Mapping of services for migrant protection and assistance at the Ethio-Sudanese border and assess the protection risks at International Organization for Migration

Duty Station of the Consultancy: Addis Ababa (Ethiopia)

Duration of Consultancy: three months (13 December 2021 – 6 March 2022)

Nature of the consultancy: Mapping of available services for migrant protection and assistance at the Ethio-Sudanese border and assess the protection risks faced by Ethiopian seasonal migrant workers in Sudan

Project Context and Scope:

Established in 1951, International Organization for Migration (IOM) is the leading intergovernmental organization in the field of migration and works closely with governments, 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. IOM Ethiopia through Migration Management Unit (MMU) works closely with the Government of Ethiopia (GoE) to improve migration management and governance. It also supports the government in countering human trafficking and smuggling of migrants (SoM) and promoting regular labour migration channels as well as the migration-development nexus.

With the generous contribution of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, IOM Special Liaison Office (SLO) in Ethiopia and IOM Mission in Sudan are implementing a set of cross-border activities under an IOM project titled ‘Reducing vulnerabilities leading to onward movements among vulnerable migrants in eastern Sudan’. The project aims to reduce vulnerabilities leading to onward movement and build resilience of migrants in eastern Sudan through working towards various outcomes, including the availability of consistent access to direct assistance and support for safe and dignified return and sustainable solutions for vulnerable Ethiopian migrants in Gedaref and Metema.

The need for provision of protection and assistance services to stranded migrants at Metema (Ethiopia) which shares land borders with Gedaref state has been steadily increasing in the past years. The MRC Metema provides direct lifesaving assistance to migrants found in vulnerable situations around border areas, including temporary shelter, food and water, medical screening and referral, NFIs based on needs, information on safe migration, onward transportation allowances for migrants to safely reach their areas of origin and family tracing and reunification for unaccompanied and separated children.

For example, in March 2021 alone, IOM Ethiopia registered 424 Ethiopian returnees at the point of entry (PoE) between Metema and Gallabat. These groups of intercepted migrants include potential victims of trafficking, unaccompanied migrant children and migrants with serious medical needs. In order to strengthen the protection and assistance services offered at its border point, IOM SLO Ethiopia and IOM Mission in Sudan aim at supporting the establishment of referral pathways between Sudan and Ethiopia.

The proposed initiative will focus on facilitating referral of vulnerable migrant cases between the two MRCs by strengthening their referral capacities and coordination mechanisms with key governmental authorities and stakeholders around this border point.

The MRC Gedaref, which is located in the Gedaref town with 4-hour drive from the PoE, provides medical assistance, psychosocial support and legal assistance to vulnerable migrants stranded or living in Gedaref state through referral to its local partners. The centre also provides assisted voluntary return and reintegration (AVRR) support to the migrants in coordination with the Migrant Resource and Response Centre (MRRC) in Khartoum.

The project also aims at enhancing the protection of Ethiopian seasonal migrant workers in Gedaref through raising the migrants’ awareness of their rights as migrant workers and where to seek support. To better understand the protection risks faced by these seasonal migrant workers, this project will support an assessment in the areas of origin of these workers in Ethiopia, their living conditions in Sudan, the health and occupational injury risks faced by them, and the protection risks that they might face. This assessment will feed in the production of post-arrival orientation (PAO) modules for the seasonal migrant workers to be developed in close coordination with the Ethiopian Consulate, Ethiopian community and the local authorities in Gedaref, in particular the Immigration and Labour offices.

Organizational Department/Unit to which the Consultant is contributing

Migration and Management Unit, IOM SLO Ethiopia (PX.0282)**

Payment: all-inclusive lump sum of USD 38,000.

Tangible and measurable outputs of the work assignment

The mapping of services available and rapid assessment of the protection risks faced by seasonal migrant workers should use both primary and secondary sources, covering both qualitative and quantitative data available in both Metema and Gedaref. A combination of methodologies will be used to ensure adequate, reliable, and valid data is collected for the mapping exercise. The consultant should conduct necessary primary data collection through surveys, interviews, direct conversations, field visits, discussions, e-mails, etc. Desk review will also be conducted for triangulating and obtaining information for the assigned tasks. This will include review of relevant studies/research already conducted (including by development partners) in this area and consult with relevant officials and local service providers. The consultant will come up with comprehensive methodology in addition to suggested once at the inception stage of the assignment.

