To deliver strategic guidance and specialized expertise, this consultancy aims to support organizational objectives through tailored solutions. The primary goal is to assess current operations, identify areas for enhancement, and implement effective strategies that drive performance and growth. By leveraging data-driven insights and industry best practices, the consultancy seeks to optimize processes, improve decision-making, and foster sustainable development. The role requires a deep understanding of business challenges, strong analytical skills, and the ability to collaborate with stakeholders at all levels to achieve measurable outcomes.
The consultancy aims to deliver specialized expertise and strategic guidance to clients, addressing their unique challenges and driving sustainable solutions. This role requires a proven track record in the relevant field, along with strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills. Key responsibilities include conducting in-depth research, analyzing data, developing actionable recommendations, and collaborating closely with stakeholders to implement effective strategies. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional project management abilities, adaptability to dynamic environments, and a commitment to delivering measurable results. Proficiency in industry-specific tools and methodologies, as well as relevant certifications, is highly desirable.
The East African Community (EAC) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) are seeking a qualified consultant with specialized skills in research, analysis, and policy formulation concerning migrant return and reintegration. This consultant will conduct an in-depth study to assess existing policies, practices, gaps, and opportunities in the EAC region, thereby informing the development of a regional framework for the return and reintegration of stranded migrants. The framework will establish unified standards, guiding principles, and coordinated methodologies to be collectively adopted by EAC Partner States in managing the governance of return and sustainable reintegration of migrants. Its overarching goal is to bolster regional collaboration, ensure policy alignment, and advance rights-based, secure, orderly, and dignified return and reintegration processes in compliance with relevant international, continental, and regional legal and policy frameworks.
The primary goals include delivering high-quality results within established deadlines, fostering collaboration across departments to enhance operational efficiency, and ensuring compliance with company policies and industry regulations. Additionally, the role demands strong analytical skills to interpret data, identify trends, and propose actionable insights to drive strategic decision-making. Proficiency in relevant software and tools, along with exceptional communication abilities, is essential for effectively conveying complex information to stakeholders at all levels.
The consultancy aims to fulfill several key objectives, including the following:
Conduct a thorough assessment of the current frameworks, policies, laws, and institutional structures that regulate the return and reintegration of stranded migrants across EAC Partner States, focusing on identifying discrepancies, redundancies, and potential areas for improvement.
Conduct an exhaustive and inclusive research initiative to shape the creation of the EAC Regional Framework focused on the return and reintegration of stranded migrants.
Organize and lead National Consultations in every Partner State of the EAC, engaging key stakeholders throughout the process.
To organize a virtual gathering of Partner States’ experts for the purpose of reviewing and approving the study report.
Upon securing approval of the Validation report from Partner States, an outcome document—such as a policy framework or policy brief—will be developed to effectively address the intervention.
Conducting a comprehensive situational analysis to evaluate migration patterns, key drivers, underlying challenges, and incidence rates impacting return and reintegration processes within the East African Community (EAC) Region.
Oversee daily operations to ensure seamless workflow and maintain high productivity levels. Develop and enforce policies and procedures to promote a safe, compliant, and efficient work environment. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align objectives and drive project execution. Monitor performance metrics, identify trends, and implement corrective actions as needed. Provide mentorship and training to staff to enhance skill development and operational excellence. Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement while ensuring adherence to company standards and regulatory requirements.
The scope of work encompasses a comprehensive range of duties and responsibilities essential to the successful execution of the project. The selected candidate will be tasked with fulfilling key deliverables, ensuring compliance with established protocols, and maintaining rigorous standards throughout the engagement. They will coordinate with stakeholders to align objectives, manage timelines efficiently, and report progress accurately. Additionally, the role demands proficiency in specialized tools, adherence to industry regulations, and the ability to troubleshoot challenges proactively. Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and effective communication are imperative to meet project milestones and exceed performance expectations.
In fulfilling the scope of the assignment, the Consultant will be tasked with executing the following responsibilities:
To 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, ensuring seamless coordination with Partner States and the organization of consultative meetings.
