Consultancy for the Development of the Seychelles Migration Policy & Action Plan (Category B) At International Organization for Migration

Request for Expression of Interest

MU10.REI 2024-01

Position Title: Development of the Seychelles Migration Policy & Action Plan (Category B)

Duty Station: Port Louis, Mauritius, with travels to Seychelles

Type of Appointment: Consultancy

Duration: 04 months

Estimated Start Date: July 2024

Closing Date: 05 June 2024

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 safe, orderly and humane migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

Context:

Migration is a topic of interest to almost all countries and is considered as an important driver for sustainable development. And small island development states (SIDS) with small population like Seychelles are no exception. Historically, migration has been part of the socio-economic landscape in Seychelles, being a country of origin, transit and destination. Indeed, Seychelles has no indigenous population and is composed of people who have immigrated during the last 250 years. Besides births and deaths, migration has been a key element of population change in Seychelles. The population has gradually increased over the years and has reached 102,612, including 19,920 non-Seychellois[1]. These migrants help to fill labour market gaps in key sectors such as agriculture, construction, fishing, manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, financial services, tourism and other services.

The Seychelles National Labour Migration Policy (NLMP) was launched in October 2019 by the Government of Seychelles, and in 2020, its corresponding Action Plan (AP) was unveiled to ensure that necessary actions are taken in the areas of migration governance, fair recruitment and protection of migrant workers. The Department of Employment is currently coordinating with other public agencies, international organisations, civil society and private sector associations to ensure implementation of the NLMP & AP.

The Government of Seychelles fully acknowledges the importance of migration for sustained socio-economic progress and is committed to making migration safe, orderly and regular while promoting sound migration governance and management. In view of the wide experience of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in the area of migration policy, the Government of Seychelles has requested for the former’s technical support to develop a comprehensive and evidence-based National Migration Policy & Action Plan.

The development of Seychelles Migration Policy & Action Plan will be undertaken within the framework of the European-Union funded “Southern Africa Migration Management (SAMM) project”, which is being jointly implemented by IOM, the International Labour Organization (ILO), the United Nations Office for Drugs & Crimes (UNODC) and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), and whose overall objective is to improve migration management in the Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean region. This regional project is guided by, and contributes to, the realisation of the 2030 Development Agenda (goals 8 and 10).

The development of the National Migration Policy & Action Plan will help to achieve Strategic Objective 2 of the SAMM project – “Strengthened and informed decision-making as well as management of mixed migration flows, including improved protection of vulnerable migrants in the Southern African and Indian Ocean region.”

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

Purpose and scope of the Assignment

The overall objective of this initiative is to support the Government of Seychelles towards developing a National Migration Policy & Action Plan.

The Seychelles Migration Policy & Action Plan (SMPAP) will represent an overarching migration policy framework, which would endow the Government of Seychelles with a coherent approach to managing migration in an effective manner. In addition, the SMPAP will be a useful instrument to Seychelles to further contribute to the realisation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM).

The assignment will be conducted using a mixed methods approach with data collected via various methods including desk study, in-country interviews, consultations and workshops with relevant stakeholders.

In line with Principle 2 of the Migration Governance Framework (MiGOF), the SMPAP will be developed using evidence as well as “whole-of government” and “whole of society” approaches. IOM will ensure that the Seychelles Migration Policy is aligned with and has clear linkages to international human rights standards, global commitments [such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Global Compact for Migration (GCM)], and regional frameworks [African Union Migration Policy Framework, the South African Development Community’s (SADC) Migration Policy].

The Migration Policy will have a number of pillars in line with the SADC Regional Migration Policy Framework, including:

• migration governance
• diaspora engagement
• labour migration
• border management
• irregular migration
• protection of migrants’ rights
• internal migration
• migration and health
• cross-cutting issues (migration data, gender, human rights, etc.)

