International Consultant – TIP project

Consultant

Overview

Conduct evaluations and needs assessments for trafficking project.

You have:

• Master’s degree (or equivalent advanced university degree) in Social Science, Law, Policy Studies, or a related field.
• Minimum 7 years of demonstrated experience in the field of counter-trafficking, protection programming, and large-scale international assessments.
• Proven expertise in conducting shelter or institutional capacity assessments.
• Demonstrated knowledge of international protection standards and case management.
• Experience working in Southeast Asia or similar migration contexts is preferred.
• Expertise in developing operational guidelines or training curricula based on needs assessments.
• Excellent analytical and report writing skills in English.

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

Project Context and Scope

The project actively supports Malaysia's national anti-trafficking governance framework by collaborating closely with the Council for Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (MAPO). IOM has contributed to the development of the National Action Plan on Anti-Trafficking in Persons 4.0 (NAPTIP 2026 -2030) by generating evidence-based findings and advocating for the inclusion of priority interventions (particularly those addressing protection gaps in East Malaysia) into future federal and state planning cycles.

Whitin the scope of this consultancy, project foresees to conduct an evaluation of current services with VoTs to determine gaps and challenges; as well as to conduct a capacity needs assessment among personnel and volunteers from local shelters and CSOs to determine capacity gaps.

The International Consultant will ensure a comprehensive assessment structured using methodology that reflects the best international practices for shelter operations, staffing, and service provision, relying on the National Consultant for data collection and local context knowledge.

This consultancy covers the foundational needs assessment required to implement the project’s Objective 1: Local service providers improve their capacity to provide trauma-informed, rights-based, survivor-centered protection and care services for VoTs.

Moreover, based on the findings of this consultancy, the project will contextualize training modules on case management and provision of services to VoTs; build the capacity of shelter, law and health related service providers; and facilitate learning exchanges between shelters in Peninsular Malaysia and those in Eastern Malaysia.

Type of Consultancy: Category B / International Consultant – Comprehensive assessment of Victims of Trafficking protection services against international standards in Malaysia (Sabah and Sarawak).

Position grade: UG

Duty station: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (home based; travel to Sabah and Sarawak -East Malaysia- in at least one occasion).

Duration: Full time equivalent to 25 working days, to be completed within an eight to ten-week period.

Organizational Unit: Migrant Protection Unit (MPX); “SAFE SPACES: Supporting Anti-Trafficking Frameworks and Enhancing Victim Services, Protection, Awareness, Collaboration, and Empowerment” project.

Reports directly to: Programme Coordinator (Protection and IBG) and in close coordination with the National Consultant.

This position is part of a two-consultant team. The selected candidate will work in close coordination with a National Consultant counterpart.

Qualifications

Education, skill and experience required:

• Master’s degree (or equivalent advanced university degree) in Social Science, Law, Policy Studies, or a related field.
• Minimum 7 years of demonstrated experience in the field of counter-trafficking, protection programming, and large-scale international assessments.
• Proven expertise in conducting shelter or institutional capacity assessments.
• Demonstrated knowledge of international protection standards and case management.
• Experience working in Southeast Asia or similar migration contexts is preferred.
• Expertise in developing operational guidelines or training curricula based on needs assessments.
• Excellent analytical and report writing skills in English.

Languages

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.

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.

Notes

1. Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.
2. Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, verification of residency, visa, and authorizations by the concerned Government, where applicable.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM online recruitment system. The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.

For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies

Responsibilities

1. Tasks to be performed:

The consultancy will follow a staggered timeline where the International Consultant's intensive work periods are concentrated at the inception and finalization phases, while providing remote technical oversight during the National Consultant led fieldwork phase.

