The International Organization for Migration (IOM) – Established in 1951, IOM is the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of migration and works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.
We are recruiting to fill the position below:
Job Title: Consultant, ECOWAS Support to the Protection of Vulnerable Mixed Migrants
Location: Asokoro, Abuja
Job Description
Project Context and Scope:
- Providing shelter services to vulnerable migrants in Nigeria, including survivors of gender-based violence, victims of trafficking, unaccompanied children, and those with mental health needs, is essential in ensuring comprehensive protection assistance. Despite the efforts of various organizations and government bodies, there is still a significant gap in standardized services for shelters to meet the needs of vulnerable migrants while respecting the minimum standards of quality and dignity.
- In 2023, the International and Ibero-American Foundation for Administration and Public Policies (FIIAPP) supported the Nigerian government through NAPTIP in 2023 to develop minimum standards guidelines for shelter service providers rendering services to victims of trafficking. However, the existing guidelines do not address the standards of services for other migrants in vulnerable situations including unaccompanied and separated children (UASC), survivors of Gender Based Violence (GBV), persons with disabilities and persons with mental health concerns thereby leading to inconsistency in service provision.
- Establishing these minimum standards for shelter providers in Nigeria is essential for ensuring consistent and high-quality service delivery to these migrants in vulnerable situations and will address the specific requirements for all categories. As well as aligning shelter services with global core humanitarian standards [1] and best practices.
- These minimum standards will also ensure that shelters incorporate a mental health and psychosocial approach by offering trauma-informed care, providing access to psychological support and counseling from qualified professionals for those requiring specialized assistance. This will foster a safe and supportive environment for all migrants in vulnerable situation as well as ensuring quality in service provision, facilities and respect for human rights.
- IOM is implementing a project that will contribute to this initiative, titled “The global Cooperation on Migration and Partnerships for Sustainable Solutions (COMPASS), funded by the Netherlands. This project aims to support the rehabilitation of returning migrants and strengthen coordination platforms at both national and state levels. By supporting the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and other relevant stakeholders in developing the minimum standards for shelter providers in Nigeria, the protection of migrants in vulnerable situation in need of shelter will therefore be improved.
Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing Migrant Protection and Assistance Department
Responsibilities
- The Consultant is contributing to the ECOWAS regional project “Support to Free Movement of Persons and Migration in West Africa Phase II,” which is funded by the European Union and jointly implemented by a consortium including the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) and the International Labour Organization (ILO). The consultant will work under the day-to-day technical supervision of the Director of Humanitarian and Social Affairs Directorate or her designated representative, and administrative supervision of IOM.
The tasks listed below will be subject to ongoing review and, where necessary, adjusted in consultations between the incumbent, the ECOWAS Directorate of Humanitarian and Social Affairs and IOM:
Technical and administrative support to the Mixed Migration working group:
Baseline assessment: This assessment will examine key mixed migration indicators and practices within the ECOWAS Commission, ECOWAS Member States, and Mauritania, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of existing frameworks. The evaluation will focus on the following key areas:
- Conduct a baseline assessment of mixed migration trends, challenges, and opportunities in the region.
- Review all regional guidelines, policies, and studies on mixed migration which were developed during the first phase of the project and beyond, using the baseline assessment to identify gaps, provide recommendations, and prevent duplication of efforts.
- Review the existing ECOWAS legal, policy, guideline, and strategic framework on regional cooperation, and identify future priority areas for policy development on mixed migration.
- Compare the legal frameworks of ECOWAS member states with regional standards to identify gaps and challenges in mixed migration governance.
- Engage key stakeholders (e.g., ECOWAS Commission, member states, IOM etc) to gather insights on priorities and gaps.
Support in the organisation of the MIDWA Mixed Migration technical working group (TWG): The consultant will support the Humanitarian and Social affairs Directorate in the organisation of the MIDWA mixed migration TWG. This will include:
- Draft a concept note and agenda
- Act as resource person during the meeting
- Support the development of the Mixed Migration Working Group strategy by identifying key action areas, developing strategic priorities and action plan.
- Draft the report of the meeting
- Develop a Monitoring and Evaluation framework to track progress of developed strategies
Support to Strategy Development:
- Support the finalization and validation of the ECOWAS Draft Strategy on Protection of vulnerable mixed migrants if needed, or the inclusion of key mixed migration priorities in the ECOWAS migration policy
Support strengthening regional capacities for the protection of vulnerable mixed migrants:
- Review existing training materials, and SOPs for the identification, referral, and protection of vulnerable mixed migrants etc.
- Design and deliver capacity-building programs for the mixed migration working group and other stakeholders on the protection of vulnerable mixed migrants.
- Support in the logistic and administrative preparations of the meetings
- Perform other duties as might be assigned by the Director Humanitarian and Social Affairs or her designated representative.
Performance Indicators for the evaluation of results
- Ability to accurately coordinate with the ECOWAS Commission relevant stakeholders.
- Satisfactory com pletion of tasks indicated in the ToR.
- Timeliness: Ability to meet the project timeline and deliver on time.
- Clarity: Ability to communicate protection, mixed migration and free movement contents clearly and concisely.
- Adaptability: Ability to adjust to changes in scope or objectives.
- Knowledge: Understanding of migrant protection, management and free movement context for West Africa region.
- Understanding: Ability to understand and interpret the complexities of the migrant protection, TiP and free movement-related programme.
- Responsiveness: Ability to provide timely responses to inquiries from all stakeholders
Qualifications
- A Master’s degree from an accredited academic institution in Social Sciences, Political Science, International Relations, International Economics, Law, Public Administration, or a related field. A first-level university degree, combined with five additional years of relevant experience, may be accepted in place of a master’s degree.
- Demonstrated knowledge and experience in regional integration and the free movement protocol
- Proficiency in English. Knowledge of either French or Portuguese is an added advantage.
- Strong Analytical, Communication and Reporting Skills
- Extensive work experience in migration protection, counter trafficking and migration governance.
- Ability to work with colleagues from varied cultures and professional backgrounds.
- Excellent understanding of gender-related needs, perspectives, concerns, and participation.
Application Closing Date
24th June, 2025.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online