🇸🇱 Job Vacancies @ International Organization for Migration (IOM) – 2 Positions

National Consultant to facilitate the strengthening of a National Referral Mechanism to Assist and Protect migrants in Vulunerable Situation in Sierra Leone

Freetown, Sierra Leone

Job Description

Project Context and Scope

Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa are facing complex situations: conflicts and protracted security crisis, climate change and environmental degradation, food and nutrition crises, demographic pressure, increased competition over resources, as well as epidemic risks. All of these are a source of instability for the region and act as a risk multiplier exacerbating pre-existing vulnerabilities. Since 2015, the EU and African countries have reinforced their joint approach to migration governance, improving cooperation to address irregular migration, migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings while developing at the same time a more sustainable approach to harness the potential of migration as a fundamental driver for inclusive and sustainable development in countries of origin and transit in Africa.

Following the successful implementation of the EU-IOM Joint Initiative for Migrant Protection and Reintegration (JI), the Migrant Protection, Return and Reintegration (MPRR-SSA) Programme continues addressing some of the most pressing challenges relating to migration and mobility within the African continent: the dire situation of migrants who find themselves stranded in dangerous situations along the migratory routes. These migrants face significant protection risks along migration routes, including violence, exploitation, and abuse at the hands of smugglers, traffickers, and others.

To address these risks and ensure the needs and vulnerabilities of migrants are addressed in countries of transit and origin, IOM works in coordination with governmental, in­ter-governmental and non-governmental partners to provide assistance in transit, organize safe, rights-based and dignified assisted voluntary returns and support the sustainable reintegration of returning migrants, through a comprehensive and protection-centred approach. In line with its Policy on the Full Spectrum of Return, Readmission and Reintegration, IOM promotes a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, building on partnership and cooperation, to ensure national ownership and the availability of holistic services and support along the return continuum.

The MPRR-SSA programme was launched in Sierra Leone in August 2022. To date, in collaboration with the Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone, IOM Sierra Leone has successfully facilitated the voluntary return of over 2,700 Sierra Leonean migrants stranded in various transit countries. Under the program, over 1600 returnees have received one or more forms of reintegration assistance - economic, social and psychosocial.

While the number of returning migrants continues to rise, opportunities for reintegration support remain limited. The limited linkages, partnerships and agreements for referrals have hindered smooth referral process for these individuals. There is no clear referral protocol, standardized procedure and coordination mechanism to refer returnees to partners effectively for different services. Resource limitation, fragmented/overlapping services, capacity limitation and policy barriers are also additional factors that limits the partnership for referral

In 2022, Sierra Leone's Anti-Trafficking in Persons Taskforce Secretariat (A-TiPS), in collaboration with various actors, developed the NRM as an operational tool to guide national response to the problem of human trafficking in the country specifically aimed at protecting Victims of Trafficking (VoTs). To effectively support all returnees through referrals and enhance national capacities and structures, the strengthening of the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) is essential. The existing NRM does not holistically cover all aspects of returnees as its focus is on VoTs. Hence, the need to develop a comprehensive NRM focused on the protection and sustainable reintegration of migrants, which would complement the existing framework. This overarching NRM will serve as a coordinating framework to strengthen and streamline referral pathways for support services for all migrant returnees, complementing existing mechanisms.

Nature of the Consultancy:

The Consultant will be responsible for supporting IOM Sierra Leone to facilitate the strengthening of a National Referral Mechanism to assist and protect migrants in vulnerable situations and provide returnees with economic, social and psychosocial reintegration support in Sierra Leone.

The consultant will contribute to the work of the MPRR-SSA team at Sierra Leone, with the strengthening of a National Referral Mechanism.

The consultant will also closely coordinate with the regional partnership officer and the regional NRM consultant to ensure quality, regional harmonization and alignment with institutional guidance and best practice

Responsibilities

Tasks to be performed under this contract

Deliverables

Following the specific objectives guiding the assignment, the consultant will complete the related activities and deliver the products listed in the table below:

Objective 1: Assessment of the state of play of the NRM/referral system

•  Engage IOM teams at regional and country levels through inception meetings to clarify expectations, agree on next steps, and ensure coordination and alignment with existing initiatives.
•  Conduct an assessment on the state of play of the NRM/referral system in the country based on the regional established template. This should include a desk review and key informant interviews (IOM, government and non-government partners) and will aim at establishing the scope of the NRM, target groups, services provided, status of development, institutionalization and operationalization, stakeholders, coordination mechanisms, gaps and opportunities of the NRM or other existing referral mechanisms in the country. The desk review should include but not be limited to the national MPRR service mapping report, the draft National Return and Reintegration Roadmap, and the report of the NRM regional workshop conducted in Senegal in 2024.
•  Based on the assessment, draft recommendations for the strengthening of the NRM, including a preliminary draft roadmap based on the regional established template.

