National Consultant - Assignment to Generate Evidence-Based Insights for the Ethiopia-Kenya Bilateral Labour Agreement (BLA) through a Comparative Labour Market Assessment
Organizational Context
The International Organization for Migration (IOM), established in 1951, is a UN agency promoting humane and orderly migration. This role contributes to the "Regular Pathways for Employment" project, aiming to enhance safe labour migration between Kenya, Ethiopia, and GCC countries. The project supports the Governments of Ethiopia and Kenya in establishing a governance framework to address irregular migration and safeguard migrant workers' rights.
Job Purpose
This consultancy aims to conduct a comprehensive Labour Market Assessment (LMA) to generate evidence-based insights for the Ethiopia-Kenya Bilateral Labour Agreement (BLA). The assessment will identify and analyze labour market dynamics, trends, and constraints in key Ethiopian economic sectors, projecting labour demand and skills needs. It will also analyze Ethiopian labour supply characteristics, including employability and barriers to participation. The findings and actionable recommendations will inform policy dialogue, skills development strategies, and the finalization of the Ethiopia-Kenya MoU/BLMA, ensuring effective stakeholder engagement and promoting safe, fair, and gender-responsive migration pathways.
Responsibilities
The consultant will report to the Ministry of Labour and Skills (MoLS) and IOM Ethiopia, with deliverables subject to approval. Key responsibilities include submitting an Inception Report detailing methodology, workplan, and data collection tools within two weeks of contract start. Subsequently, a Draft Labour Market Assessment Report, including findings, analysis, and preliminary recommendations, is due within four weeks. A Validation Workshop will be conducted to present key findings to stakeholders. The final deliverable is the Final Labour Market Assessment Report, incorporating stakeholder feedback and including a roadmap with priority sectors, implementation mechanisms, and responsible actors for advancing the BLA.
Work Experience
Requires at least 10 years of demonstrated experience in national-level labour market or employment-related assessments. Experience supporting the development, negotiation, or review of Bilateral Labour Agreements (BLAs), MoUs, or Labour Migration (LM) policies is essential. Strong understanding of East African labour markets, particularly Ethiopia and Kenya, is highly desirable.
Skills
Excellent analytical and report-writing skills in English. Experience in cross-border or fragile contexts is an asset. Proficiency in Amharic and English is mandatory.