Category B Consultant - Support to update the National Border Management Strategy (NBMS) (2019-2023) and Development of Its Action Plan at International Organization for Migration - IOM

Job Description
Project Context and Scope

• Effective border governance is essential to Nigeria’s national security, economic stability, and overall migration governance. Recognizing the need for a comprehensive and structured approach to border governance, the Government of Nigeria, with support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and key stakeholders, developed the National Border Management Strategy (NBMS) (2019-2023). With the expiration of the NBMS strategy, it has become imperative to assess its implementation, identify gaps, and update it to address emerging migration trends and security threats, consolidate lessons learned and adopt best practices.
• In response to this need, IOM, in collaboration with the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) is spearheading efforts to review the NBMS and develop an implementation plan to guide its effective implementation. The aim is to advance border governance and enhance institutional migration data management and analysis and capacities of border management and other relevant institutions to respond to priority needs in border governance, especially in view of the evolving security dynamics. This includes reviewing lessons learned from the implementation of the previous strategy document, aligning the updated strategy with current national, regional, and international priorities.
• As part of this process, the NIS has taken proactive steps by engaging a working group headed by the Directorate of Border Management to oversee the review and update of the strategy. The working group has commenced a preliminary review of the National Border Management Strategy, by assessing its effectiveness and identifying key areas for improvement.

Nature of Consultancy:
The consultancy will be hybrid, combining onsite engagement with remote analytical work and desk reviews. 

•  Onsite: The consultant will be required to conduct in-person stakeholder consultations, workshops, and field assessments in Nigeria, working closely with the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and other key stakeholders. 
• Remote: Desk research, policy analysis, report writing, and coordination with international partners where required can be conducted remotely.

Responsibilities
Tasks to be performed under this contract
Revise and update the Nigeria National Border Management Strategy (NBMS) (2019-2023) and develop an Action Plan, including implementation guidelines:

•  Analyze the implementation of the NBMS (2019–2023), document progress, challenges, and lessons learned to inform strategic revisions. 
• Conduct a comprehensive gap and needs assessment by analysing relevant policy and frameworks, technical and operational structures and capacities to inform the review of the strategy. The assessment should also analyse migration patterns and emerging cross-border security threats, risks and technological advancements (biometrics, AI surveillance, digital border control) to enhance Nigeria’s border security and management efficiency. 
• Assess how existing data collection and analysis mechanisms can inform strategic decision-making. Ensure that the strategy incorporates frameworks for data-driven border management, emphasizing improved data sharing, coordination among relevant agencies, and alignment with international best practices  
•  In coordination with IOM Nigeria, design and facilitate multi-stakeholder consultations and workshops with relevant government agencies, including security forces, immigration and local authorities, border communities, and international partners to gather insights on current context, prevailing challenges impacting on border governance and management. Recommend good practices to strengthen coordination mechanism towards improved integrated Border Management while achieving national goals.
• Following the consultations and analysis, work with NIS and relevant stakeholders to develop a revised strategic framework that reflects national priorities in addressing gaps and needs, regional integration efforts (ECOWAS), ensure alignment with international frameworks and global best practices. ensuring a comprehensive and coordinated approach.  
• Work with NIS to design an implementation plan that aligns with the updated strategy and reflects stakeholders’ input, define estimated timelines and phases, roles and responsibilities of relevant institutions, and expected outcomes, supported with a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework and clear performance indicators. 
• Facilitate the validation process to ensure the revised NIS National Border Management Strategy (NBMS) document is endorsement by the Government of Nigeria.

Performance indicators for the evaluation of results

• Quality of work: Ability to accurately coordinate with relevant stakeholders. 
•  Timeliness: Ability to meet the consultancy timeline and deliver on time. 
• Clarity: Ability to communicate integrated border management and free movement contents clearly and concisely. 
• Understanding: Ability to understand and interpret the complexities of the integrated border management and free movement-related programme. 
• Collaboration: Ability to work collaboratively with other stakeholders. 
• Adaptability: Ability to adjust to changes in scope or objectives.  
• Knowledge: Understanding of migration data collection, and management. Responsiveness: Ability to provide timely responses to inquiries.

Tangible and Measurable Output of the Work Assignment
20 Working Days:

• 10 days remote: Desk Research and Workplan of implementation of the consultancy assignment.  
• 10 days on site: Consultations

 15 Working Days:

• NBMS Implementation & Gap Analysis Report, including:
  • A mapping of stakeholders and their roles and responsibilities.
  • A comprehensive report based on stakeholder consultations detailing the implementation of the NBMS (2019–2023), highlighting progress made, challenges encountered, and lessons learned. Report should incorporate a gap and needs assessment, relevant policy frameworks analysis, state of technical and operational structures, and capacity gaps to guide the review of the updated strategy.

10 Working Days:

• Border Security Threats & Technology Assessment Report
  • A report featuring emerging cross-border security threats, migration patterns, and technological advancements (biometrics, AI surveillance, digital border control). This report will provide strategic recommendations to enhance Nigeria’s border security including data sharing and inform the revision of the Border Management Strategy.

30 Working Days:

• Revised NIS National Border Management Strategy
  • Drawing upon Tasks 1 to 3, a strategic document developed in collaboration with NIS and stakeholders, aligning with national priorities, regional integration efforts (ECOWAS), international frameworks, and global best practices.
• Action Plan 
  • A detailed implementation plan outlining stakeholder roles and responsibilities, estimated timelines, budget estimates, and key milestones for executing the revised strategy.

15 Working Days:

• Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Framework 
  • A structured framework with clear performance indicators to track progress, measure impact, and ensure accountability in implementing the revised Border Management Strategy.

10 Working Days:

• Revised NBMS
  • Final NBMS validated by the Government of Nigeria.

Qualifications
Education, Experience & Skills:

• Master’s Degree from an accredited academic institution with six (6) to ten (10) years of progressive working experience in the field of Migration Studies, Public Administration, Law, International Relations, Development Studies, or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with five additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. 
•  Extensive work experience in migration and border governance and management. 
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in developing and implementing policies including identifying gaps and potential solutions, drafting policies, and consulting stakeholders for feedback. 
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in in data management 
• Demonstrated experience and skills in facilitating stakeholder/working group consultations. 
• Extensive knowledge and ability to draft and produce high-quality written reports. 
• Excellent social and intercultural skills. 
• Excellent understanding of gender-related needs, perspectives, concerns, and participation.

Languages:

• IOM’s official languages are English, French and Spanish.
• Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Travel required

• The consultant may be required to travel on needs’ basis.

Required Competencies
Values - all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these three 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.