Consultant - Missing Migrants Assessment: Mauritania

Organizational Context

The International Organization for Migration (IOM), established in 1951, is a UN-related agency dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration. It works with governments and partners to save lives, protect migrants, address displacement, and facilitate legal migration pathways. This role contributes to a project funded by the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, aimed at strengthening national capacities for addressing missing migrants.

Job Purpose

The Consultant - Missing Migrants Assessment: Mauritania will develop a comprehensive assessment of Mauritania's institutional architecture and operational procedures for clarifying the fate and whereabouts of missing migrants. This assessment, part of a broader project to build capacity for Missing Migrant National Focal Points in Rabat Process Partner Countries, will identify challenges and gaps. The goal is to promote a whole-of-government and whole-of-society response to missing migrants, providing crucial insights for capacity-building initiatives. This initiative marks IOM's first comprehensive institutional assessment from the perspective of a country where migrant deaths and disappearances occur.

Responsibilities

The consultant will develop a Missing Migrant Assessment for Mauritania, involving desktop research, key informant interviews in Mauritania, and observation of disembarkation sites. A specific chapter on information management systems will be prepared by an IOM expert. The consultant will present the assessment's findings and recommendations to the National Task Force on Missing Migrants, incorporating feedback. Deliverables include an inception report, a report on key informant interviews, a draft assessment, a presentation of the draft, and the final assessment. The assessment will cover country context, regulatory frameworks, administrative and governance structures, operations related to search and identification, and a summary of recommendations.

Work Experience

Extensive experience working on missing persons, particularly missing migrants, is essential. Demonstrated experience liaising with government officials on missing migrant issues, especially in Africa, is required. Experience with humanitarian organizations addressing missing migrants is a strong advantage. Proven experience in developing institutional assessments is also necessary.

Skills

Capacity to engage senior government interlocutors with sensitivity and discretion. Excellent French writing skills are required.

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