staff and promoting teamwork.
• Good interpersonal and cross-cultural skills.
• Facilitation and training skills, including development of training materials and facilitation of participatory program development and capacity building.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, particularly communication and presentation skills for diverse audiences.
• Willingness and experience to work independently, in a politically unstable and security volatile situation and areas.
• Knowledge and understanding of the local Somali culture and its socio-political background.

Required Competencies

Values

• Inclusion and respect fordiversity respects andpromotes individual andcultural differences; encourages diversity and inclusion wherever possible.
• Integrity and transparency: maintain high ethical standards and acts ina manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent, and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
• Demonstrates strong commitment to data privacy, information security, and the ethical use of sensitive biometric and migration-related data.

Core Competencies

• Teamwork: develops andpromotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner; is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge continuously seeksto learn, shareknowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own action and delegated work.
• Communication: encourages and contributes to clear and open communication; explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

V: Subsistence Allowance

The monthly stipend amount will be determined by IOM, based on the level of education and years of relevant work experience.