Tangible and measurable outputs of the work assignment

The consultant is expected to perform the following tasks / activities:

1. Conduct a comprehensive stakeholder analysis to identify key role players responsible for migration governance in Seychelles.
2. Undertake a desk review, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and/or surveys with key stakeholders to collect information on the relevant policies, practices, structures, legislation, and coordination mechanisms regarding migration governance in Seychelles.
3. Interview key stakeholders and migrants to get their views on the challenges pertaining to migration, legal and regulatory framework, policies, institutional framework and coordination mechanisms to oversee migration governance and migration management in Seychelles. Identify the challenges and provide recommendations in line with international good practices.
4. Conduct an in-depth analysis of the data collected from the desk review, interviews, focus group discussions and/or surveys.
5. Lead the process of the development SMPAP through a consultative process.
6. Support the Seychelles Migration Technical Working Group (SMTWG) to monitor the development of the SMPAP process.
7. Conduct a stakeholders’ workshop to present and review the draft Seychelles Migration Policy & Action Plan, and collect inputs, clarifications, and comments from stakeholders.
8. Based on the inputs received from the workshop, update and finalize the SMPAP
9. Conduct a virtual workshop to validate the final SMPAP
10. Submit the final version of the migration policy to IOM and the Seychelles Department of Immigration.

Deliverables

Phase

1. Inception

   Main Activities
   Prepare, present and submit an Inception Report detailing a stakeholder mapping as well as the methodology, timeline and process.

   Deliverables
   Inception Report with stakeholder mapping, methodology, and work plan with a detailed schedule for the assignment presented to IOM and Seychelles Department of Immigration (5 days).

2. Literature review and methodology

   Main Activities
   Review the literature and develop tools and methodology to guide the development of the migration policy and action plan.

   Deliverables
   Literature review, research methodology, and research tools (5 days).

3. Fieldwork and consultations with stakeholders

   Main Activities
   Carry out interviews, focus group discussion, consultations and workshops with public departments and other relevant stakeholders in Seychelles.

   Deliverables
   Field mission report including key data collected (30 days)

4. Policy Development process

   Main Activities
   Prepare and present the first draft of the SMPAP to IOM

   Deliverables
   A first draft of the SMPAP is presented to IOM (14 days).

5. Presentation of draft SMPAP for review and inputs

   Main Activities
   Present the draft SMPAP to key stakeholders at a workshop

   Deliverables
   Present, lead the discussions and gather inputs and comments on the draft SMPAP – 2 days

6. Revision of SMPAP

   Main Activities
   Revise the SMPAP while incorporating inputs, comments and recommendations gathered from key stakeholders.

   Deliverables
   Finalize the Seychelles Migration Policy & Action Plan (5 days).

7. Validation of the revised SMPAP

   Main Activities
   Present the revised SMPAP to stakeholders for validation.

   Deliverables
   Validate the SMPAP – Virtual meeting (1 day)

All documents are to be produced and delivered in English language.

Timeline

This assignment will be implemented within 4 months period (July – October 2024), but the actual timeline is subject to change based on the date the agreement is signed between IOM and the Consultant. The assignment shall last no longer than 5 months.

Schedule of payment:

The fees will be paid in accordance with deliverables in the following proportions:

1. 40% upon submission and acceptance of the Inception Report and the Field Mission Report
2. 30% upon submission and presentation of the first draft SMPAP to stakeholders
3. 30% upon validation and submission of final validated SMPAP

Required Qualifications and Experience

IOM is seeking applications from individual consultants and/or consortiums of individual consultants. The successful (lead) consultant should have a minimum of the following qualifications and experience:

Education

• Advanced university degree in Social Sciences, International Relations, International Development Studies, Anthropology, or Demography.

Experience & Skills

• A minimum of 10 years’ experience in migration management, international development, development policy, and/or research and analysis, preferably with a focus on Diaspora and migration or migration-related subjects. Demonstrated knowledge of policies and strategies, as well as familiarity with the institutional landscape and political economy in Seychelles.
• Demonstrated analytical skills and excellent communication and report writing skills;
• Excellent critical thinking and writing skills.
• Ability to produce quality work accurately and concisely according to deadlines.
• Ability to work effectively and harmoniously in a team of colleagues of varied cultural and professional backgrounds.

Languages

Written and spoken English and French (an added advantage).

Required Competencies

Values

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: encourages the inclusion of all team members and stakeholders while demonstrating the ability to work constructively with people with different backgrounds and orientations.
• Integrity and transparency: maintains impartiality and takes prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour.
• Professionalism: demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter and willingness to improve knowledge and skills.

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Core Competencies

• Teamwork: establishes strong relationships with colleagues and partners; relates well to people at all levels.
• Delivering results: produces quality results and provides quality services to clients.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: shares knowledge and learning willingly, and proactively seeks to learn from the experiences of others.
• Accountability: operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules.
• Communication: encourages others to share their views, using active listening to demonstrate openness and to build understanding of different perspectives.

Other

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.