Immigration and Border Governance (IBG) International Consultant – HRDDP Risk Assessment for Strengthening Humanitarian Border Management, Al Qamishli, Syria

Introduction

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations and the leading UN agency in the field of migration. Working closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners, IOM promotes humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It saves lives and protects people on the move, drives solutions to displacement, and facilitates pathways for regular migration, while providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

IOM is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive and supportive workplace where all employees can thrive professionally and feel valued. By creating such an environment, IOM aims to better harness the full potential of migration and strengthen its support to people on the move.

IOM invites candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply and provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process when required. Learn more about IOM’s workplace culture at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration

Project Context and Scope

Years of conflict, infrastructure damage and underinvestment have weakened Syria’s border management institutions and their capacity to manage cross-border movements in a safe, humane and accountable manner. Inadequate facilities, limited equipment and gaps in operational capacity can undermine the protection of people crossing borders, including access to essential health services and the timely identification and referral of individuals with specific protection needs. These challenges underscore the importance of strengthening institutional safeguards, ensuring non-discriminatory treatment and addressing the needs of all people crossing borders, including migrants and people in vulnerable situations.

Restoring functional, accessible and accountable points of entry is therefore essential to ensuring that border management practices uphold human rights and safeguard the safety and dignity of all people crossing borders. Support should combine improvements to infrastructure and operational capacity with clear procedures, effective oversight and accountability mechanisms. The provision of accessible, quality health services, timely referral to appropriate care and strengthened public health preparedness at points of entry are integral to this approach.

In this context, IOM Syria will work with relevant Syrian authorities to strengthen rights-based border governance, humanitarian border management, and health, border and mobility management. Planned support includes strengthening the evidence base on local needs and operational conditions, developing operational tools and coordination mechanisms, rehabilitating border crossing points and associated health infrastructure, and training border management officials. These interventions aim to improve institutional capacity and service delivery while promoting border management practices that uphold human rights and address the needs of people in vulnerable situations.

Where this assistance constitutes support to non-United Nations security forces, it must comply with the Human Rights Due Diligence Policy on United Nations support to non-United Nations security forces (HRDDP), issued by the Secretary-General on 13 July 2011.

The policy requires UN entities to assess the risk of intended recipients committing grave violations of international humanitarian law, international human rights law or international refugee law before providing support, and to establish appropriate mitigation, monitoring and response arrangements. The assessment informs whether support may be provided and under what conditions, including circumstances in which support must be withheld, suspended or withdrawn in accordance with the policy.

To inform this engagement, IOM Syria seeks a consultant to undertake a comprehensive HRDDP risk assessment tailored to the intended recipient institutions and units, the nature of the proposed assistance and the operational context. Drawing on credible information, relevant existing assessments and stakeholder consultations, the assessment will examine command and oversight arrangements, accountability mechanisms, and willingness and capacity to prevent and address violations.

The assessment will identify and analyse potential risks associated with the implementation of IOM’s planned assistance and evaluate the feasibility and expected effectiveness of the proposed mitigation measures.

The consultancy will provide practical recommendations to inform IOM’s decisions on engagement, supported by a risk assessment matrix, clearly defined mitigation measures, and arrangements for monitoring, reporting and periodic review.

Recommendations should identify implementation responsibilities, indicators and triggers for reassessment or escalation, taking into account applicable IOM guidance and relevant UN coordination arrangements.

Decisions on the provision or continuation of support will remain with IOM, in accordance with applicable procedures.

Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing

Immigration and Border Governance, IOM Syria.

Responsibilities

Tasks to be performed under this contract

The objective of the consultancy is to support IOM Syria’s implementation of the Human Rights Due Diligence Policy (HRDDP) through the development of a comprehensive risk assessment and an accompanying mitigation and monitoring framework. The assessment will guide IOM’s assistance to relevant Syrian law enforcement authorities, including the General Authority for Borders and Customs (GABC), taking into account the nature of the assistance and the functions of the intended recipients.

It will inform interventions that strengthen accountable border governance and access to essential health services while safeguarding the rights, safety and dignity of all people crossing borders, including migrants and people in vulnerable situations.The consultancy will cover relevant infrastructure rehabilitation, equipment provision, capacity development, operational tools, coordination mechanisms and associated health interventions within IOM’s agreed programme scope. It will build on existing stakeholder analyses, capacity and needs assessments, human rights monitoring and available UN HRDDP assessments, including assessments developed using the General and Preliminary Risk Assessment Framework (GPRAF). The analysis will reflect the current institutional and operational context, incorporate a gender perspective and identify information gaps that may affect the assessment’s conclusions

Under the overall guidance of the Chief of Mission and the direct supervision of the Immigration and Border Governance (IBG) Programme Coordinator, in coordination with relevant IOM technical units and HRDDP focal points, the consultant will:

