Purpose of the Consultancy
The East African Community (EAC) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) are seeking a consultant with expertise in research, analysis, and policy development on return and reintegration of migrants to undertake a comprehensive study on existing return and reintegration policies, practices, gaps, and opportunities in the EAC region. This study will inform the development of a regional framework on return and reintegration of stranded migrants within the EAC.
The framework will establish common standards, guiding principles, and coordinated approaches to be adopted collectively by EAC Partner States in the governance of return and sustainable reintegration of migrants. It seeks to strengthen regional cooperation, enhance policy coherence, and promote rights-based, safe, orderly, and dignified return and reintegration processes in line with applicable international, continental, and regional legal and policy instruments.
Specific Objectives
The specific objectives of the consultancy are to:
- Review existing practices, policies, legal, and institutional frameworks governing the return and reintegration of stranded migrants within EAC Partner States to identify gaps, overlaps, and opportunities.
- Undertake a Comprehensive and Inclusive Study to inform the development of the EAC Regional Framework on Return and Re-Integration of Stranded Migrants.
- Facilitate National Consultations in each EAC Partner State and with relevant stakeholders.
- Convene an Online Partner States Experts meeting to validate the study report.
- Upon approval of the validation report by Partner States, develop an appropriate outcome document (policy framework, policy, etc.) for addressing the intervention.
- Conduct a situational analysis on migration trends, drivers, challenges, and incidences affecting return and reintegration in the EAC Region.
Scope of Work (Responsibilities)
In undertaking the assignment, the Consultant shall perform the following tasks:
- Liaise with the EAC Secretariat and the IOM Regional Office for East, Horn, and Southern Africa through a joint technical team that will guide and support the consultancy process, including coordination with Partner States and facilitation of consultative meetings.
- Prepare and submit an Inception Report to the EAC Secretariat and the IOM Regional Office outlining the proposed methodology, work plan, timelines, and partner state engagement approach.
- Conduct a study on the existing National, Regional, Continental, and Global legal policies and Institutional Frameworks governing the return and reintegration of stranded migrants within the EAC Partner States to identify gaps, overlaps, and areas of alignment or harmonization, and develop a report.
- Provide actionable information and reliable data that can help national authorities and international organizations develop effective responses.
- Collate relevant information that could inform proactive and reactive regional and national responses.
- Conduct a situational analysis on the current migration trends, drivers, and challenges affecting return and reintegration of stranded migrants in the EAC region.
Duration, Timeline and Payment Schedule
- Duration: Up to 7 months, commencing from the date of contract signature. The expected overall duration is between June 2026 and January 2027. There may be a possibility of a follow-up consultancy after this period.
- Payment: Made upon the successful completion and approval of each deliverable.
Deliverables
- Inception Report: Detailing the consultancy methodology, work plan, stakeholder engagement strategy, and implementation timelines.
- Situational Analysis: On current migration trends, drivers, and challenges affecting return and reintegration of stranded migrants in the EAC region, including actionable, reliable data.
- Outline of Roles and Responsibilities: Outlining country roles (origin, transit, destination) and mechanisms for proactive/reactive regional cooperation (including drafts of a regional framework document).
- National Consultations: Consultation meetings in all eight Partner States with subsequent reports.
- Draft Study Report: Presentation of findings on the policy, legal, practice, and institutional landscape of return and reintegration in the EAC Partner States.
- Online Regional Validation Meeting: Online facilitation of the draft study, including follow-up with the approved validation report.
- Final Outcome Report: Incorporating comments and input from the validation meeting and national consultations.
Reporting and Supervision
- The Consultant shall report to the relevant department at the EAC Secretariat, in close cooperation with the IOM Regional Office for East, Horn, and Southern Africa.
- Progress updates shall be provided regularly in English.
- All deliverables must be submitted both electronically and in hard copy in English.
Required Qualifications and Experience
- Education: A Bachelor’s degree and a Postgraduate Degree (master’s level or higher) in International Relations, Migration Studies, Law, Social Sciences, Business Studies, Public Policy, Public Administration, or a related field.
- Experience: Minimum of ten (10) years of proven professional experience in the field of migration, return and reintegration, or related thematic areas.
- Track Record: Demonstrable track record in drafting or developing regional or national frameworks, policies, or guidelines, preferably in migration management.
- Knowledge: Extensive knowledge of regional and international legal instruments, standards, and best practices related to migration, return, and reintegration.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Experience engaging with Partner States, regional bodies, and relevant stakeholders, including governmental and non-governmental organisations. Experience working with the EAC or governments in the region is an advantage.
- Skills: Strong analytical, research, and report-writing skills, with evidence of previous consultancy or expert assignments on similar topics. Proven capacity to coordinate technical aspects of the Consultancy.
- Language: Excellent written and spoken English is required; knowledge of Kiswahili or French is an asset.
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