The primary goal of this consultancy engagement is to deliver specialized expertise and strategic guidance in alignment with the defined scope of work. The objectives include providing actionable insights, innovative solutions, and measurable outcomes to support the client’s objectives while adhering to industry best practices and regulatory standards. The consultancy aims to bridge gaps in internal capabilities, foster sustainable growth, and enhance operational efficiency through tailored recommendations and evidence-based decision-making.
The objective of this consultancy engagement is to provide expert guidance and strategic recommendations to support the achievement of specific organizational goals or project outcomes. This involves conducting thorough assessments, analyzing complex data, and collaborating closely with key stakeholders to identify innovative solutions tailored to the client’s unique needs. The consultancy aims to deliver actionable insights, optimize processes, and enhance overall performance through evidence-based methodologies and industry best practices.
The East African Community (EAC) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) are seeking a qualified consultant to conduct an in-depth study examining existing policies, practices, gaps, and opportunities related to the return and reintegration of migrants within the EAC region. This research will serve as the foundation for developing a regional framework aimed at addressing the return and reintegration of stranded migrants, which will establish unified standards, guiding principles, and coordinated approaches to be implemented collaboratively by EAC Partner States. The framework is designed to bolster regional cooperation, ensure policy alignment, and uphold rights-based, safe, orderly, and dignified return and reintegration processes in accordance with relevant international, continental, and regional legal and policy frameworks.
Seeking a motivated professional to achieve precise goals within designated parameters. Key responsibilities include driving targeted outcomes through strategic initiatives and meticulous execution. Requirements encompass relevant experience, proficiency in core competencies, and adherence to established performance benchmarks. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a strong aptitude for problem-solving, collaboration, and innovation to meet and exceed organizational objectives.
To achieve the stated objectives, the consultancy aims to undertake the following key responsibilities:
Conduct a comprehensive evaluation of current methodologies, regulatory provisions, legal statutes, and institutional structures that oversee the return and reintegration of stranded migrants across EAC Partner States, with the objective of pinpointing deficiencies, redundancies, and potential enhancements.
Conduct a thorough and inclusive research initiative to guide the formulation of the EAC Regional Framework on the return and reintegration of stranded migrants.
The role involves leading National Consultations across all EAC Partner States and engaging with key stakeholders to ensure comprehensive participation and alignment.
To facilitate a virtual gathering of Partner States’ experts for the purpose of endorsing the study report,
Upon securing approval from the Partner States for the Validation report, an outcome document, such as a policy framework or policy, will be developed to address the intervention.
Conduct a thorough assessment of migration patterns, underlying factors, obstacles, and incidents that influence return and reintegration processes within the East African Community region.
Oversee a diverse range of duties including managing daily operations, coordinating team activities, ensuring compliance with company policies and industry standards, and fostering a collaborative work environment. Develop and implement strategic plans to enhance productivity and efficiency while maintaining high-quality output. Monitor performance metrics to identify areas for improvement and implement corrective actions as needed. Serve as the primary liaison between departments to facilitate seamless communication and alignment of goals. Ensure adherence to budgets and resource allocation, optimizing expenditures without compromising operational excellence. Conduct regular training sessions to enhance employee skills and promote professional growth. Maintain accurate records and documentation to support audits and reporting requirements.
SCOPE OF WORK
The Consultant will be responsible for executing the following tasks as part of this assignment:
Collaborate with the EAC Secretariat and the IOM Regional Office for East, Horn, and Southern Africa via a joint technical team tasked with overseeing and supporting the consultancy process, ensuring coordination with Partner States and the facilitation of consultative meetings.
Develop and deliver an Inception Report to the EAC Secretariat and the IOM Regional Office that details the proposed methodology, work plan, timelines, and partner state engagement strategy.
This assignment involves performing a comprehensive analysis of current national, regional, continental, and global legal policies and institutional frameworks that regulate the return and reintegration of stranded migrants within the EAC Partner States. The objective is to identify any existing gaps, redundancies, or misalignments, as well as opportunities for harmonization, and subsequently produce a detailed report on the findings.
