National Referral Mechanism (NRM) Consultant

Context:

The Philippines has maintained Tier 1 (US TiP Report) for the last nine years and pride themselves for having a robust system to counter trafficking, even though the online scam operations in Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hubs created an unprecedented challenge where the Philippines became a country of destination for trafficking at a large scale. This new trend in human trafficking has emerged, particularly in Southeast Asian countries and is known as trafficking in persons (TiP) for forced criminality in online scam hubs, underscoring the urgent need for intervention. While comprehensive legislation and guidelines on anti-trafficking exists, it does not adequately address the emerging trend that revealed a high number of foreign nationals who are victims of trafficking (VoTs) identified within the country as existing mechanisms and programmes focus on Filipino VoTs and does not include foreign nationals. Furthermore, there is an overwhelming demand for resources for victim protection as each case reach hundreds, putting strain on duty bearers. This, added with the involvement of criminal acts in the trafficking, increases the risk of victims being treated as violators of labour and immigration laws rather than human trafficking, depriving them of necessary protections.

The Government’s proactive operations demonstrate its dedication to tackling TiP for forced criminality, with a clear focus on prioritizing the safety and well-being of individuals who have been exploited in these settings. Recognizing the dynamic nature of human trafficking, there is a pressing need to strengthen coordination and collaboration between and within governments and frontline responders to ensure more effective prevention and protection measures against TiP. In December 2023, the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) introduced the Technical Working Group on Emerging Issues and Trends under the Manila International Dialogue. This initiative provides a vital platform for sharing knowledge and solutions among stakeholders, particularly in addressing the unique challenges posed by TiP for forced criminality. Notably, IOM serves as the co-chair of the TWG, actively advocating for both inter-agency and international cooperation and implementation of rights-based interventions in victim identification and protection.

The consultancy will be managed by the Protection Division (PxD) of the Migration Management Unit (MMU) in Manila.Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the National Project Officer of PxD, the technical consultant will draft the recommendations and propose revisions to enhance the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) for victims of trafficking in persons (VoTs) in the Philippines to be more inclusive and accessible, even for foreign nationals.

First Deliverable: Submission Inception Report (First instalment of payment: 20%)

• Conduct a desk review of key documents relevant to the provision of services and other types of assistance for both Filipino VoTs and VoTs of other nationalities in the Philippines
• Submit inception report, including the activity design for the workshops and a draft zero of the recommendations and/or initial outline of the proposed revisions to the NRM

Second Deliverable: Conduct of Workshops (Second instalment of payment: 40%)

• Conduct a two-day multi-stakeholder workshop to update and enhance the NRM
• Consolidate and reflect the inputs to update the existing NRM accordingly
• Conduct a one-day validation workshop to finalize the proposed revisions to the NRM
• Submit activity reports per completed workshop

Final Deliverable: Submission of Final Report (Final instalment of payment: 40%)

• Submit final report which should include:
• Key findings of the desk review and workshops
• Concrete and actionable recommendations and ways forward
• Draft of the updated and enhanced NRM for submission to IACAT
• Quality and timeliness of the expected deliverables (value of services rendered in relation to their cost)
• Application of a results-based approach to the consultancy – i.e., deliverables are aligned with project objectives and contribute concretely to the overall impact of the project
• Efficient coordination with the IOM’s project teams and all necessary stakeholders
• Strict adherence to ethical standards, including confidentiality and data protection

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Science, Political Science, Human Rights, International Relations, and other related fields
• Demonstrated expertise and experience (at least 3 years) in the field of protection, countertrafficking in persons, multi-agency coordination or related field
• Knowledge and experience in provision of services and assistance of government institutions to victims or other vulnerable individuals is an advantage
• Proven ability to produce high-quality work while meeting tight deadlines
• Very good technical writing and proofreading skills
• Fluency in English and Filipino is required

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.

• Expected travel within Metro Manila or nearby areas

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

• 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, verification of residency, visa, and authorizations by the concerned Government, where applicable. Vaccination against COVID-19 will be required for IOM personnel who are hired or otherwise engaged by IOM. As part of the mandatory medical entry on duty clearance, candidates may be requested to provide evidence of full vaccination. Consultants engaged to work on a home-based consultancy who do not need to travel do not need to provide vaccination records, regardless of the length of the consultancy contract.
• 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.
• 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.