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.

go to method of application »

Project Context and Scope

• Recognizing the complexities associated with the national migration dynamics, Nigeria adopted its first National Migration Policy (NMP) in 2015 to provide a coherent framework for managing all aspects of migration. The policy, through the national migration governance structure, recognized the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) as the lead coordinating agency and the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction (FMHAPR) as the supervisory ministry.
• The policy review conducted in 2025, involving wide-ranging stakeholder consultations, revealed critical gaps, particularly in the coordination and supervisory functions. These gaps point to institutional capacity challenges particularly of the coordinating and supervising agencies that were recognized and directly addressed in the revised 2025 NMP and its Integrated Implementation Plan (IIP), with specific emphasis under Objective Six, which prioritizes enhancing cooperation and coordination in migration governance.
• Also, a key priority of the revised policy, which falls under the coordination mandate of NCFRMI, is the promotion of dignified return, readmission, and sustainable reintegration. The Commission oversaw the development of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on Return, Readmission, and Reintegration (RRR) in 2019. The SOP includes a provision for periodic review to account for emerging trends and evolving migration dynamics. Now due for review, the SOP presents an opportunity to strengthen coordination, ensure institutional alignment, and enhance service delivery to returnees.
• These highlight the need for a comprehensive needs assessment of the coordinating and supervisory agencies, focusing on institutional capacities, operational roles, and inter-agency collaboration. Hence, this consultancy, under the EU-funded Programmes, Support for Migration Governance in Nigeria and the Migrants Protection, Return and Reintegration Programme for Sub-Saharan Africa (MPRR–SSA) and the Government of the Netherlands funded Programme Cooperation on Migration and Partnerships to Achieve Sustainable Solutions 2.0 (COMPASS), seeks to conduct a needs assessment and capacity building of the FMHAPR and NCFRMI in their oversight roles of supervising and coordinating national migration governance and review the 2019 SOP on Return, Readmission and Reintegration.
• This assessment and capacity are critical to reinforcing the central roles of NCFRMI and FMHAPR in Nigeria’s migration governance system and ensuring that both institutions are well-equipped to implement the revised policy and meet evolving national and international migration obligations. Likewise, a review of the SOP on RRR will ensure that Nigeria’s conduct promotes a dignified return, readmission, and sustainable reintegration, as prescribed in objective 21 of the GCM, with the aim of enhancing capacities of Ministries, Departments and agencies at federal and state levels.

Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing

Organizational Department / Unit: Migration Governance and Protection Divisions
Project type: Migration Governance and Migrants Protection and Assistance units
Project Name and Code: Support to Migration Governance in Nigeria – MS0060 and Migrant Protection, Return and Reintegration Programme for Sub-Saharan Africa (MPRR-SSA) – RR0342, and Cooperation on Migration and Cooperation on Migration and Partnerships to Achieve Sustainable Solutions 2.0 (COMPASS) PX.0499 Programmes.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES
Tasks to be performed under this contract

Consultant hired to provide technical support towards the implementation of the deliverables listed below on a five-instalment payment basis:

• Conduct an analysis of the factors impacting operational efficiency of the FMHAPR and NCFRMI and the available opportunities for improved efficiency in service delivery of supervising and coordinating migration
• Assess and analyse capacity (Personnel and Structural) gaps within FMHAPR and NCFRMI and recommend key areas of intervention for capacity-building initiatives
• Establish baseline measures and appropriate targets relevant to the needs identified for capacity building activities
• Conduct capacity building trainings for the staff of FMHAPR and NCFRMI on identified capacity gaps
• Support the Ministry and the Commission in facilitating the review of the Standard Operating Procedure on Return, Readmission and Reintegration
• Perform such other duties as may be assigned

First deliverable – Inception Report and Meeting

• Present inception report and work plan to FMHAPR, NCFRMI and IOM

Second deliverable – Conduct Needs assessment of FMHAPR and NCFRMI

• Preliminary Meeting with Ministry and Commission’s Officials
• Needs Assessment Tools
• Administer and analyze needs assessment survey
• Report of Needs Assessment

Third deliverable – Conduct Capacity building for FMHAPR and NCFRMI staff

• Develop training curriculum and plan
• Facilitate two sessions of 3-day capacity-building workshop for FMHAPR
• Facilitate two sessions of 3-day capacity-building workshop for NCFRMI
• Pre and Post evaluation of the workshops administered and analysed
• Detailed narrative reports covering the entire workshops prepared and submitted

Fourth deliverable – Facilitation of SOP on RRR review

• Facilitate an inception meeting with NCFRMI on the review of the SoP on RRR
• Develop SOP review template
• Facilitate 3x 3-day review workshop with the review committee for the SOP
• Present draft of the reviewed SOP and facilitate review and validation meeting by the WGRRR
• Detailed narrative reports covering the entire workshops and review process prepared and submitted.

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
• Ability to manage stakeholders from diverse backgrounds

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

• Ten 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 return and reintegration within the Nigerian context and related topics.
• Knowledge of migration governance in Nigeria and understanding of national, regional and global migration issues
• Experience in liaising with governmental authorities, other international/national institutions and bodies
• Previous working experience in Nigeria on policy development and return and reintegration of returned migrants is desirable

Skills

• Proven ability to meet deadlines
• 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.