The consultancy’s primary goal is to deliver specialized expertise and strategic insights to address specific challenges or opportunities for the client. Its key objectives include conducting thorough research, analyzing data, and providing actionable recommendations to enhance operational efficiency, drive growth, or resolve complex issues. The role requires a consultant with a proven track record in the relevant field, strong analytical skills, and the ability to communicate findings clearly to stakeholders at all levels. Responsibilities encompass developing tailored solutions, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and ensuring the implementation of proposed strategies aligns with organizational goals. Additionally, the consultancy must adhere to strict confidentiality, professional integrity, and timely delivery of high-quality deliverables.
To deliver specialized advisory services, this consultancy initiative aims to provide expert guidance and tailored solutions to address specific organizational challenges or strategic objectives. Through a collaborative approach, the consultant will conduct thorough assessments, analyze data, and develop actionable recommendations to enhance operational efficiency, drive growth, or resolve complex issues. The role requires a professional with advanced analytical skills, industry-specific expertise, and the ability to communicate insights effectively to stakeholders at all levels. Responsibilities include conducting research, facilitating workshops, and presenting findings in clear, concise reports or presentations.
The East African Community (EAC) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) are seeking a consultant with a strong background in research, analysis, and policy development, specifically in the area of migrant return and reintegration. The consultant will conduct an in-depth study to assess current return and reintegration policies, practices, gaps, and opportunities across the EAC region. This study will provide essential insights to inform the development of a regional framework aimed at addressing the return and reintegration of stranded migrants within the EAC. The proposed framework will establish shared standards, guiding principles, and coordinated approaches for adoption by EAC Partner States to govern the return and sustainable reintegration of migrants. Its primary objectives include fostering regional cooperation, ensuring policy coherence, and advancing rights-based, safe, orderly, and dignified return and reintegration processes in alignment with relevant international, continental, and regional legal and policy frameworks.
Develop, implement, and oversee initiatives that align with the established goals to ensure measurable outcomes and continuous improvement across the designated areas of responsibility.
The consultancy aims to achieve the following key objectives:
Conduct a thorough examination of current practices, policies, legal frameworks, and institutional arrangements across EAC Partner States to facilitate the return and reintegration of stranded migrants, focusing on identifying discrepancies, redundancies, and potential improvements.
Conduct an exhaustive and all-encompassing research initiative to guide the formulation of the EAC Regional Framework on the Return and Reintegration of Stranded Migrants.
Engage in National Consultations across all EAC Partner States, collaborating closely with relevant stakeholders to ensure comprehensive participation and alignment with regional objectives.
To organize and conduct an Online Partner States Experts meeting for the purpose of reviewing and endorsing the study report.
Upon receiving approval from Partner States for the Validation report, the task involves crafting a suitable outcome document—such as a policy framework or policy—to effectively address the intervention.
Conduct a comprehensive assessment of migration patterns, underlying factors, obstacles, and incidents that influence return and reintegration processes within the East African Community region.
The position entails overseeing daily operations, ensuring compliance with established protocols, and maintaining high standards of efficiency. Duties include managing team performance, coordinating project timelines, and addressing any operational challenges that arise. Additionally, the role requires collaborating with stakeholders to align goals, implementing process improvements, and monitoring key performance indicators to drive productivity and quality. Strong leadership, analytical skills, and a proactive approach to problem-solving are essential for success in this role.
We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced professional to undertake the designated scope of work, which encompasses a comprehensive range of responsibilities and deliverables. The ideal candidate will possess the requisite qualifications and expertise to effectively execute all outlined tasks, ensuring alignment with project objectives and organizational standards. Key duties include conducting thorough research, analyzing data, and developing strategic solutions to address complex challenges. Additionally, the role demands meticulous attention to detail, strong analytical abilities, and the capacity to collaborate efficiently with cross-functional teams. Proficiency in relevant tools, methodologies, and industry best practices is essential to achieve optimal outcomes and drive project success.
