Consultant - Support the Establishment of Community-Based Border Coordination Committees at International Organization for Migration - IOM

CFCV No. : CFCV2022/065
Location: Homebased with travels
Organizational Unit: Migration Management
IOM Classification: Consultant
Type of Appointment: Consultant, 70 working days
Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Objective

• The consultancy is within the Migration management Unit, IOM Nigeria, within the implementation context of the Enhancing cross-border cooperation on border management and counter-trafficking between Niger and Nigeria (CATS II Program). 
• The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the National Programme Officer (MM), IOM Abuja and in close collaboration with designated staff in the Migration Management (MM) Unit.

Context

• The study on the perception of interaction, interdependence, and mutual perception between the border communities and law enforcement, immigration/border, criminal justice, and protection agencies in northwestern Nigeria was conducted within the context of the Project Enhancing cross-border cooperation on border management and countertrafficking between Niger and Nigeria (Phase II) in the border communities of Illela and Gada in Sokoto State, Kongolam/Koza and Kawurin Kudi in Katsina State as well as Maigatari in Jigawa State, all in the Northwestern part of Nigeria in December 2021, using a combination of desk review and qualitative approaches and validated in February 2022.
• The report which drew on the responses of survey participants in the border communities made up of community elders, traditional rulers, youth, women, vigilante groups, and law enforcement agencies, proposed a series of recommendations to help ensure positive changes in border infrastructure as well as effective border management to minimize smuggling of migrants and trafficking in persons, illicit smuggling of contraband goods in the border communities that will have a positive impact on the lives and livelihoods of residents. The study further proposed ways to enhance and improve the relationship between border communities and law enforcement agencies.
• Specifically, the study investigated the awareness of the border community on irregular migration issues, the effectiveness of border agencies in combating smuggling of migrants, cross border cooperation between Nigerian and Nigerien law enforcement agencies, perception of the interaction between border communities and law enforcement agencies, perception of interdependence between border communities and law enforcement agencies and mutual perception between border communities and law enforcement agencies.

Key Findings from the study showed that:

• All the border communities in focus are aware of the irregular movement of people and goods across the borders. Trafficking and smuggling activities are usually perpetrated by brokers who have connections from within and across countries and executed with the abetment of agents in the border communities.
• Interaction and information sharing between law enforcement agencies and border communities were discovered to be active but only functional with traditional leaders, politicians.
• Interaction with border law enforcement agencies is generally painted in a good light by these stakeholders despite the communication gap. Despite positive interaction between law enforcement agents and community members, findings from the study discovered that whole lots of fragile relationships exist between law enforcement agents and border communities with border control post. Border communities lacking border control posts often take advantage of limited law enforcement agents in the area to perpetrate smuggling activities.
• The study revealed that formal and informal interdependence exists between the law enforcement agents and the border communities.
• The interdependence revolves around organizing meetings with traditional rulers, district heads, youth leaders, market businessmen, and border patrols with vigilantes. While other techniques revolve around seeking the assistance of informants by providing relevant information towards effective border management.
• Despite positive interaction and interdependence between law enforcement agencies and the border communities, it could be understood from the stakeholders’ perception study and observation that law enforcement agencies have minimal confidence in the community members, except for the leadership of the border communities and few of the informants.
• In view of the above findings, this consultancy therefore seeks to support the establishment and operationalization of community-based integrated border coordination committees in the border communities of Illela and Gada (Sokoto State), Kongolam, Koza and Kawurin-Kudi (Katsina State), and Maigatari (Jigawa State) largely to support a cooperative and collaborative relationship between border communities and law enforcement/border agencies and address the findings and conclusions of the perception study.

Core Functions / Responsibilities

• Submit a detailed inception report including work plans that cover mapping of community-based border coordination members, and preparatory documents for the sensitization/dissemination workshops and inauguration meetings (Agenda, Concept Notes)
• Identify and submit a list of relevant migration stakeholders in the target border communities of Illela and Gada (Sokoto State), Kongolam, Koza and Kawurin-Kudi (Katsina State), and Maigatari (Jigawa State)
• Coordinate the establishment of the integrated border coordination Committees through regular engagements with the stakeholders adopting a whole of society approach.
• Develop a draft Terms of Reference developed in consultation with the community-based committee and stakeholders and facilitate the review and validation meeting.
• Facilitate a combined review and validation/adoption meeting for the Terms of Reference.
• Facilitate state level workshops for the inauguration of the community-based committees where the ToR will be presented, and engagement strategy developed.
• Facilitate five (5) bi-monthly meetings of the inaugurated coordination committees in each of the five (5) border communities of Illela and Gada (Sokoto State), Kongolam/Koza and Kawurin-Kudi (Katsina State), and Maigatari (Jigawa State).
• Provide standard draft report of the workshops and meetings for IOM’s review and inputs.
• Provide a final report capturing IOM’s review and inputs.
• Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Performance Indicators for the Evaluation of Results