Compile and deliver an Inception Report to both the EAC Secretariat and the IOM Regional Office, detailing the proposed methodology, established work plan, projected timelines, and the strategy for engaging partner states.
To analyze and evaluate the current national, regional, continental, and global legal policies and institutional frameworks that regulate the return and reintegration of stranded migrants across EAC Partner States, with the objective of identifying gaps, overlaps, redundancies, and opportunities for alignment or harmonization, and subsequently producing a comprehensive report.
Deliver accurate and actionable data to empower national authorities and international organizations in formulating impactful, evidence-based responses.
Gather and synthesize pertinent data to support both anticipatory and responsive strategies at regional and national levels.
Perform an in-depth situational analysis to assess prevailing migration trends, underlying drivers, and key obstacles influencing the return and reintegration of stranded migrants in the East African Community (EAC) region.
We offer a contract position with a specified duration, adhering to a clearly defined timeline and structured payment schedule. The role requires consistent availability throughout the agreed-upon period, with compensation disbursed according to the prearranged terms. Payment intervals, amounts, and deadlines will be outlined in the formal agreement to ensure transparency and mutual accountability.
The consultancy engagement is anticipated to span up to seven months, contingent upon the mutually agreed fee, with the contract effective upon signature. The projected window for the consultancy is from June 2026 to January 2027, though there exists the potential for an extension through a follow-up consultancy beyond this timeframe. These proposed dates are provisional and subject to adjustment based on the evolving nature of the project.
Payment
Upon successful completion and approval of each step, a decision will be rendered.
You will be responsible for producing and submitting all required deliverables in a timely and accurate manner, ensuring they meet the specified quality standards and client expectations. This includes organizing, preparing, and finalizing documentation, reports, or other outputs as outlined in project timelines and agreements. Your role requires strict adherence to deadlines while maintaining precision, attention to detail, and clear communication with stakeholders throughout the process.
Upon contract execution, the Consultant will be responsible for delivering the following outputs:
An inception report outlines the consultancy’s methodology, work plan, stakeholder engagement approach, and implementation schedules.
Conducting a comprehensive situational analysis of prevailing migration patterns, underlying drivers, and key challenges impacting the return and reintegration of stranded migrants within the East African Community region is essential. This analysis will focus on generating actionable, reliable data to inform and strengthen evidence-based responses.
Countries must delineate the distinct roles and responsibilities assigned to nations of origin, transit, and destination, while also establishing frameworks for both proactive and reactive regional collaboration concerning return and reintegration initiatives. This includes developing draft regional framework documents focused on return and reintegration processes.
National consultation meetings will be conducted in each of the eight Partner States, followed by the preparation of comprehensive reports summarizing key insights and outcomes.
A comprehensive Study Report is currently being developed to examine the policy, legal, regulatory, operational, and institutional frameworks governing return and reintegration across EAC Partner States. This report will systematically assess the existing landscape, highlighting key trends, challenges, and opportunities within these domains.
A virtual Regional Validation Meeting will convene to review the draft study, followed by the issuance of an approved validation report to document outcomes.
The final outcome report of the study will be developed, integrating feedback and contributions gathered from the regional validation meeting as well as national consultations, to address the proposed interventions.
Reporting to senior leadership and overseeing team performance, this role involves ensuring accurate and timely communication of progress, challenges, and key metrics. The position requires collaboration with department heads to align on strategic objectives and operational priorities, as well as providing guidance and support to team members to achieve collective goals. Additionally, the role entails monitoring workflows, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing solutions to enhance efficiency and productivity across the organization.
As a Consultant, you will be assigned to a specific Organizational Department or Unit, where your expertise will be leveraged to support key initiatives and deliver measurable outcomes aligned with the unit’s 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. Periodic progress reports will be submitted in alignment with the approved work plan.
The Consultant will maintain consistent 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 to ensure seamless collaboration and execution.
Following the submission of deliverables, the EAC Secretariat and IOM may provide comments and request revisions. Final approval of the deliverables will be contingent upon their submission in accordance with the specified requirements.