Objective 2: Consultative development of an NRM roadmap

•  Organize a stakeholder consultation workshop to present the findings of the assessment, recommendations and draft a roadmap to seek stakeholders' inputs. This consultative workshop will be used as a platform to get stakeholders' inputs to the development of the MoU (see objective 4 below), in particular with regards to scope, target groups, and coordination mechanism.
•  Revise the roadmap based on the inputs received during the consultation workshop.

Objective 3: Support the establishment of the NRM Steering Committee

•  Support the creation and formalization of a Steering Committee to guide and oversee the NRM process, including by drafting and seeking validation of the NRM Steering Committee's Terms of Reference, defining the committee's mandate, roles, and responsibilities. Based on the country's context, thematic and/or regional working groups may also need to be established.
•  Support the initial session(s) of the Steering Committee meetings and facilitate the validation of the revised NRM roadmap.

Objective 4: Development of a draft MoU among stakeholders participating in the NRM

•  In close coordination with the NRM Steering Committee, facilitate the updating of existing MOUs or development (and eventually signature) of a draft MoU among stakeholders involved in the implementation of the NRM. The MoU should at a minimum include sections on the background and purpose of the NRM, the target group, roles and responsibilities of the NRM members, coordination mechanisms, financing arrangements and duration, and data protection and data sharing considerations, based on the regional established template.

Objective 5: Development and validation of operational tools

•  In close consultation with relevant stakeholders and based on the regional established template, draft SOPs that will guide the operationalization of the NRM. These SOPs should clearly outline the different steps of the identification and referral process, including data protection considerations. The SOPs shall be accompanied by relevant operational tools based on established templates, such as a referral flow chart, a service provider directory, forms for identification and referral, and any other tools necessary for effective coordination and implementation of the NRM.
•  Organize a workshop with all relevant stakeholders to review and/or validate the SOPs and associated tools.

Objective 6: Sensitization of stakeholders on the NRM

•  Develop information material for awareness raising on the NRM for different target audiences, including but not limited to migrants/ returnees, community members, frontline responders, (prospective) NRM partners and government stakeholders.

Objective 7: Develop a Sustainability Plan

•  Outline concrete steps to maintain, institutionalize, and scale the NRM beyond the consultancy period. The plan will ensure the NRM is fully embedded in national systems, aligned with existing policies, and supported by clear governance and potential financing mechanisms, with ownership with national stakeholders.

Performance indicators for the evaluation of results

•  The quality of and the timely completion of deliverables.
•  Clear understanding of the scope of the assignment reflected in the proposed workplan.
•  Internal feedback provided and/or reviews needed to ensure the desire quality of the report.
•  Compliance with IOM Data Protection Principles.
•  Compliance with IOM House style Guidelines (will be provided by IOM).

Qualifications

Education

•  Bachelor's degree in migration studies, international development, human rights, social work, sociology. Preference will be given to applicants holding Master's in same field.

Experience

•  Minimum of 7 years of professional experience in migration in the country (operational or with proven research knowledge on the topic).
•  In-depth understanding of international migration frameworks, and partnership.
•  Familiarity with the migration context and challenges in Sierra Leone or similar contexts.
•  Proven experience in policy analysis, research, and development.

Skills

•  Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
•  Strong writing and analytical skills, including the ability to draft reports, policy documents, SOPs, and strategic recommendations.
•  Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
•  Experience in organizing and delivering training and strengthening capacities.
•  Ability to coordinate and collaborate with partners, including government entities, civil society organizations, and internationals actors.
•  Experience in data management including data collection tools and data visualization.

Languages

•  Fluency in /English is required; knowledge of local language (Krio) and other local languages would be an advantage.

Travel required

Travel to regions of return depending on the home station of the candidate will be necessary and IOM to cover travel, accommodation and meals.

Required Competencies

IOM's competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.

Values - all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these three values:

•  Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
•  Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a 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.
•  Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
•  Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

Core Competencies - behavioural indicators

•  Teamwork: Develops and promotes 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 seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
•  Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization's priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
•  Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Notes

•  Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.
•  Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, verification of residency, visa, and authorizations by the concerned Government, where applicable.
•  IOM covers Consultants against occupational accidents and illnesses under the Compensation Plan (CP), free of charge, for the duration of the consultancy. IOM does not provide evacuation or medical insurance for reasons related to non-occupational accidents and illnesses. Consultants are responsible for their own medical insurance for non-occupational accident or illness and will be required to provide written proof of such coverage before commencing work.
•  IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities.
•  IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.
•  IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM online recruitment system. The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.

For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies

Required Skills

Migration and Development

Job Info

•  Job Identification 16944
•  Posting Date 09/22/2025, 02:44 PM
•  Locations Freetown, SL
•  Apply Before 10/06/2025, 11:59 PM
•  Degree Level Bachelors or Equivalent
•  Job Schedule Full time
•  Job Shift Day
•  Contract Type Consultancy (Up to 11 months)
•  Initial Contract Duration 6 months
•  Vacancy Type Consultancy
•  Recruiting Type Consultant
•  Grade UG