Deliver dependable data and insights that empower national authorities and international organizations to craft well-informed, impactful responses.
Gather and compile pertinent data to support both anticipatory and responsive strategies at regional and national levels.
Perform an assessment of present migration patterns, underlying factors, and obstacles influencing the return and reintegration of stranded migrants within the East African Community region.
We are seeking a motivated individual to join our team on a project basis with a defined duration, timeline, and structured payment schedule. The selected candidate will be expected to fulfill the outlined responsibilities within the agreed-upon timeframe while adhering to the established payment milestones. This role requires flexibility, efficiency, and a strong commitment to meeting deadlines to ensure seamless project execution. Compensation will be disbursed in accordance with the predetermined schedule, reflecting the scope of work completed. Ideal candidates will demonstrate reliability, professionalism, and the ability to deliver high-quality results within the specified parameters.
The consultancy engagement will span a maximum of seven months, contingent upon the consultant’s mutually agreed fee, starting from the contract execution date. The anticipated overall timeframe for the consultancy is scheduled between June 2026 and January 2027, with the potential for an additional follow-up consultancy phase beyond this period. The proposed dates remain indicative and may be adjusted in response to evolving project requirements.
Payment
Upon satisfactory completion and approval of each stage, progress will be assessed accordingly.
Deliverables
Upon contract execution, the Consultant will be responsible for producing the following deliverables:
A comprehensive inception report outlining the consultancy approach, structured work plan, stakeholder engagement framework, and projected implementation timelines.
A comprehensive situational analysis examining prevailing migration trends, underlying drivers, and key challenges influencing the return and reintegration of stranded migrants within the East African Community (EAC) region is required. The study must incorporate verifiable, actionable data to inform the formulation of practical and impactful response strategies.
Countries must collaborate across three critical stages—origin, transit, and destination—to establish robust frameworks for return and reintegration, supported by both proactive and reactive regional cooperation mechanisms. This includes the development and refinement of draft regional framework documents specifically focused on return and reintegration strategies.
National consultation meetings will be conducted in each of the eight Partner States, followed by the preparation of comprehensive reports.
A comprehensive Study Report is being developed to analyze the policy, legal, regulatory, and institutional frameworks governing return and reintegration across EAC Partner States. The report will systematically assess the existing landscape in these areas.
A virtual Regional Validation Meeting will be conducted to review the draft study, followed by the preparation and dissemination of the approved validation report.
The final report will encapsulate the study’s outcomes, integrating feedback and insights gathered during the regional validation meeting and national consultations, to inform the proposed intervention.
Duties involve overseeing team performance metrics, ensuring accurate data collection, and maintaining compliance with reporting standards. The role requires collaboration with department heads to align on deliverables and timelines. Responsibilities include validating data integrity, preparing comprehensive reports, and presenting findings to stakeholders. Strong analytical skills and attention to detail are essential, as is the ability to interpret complex datasets. Experience with reporting tools and supervisory background are preferred.
The Consultant will provide support to the designated Organizational Department or Unit, contributing specialized expertise to enhance operational efficiency and strategic objectives. This role involves collaborating with key stakeholders to identify areas for improvement, implement initiatives, and ensure alignment with the organization’s goals. The Consultant will assist in streamlining processes, analyzing performance metrics, and delivering actionable recommendations to drive measurable outcomes.
The Consultant will report to the designated department within the EAC Secretariat, collaborating closely with the IOM Regional Office for East, Horn, and Southern Africa. Progress updates will be submitted regularly, in alignment with the approved work plan.
The Consultant will maintain ongoing communication with the EAC Secretariat and the IOM Regional Office for East, Horn, and Southern Africa via a Joint Technical Team, which will oversee and assist in the consultancy process. This includes coordinating with Partner States and organizing consultative meetings as needed.