The deliverables and all reporting must be prepared in English. All submitted materials should be provided electronically in both Word and PDF formats. In accordance with EAC Secretariat guidelines, consultants are required to submit deliverables in both electronic and hard copy versions. The consultant assumes sole responsibility for the accuracy and reliability of the provided data, as well as the sources of information referenced. Should translations into other languages be necessary, IOM will handle the translation of the outputs.
The consultant’s responsibilities exclude managerial, supervisory, and representative duties.
All documents and data furnished to the consultant remain strictly confidential and must not be utilized for any purpose other than the agreed-upon scope of work or disclosed to third parties without prior written authorization from both IOM and the EAC Secretariat.
Any modifications to the outlined tasks will require prior approval from IOM, in collaboration with the EAC Secretariat, to align with the evolving demands of the Project. Furthermore, the consultant may be requested by IOM to deliver supplementary consultancy services that correspond with their professional qualifications and areas of expertise, as specified in the attached EAC Terms of Reference.
Seeking candidates with a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, along with a minimum of three years of professional experience in a comparable role. Familiarity with industry-standard software and tools is essential, as is the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment. Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills are required to effectively contribute to project success. Prior experience in project management or a related discipline is highly desirable.
Seeking candidates with substantial relevant experience and the following essential qualifications: a minimum of five years in a comparable role, a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a closely related field, proficiency in Python and JavaScript, and prior experience with SQL databases. Additionally, familiarity with cloud platforms such as AWS or Azure, strong problem-solving abilities, and excellent communication skills are required. The ideal applicant will possess prior project management experience and a proven track record of delivering high-quality solutions.
The ideal Consultant must meet the following qualifications and demonstrate the required competencies:
A Bachelor’s degree, complemented by an advanced qualification at the master’s level or above, in International Relations, Migration Studies, Law, Social Sciences, Business Studies, Public Policy, Public Administration, or a closely aligned discipline, is essential for this position.
Accumulated experience in a relevant field is required, with a minimum of [X] years in a comparable role. Candidates should possess a proven track record of success, demonstrated through [specific achievements or skills]. Familiarity with [specific tools, methodologies, or industries] is essential, as is the ability to adapt to evolving challenges. Strong problem-solving skills and a collaborative mindset are also critical to fulfilling the responsibilities of this position effectively.
A decade or more of hands-on professional experience in migration, return, and reintegration, or closely related fields, is required.
Proven experience in creating or refining regional or national frameworks, policies, or guidelines, ideally within the domain of migration management.
Proficiency in regional and international legal frameworks, standards, and best practices pertaining to migration, return, and reintegration is required.
Proven ability to collaborate effectively with Partner States, regional organizations, and key stakeholders—such as government agencies and non-governmental bodies—is essential. Familiarity with the East African Community (EAC) or prior engagement with regional governments is considered an asset.
Strong analytical abilities, a research-oriented mindset, and proven expertise in report-writing are essential, supported by prior consultancy engagements or specialized assignments addressing comparable subjects.
Demonstrates a strong ability to oversee the technical components of the Consultancy, coupled with a track record of success. Exhibits proven capability to operate within diverse cultural settings while fostering productive and cohesive working relationships.
Fluent and accurate communication in English is essential for this position, requiring strong written and verbal proficiency. The ability to convey complex information clearly and effectively is a key requirement. Candidates must demonstrate exceptional command of the language to ensure seamless interaction with stakeholders and precise documentation of processes.
Fluent proficiency in both written and spoken English is essential, with working knowledge of Kiswahili or French considered advantageous.
Language proficiency will be assessed as part of the selection process through written and/or oral evaluations.
Ensure all actions adhere to ethical standards and comply with relevant regulations, maintaining integrity and transparency in every aspect of the role. Consider legal and professional obligations, as well as potential societal impacts, when making decisions. Prioritize confidentiality and respect for stakeholders, fostering trust and accountability in all interactions.
The Consultant is expected to uphold the utmost ethical standards throughout the assignment, which entails maintaining strict confidentiality, remaining impartial, and securing informed consent when necessary. Additionally, the Consultant must demonstrate sensitivity to the cultural norms and values of the EAC Partner States while ensuring that all research and consultations align with globally recognized ethical research principles.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA
Experience Required
10 years