The Consultant will be responsible for executing the following key 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 assisting the consultancy process, while also coordinating with Partner States and organizing consultative meetings.
Compile and finalize an inception report for submission to both the EAC Secretariat and the IOM Regional Office, detailing the proposed methodology, work plan, timelines, and strategy for partner state engagement.
Conduct a comprehensive analysis of the current legal policies and institutional frameworks at the national, regional, continental, and global levels that govern the return and reintegration of stranded migrants within the EAC Partner States. The objective is to identify gaps, overlaps, and opportunities for alignment or harmonization, culminating in the development of a detailed report.
Deliver dependable, actionable insights and reliable data to empower national authorities and international organizations in formulating impactful, evidence-based responses.
Gather and synthesize pertinent data to support both proactive and reactive decision-making processes at regional and national levels.
Perform a comprehensive situational analysis to assess the prevailing migration patterns, underlying drivers, and prevailing challenges that influence the return and reintegration of stranded migrants across the East African Community (EAC) region.
We offer a full-time position with a structured timeline and a transparent payment schedule, ensuring clarity and consistency throughout the engagement. The role requires adherence to the agreed-upon duration, with compensation disbursed in accordance with the predefined terms.
The consultancy engagement is anticipated to span up to seven months, with the exact duration contingent upon the consultant’s mutually agreed fee, beginning upon the execution of the contract. The projected timeline for the consultancy is set between June 2026 and January 2027, though there is a potential for extending the scope through a follow-up consultancy beyond this period. The proposed timeframe remains provisional and may be adjusted in accordance with evolving project requirements.
Payment
Upon successfully completing and receiving approval for each step, a decision will be made.
You will be responsible for producing and submitting all required deliverables by their specified deadlines, ensuring each meets the established quality standards and aligns with project objectives. Your role involves coordinating with team members to gather necessary inputs, verifying the accuracy and completeness of materials, and addressing any feedback to finalize outputs promptly. Additionally, you will maintain clear documentation of deliverables for tracking purposes and provide timely updates to stakeholders on progress and potential risks.
Upon execution of the contract, the Consultant will be responsible for delivering the specified outputs, as outlined below.
A comprehensive inception report outlining the consultancy approach, detailed work plan, stakeholder engagement framework, and projected implementation timelines.
A comprehensive situational analysis of prevailing migration patterns, underlying drivers, and obstacles influencing the return and reintegration of stranded migrants in the East African Community (EAC) region is required, incorporating verifiable and actionable data to inform the development of robust operational responses.
Countries are expected to fulfill distinct roles—whether as countries of origin, transit, or destination—and to establish both proactive and reactive mechanisms for regional cooperation concerning return and reintegration initiatives. This includes the development of drafts for a regional framework document focused on return and reintegration processes.
National consultation meetings will be conducted across all eight Partner States, with detailed reports prepared thereafter.
A draft study report delineating the policy frameworks, legal provisions, operational practices, and institutional structures governing return and reintegration across EAC Partner States.
A virtual Regional Validation Meeting will be conducted to review the draft study, followed by the issuance of an approved validation report summarizing the outcomes.
The final outcome report will integrate feedback and contributions obtained during the regional validation meeting and national consultations, ensuring alignment with the proposed intervention.
The role involves overseeing operations, ensuring accurate reporting of progress, and maintaining accountability through consistent supervision. Key responsibilities include monitoring performance metrics, preparing detailed reports for stakeholders, and collaborating with team members to address any deviations from established goals. Proficiency in data analysis, strong communication skills, and the ability to lead by example are essential for this position.
The Consultant will be assigned to a designated organizational department or unit, where they will provide specialized support and contribute their expertise to ongoing initiatives and strategic objectives.
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 the consultancy process. This will involve coordinating with Partner States and organizing consultative meetings to ensure seamless collaboration and effective execution.
