National Consultant- Field Protection

Introduction

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

 IOM is committed to ensuring a workplace where all employees can thrive professionally, while working towards harnessing the full potential of migration. Read more about IOM's workplace culture at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration
 

Project Context and Scope

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) implements return, reintegration and protection assistance for migrants and returnees transiting through and returning to Burundi, including through the Makamba Transit Centre (TC). The TC plays a critical role in receiving migrants and returnees, identifying protection needs, facilitating access to assistance, and ensuring coordination among government authorities, service providers and humanitarian actors.

Within this context, IOM seeks to engage a Category A Consultant to support the effective implementation of protection-sensitive return and reintegration activities in the Makamba Transit Centre and relevant communities of return. The Consultant will contribute to ensuring IOM’s operational presence, visibility, leadership and adherence to protection principles, including the identification and referral of vulnerable migrants, victims of trafficking (VoTs), and other migrants with specific needs.

The Consultant will work in close coordination with IOM Burundi, the Action for Repatriation, Reintegration of Returnees (ARRR), relevant government authorities, and service providers at transit center and community levels to ensure continuity of assistance and services.

Under the overall supervision of IOM Burundi Emergency coordinator and in close coordination with protection, operations and procurement units, the Consultant will:

1. Ensure IOM visibility and operational presence in the Makamba Transit Centre through regular engagement with migrants, returnees, authorities and partners, in line with IOM protection and communication standards.
2. Conduct systematic screening of migrants and returnees transiting through the TC to identify protection vulnerabilities, with particular attention to:
   • Victims of trafficking
   • Migrants with specific needs (including unaccompanied or separated children, survivors of gender-based violence, persons with disabilities, elderly persons, and migrants with medical or psychosocial needs)
3. Provide immediate guidance and referrals for identified vulnerable cases by liaising with relevant service providers in the Transit Centre and in communities of return, ensuring continuity of assistance in coordination with ARRR and other competent authorities.
4. Coordinate closely with ARRR and other government counterparts to support protection-sensitive return, reception and reintegration processes, in line with national frameworks and IOM policies.
5. Document all protection-related activities and case management actions conducted at the Transit Centre, and submit timely reports to the supervisor, including:

• Weekly consolidated activity reports 
• Daily updates where required due to operational or protection developments

1. Build, maintain and strengthen strategic working relationships with key stakeholders operating in the TC and along return and reintegration pathways, including government authorities, UN agencies, NGOs, and community-based service providers.
2. Represent IOM in relevant coordination meetings, technical fora and ad hoc discussions related to return, reintegration and protection at the TC and local level, as delegated by the supervisor.
3. Advocate with return and reintegration stakeholders for the safeguarding of migrants’ rights, access to services, and adherence to protection principles, including do-no-harm and confidentiality.
4. Screen eligible beneficiaries for movement support, when feasible, including:

• Collecting and verifying Declarations of Voluntary Return (DVRs)
• Supporting movement planning and organization in coordination with IOM operations, procurement and protection units, and DGRRR

1. Monitor, analyze and document trends, gaps and risks related to arrivals, returns and movements at the Transit Centre, and provide timely recommendations to inform strategic decision-making and reinforce IOM’s leadership role.
2. Contribute to internal coordination and capacity strengthening, including supporting briefings, tools, and guidance related to protection screening, referrals and TC operations.
3. Undertake any other related duties as may be assigned by the supervisor in support of IOM’s return, reintegration and protection objectives.

• Number and quality of protection screenings conducted in line with IOM standards

• Timely identification and referral of vulnerable migrants and VoTs

• Quality and punctuality of weekly and ad hoc reports submitted

• Effective coordination with ARRR and service providers

• Demonstrated contribution to improved protection outcomes and service continuity

• Positive feedback from IOM supervisors and relevant stakeholders

• Timely escalation and analysis of operational or protection risks.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• University degree in International Relations, Migration Studies, Social Sciences, Law, Human Rights or a related field

Experience

• Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience in migration management, protection, return and reintegration, or humanitarian programming

• Proven experience in protection screening, case management and referral pathways

• Strong knowledge of trafficking in persons and protection of vulnerable migrants

• Experience working with government counterparts and humanitarian actors

Skills

• Excellent analytical, reporting and coordination skills

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills

Languages

For this consultancy, fluency in French and Kirundi, working knowledge of English and/or Swahili is an asset

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Required Competencies

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.

Values - all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these five 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.

Notes

IOM covers Consultants against occupational accidents and illnesses under the Compensation Plan (CP), free of charge, for the duration of the consultancy. IOM does not provide evacuation or medical insurance for reasons related to non-occupational accidents and illnesses. Consultants are responsible for their own medical insurance for non-occupational accident or illness and will be required to provide written proof of such coverage before commencing work. 

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, security clearances.

IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities.

IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.

IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment system (for internal candidates link here). The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.

No late applications will be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies