CONSULTANCY: ECOWAS Support to the Protection of Vulnerable Mixed Migrants

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) aims to strengthen economic integration across its 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.

 

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:

a) Technical and administrative support to the Mixed Migration working group:

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:
   1. Conduct a baseline assessment of mixed migration trends, challenges, and opportunities in the region.
   2. 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.
   3. Review the existing ECOWAS legal, policy, guideline, and strategic framework on regional cooperation, and identify future priority areas for policy development on mixed migration.
   4. Compare the legal frameworks of ECOWAS member states with regional standards to identify gaps and challenges in mixed migration governance. 
   5. Engage key stakeholders (e.g., ECOWAS Commission, member states, IOM etc) to gather insights on priorities and gaps.   
2.  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:
   1. Draft a concept note and agenda
   2. Act as resource person during the meeting
   3. Support the development of the Mixed Migration Working Group strategy by identifying key action areas, developing strategic priorities and action plan.
   4. Draft the report of the meeting
   5. Develop a Monitoring and Evaluation framework to track progress of developed strategies

b) Support to Strategy Development:

1. 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

c) Support strengthening regional capacities for the protection of vulnerable mixed migrants

a. Review existing training materials, and SOPs for the identification, referral, and protection of vulnerable mixed migrants etc. 

b. Design and deliver capacity-building programs for the mixed migration working group and other stakeholders on the protection of vulnerable mixed migrants. 

c. Support in the logistic and administrative preparations of the meetings

d) 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: 

Time Required Activities & Deliverables 1st Deliverable: 1 month after start date of consultancy

1. Develop and submit a consultancy work plan developed in coordination with the Humanitarian and Social Affairs Directorate 
2. Support the MIDWA Mixed Migration Technical Working Group meeting by:
   1. Drafting a concept note and agenda 
   2. Present key findings and technical inputs related to mixed migration governance in the region 

Payment of 25% amount of total consultancy services fees upon submission and approval of all documents and materials stated in this session.

2nd Deliverable: 3  months after the start date of consultancy

1. Support the MIDWA Mixed Migration Technical Working Group meeting by:

1. Support with the logistics of the MIDWA TWG meeting on mixed migration
2. Facilitate discussions and guide dialogue on critical issues, ensuring meaningful engagement from stakeholders
3. Share final report of the meeting 2 weeks after the end date of meeting.

2.Submit baseline assessment report examining key mixed migration indicators and practices within the ECOWAS Commission, ECOWAS Member States, and Mauritania, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of existing frameworks.

3.Draft final MIDWA mixed migration working group strategy with a monitoring and evaluation framework

4.Facilitate validation process of the draft mixed migration working group strategy and monitoring and evaluation framework.

1. Support the convening of stakeholders to review and endorse the draft strategy document
2. Develop briefs, summaries and PowerPoint presentations for validation meetings
3. Document stakeholder feedback and incorporate relevant inputs into the finalized version of the strategy document
4. Develop a detailed report of the validation process and sessions

Payment of 25% amount of total consultancy services fees upon submission of assessment report, finalized and validated mixed migration working group strategy and approved report of the validation process and sessions.

 

3rd Deliverable: 6 months after start date of consultancy

1. Support the finalization and validation of the ECOWAS draft strategy on Protection of vulnerable mixed migrants
2. Review the draft strategy and submit a report on identified gaps with recommendations on its alignment with regional and international standards.
3. Support validation process and sessions and develop a detailed report.
4. Develop a report identifying areas of key mixed migration priorities with policy recommendation to be included in the ECOWAS Regional Migration Policy

Payment of 25% amount of total consultancy services fees upon submission of a report on the way forward with the ECOWAS draft strategy on Protection of vulnerable mixed migrants, policy recommendation on mixed migration priorities for the region to be incorporated into the ECOWAS regional Migration Policy. 

4th Deliverable: 9 months after start date of consultancy

1. Support Strengthening regional capacities for the protection of vulnerable mixed migrants
   1. Review the Standard Operating Procedure’s (SOP) document for the identification, referral and protection of vulnerable mixed migrants
   2. Develop a detailed workplan on capacity building programs and relevant training materials for the mixed migration working group and relevant stakeholders on vulnerable mixed migrants

Final instalment of payment (25%) for consultancy service fees to be made upon submission of:

1. Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) document on protection of vulnerable mixed migrants
2. Workplan on capacity building programme and key materials

 

Performance Indicaticators of the evaluation 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

 

• 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.