Consultancy – Development of a National Referral Mechanism document for the protection of vulnerable migrants in the context of COVID-19 in Namibia

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS – CFANA2022-01

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1. Nature of the consultancy: Development of a National Referral Mechanism (NRM) document for the protection of vulnerable migrants in the context of COVID-19 in Namibia

2. Duty Station of the Consultancy: Windhoek, Namibia

3. Duration of Consultancy: Three months (May- July 30, 2022)

4. IOM Project or IOM Department to which the Consultant is contributing:

Established in 1951, International Organization for Migration (IOM) is the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and nongovernmental 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.

Every year, thousands of people travel from different parts of the world towards other destinations. These movements are recognized as ‘mixed migration’, due to the diverse make-up and motives of the people who are moving. Some migrants travel through regular channels, but where such channels are not available to them, many people use irregular means to cross the borders of transit countries and into their final destination country.

There are numerous reasons why people leave their home countries. Many opt to undertake the journey due to economic and other difficulties in their home countries in search of a better future in a more prosperous country. Others are forced to leave by circumstance; refugees and asylum seekers are escaping conflict or personal persecution in their home countries. Some migrants may be unaccompanied or separated children, stateless persons, stranded migrants or even victims of trafficking, among others. These categories are not mutually exclusive; migrants may fall into several categories at once, or may change from one to another during their migration journey.

Mixed migration is thus understood to refer to complex migratory population movements that include refugees, asylum seekers, migrant workers and other migrants, as opposed to migratory population movements that consist entirely of one category of individuals. The mixed population movements that cross international borders may include refugees, asylum-seekers, victims of trafficking, unaccompanied and separated children (UASC), and other persons travelling internationally, often in an irregular manner. Stranded migrants in need of protection and assistance and stateless persons may also be part of the mixed movement, as could be many other categories of migrant. In essence, mixed movements (or mixed flows) concern regular and irregular migration, where persons often move without the requisite documentation, crossing borders and arriving at their destination in an irregular manner.[1]

The mixed nature of these movements, consisting of different groups of migrants with differing motivations to travel and different protection needs, makes it necessary to put in place migration policies, legislation and referral mechanisms that respond to individual needs. Such mechanisms must take into consideration the human rights of all migrants, including refugees and asylum seekers, in balancing a human rights-based response to migration governance, with the exercise of State sovereignty in accordance with international human rights and humanitarian law. The fact that migrants, including refugees and asylum seekers, may have entered the country through irregular channels does not diminish the obligations of States to identify and appropriately refer migrants in need of protection and assistance.

With the COVID-19 pandemic crushing national economies and closing borders, many people within the region are turning increasingly to migrant smugglers, exposing them to greater protection risks including abuse, violence and human rights violations including but not limited to torture, sexual and gender-based violence and in extreme cases death. Increased irregular migration can also frustrate national health screenings and contact tracing programmes. The region’s migrants are frequently exposed to dehydration, starvation and in worst cases even death.

In response, IOM in close coordination with the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) of Namibia is planning to support the development of a National Referral Mechanism (NRM) for the protection of vulnerable migrants with the support of a qualified consultant. The consultant will report directly to IOM Namibia’s head of office and will work closely with MoHSS focal persons with the technical support of the Senior Specialist for Protection and Assistance based in IOM’s Regional Office in Pretoria.

3. Tasks – Outputs – Category B consultants

(i) First deliverable– *Inception report:*** the consultant will be expected to prepare an inception report including a methodology as to how the assignment will be carried out. This will include the breakdown of work, timelines and overview of stakeholders to be engaged during the assignment- First instalment payment – deliverable by email by 1 April 2022.

(ii) Second deliverable– Draft National Referral Mechanism document***: The Consultant will be expected to assist in the organization of a consultation workshop for stakeholders and present a draft NRM with IOM for review and validation. The consultant will present the draft of the document, for inputs and comments, notably during a consultation meeting that will be organized in coordination with the line Ministry and IOM. Second instalment payment – deliverable by email by 22 April 2022.

(iii) Third deliverable– Final NRM document:*** The Consultant will produce a final written NRM incorporating the inputs and comments of all stakeholders and including a summary visual brief, which will act as a quick reference- Third and final instalment payment- by 31 May 2022.

1. Performance indicators for the evaluation of results

No.

Indicator

Baseline

Target

1. # of NRM for the protection of vulnerable migrants

1

1. # of consultation meetings organized and delivered

2*

*If time and available budget permits.

1. Deliverables and Payment schedule

· First installment of 20 percent after approval of the inception report by IOM and MoHSS.

· Second instalment of 40 percent after completion of the first draft NRM document and approval by IOM and MoHSS.

· Third and final instalment of 40 percent after the approval of the final NRM document and the summary visual brief.

The consultancy fee instalments will be paid as lump sum amounts inclusive of expenses related to the consultancy. The contract price will be fixed regardless of changes in the cost components in the financial proposal submitted.

1. Education and Experience

EDUCATION:

· Master’s degree in Political Science, Social Science, Law or a related field from an accredited academic institution with two years of relevant professional experience;

· Or, university degree in the above fields with four years of relevant professional experience.

EXPERIENCE:

· Experience in research, in particular quantitative and qualitative methods

· Excellent drafting and editing skills

· Experience in working with the Government

· Experience in working with the United Nations agencies

· Experience in countertrafficking context of the country

· Experience in drafting policy briefs

· Good knowledge of, and previous experience working on, migration issues in the African region

1. Required languages

Fluency in English is a requirement for this consultancy.

1. Travel required

Travel to the regions will be required in close coordination with the MoHSS. Fees related to travel and DSA are included in the all-inclusive fee mentioned above and no additional cost will be borne by IOM.

1. Competencies

The incumbent is expected to demonstrate the following values and 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

· 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.

[1] IOM, Ninety-Eighth Session, Irregular Migration and Mixed Flows: IOM’s Approach, MC/INF/297, 2009.