National consultant in charge of updating the national referral mechanism for vulnerable migrants At International Organization for Migration

Recruitment of a national consultant in charge of updating the national referral mechanism for vulnerable migrants

Located on the Bab al-Mandab Strait, at the southern entrance to the Red Sea and serving as a gateway to the Suez Canal, the Republic of Djibouti is a transit hub and destination for many irregular migrants in from neighboring countries, including the Federal Republic of Ethiopia. Migration dynamics towards Djibouti are mainly linked to the situations prevailing in neighboring countries,

The Republic of Djibouti is also an important transit point for irregular migration to Gulf countries. These countries attract continuous flows of irregular migrants from Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somalia. According to data from the IOM Djibouti Movement Monitoring Matrix (DTM), in 2023, more than 278,272 migratory movements were observed at the different flow monitoring points. The crossings are often perilous and are the cause of tragic events often leading to the death of migrants. Migrants cross Djibouti towards Yemen and Saudi Arabia and are fundamentally motivated by the search for better living conditions and economic opportunities to combat poverty and the socio-economic marginalization of families and communities of origin. .

The Republic of Djibouti has taken significant steps to manage the growing number of migrants along the Eastern Route, in line with the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration.

In November 2021, the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) for Vulnerable Migrants was validated through the formalized and joint efforts of government representatives, civil society, UN agencies and other relevant stakeholders. The NRM includes a mapping of individuals and organizations equipped to help vulnerable migrants across Djibouti to facilitate a faster and more effective response to help vulnerable migrants. During their migration journey, many migrants are poorly informed about their rights, available services and how to access resources. They may rely on other migrants or avoid seeking information altogether. Even when they need medical attention, many migrants assume they are not entitled to treatment and are unsure where to seek help. Without access to crucial information, migrants may face danger, protection risk and uncertainty throughout their journey. This lack of awareness can lead to feelings of hopelessness, poor decision-making but also a lack of access to protection and support services.

Due to this dynamic and evolving migratory context, IOM is launching a consultancy as part of the activities of the “Better Migration Management” project co-financed by the European Union Trust Fund for Africa and the German Federal Ministry of Cooperation Economic and Development (BMZ) and coordinated by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), in order to update the National Referral Mechanism for Migrants in vulnerable situations. This consultation will be based on a participatory methodology by identifying and involving a majority of actors concerned with the protection of vulnerable migrants in Djibouti City and in the interior regions. To this end, a series of consultations will be carried out in the five regions of Djibouti, where workshops in each region involving all stakeholders were organized, where the actors concerned present their area(s) of intervention, their resources and needs, their recommendations. participants and their role in the referencing mechanism. As such, ensuring that the NRM is updated to reflect current migration trends and the subsequent needs of migrants provides a holistic approach that ensures that the needs of migrants in different situations and levels of vulnerability are met and addressed accordingly. fast and efficient way.

The main objective of consultancy

• The main objective of this consultancy is to update the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) for vulnerable migrants in the Republic of Djibouti, in order to better meet the current needs of migrants and improve their access to services and protection. throughout their migratory journey.

Specific objectives

• Conduct a comprehensive literature review to understand current migration dynamics, existing policies and procedures for the referral of vulnerable migrants, as well as international best practices in this area.
• Collect information from a variety of stakeholders, including government and local authorities, civil society organizations, representatives of international institutions, to understand current NRM needs and gaps.
• Conduct field visits to assess service delivery to vulnerable migrants and observe the practices of institutions and organizations involved in the referral system.
• Submit an inception report detailing the proposed methodology, including a work plan and schedule of field visits, as well as recommendations for strengthening the NRM.
• Develop guidelines for updating the national referral mechanism, with a focus on efficiency, effectiveness and improving access of vulnerable migrants to services and protection.
• Organize a validation workshop to present the consultancy findings to relevant stakeholders and incorporate relevant comments into the final report.
• Deliver an updated final document of the Migrant Referral Mechanism, ready to be implemented to improve the management and protection of vulnerable migrants in the Republic of Djibouti.

Consultation methodology

The consultant will present a draft methodology to IOM before starting field work. The methodology will include, but not be limited to:

• Literature Review: The consultant should review all major program documents such as project proposals, project plans, supervision tools and pre-established SEO policies and procedures as well as the latest publications on related issues. the return, protection and reintegration of migrants in Djibouti.
• Ensure the collection of information from various stakeholders (including representatives of state and local authorities, police, coast guard, civil society, the academic community, relevant ministries, the justice system; advisors and social agents, representatives of international cooperation). The interviews will be guided by a questionnaire and will be based on interviews that have already taken place.
• Conduct field visits to observe practices and assess service delivery of existing institutions and organizations working on the referral system, through focus group discussions, individual interviews with and with migrants and other stakeholders.

Deliverables

1. An initial report detailing the work plan including the methodology. The report will describe in detail a methodology integrating the tasks and deliverables suggested in the TOR. This will include a finalized questionnaire and a schedule of visits to institutions that could provide relevant information.
2. An interim report setting out the guiding principles/foundations of the referencing system and the gaps identified in the operationalization of the national referencing mechanism and including recommendations to fill the identified gaps
3. Restitution and validation, during which the consultant will have to present the conclusions of the consultancy to the IOM and all other stakeholders for assessment and validation. This will be done during a half-day mini workshop where the consultant will present the findings. Relevant remarks and comments from the workshop will be integrated by the consultant to be submitted to the sponsors
4. An up-to-date migrant referral mechanism final document.

Duration of the consultancy: 30 days

Qualifications and skills required

• Hold a graduate degree in law, human development, social sciences.
• Ability to meet deadlines and dates and prioritize multiple tasks.
• Good understanding of the migration theme and working experience of at least 5 years with governmental and non-governmental actors if possible on the creation of SOPs on referral mechanisms concerning services to migrants.
• Experience in preparing situational reports for the United Nations or international donors related to migration.
• Previous experience in developing manuals and/or codes of conduct to governments, international organizations or civil society organization on migration-related issues.
• Perfect command of French, preferably also of English.
• Ability to establish good working relationships to facilitate the achievement of objectives.
• Excellent analytical, communication (oral and written), and presentation skills
• Acceptance of travel in the regions