Individual Consultant for the Development of SOP on Post-Arrival Immediate Assistance and Referral Services for Returnee Migrants at International Airports

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.

The Migration Policy and Sustainable Development unit of IOM is seeking a Consultant to support the Government of Bangladesh, particularly the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment (MoEWOE), the Wage Earners’ Welfare Board (WEWB), Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh, relevant airport authorities, law enforcement agencies, Probashi Kallyan Desk (PKD), and civil society organizations, in developing the Post-Arrival SOP including Immediate Assistance and Referral Framework, and other necessary

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Project Context and Scope

Bangladesh is one of the world’s largest labour-sending countries, with overseas employment significantly contributing to national development. However, returnee migrant workers, particularly those returning in vulnerable situations, often face immediate humanitarian, protection, and reintegration challenges upon arrival. These may include unmet basic needs, health concerns, psychosocial distress, legal complications, debt burdens, and social stigma.

Migrants returning in vulnerable situations including women and girls, victims of exploitation, migrants experiencing abuse, and those facing health or protection concerns often require targeted identification, immediate assistance, and referral to appropriate services upon arrival.

Despite ongoing efforts by the Government of Bangladesh (GoB), including the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment (MoEWOE), the Wage Earners’ Welfare Board (WEWB), the Department of Immigration and Passports, airport authorities, law enforcement agencies, and other stakeholders, there remains a need for a standardized, coordinated, and rights-based post-arrival response mechanism at international airports.

The “PROTTASHA II-STRENGTHENED SERVICE DELIVERY SYSTEMS FOR IMPROVED MIGRATION MANAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABLE REINTEGRATION” project, supported by the European Union and implemented with technical assistance from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), seeks to enhance national systems for return and reintegration. As part of these efforts, strengthening mechanisms for identification, immediate assistance, and referral for migrants in vulnerable situations is essential to ensure timely protection and support upon arrival.

As part of this initiative, the development of a comprehensive Post-Arrival SOP for Returnees and Immediate Assistance and Referral is essential to ensure a systematic, timely, and dignified response for Bangladeshi migrants returning through international airports.

Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing

The Consultant will work under the direct supervision of the focal point from the Migration Policy and Sustainable Development Unit of IOM and in coordination with designated focal points from relevant government institutions.

Responsibilities

To operationalize a dignified and protection-sensitive return framework, the Consultant will develop a comprehensive and practical SOP to be adopted by the Government of Bangladesh. The SOP will translate policy commitments into operational guidance for frontline actors at international airports and relevant service providers at national and sub-national levels.

The assignment will be carried out with technical support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and in close coordination with the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment (MoEWOE) and the Wage Earners' Welfare Board (WEWB).

Scope of Work
The Consultant will undertake the following key tasks:

1. Desk Review and Assignment Internalization o Review relevant national policies, laws, and frameworks related to migration, return, protection, and reintegration. o Review existing airport (Dhaka, Sylhet, Chattogram) procedures, referral pathways, and coordination mechanisms including involvement of relevant actors involved in post-arrival reception and reintegration services. o Review existing systems and practices related to the identification and support of migrants in vulnerable situations. o Review the relevant IOM policy and guidelines applicable for Return and Re integration of Migrants
2. Stakeholder Mapping and Consultations o Map key stakeholders and their services related to post-arrival reception and reintegration. o Conduct key informant interviews (KII), Focus Group Discussion (FGD), In Depth Interview (IDI) with relevant government ministries and agencies, airport authorities, law enforcement agencies, service providers, CSOs, development partners, returnee migrant workers and their family members, and relevant units within IOM. o Facilitate national-level multistakeholder consultations, workshops, technical committee meetings to draft and finalize the SOP. o Facilitate at least three airport-level consultations/site assesment (Dhaka, Sylhet and Chattogram airports) to assess operational realities and coordination gaps. o Document proceedings and produce consultation reports with recommendations.
3. Development of the Draft SOP including Immediate Assistance and Referral Framework, and other necessary tools.

o Develop a SOP covering:
o Arrival and reception procedures
o Screening and vulnerability identification
o Immediate humanitarian assistance (basic needs, health, Psychological First Aid (PFA), temporary shelter, information services, among others)
o Data protection and confidentiality
o Roles and responsibilities of all actors
o Coordination, referral and communication protocols

4. Complaint and feedback mechanisms

o Develop necessary guidelines and tools aligned with the National Refferal Mechanism, including development of screening tools, referral forms, and referral, follow-up & case management guidelines.
o Ensure gender-sensitive, child-sensitive, and protection-focused approaches.

5. Final Report
o Prepare a Final Summary/Completion Report outlining key processes, outcomes, and implementation recommendations.

6. Deliverables:

Sl. No

Deliverables

Payment Schedule

Inception Report including methodology, work plan, stakeholders mapping, and consultation plan including FGD, KII and IDI

30%

Draft SOPincluding Immediate Assistance and Referral Framework, service mapping, referral, follow-up & case management guidelines and other necessary tools

40%

3.

Final SOP including Immediate Assistance and Referral Framework, service mapping, referral, follow-up & case management guidelines, other necessary tools and Final Summary/Completion Report

30%

Total

100%

7. Performance indicators for the evaluation of results
• Quality of Deliverables – Deliverables are well-structured, relevant, and aligned with IOM priorities.
• Timeliness – Deliverables are submitted and/or revised within agreed deadlines.
• Stakeholder Engagement – Effective collaboration with IOM staff and external stakeholders, incorporating feedback.
• Field Visit Insights – for sub-national consultations.
• Impact of Advocacy – Materials effectively engage policymakers and stakeholders.
• Compliance – Adherence to IOM guidelines, ethical standards, and quality benchmarks.
• Initiative & Problem-Solving – Proactive identification of gaps and improvements in policy materials.
• Communication – Clear progress reporting and coordination with supervising team members.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education, Experience and Skills

• Advanced degree in public policy, migration studies, development studies, or a relevant field.
• Minimum 7 years of relevant professional experience in policy development, migration governance, reintegration programming, or similar areas, preferably with experience in UN agencies.
• Experience in drafting SOPs, operational frameworks, or referral mechanisms.
• Experience facilitating multistakeholder consultations and validation processes.
• Excellent analytical, writing, and facilitation skills.
• Knowledge of the migration and return context in Bangladesh.

*** Only Bangladeshi Nationals will be eligible for this Consultancy ***

Languages

For this consultancy, Fluency in Bengali and English is required.

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.

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