• Timely execution of assigned responsibility
• 20% of the consultancy fees will be paid after the approval of the inception report, concept note and agenda for the task.
• 30% of the consultancy will be paid after the submission of the validated TOR of the inaugurated integrated border coordination Committees, endorsed State specific sustainability intervention and report of the 3 inauguration meetings in the 3 States.
• 20% will be paid upon the submission of the reports of the 3rd bi-monthly meetings of the inaugurated coordination committees in each of the five (5) border communities of Illela and Gada (Sokoto State), Kongolam/Koza and Kawurin-Kudi (Katsina State), and Maigatari (Jigawa State).
• 30% of consultancy fees will be paid after the approval of the final reports by IOM, and submission of all appropriate documents. The report should include the endorsed State specific sustainability intervention agreed by IOM and other relevant stakeholders, composition of the co-ordination structures in each of the 3 selected states, and reports of the bi-monthly meetings of the inaugurated coordination committees in the five (5) border communities.

Tangible and Measurable Output of the work assignment:

• First deliverable – Detailed inception report including plans for the mapping of community-based border coordination members, and preparatory documents for the sensitization/dissemination workshops and inauguration meetings (Agenda, Concept Notes)
• Second deliverable - Mapping of all relevant actors, including the government, CSOs and community stakeholders for each of the 3 target States who would constitute the community-based border coordination members in Illela and Gada (Sokoto State), Kongolam, Koza and Kawurin-Kudi (Katsina State), and Maigatari (Jigawa State).
• Draft ToR for the community-based committees and facilitate meeting sessions with stakeholders at each of the communities to finalize membership list and receive input to terms of reference and engagement modalities. Facilitate 3 state level workshops for the inauguration of the committees and validation/adoption of Terms of Reference and development of engagement strategy.
• Third deliverable - Submit a midterm report with findings, challenges and recommendations. Submit reports of the five (5) bi-monthly meetings of the inaugurated community-based integrated border coordination committees conducted in each of the five (5) border communities of Illela and Gada (Sokoto State), Kongolam/Koza and Kawurin-Kudi (Katsina State), and Maigatari (Jigawa State).
• Fourth deliverable - Submission of a Final Report that meet IOM’s standards, capturing key discussions, results, recommendations, and covering:
  • Composition of committees for each community
  • Outcome of meetings and engagement with relevant community members and Law enforcement agencies.
  • The report of state level inauguration workshops including validated/adopted Terms of Reference, engagement strategy and requirements to carry out their assignments
  • Reports from the bi-monthly meetings held with/by the community-based coordination committees

Performance Indicators

• Timely execution of assigned responsibility
• 20% of the consultancy fees will be paid after the approval of the inception report, concept note and agenda for the task.
• 30% of the consultancy will be paid after the submission of the validated TOR of the inaugurated integrated border coordination Committees, endorsed State specific sustainability intervention and report of the 3 inauguration meetings in the 3 States.
• 20% will be paid upon the submission of the reports of the 3rd bi-monthly meetings of the inaugurated coordination committees in each of the five (5) border communities of Illela and Gada (Sokoto State), Kongolam/Koza and Kawurin-Kudi (Katsina State), and Maigatari (Jigawa State).
• 30% of consultancy fees will be paid after the approval of the final reports by IOM, and submission of all appropriate documents. The report should include the endorsed State specific sustainability intervention agreed by IOM and other relevant stakeholders, composition of the co-ordination structures in each of the 3 selected states, and reports of the bi-monthly meetings of the inaugurated coordination committees in the five (5) border communities.

Required Qualifications and Experience
Education:

• Advanced Degree preferably in Social Sciences, with a specialization in (Migration, Geography, International Population Studies,) or equivalent training with at least 5 years of relevant experience in migration specifically border management activities in Nigeria.

Experience:

• A good track record of community engagement is preferred.
• A good track record of work with the Government of Nigeria and international organizations is preferred.
• Excellent drafting and reporting ability.
• Fluent spoken and written English. Ability to speak and write in Hausa language will be an advantage.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Good interviewing and listening skills.
• Proven extensive meeting and workshop facilitating experience.
• Familiarity with local and International Migration matters.

Travel required:

• Yes, travel is required to Sokoto, Jigawa and Katsina States.

Languages:

• Fluency in English; knowledge of multiple languages advantageous.

Required Competencies:
Values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: respects and promotes individual and cultural differences; encourages diversity and inclusion wherever possible.
• 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.

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 actionoriented 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 action and delegated work.
• Communication: encourages and contributes to clear and open communication; explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Others:

• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment and verification of residency, visa, and authorizations by the concerned Government, where applicable.