The contracted consultant will be expected to carry out the following activities:

1. Prepare an inception report for the research covering both the mapping of protection and assistance services providers in Gedaref and Metema and the assessment of the protection risks faced by Ethiopian seasonal migrant workers in Sudan encompassing methodology, workplan, and data collection tools.
2. Design data collection methodology guided by the objectives and scope of the consultancy including international guidelines and relevant framework.
3. Conduct the research and prepare a final report with two sections as per point (a) above, including the inputs of the IOM and key stakeholders,
4. Facilitate a validation workshop of the study findings and recommendations with the stakeholders from both sides of the border.
5. Prepare a service directory and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the referral of migrant in vulnerable situations in Gedaref, Metema and across the borders, and key recommendations for the orientation and awareness raising of seasonal workers,
6. Based on the rapid assessment draw concrete recommendations that would inform IOM to facilitate direct assistance and reintegration support for the most vulnerable of seasonal migrant workers from Ethiopia in Gedaref State.
7. First deliverable – (Inception report inclusive of the methodology, work plan, and data collection tools. Deliverable by 26 December 2021)- 15% of total payment
8. Second deliverable – (Outline an abstract report, including SOPs for the referral of migrant in vulnerable situations in Gedaref, Metema and across the borders, and key recommendation for the orientation and awareness raising of seasonal workers) Deliverable by 23 January 2022 – 35% of total payment
9. Third deliverable – (First draft of the report, including (SOPs) for the referral of migrant in vulnerable situations in Gedaref, Metema and across the borders, and key recommendation for the orientation and awareness raising of seasonal workers) Deliverable by 6 February 2022 – 25% of total payment
10. Fourth deliverable – (After the validation workshop, final report including SOPs for the referral of migrant in vulnerable situations in Gedaref, Metema and across the borders, and key recommendation for the orientation and awareness raising of seasonal workers) Deliverable by 6 March 2022 – 25% of total payment
    Performance indicators for the evaluation of results
11. The inception report must include an excellent understanding of the context, a clear methodology, a detailed and realistic work plan and a strategy for the use of the data collection tool as per the terms of reference.
12. Ensure that the reports are comprehensive, detailed, and submitted in a timely manner.
13. Ensure that the SOPs and the recommendations are realistic, include all actors and take in account IOM’s mandate.
14. Ensure good facilitation skills during the validation workshop and ability to accommodate the inputs of various actors.**Education, Experience and/or skills required**
15. An advanced university degree in Migration, Development Studies, Social Work, Sociology, or any other relevant social science disciplines. Minimum of seven years’ professional experience in research, capacity development or evaluation related to migration management, counter-trafficking, child protection, or community mobilization/engagement.
16. Thorough understanding of migration, human trafficking and community development dynamics in Ethiopia, Sudan and the wider region is required.
17. Demonstrated experience in working with research teams.
18. Strong writing, analytical and reporting skills in English as well as Arabic, and/or Amharic are required.
19. Proven ability to establish and maintain strong working relations with relevant government and non-governmental counterparts, international organizations, civil society and private sector entities.
20. High level of computer literacy; proficient in MS Office applications.
21. Ability to manage time efficiently, effectively handle multiple tasks and competing priorities, as well as meet tight deadlines.

Languages

• IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish.
• For this position, fluency in English and Arabic required (oral and written). Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process which may include written and/or oral assessments.
• Knowledge of Amharic and Tigrinya is an important asset.

Travel required

The consultant is expected to travel to Addis Abeba, Metema and Gedaref.**Competencies**

Values

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: respects and promotes individual and cultural differences; encourages diversity and inclusion wherever possible.
• 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.

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 action and delegated work.
• Communication: encourages and contributes to clear and open communication; explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.