Consultant - ECOWAS Support to the Protection of Vulnerable Mixed Migrants at International Organization for Migration (IOM)

International Organization for Migration (IOM) is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, it works closely with governmental, intergovernmental, and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for thebenefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Consultant - ECOWAS Support to the Protection of Vulnerable Mixed Migrants

Job Identification: 18744
Location: Abuja
Org Type Country: Office
Initial Contract: Duration 9 months
Vacancy Type: Consultancy
Recruiting Type: Consultant
Contract Type: Consultancy (Up to 11 months)

Project Context and Scope

• The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) aims to strengthen economic integration across its 12 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.
• Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing
• 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 supervision of the Director of  Humanitarian and Social Affairs Directorate or her designated representative.

Responsibilities
asks to be performed under this contract:

• 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:
• Technical and administrative support to the Mixed Migration working group:
  • Conduct a baseline assessment of mixed migration trends, challenges, anopportunities in the region.
  • 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.
  • Engage key stakeholders (e.g., ECOWAS Commission, member states, IOM etc) to gather insights on priorities and gaps.
  • Support liaison with the African Migration Observatory and in the compilation of critical data on mixed migration within and relevant to the ECOWAS region.
  • 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:
• Development of the Strategic Plan of the Mixed Migration working group, capacity building and liaison with key stakeholders. 
  • Development and Finalization of the Strategic Plan of the TWG: The consultant will support the Humanitarian and Social affairs Directorate in production and finalization of a revised Strategic Plan of the Mixed Migration Working Group. This will include:
  • Support the development of the Mixed Migration Working Group strategy by identifying key action areas, developing strategic priorities and action plan.
  • Support the organization of technical and validation meetings both physical and online and develop a Monitoring and Evaluation framework to track progress of developed strategies.
  • Support the design and delivery of capacity building on protection of Vulnerable mixed migrants for the Working Group in line with the Strategic Plan and for other key stakeholders as required. 
• c)    Perform other duties as might be assigned by the Director Humanitarian and Social Affairs or her designated representative. 

Performance indicators for the evaluation of results:  

• Ability to accurately coordinate with the ECOWAS Commission relevant stakeholders.
• Satisfactory completion 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 the migrant protection, management and free movement context for the 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.

Qualifications
Education, Experience and/or skills required: 

• A Master’s Degree from an accredited academic institution in 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.
• Willingness to travel.

Travel required:

• National or international travels could be required and informed in advance.

Required Competencies:
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.

Application Closing Date
17th February, 2026; 12:55 AM.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online