Consultancy for Technical Support and Development of a Migration Strategy at International Organization for Migration – IOM
Established in 1951, IOM is the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of migration and works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners.
With 151 member states, a further 12 states holding observer status and offices in over 100 countries, 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 works to help ensure the orderly and humane management of migration, to promote international cooperation on migration issues, to assist in the search for practical solutions to migration problems and to provide humanitarian assistance to migrants in need, including refugees and internally displaced people.
The IOM Constitution recognizes the link between migration and economic, social and cultural development, as well as to the right of freedom of movement.
IOM works in the four broad areas of migration management:
Migration and development
Facilitating migration
Regulating migration
Forced migration.
IOM activities that cut across these areas include the promotion of international migration law, policy debate and guidance, protection of migrants’ rights, migration health and the gender dimension of migration.
IOM Nigeria commenced activities in 2001 and focused its interventions on counter trafficking activities, migration issues, return and reintegration of stranded migrants especially to Liberia, and Voluntary Returns from abroad.Project Context and Scope
The National Migration Policy (NMP), the foundational instrument for guiding national migration management, provides the migration governance structure that outlines the actors and coordination mechanisms ensuring inclusive, coherent, and strategic responses, in a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach. The four-level coordination structure includes the National Consultative Committee (NCC), the Technical Working Group (TWG), thematic working groups, and non-state actors. However, during the recent policy review process, guided by broad stakeholder consultations, the policy was found to have significant gaps in provisions for state-level coordination.
The revised NMP, recognizing the need to enhance grassroots inclusion, restructured the original four-tier coordination mechanism established in the 2015 policy. Specifically, it repositioned the fourth tier from non-state actors to state-level coordination, thereby providing for decentralizing migration governance and empowering grassroots actors to lead implementation efforts in their jurisdictions. This adjustment reflects the growing recognition that effective migration management must be anchored at the local level, where many migration challenges and opportunities manifest.
Migration governance in Nigeria also relies on various migration discourse processes, including the National Migration Dialogue (NMD) on the local level. This annual multi-stakeholder platform facilitates collaborative policy discourse, promotes experience sharing, and enhances stakeholder engagement across sectors. The NMD has enabled government, civil society, development partners, and the private sector to engage in open and evidence-based discussions on migration trends, policy priorities, and coordination gaps.
Regionally and globally, Nigeria continues to assert leadership through its active engagement in the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) as a Champion Country. The previous National Voluntary Reviews (NVRs) and participation at the International Migration Review Forum (IMRF) 2022, increased Nigeria’s influence at global migration discourse and the alignment of national strategies with international standards. As preparations for the upcoming IMRF 2026 advance, there is a compelling need to support Nigeria’s engagement, ensuring that lessons from national implementation, especially at the state level, inform its global contributions.
To actualize these essential governance activities, IOM, under the EU-Support for Migration Governance in Nigeria and The Cooperation on Migration And Partnerships to Achieve Sustainable Solutions (COMPASS) 2.0 programmes, through this consultancy, seeks to assist the Nigerian Government to pilot the establishment of state-level coordination mechanisms in three states; assist the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) and the Technical Working Group (TWG) to achieve a successful hosting of the 2025 NMD and support Nigeria towards the 2026 IMRF.
The overarching objective of this consultancy is to strengthen Nigeria’s migration governance architecture by piloting decentralized coordination structures in three states, reinforcing inclusive national dialogue through the NMD, and supporting the country’s active participation in the IMRF, 2026. Through this approach, Nigeria will be better positioned to implement the revised NMP effectively, foster state-level ownership, and align national efforts with global commitments under the GCM.
Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing
Organizational Department / Unit: Governance and Protection Divisions
Project type: PX – Migration Governance and Protection and Assistance to Migrants in vulnerable situations
Project Name and Code: Support to Migration Governance in Nigeria – MS0060 and Partnerships to Achieve Sustainable Solutions 2.0 (COMPASS)- PX.0499
RESPONSIBILITIES
Tasks to be performed under this contract
First deliverable – Provide technical support to the Government towards the GCM IMRF, 2026
Develop the workplan, agenda and the template that will be used for the collation of input from stakeholders on the status of GCM implementation in the country
Facilitating the stakeholder engagement and consultation to review the status of implementation of the GCM
Draft a national report on the status of GCM implementation following the review
Draft Nigeria’s NVR report for the IMRF portal
Provide technical support to NCFMI and FMHAPR towards the preparation for the 2026 IMRF (drafting of position papers, policy briefs and reports)
Second deliverable – Provide technical support to the FMHAPR, NCFRMI and TWG on the 2026 NMD
Develop the concept notes and agenda for the NMD
Facilitating pre-NMD engagements with the thematic leads and select TWG to review the concept note and agenda
Oversee the overall facilitation of the NMD
Draft NMD 2026 report
Facilitate post-NMD meeting for the thematic leads and select TWG to review, validate the report and develop a roadmap for the implementation of the outcome of the NMD
Third deliverable – Provide technical support to the Government towards the establishment of the state-level coordination and support the development of a Migration Strategy at the sub-national/state level in a state of high migration/return .
Develop the concept note and inception report on the activity
Conduct an inception meeting with FMHAPR and NCFRMI to discuss the inception report and concept note, and for the development of the activity methodology
Facilitating the state stakeholder engagement and consultation in three states
Facilitate the inauguration of the migration coordination framework in the three states
Draft report of the establishment of the state-level migration governance
Support the development of one Migration Strategy at the state level in a state of high migration/return (One of the three states above).
Fourth deliverable – In coordination with the migrants’ protection assistance unit in IOM, facilitate capacity building of state-level actors through interstate exchange visits and knowledge sharing among three states.
Develop the concept note and inception report on the activity
Conduct inception meeting with FMHAPR and NCFRMI to discuss the inception report and concept note, and for the development of the activity methodology
Facilitating the interstate exchange visit of stakeholder engagement and consultation in three states
Draft report of the establishment of the state-level migration governance through interstate exchange and knowledge sharing among states to identify best practices in migration management.
Performance indicators for the evaluation of results
Strict adherence to timelines and schedule of activities
High-quality written documents
Timely analysis, production and sharing of the report
QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Advanced University degree from an accredited academic institution, preferably in Social Sciences, Policy Development, Public Administration and Sociology; a specialization in migration would be an advantage
Experience
10 years of experience (Fifteen years for candidates holding a first-level university degree) in the field of Migration Management and/or Policy Development.
Demonstrated expertise in GCM processes, GFMD and other related topics
Experience in liaising with governmental authorities, other international/national institutions and bodies
Previous working experience in Nigeria is desirable.
Skills
Proven ability to meet deadlines
Knowledge of migration governance in Nigeria and understanding of national, regional and global migration issues
Proven ability to write concise reports in English and facilitation skills are highly desirable
Motivated, committed, responsible, and able to work independently with limited direct supervision
Languages
English
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
Home-based with Travels
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 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.