• Define the scope and methodology of the assessment. Map the assistance under consideration, intended recipient institutions and units, and relevant command, management and oversight arrangements. Determine the applicability of the HRDDP to the proposed activities, including any indirect support to security actors, and develop an assessment methodology and workplan suited to the programme and operational context.
• Conduct a comprehensive desk review. Review relevant sources, including OHCHR reporting; Universal Periodic Review documentation; UN treaty body findings and decisions; special procedures reports; and relevant reports of the Secretary-General.
• Consider credible reporting from national and international civil society organisations, NGOs and other independent sources. Assess the reliability, relevance and timeliness of sources and corroborate information wherever possible.
• Develop a comprehensive HRDDP risk assessment. Assess potential human rights risks associated with IOM’s planned assistance, taking into account the institutional and operational context, existing safeguards, oversight arrangements and implementation capacities. Consider potential implications for affected populations, with attention to gender, age, disability and the needs of people in vulnerable situations. Draw on credible sources, assess the reliability and relevance of available information, reflect relevant institutional developments, and clearly identify information gaps and analytical limitations.
• Develop practical mitigation measures. Prepare a mitigation action plan addressing the identified risks, with clearly assigned responsibilities, implementation timelines and indicative resource requirements. Evaluate the feasibility and expected effectiveness of each measure, assess residual risks and identify any necessary conditions or changes to the proposed assistance. Recommendations must remain consistent with applicable HRDDP requirements and support informed decisions by IOM management.
• Develop a monitoring, reporting and review framework. Establish indicators, sources of verification, monitoring responsibilities and reporting arrangements to assess the implementation and effectiveness of mitigation measures and monitor relevant recipient conduct. Recommend proportionate arrangements for field verification and periodic reassessment, including triggers for escalation and management review of whether support should continue, be modified, suspended or withdrawn in accordance with the HRDDP.
• Undertake consultations and ensure coordination. Coordinate with relevant IOM programme, protection and migration health teams; HRDDP focal points; relevant UN agencies; and appropriate UN Country Team entities and coordination mechanisms. Consult relevant national authorities, civil society organisations and other stakeholders, as appropriate. Where safe and feasible, incorporate the perspectives of affected populations. All consultations and information management must respect confidentiality, data protection and the principle of do no harm.
• Prepare the final assessment and supporting tools. Produce a comprehensive risk assessment report, risk matrix, mitigation action plan and monitoring framework. Develop or adapt practical templates for periodic review, incident reporting, internal escalation and communication with counterparts, consistent with applicable IOM procedures and relevant UN guidance. Present the findings to IOM, address consolidated feedback and finalise the deliverables. Decisions concerning the provision or continuation of assistance will remain with IOM.

Performance indicators for the evaluation of results

Expected Outputs and Deliverables

All deliverables shall be submitted in English. The consultancy will comprise 50 working days, including 10 working days in Syria. The in-country mission shall be subject to visa issuance, applicable travel and security clearances, and operational feasibility. The durations below indicate the working days allocated to each deliverable.

1. Desk Review and Preliminary Risk Assessment – 15 working days
   A desk review and preliminary assessment of the relevant Syrian institutions and proposed IOM assistance, drawing on the General and Preliminary Risk Assessment Framework (GPRAF) elements in the HRDDP Guidance Note (2015). The review shall identify available evidence, key stakeholders and information gaps to be addressed during the in-country mission.
2. In-Country Mission Report – 10 working days
   A brief report summarising the findings from 10 working days of consultations and agreed field visits in Syria, including identified risks and outstanding information gaps.
3. Comprehensive HRDDP Risk Assessment Report – 15 working days
   A report assessing IOM’s support to Syrian border authorities and related health interventions in accordance with the HRDDP. The assessment shall cover human rights and accountability records, prevention mechanisms, legal and policy frameworks, the risks of not providing support and risks inherent in the proposed assistance. It shall also consider gender-related risks, including sexual harassment and sexual exploitation and abuse.
4. Mitigation Measures and Monitoring Plan – 5 working days
   A practical plan linking each identified risk to mitigation measures, implementation responsibilities and timelines. It shall include regular monitoring and reporting arrangements, recommendations for field verification and any necessary improvements to relevant operational procedures.
5. Final Report and Practical HRDDP Tools – 5 working days

A final assessment incorporating IOM’s feedback, accompanied by the mitigation and monitoring plan, a risk matrix and simple templates for monitoring, reporting and communication with counterparts. The consultant shall present the principal findings and recommendations to IOM.

Applicable DSA shall be provided for the approved mission period, in addition to consultancy fees, in accordance with IOM’s applicable rates and procedures.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education, Experience and/or skills required

• A minimum of 15 years of relevant professional experience in human rights, due diligence, protection, rule of law or security sector governance, including demonstrated experience conducting HRDDP risk assessments.
• Strong technical expertise in applying the HRDDP and developing risk assessment methodologies, risk matrices, mitigation measures, monitoring frameworks and operational guidance.
• Comprehensive understanding of human rights risks associated with security institutions, border governance and migration management, including risks affecting migrants and people in vulnerable situations.
• Strong knowledge of applicable international legal frameworks, particularly international human rights law, and relevant UN and IOM mandates, policies and guidance.
• Demonstrated ability to integrate gender considerations into risk assessments, including risks of gender-based violence, sexual harassment and sexual exploitation and abuse, while considering age, disability and other factors affecting vulnerability.
• Strong analytical and research skills, including the ability to assess and corroborate information from UN and non-UN sources, distinguish findings from allegations, and identify evidence gaps and limitations.
• Demonstrated ability to draft clear, concise and well-supported reports, develop practical implementation tools and present findings and recommendations to technical and senior management audiences.
• Proven ability to conduct consultations and maintain effective working relationships with national authorities, UN entities, civil society organisations and other relevant stakeholders.
• Strong organisational and planning skills, attention to detail, and the ability to exercise sound judgement and deliver quality outputs within agreed timelines and with limited supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to handle confidential and politically sensitive information responsibly, applying data protection, confidentiality and do-no-harm principles.
• Experience in conflict-affected or transitional contexts is required; experience in Syria or the wider region and knowledge of Arabic would be an advantage.

Languages

For this consultancy, proficiency in English is required- proficiency in Arabic is desirable

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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