The International Consultant will focus on methodology design, technical oversight, and final reporting, ensuring the final output of the consultancy aligns with global best practices for shelter operation, service provision, and staffing:

• Methodology design: propose research questions and design the overall evaluation framework and data collection tools, ensuring the methodology aligns with international protection standards for shelter best practices. Among the data collection tools there might be, but not only: desk review; survey questionnaires; KIIs; FGDs (when relevant and ethically feasible); existing statistics; any other deem relevant.
• Synthesis and analysis: oversee data quality and synthesize the National Consultant’s findings to identify where current services (legal, medical, psychosocial support, case management) in Sabah/Sarawak fall short of international standards. Map capacities of potential referral partners, including in MHPSS related issues.
• Final reporting: author the high-level Final Comprehensive Assessment Report in English, which will include actionable recommendations to inform the development of subsequent training modules and shelter guidelines.

The International Consultant will rely on the National Consultant for data collection and local context analysis; and will review and approve the National Consultant’s data collection tools and interim report before submission to IOM.

2. Tangible and measurable outputs of the assignment:

Stages

Outputs

Deadline

Proposed payment

First deliverable

Inception plan and methodology outlining the comprehensive assignment framework, including comparative analysis structure against global shelter/protection best practices.

The framework will include proposed objectives, a work plan including a timeline, the relevant data collection tools, and ethical considerations.

The inception plan and methodology will be presented to and validated by IOM.

By the end of week 2

First instalment payment (20%)

Second deliverable

Technical review and quality assurance memo of the NC's interim report and data: provision of detailed technical review and feedback on the National Consultant's collected data and interim report confirming that the data collected by the NC is complete, ethically sound, and adheres to the IC's established assessment methodology and international standards related to shelter staffing and services.

Required by the end of week 7

Second instalment payment (40%)

Final deliverable

Final comprehensive assessment report including all necessary amendments incorporating IOM’s comments, and including a comparative analysis against at least 2 - 3 international shelter/protection standards (e.g., UNODC, IOM guidelines, ASEAN conventions).

The final report will be submitted to IOM in English (.doc and .pdf formats).

By the end of week 10

Final instalment payment (40%)

The above is an indicative timeframe of deliverable deadlines. Interested applicants are invited to include in their proposal a proposed timeline of activities and consulting days that ensures finalization by the stated dates. The ability to deliver comprehensive and quality work within a realistic timeframe and budget will meet favourable consideration.

3. Remuneration and terms of payment:

The International Consultant will receive a consultancy fee which will be paid to the bank account indicated in three instalments:

• The first instalment in the amount of 20% of the consultancy fee shall be paid within 2 weeks upon submission by email and approval by IOM Malaysia of the inception plan and methodology.
• The second instalment in the amount of 40% of the consultancy fee shall be paid within 2 weeks upon submission by email and approval by IOM of the interim review and technical quality assurance memo.
• The third and final instalment in the amount of 40% of the consultancy fee shall be paid within 2 weeks upon submission by email and approval by IOM of the final comprehensive assessment report.

4. Performance indicators:

The International Consultant is expected to deliver outputs in accordance with the agreed timeline and quality standards. Performance will be evaluated based on:

Indicators

Targets

Means of Verification

Timeliness of deliverables

By the indicated weeks

Submission dates in email records

Approved deliverables

Quality of outputs

All deliverables meet international assessment standards and incorporate IOM feedback

IOM review comments

Final approved report

Relevance

Recommendations must inform the further development and contextualization of the training modules

IOM technical team feedback

Regular progress updates

Updates and participation in scheduled follow-up meetings

Meeting minutes

Progress update emails

Language and format compliance

Final report delivered in English in .doc and .pdf formats

Copy of report in relevant language and formats

5. Follow up of the assignment:

During the development of the assignment, the International Consultant will be required to report on the development and status of the assignment, in accordance with the submitted Work Plan, as well as at the request of the IOM.

The International Consultant will hold regular follow up meetings (in person or online) with IOM and coordination meetings with the National Consultant to ensure coherent implementation.

The frequency of these meetings will be determined in a consensual manner between the International Consultant and IOM. An initial meeting will be held to clarify any doubts that he/she may have regarding the assignment.

IOM will ensure to provide timely comments to the International Consultant’s work and address his/her requests as may be required.

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Potential interview questions

Added 3 months ago - Updated 3 months ago - Source: iom.int