Upon submission of the deliverables, the EAC Secretariat and IOM may provide feedback and request revisions. Final approval of the deliverables will be contingent upon their submission as specified.
The deliverables and reports must be prepared in English. All materials should be submitted electronically in both Word and PDF formats. In accordance with EAC Secretariat guidelines, the consultant must provide both digital and physical copies of all deliverables. The consultant bears full responsibility for ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the data supplied, as well as the validity of any referenced sources. Should translations into other languages be necessary, IOM will handle the translation of the outputs accordingly.
The consultant is not responsible for managerial, supervisory, or representative duties.
All documents and data furnished to the consultant are strictly confidential and may only be utilized for their intended purpose or disclosed to third parties with the explicit written authorization of both IOM and the EAC Secretariat.
The specific tasks outlined are subject to potential adjustments, pending approval from IOM in collaboration with the EAC Secretariat, to align with the evolving demands of the Project. Should IOM deem necessary, the consultant may be engaged to deliver supplementary advisory services, contingent upon the consultant’s qualifications and expertise, as specified in the attached EAC Terms of Reference.
Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, possess a minimum of three years of direct experience in a comparable role, and demonstrate proficiency in [specific software/tools]. Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills are essential, along with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment. Experience with [industry-specific tasks or methodologies] is highly valued, as is a track record of delivering measurable results in previous positions.
We seek a candidate with a minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in the specified field, along with a Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline. Proficiency in industry-standard software, tools, and methodologies is essential, as is the ability to collaborate effectively within cross-functional teams. Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills are required to drive project success and ensure alignment with organizational objectives. Familiarity with regulatory standards and best practices is also a key requirement for this role. The ideal candidate will demonstrate adaptability in dynamic environments and a commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
The Consultant is required to demonstrate the following qualifications and competencies:
A Bachelor’s degree is mandatory, along with an advanced degree at the master’s level or higher, in International Relations, Migration Studies, Law, Social Sciences, Business Studies, Public Policy, Public Administration, or a closely related discipline.
Experienced professionals with at least [X] years in a relevant field are encouraged to apply. A proven track record in [specific industry or role] is required, along with expertise in [key skill or tool]. Familiarity with [relevant process or methodology] is strongly preferred, and the ability to [specific responsibility] is essential. Strong problem-solving skills and adaptability are critical, as is the capacity to work effectively both independently and within collaborative teams.
A minimum of ten years of documented professional experience in migration, return, and reintegration or closely related fields is required.
Proven experience in designing and implementing regionally or nationally applicable frameworks, policies, or guidelines, with a preference for expertise in migration management.
Possesses a comprehensive understanding of regional and international legal frameworks, standards, and best practices governing migration, return, and reintegration.
Proven ability to interact effectively with Partner States, regional organizations, and key stakeholders—such as governmental and non-governmental entities—is required. Prior collaboration with the East African Community (EAC) or regional governments is considered a strong asset.
Strong analytical capabilities, research proficiency, and the ability to produce well-structured reports are essential, supported by a proven track record in consultancy or specialized projects addressing comparable subjects.
Proven ability to oversee the technical facets of the Consultancy with a high degree of proficiency. Demonstrated skill in operating within diverse cultural settings while cultivating productive and cohesive professional relationships.
Language:
Fluency in written and spoken English is mandatory, with proficiency in Kiswahili or French serving as a desirable qualification.
Language proficiency will be meticulously evaluated as part of the selection process, potentially through written or oral assessments.
Ensure adherence to ethical standards and other pertinent guidelines throughout all professional activities.
The Consultant is expected to uphold the most stringent ethical standards throughout the assignment, encompassing the safeguarding of confidentiality, the preservation of neutrality, and the acquisition of informed consent where necessary. Additionally, the Consultant must demonstrate a keen respect for the cultural sensitivities of the EAC Partner States, ensuring that all research and consultations are conducted in strict accordance with globally recognized ethical research principles.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA
Experience Required
10 years
