Project Context and Scope
Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa are facing complex situations: conflicts and protracted security crisis, climate change and environmental degradation, food and nutrition crises, demographic pressure, increased competition over resources, as well as epidemic risks. All of these are a source of instability for the region and act as a risk multiplier exacerbating pre-existing vulnerabilities. Since 2015, the EU and African countries have reinforced their joint approach to migration governance, improving cooperation to address irregular migration, migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings while developing at the same time a more sustainable approach to harness the potential of migration as a fundamental driver for inclusive and sustainable development in countries of origin and transit in Africa.
Following the successful implementation of the EU-IOM Joint Initiative for Migrant Protection and Reintegration (JI), the Migrant Protection, Return and Reintegration (MPRR-SSA) Programme continues addressing some of the most pressing challenges relating to migration and mobility within the African continent: the dire situation of migrants who find themselves stranded in dangerous situations along the migratory routes. These migrants face significant protection risks along migration routes, including violence, exploitation, and abuse at the hands of smugglers, traffickers, and others.ย
To address these risks and ensure the needs and vulnerabilities of migrants are addressed in countries of transit and origin, IOM works in coordination with governmental, inยญter-governmental and non-governmental partners to provide assistance in transit, organize safe, rights-based and dignified assisted voluntary returns and support the sustainable reintegration of returning migrants, through a comprehensive and protection-centred approach. In line with its Policy on the Full Spectrum of Return, Readmission and Reintegration, IOM promotes a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, building on partnership and cooperation, to ensure national ownership and the availability of holistic services and support along the return continuum.ย
To ensure coherence and optimization of the referral pathways,ย the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) forย The Gambia was developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfareย (MoGCSW) and was launched on 17 August 2021. To enhance a greater understanding of the NRM and its full implementation by relevant stakeholders, a TOT was organised in December 2020 before the official launch and was conducted online because of COVID19. Furthermore, to promote and strengthening the implementation of the NRM at the Regional andย community level, a cascading training in the six administrative regions of the Gambia targeting mainly frontline government officials, NGOs, CBOs, Regional Authorities, and community and local authoritiesย were conducted from March to August 2022.ย
The significant challenge with NRM is the lack of effective coordination of the national and regional stakeholders by the lead Ministry (MoGCSW). These coordination gaps, together with the absence of a clear action plan and strategy, hindered the operationalisation of the NRM. Moreover, broadening the scope of the current NRM is essential. Therefore, expanding the scope of the current NRMs is vital to address the complex and evolving challenges faced by these vulnerable populations in Gambia and ensure that they receive equitable access to protection, assistance, and services that address their specific vulnerabilities.
Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing
The consultant will contribute to the work of the MPRR-SSA team at IOM, The Gambia, with the strengthening of a National Referral Mechanism. It furtherย contributes to strengthening migration governance systems, multi stakeholder cooperation as well as protection and upholding the rights of migrants.
The consultant will also closely coordinate with the Regional Partnership Officer and the regional NRM consultant to ensure quality, regional harmonization and alignment with institutional guidance and best practice.ย Tasks to be performed under this contract
Category B Consultants: Tangible and measurable outputs of the work assignmentย
Following the specific objectives guiding the assignment, the consultant will complete the related activities and deliver the products listed in the table below: ย Objective Deliverables Duration in weeks 1-ย Assessment of the state of play of the NRM/referral systemย
Brief inception report capturing key coordination points and confirming next stepsย Concise assessment report based on the regional established template, including but not limited to the following elements: Status of the referral system (including gaps, challenges and opportunities) Recommendations for strengthening of the NRM, including a preliminary draft road mapย 3 Weeks2- Consultative development of an NRM roadmap
Workshop materials (participant list, detailed agenda, presentations...) An updated version of the roadmap that fully incorporates stakeholdersโ feedback โ highlighting clear priorities, potential areas for improvement, and suggested implementation milestones โ accompanied by a concise workshop report summarizing the main points of discussion, key recommendations, and next steps. 4 weeks 3- Strengtheningย Cross-Cutting TWGย Update and finalize the Terms of Reference of theย Cross-Cutting TWGย that outline roles, responsibilities, and composition. A structured/update list of theย TWGย members, including government entities, civil society organizations, and other key partners. According to the context, organization and facilitation of the Committeeโsย ย meeting, during which members review and validate the ToR, confirm roles, and agree on an initial roadmap. 2 Weeks4 -Development of an MoU among stakeholders participating in the NRM
Draft MoU between partners involved in the implementation of the NRM, based on the established regional template, adjusted to the context, including at a minimum:ย background and purpose of the NRM,ย target group,ย roles and responsibilities of the NRM members, coordination mechanisms,ย financing arrangements, duration, data confidentiality and data sharing considerations. 3 Weeksย 5 - Update of operational tools Update and finalize the SOPs, clearly outlining the different steps of the identification and referral process, including data protection considerations.ย Update/draft and final versions of the operational tools based on the established regional templates, such as a referral flow chart, a service provider directory, forms for identification and referral, and any other tools necessary for effective coordination and implementation of the NRM Consultation session (workshop or series of meetings) to gather feedback on the SOPs and draft tools from key stakeholders 4Weeks 6 -Establishment of a MEAL systemย Draft and final versions of the Logframe including key performance indicators. Standardized data collection tools aligned with the NRMโs operational procedures, ensuring consistency among stakeholders. Incorporate beneficiaries' feedback mechanism Training materials and documentation to operationalize the MEAL system integrating existing databases and referral tracking mechanisms, where applicableย Draft and final versions of the dashboards and reporting tools align with the MEAL framework to enhance decision-making and coordination.ย Training sessions delivered to key NRM actors on data entry, management, protection and reporting to ensure efficient use of the system 2 Weeks7 - Sensitization and training of stakeholders on the NRMย
Information material on the NRM for different target audiences, including but not limited to migrants/ returnees, community members, frontline responders, (prospective) NRM partners and government stakeholders.ย Training material on the NRM and its accompanying tools Training sessions delivered at national, regional, and district levelsย 2 Weeks 8 โย Develop a Sustainability Planย Draft a final Sustainability Plan outlining how these referral mechanisms can be maintained, scaled, or replicated after the consultancy ends. 2 Weeks ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Performance indicators for the evaluation of results