Evaluation and Revision of the AU Horn of Africa Initiative (AU-HOAI), its Implementation matrix and 5-year Strategy

1. Call for Application Number: IOM-CfA/0114/23
2. Duty Station of the Consultancy: Home Based with travel to Ethiopia if required
3. Duration of Consultancy: 32 Days
4. Nature of the consultancy: Evaluation and Revision of the AU Horn of Africa Initiative (AU-HOAI), its Implementation matrix and 5-year Strategy
5. Project Context and Scope

The AU Horn of Africa Initiative is an AU led process that was established in 2012 to address issues of irregular migration, specifically combating trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants in Africa. In its more than 10 years of existence, the Initiative has brought together more than 10-Member States within the region and various stakeholders in addressing issues of irregular migration flow, but also provided a framework of cooperation in combating this crime. The Initiative’s implementation matrix as adopted by Member States provided a guideline for priorities of the initiative which included capacity building, information sharing, awareness creation and protection of victims of TIP, among others. This political process also provided technical support to the law enforcement agencies in terms of training and capacity building, sharing of information and best practices through the implementation of the Technical Working Group’s 5-year Plan of Action (2017-2022).

However, with the ever-changing dynamics of migration governance in the region, coupled with evolving challenges associated with irregular migration in the continent and particularly within the Horn of Africa; there is need for this Initiative to be re-evaluated to determine its relevance and calibrate it to respond to Member States priorities and realities. Further, with emerging nuances and shift in global and continental efforts to address and combat issues of Trafficking in persons, especially with the continental efforts of developing policies on the prevention of trafficking in persons and Smuggling of Migrants that were adopted recently by the AU Decision making bodies; there is need to realign this initiative with new policy proposition as within this space as well. Additionally, there is need to also to align this process with existing regional and international interstates dialogue on migration governance. The future AU Horn of Africa Initiative must not only contribute to existing interstates dialogue including the Pan African Forum on Migration (PAFOM), Regional Consultative Processes on Migration but also compliment the Khartoum Process as well. There should be no confusion as to what this process is all about but instead key areas that will benefit its Member States in terms of support and interventions should be identified.

In this regard, the International Organization for Migration and the African Union seeks to work with a consultant to undertake an evaluation and revision of the AU Horn of Africa Initiative (AU-HOAI), its Implementation matrix and 5-year Strategy.

6. Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing: Special Liaison Office Addis Ababa (UNECA Unit)

7. Tasks to be performed under this contract:

• Review the Initiative and ascertain its relevance, opportunities, and potential challenges to strengthen it to respond to Member States’ needs.
• Based on the above review report, identify, and improve on the structure, leadership, strategic focus, and general architectural design of the Initiative; to make it more responsive to current and future dynamics in migration governance in the continent and beyond.
• Align this initiative with the new TIP and SOM Policies to ensure complementarity and synergy.
• Revise and develop a new 5 Year Strategy and Implementation Action Plan of the Initiative for Member States validation and endorsement.

8. Performance indicators for the evaluation of results

Deliverable A: Inception report and work plan for the assignment clearly showing how the assignment will be undertaken within the agreed timeline.

Timeline (tentative): December 18 – 22, 2023

• Submit first draft inception report– 20 December
• Feedback from AUC and IOM – 21 December
• Submit final inception report – 22 December

Deliverable B: Evaluation Report

Timeline (tentative): December 22, 2023 – 10 January 2024

• Submit first draft evaluation report – 31 December
• Feedback from AUC and IOM – 5 January
• Submit final Evaluation Report – 10 January

Deliverable C: Revised 5 Year Strategy and Implementation Plan of Action

Timeline (tentative): January 10 – 18 January 2024

• Submit first draft Strategy and implementation plan of Action – 14 January
• Feedback from AUC and IOM – 16 January
• Submit final Strategy and implementation plan of Action – 18 January

Total: 32 Days

9. Education, Experience and/or skills required:

• Master’s degree in the field of International Migration, International development, law, international relations, economics, or any related field.
• At least 10 years’ experience in similar assignment, specifically with the AU and or similar organization with demonstrable competence in developing strategic interventions in AU Member States around migration.
• Demonstratable knowledge of dealing with issues of irregular migration and transnational organized crime, especially trafficking in persons and Smuggling of Migrants within the Horn of Africa.
• Experience in consultations with various stakeholders, ideally including AU member states or AU policy organs.
• Fluency in English and any other AU Language will be preferred.
• Solid writing and analytical skills.
• Strong interpersonal and networking skills.
• Ability to interact with senior officials (Government officials and representatives of multilateral and bilateral agencies).
• Experience in other similar assignments would be an added advantage.

10. Travel required: Home Based (with travel to Ethiopia if required)

11. Values and Competencies

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.