Upon submission of the deliverables, both the EAC Secretariat and IOM may provide feedback, including comments and requests for revisions. Final approval of the deliverables will be contingent upon their submission as outlined in the stipulated requirements.
The deliverables and reporting must be presented in English. All materials should be provided electronically in both Word and PDF formats. In accordance with EAC Secretariat guidelines, submissions must include both digital and printed copies. The consultant bears full responsibility for ensuring the precision and credibility of the data submitted, as well as the sources referenced. Should translations into additional languages be necessary, IOM will manage the translation of the final outputs.
The consultant’s role is strictly advisory, with no responsibility for managerial, supervisory, or representative duties.
All documents and data furnished to the consultant remain strictly confidential and must not be utilized for any alternative purposes or disclosed to third parties unless express written authorization is obtained from both IOM and the EAC Secretariat.
The scope of work outlined is subject to potential adjustments, pending approval from IOM in collaboration with the EAC Secretariat to align with evolving project needs. Upon request by IOM, the consultant may be called upon to deliver supplementary advisory services that match their professional qualifications and specialized knowledge, as specified in the attached Terms of Reference.
Seeking applicants with a minimum of three years of relevant professional experience and a bachelor’s degree in a related field. Proficiency in industry-standard software and tools is essential. Strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills are required. Candidates must demonstrate the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment. Familiarity with project management methodologies and regulatory compliance standards is preferred. Exceptional attention to detail and a commitment to delivering high-quality results are mandatory.
REQUIRED: A combination of relevant education and professional experience, typically a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a related field and three to five years of hands-on experience in a comparable role. Proficiency in industry-standard software and tools, along with strong analytical and problem-solving skills, is essential. Candidates must demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication abilities, the capacity to work collaboratively in a team environment, and a commitment to maintaining high standards of accuracy and attention to detail. Familiarity with applicable regulations, compliance requirements, and best practices is also a prerequisite.
The ideal Consultant will demonstrate a robust set of qualifications and competencies, including:
A Bachelor’s degree coupled with an advanced degree at the master’s level or above in International Relations, Migration Studies, Law, Social Sciences, Business Studies, Public Policy, Public Administration, or an equivalent discipline is mandatory.
Experience:
A minimum of ten years of demonstrated professional expertise within migration, return, and reintegration or closely related fields is required.
Proven expertise in designing and implementing regional or national frameworks, policies, or guidelines, with a preferred focus on migration management.
Experts must possess a deep understanding of regional and international legal frameworks, norms, and established practices governing migration, return, and reintegration processes.
Engagement with Partner States, regional organizations, and key stakeholders—such as governmental entities and non-governmental organizations—is required. Prior collaboration with the East African Community (EAC) or regional governments constitutes a distinct advantage.
Analytical, research, and report-writing capabilities are essential, supported by a proven track record in consultancy or specialized assignments addressing comparable subjects.
Consistently excels in managing the technical components of consultancy projects while fostering collaboration across diverse cultural settings. Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills to cultivate productive and cohesive professional relationships in multicultural contexts.
Language:
Fluency in both written and spoken English is essential, while proficiency in Kiswahili or French is advantageous.
Language proficiency will be assessed throughout the selection process, potentially through written and/or oral evaluations.
We prioritize adherence to ethical standards and other relevant considerations in all aspects of our operations. This includes ensuring compliance with legal requirements, maintaining transparency in decision-making processes, and promoting fairness and integrity in our professional conduct. Additionally, we remain mindful of societal impacts, sustainability goals, and stakeholder expectations to foster trust and long-term success.
The Consultant is expected to maintain the highest ethical standards throughout the engagement, including safeguarding confidentiality, upholding neutrality, and securing informed consent where necessary. Additionally, they must demonstrate sensitivity to the cultural norms of the EAC Partner States and ensure that all research and consultations are conducted in strict compliance with globally recognized ethical research principles.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA
Experience Required
10 years
