CONSULTANCY: ECOWAS Support to the Protection of Vulnerable Mixed Migrants at International Organization for Migration (IOM)
The International Organization for Migration (IOM)
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.
Tittle:CONSULTANCY: ECOWAS Support to the Protection of Vulnerable Mixed Migrants
Location: Abuja FCT
JOB DESCRIPTION
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) aims to strengthen economic integration across its 12 Member States, with one of its key strategies being the effective implementation of the ECOWAS Free Movement Protocols and the ECOWAS Common Approach to Migration. The Support to Free Movement of Persons and Migration in West Africa Phase 2 (FMM II) Programme is funded by the European Union and jointly implemented by a consortium of partners, including the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD). The programme seeks to maximize the development potential of free movement and migration in West Africa by supporting the effective implementation of ECOWAS Free Movement Protocols and the ECOWAS Common Approach to Migration through three key components: Enhancing the ECOWAS Commission’s capacity for policy development, harmonization, and monitoring; Strengthening national institutions’ abilities in migration data management, policy development, and border management; and improving the capacity of Non-State Actors and Local Authorities to provide information and protection for migrants and cross-border populations.
The project intervention builds on the achievements of the first phase of the FMM project, further strengthening the ECOWAS Commission’s capacity to lead dialogues on free movement and migration issues, policy development, harmonization, and adoption. One of the key strides made in the first phase of the FMM project, implemented in collaboration with the ECOWAS Commission’s Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Unit and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), was the updating of the 2011/2012 edition of the Joint IOM-UNHCR-ECOWAS Manual, “Protecting Refugees and Other Persons on the Move in the ECOWAS Space”. Additionally, the project supported the development of a comprehensive training package on Protection Principles in Mixed Migration Flows to complement the manual. Both the updated manual and training package played a critical role in strengthening the capacities of lead national agencies responsible for humanitarian response, protection, and migrants’ rights across ECOWAS Member States and Mauritania, with a keen focus on mixed migration concepts.
As part of efforts to support the ECOWAS Commission, a Mixed Migration Strategy was developed to enable Member states and ECOWAS to strengthen the regional protection framework. The Mixed Migration strategy aims at guiding the relevant thematic directorates of ECOWAS concerned with protection in the context of migration. The validation and finalization of the draft is undergoing discussion with the Directorate of Humanitarian and Social Affairs.
In the second phase of the FMM programme, there is a need to revise the Mixed Migration Strategy and its alignment or inclusion in the ECOWAS Regional Migration Policy, and to support the MIDWA mixed migration working group, to enhance coordination and operational effectiveness in addressing mixed migration challenges across the region.
RESPONSIBILITIES
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:
a) Technical and administrative support to the Mixed Migration working group:
- Conduct a baseline assessment of mixed migration trends, challenges, and opportunities in the region[1].
- 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.
- Engage key stakeholders (e.g., ECOWAS Commission, member states, IOM etc) to gather insights on priorities and gaps.
- Support liaison with the African Migration Observatory and in the compilation of critical data on mixed migration within and relevant to the ECOWAS region.
- [1]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:
b) Development of the Strategic Plan of the Mixed Migration working group, capacity building and liaison with key stakeholders.
- Development and Finalization of the Strategic Plan of the TWG: The consultant will support the Humanitarian and Social affairs Directorate in production and finalization of a revised Strategic Plan of the Mixed Migration Working Group. This will include:
- Support the development of the Mixed Migration Working Group strategy by identifying key action areas, developing strategic priorities and action plan.
- Support the organization of technical and validation meetings both physical and online and develop a Monitoring and Evaluation framework to track progress of developed strategies.
- Support the design and delivery of capacity building on protection of Vulnerable mixed migrants for the Working Group in line with the Strategic Plan and for other key stakeholders as required.
c) Perform other duties as might be assigned by the Director Humanitarian and Social Affairs or her designated representative.
TANGIBLE AND MEASURABLE OUTPUT OF THE WORK ASSIGNMENT:
Performance indicators for the evaluation of results
TANGIBLE AND MEASURABLE OUTPUT OF THE WORK ASSIGNMENT:
| Time Required | Activities & Deliverables |
| 1st Deliverable: 1 month after start date of consultancy |
Payment of 25% amount of total consultancy services fees upon submission and approval of all documents and materials stated in this session.
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| 2nd Deliverable: 3 months after the start date of consultancy |
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| 3rd Deliverable: 6 months after start date of consultancy |
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4th Deliverable: 9 months after start date of consultancy |
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Ability to accurately coordinate with the ECOWAS Commission relevant stakeholders.
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Satisfactory completion of tasks indicated in the ToR.
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Timeliness: Ability to meet the project timeline and deliver on time.
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Clarity: Ability to communicate protection, mixed migration and free movement contents clearly and concisely.
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Adaptability: Ability to adjust to changes in scope or objectives.
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Knowledge: Understanding of migrant protection, management and free movement context for West Africa region.
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Understanding: Ability to understand and interpret the complexities of the migrant protection, TiP and free movement-related programme.
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Responsiveness: Ability to provide timely responses to inquiries from all stakeholders.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education, Experience and/or skills required:
- A Master’s degree from an accredited academic institution in 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.
- Willingness to travel
- National or international travels could be required and informed in advance.
DURATION OF THE CONTRACT AND PAYMENT:
• The duration of the contract is 9 months
The incumbent will receive an all-inclusive payment of USD 13,500 (naira equivalent will be made based on the prevailing United Nations (UN) exchange rate at the time of payment and in 4 instalments:
Instalment 1 USD 3,375 (25%): IOM receipt and validation of deliverable one.
Instalment 2 USD 3,375 (25%): IOM receipt and validation of deliverable two.
Instalment 3 USD 3,375 (25%): IOM receipt and validation of deliverables three.
Instalment 4 USD 3,375 (25%): IOM receipt and validation of deliverables four.
The consultant will be responsible for:
- All the deliverables as set out in the TOR
- Provision of communication (phone/internet) including payment.
CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT:
Upon the advertisement of the Consultancy Notice, qualified individual consultants are expected to submit:
1. CV/Resume, indicating comprehensive experience in similar projects/assignments, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the candidate and at least three (3) professional references.
2. Letter of expression of interest
3. Technical Proposal (Narrative) detailing methodology approach for the consultancy.
4. All individual applicants should be Community Citizens of ECOWAS.
Application Dealine 17 February 2026
METHOD OF APPLICATION
Interested and Qualified candidates should use link below to Apply.
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