Category A Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is an intergovernmental organization that provides services and advice concerning migration to governments and migrants alike. Established in 1951, IOM has grown to become a leading organization in the field of migration, with over 173 member states and offices in more than 100 countries. The organization's mission is to promote humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all, and it operates under the principles of respect for human dignity and the rights of migrants. IOM's work encompasses a wide range of migration-related issues, including labor migration, refugee assistance, and the integration of migrants into host communities. The organization is committed to ensuring that migration is safe, orderly, and beneficial for both migrants and the societies they join.

Job Overview:
The Category A Consultant position is focused on conducting an independent assessment of the Bilateral Labour Migration Agreements (BLMAs) between the Government of Kenya and the United Kingdom, as well as the Government of Kenya and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This role is crucial in evaluating the implementation of these agreements, which aim to facilitate the recruitment of healthcare workers and domestic workers, respectively. The consultant will be expected to review the extent to which the provisions of the agreements have been implemented, evaluate the coordination between Kenya and the partner countries in managing labor migration, and understand the experiences of Kenyan migrant workers deployed under these agreements. The assessment will also identify gaps, challenges, and good practices, ultimately providing actionable recommendations to improve the implementation of the BLMAs. This role requires a comprehensive understanding of labor migration dynamics and the ability to engage with various stakeholders, including government officials, private recruitment agencies, and civil society organizations.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for several key tasks, including:

• Submitting a detailed inception report that outlines the methodology, stakeholder mapping, data collection tools, and a work plan for the assessment.
• Conducting a thorough document review and desk analysis of the BLMAs and related implementation frameworks, including standard operating procedures (SOPs), Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs), and government circulars.
• Analyzing relevant IOM and partner reports, migration statistics, and audit reports to gather insights into the implementation of the agreements.
• Conducting stakeholder consultations and data collection through key informant interviews and focus group discussions with various stakeholders, including government officials from Kenya, the UK, and Saudi Arabia, private recruitment agencies, migrant workers (both current and returnees), civil society organizations, trade unions, and employers' federations.
• Analyzing the collected data using both qualitative and quantitative methods and holding a stakeholder validation workshop to review findings and recommendations.
• Submitting a comprehensive final report that details the findings, gaps, good practices, and practical recommendations, along with two policy briefs summarizing key insights from the assessment.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate for this position should possess a Master’s degree in Migration Studies, International Relations, Labour Studies, Development Studies, Economics, Public Policy, or related fields. Additionally, the candidate should have at least 10 years of relevant experience in conducting labor migration assessments, implementing international labor standards, or evaluating bilateral labor cooperation. Familiarity with Kenya’s labor migration context and the specific bilateral labor migration agreements is essential. The candidate should also demonstrate the ability to manage and execute complex assessments involving multiple stakeholders, as well as possess strong writing, research, data collection, and analysis skills, including proficiency in both qualitative and quantitative methods.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have a Master’s degree in a relevant field such as Migration Studies, International Relations, Labour Studies, Development Studies, Economics, or Public Policy. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of labor migration and the legal frameworks that govern it, as well as for conducting thorough assessments and analyses of the BLMAs.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in areas such as labor migration assessments, international labor standards implementation, or evaluations of bilateral labor cooperation. This level of experience is necessary to ensure that the consultant can effectively navigate the complexities of the agreements and engage with a diverse range of stakeholders involved in labor migration.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Swahili is mandatory for this position, as these languages are essential for communication with stakeholders in Kenya. Knowledge of Arabic is considered an asset, as it may facilitate communication with stakeholders from Saudi Arabia and enhance the consultant's ability to engage with migrant workers from that region.

Additional Notes:
The consultant may be required to travel within Kenya for data collection or validation workshops, subject to security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security and health considerations. Domestic travel will be necessary to engage with county officials, returnees, and local civil society organizations. Interested candidates must submit an application or cover letter along with an updated resume or curriculum vitae, as well as copies of relevant certificates and testimonials.