National Consultant – TIP project

Consultant

Overview

Lead assessment for anti-trafficking project in Malaysia.

You have:

• Master’s degree (or equivalent advanced university degree) in Social Science, Law, Policy Studies, or a related field.
• Minimum 5-7 years of demonstrated experience in the field of counter-trafficking, protection, or human rights.
• Proven expertise in successfully conducting needs assessments and evaluations within the protection sector, especially those involving vulnerable populations and VoTs.
• Demonstrated knowledge of asymmetric federal-state relations and experience working across different legislative and administrative contexts within Malaysia.
• Fluency in Bahasa Melayu required; proficiency in local dialects (e.g., Kadazan-Dusun, Iban) or migrant languages (e.g., Filipino, Indonesian) is a strong advantage.

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.

Within the scope of this consultancy, the 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 National Consultant will be responsible for the day-to-day execution of the assessment in Sabah and Sarawak, coordinating closely with the International Consultant on methodology implementation.

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.

The Category B, National Consultant will conduct field research, data collection, and local context analysis of a comprehensive assessment of Victims of Trafficking protection services in Sabah and Sarawak.

The Duty station is Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (home based, requiring travel to Sabah and Sarawak -East Malaysia) for data collection and consultations.

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

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

The position will report directly to: Programme Coordinator (Protection and IBG) and work under the technical guidance of the International Consultant.

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

Submission of applications:

Interested candidates must submit the following:

1. A detailed and up to date curriculum vitae.
2. Technical proposal (max.5 pages) detailing the approach, methodology, workplan and financial proposal (please refer to Annex B) for performing the assignment. The proposal should be consistent with the timeline stated above.
3. 2 samples of previous assessment or similar work.

Applications shall be submitted by email copying nvidal@iom.int and nabdhamid@iom.int, indicating “Comprehensive Assessment of Victims of Trafficking Protection Services” as subject.

Deadline for applications 10 March 2026.

NOTE: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Qualifications

Education, experience and skills required:

• Master’s degree (or equivalent advanced university degree) in Social Science, Law, Policy Studies, or a related field.
• Minimum 5-7 years of demonstrated experience in the field of counter-trafficking, protection, or human rights.
• Proven expertise in successfully conducting needs assessments and evaluations within the protection sector, especially those involving vulnerable populations and VoTs.
• Demonstrated knowledge of asymmetric federal-state relations and experience working across different legislative and administrative contexts within Malaysia.
• Experience in the development of operational guidelines, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), or training curriculum based on need assessments.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French and Spanish. Fluency in Bahasa Melayu required; proficiency in local dialects (e.g., Kadazan-Dusun, Iban) or migrant languages (e.g., Filipino, Indonesian) is a strong advantage.

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

Tasks to be performed under this contract

The NC will be the lead for executing the fieldwork and producing the initial data analysis, working under the technical guidance and remote supervision of the International Consultant during this phase.

The National Consultant will be responsible for the practical execution of the research collecting and analyzing field data in close coordination with the International Consultant and must align all fieldwork with the approved methodology:

• Conducting an evaluation of current protection services provided by government and CSOs with direct engagement of survivors and VoTs to determine gaps and challenges in service delivery:

  • Conduct field research in Sabah and Sarawak.
  • Conduct KIIs and FGDs including direct engagement with survivors and VoTs (when relevant and ethically feasible), focusing on ethical, trauma-informed engagement.
  • Map existing services and collect and analyze raw data on service gaps.

• Conduct a capacity needs assessment among personnel and volunteers from local shelters and CSOs in Sabah and Sarawak to determine capacity gaps:

  • Administer assessment tools to local shelter staff, CSO volunteers, and frontline responders.
  • Analyze findings to identify capacity gaps and prioritize local training needs.
• Collect, clean, and deliver the complete raw dataset (e.g., KIIs transcripts, finalized survey spreadsheets) used to elaborate the final report.

All data collection must follow ethical and trauma-informed approaches, with prior approval from IOM and the International Consultant.

The National Consultant will be responsible for guiding the International Consultant with local context knowledge.

1. Tangible and measurable outputs of the assignment:

Stages

Outputs

Deadline

Proposed payment

First deliverable

Inception plan and methodology: contribution to the overall framework, specializing in logistical and ethical planning for fieldwork, including security protocols and translation support.

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

Interim report detailing findings from field work, and initial data analysis from Sabah and Sarawak, covering both the evaluation of current protection services and the capacity needs assessment of shelter/CSO personnel.

The report will be structured as follows, or in a similar way:

1. Executive summary

2. Introduction

3. Methodology

3.1. Sources of information

3.2. Limitations

4. Content

5. Conclusions

6. Recommendations

7. Annexes (data collection tools, other)

The interim report, in English, will be shared with the International Consultant for technical review before being shared with IOM for review and comments.

Interim report due for Int. Cons. review by end of week 6;

submission to IOM by end of week 7

Second instalment payment (40%)

Final deliverable

Submission of an Excel file containing all collected and analyzed data; and the final comprehensive assessment report translated into Bahasa Melayu (and .doc/.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 favorable consideration.

2. Remuneration and terms of payment:

The 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 report.
• 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 translation into Basha Melayu and the Excel data package.

Performance indicators:

The National 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

Report and data package meet IOM standards, include required sections, and incorporate IOM feedback

IOM review comments

Final approved report

Completeness of data

100% of agreed data collection tools developed and annexed; Excel data package delivered

Annexes in report

Delivered Excel file

Relevance and usability

Recommendations directly linked to the core of the assignment

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 Bahasa Melayu in .doc and .pdf formats

Copy of report in relevant language and formats

Follow up of the assignment:

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

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

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

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Potential interview questions

Added 3 months ago - Updated 2 months ago - Source: iom.int