BACKGROUND
Cameroon is experiencing a rapidly evolving migration landscape, with growing evidence that the country’s migration flows—both outward and return—are increasingly feminized. Data collected under previous programmes and consolidated in the national research draft on women’s migration reveal that 20% of all assisted returnees are women, a proportion significantly higher than in many neighbouring contexts. Moreover, the research highlights that female migratory pathways are shaped by complex economic pressures, family-level decision-making, social expectations, gender norms, and exposure to heightened protection risks along migration routes.
Despite their increasing presence in migration dynamics, the specific reintegration needs of women remain insufficiently documented and inadequately addressed. Women returnees often face additional vulnerabilities—such as social stigma, GBV risks, economic dependence, and lack of access to resources—that impede sustainable reintegration. Yet, until now, Cameroon has lacked gender-sensitive operational guidance, standard procedures, and evidence-based reintegration models that reflect the lived realities of female returnees.
The EU-funded RRR project aims to address systemic gaps in the reintegration ecosystem, including the need for gender-sensitive tools, research, and operational methodologies. This assignment directly responds to that gap by integrating the feminization of migration into reintegration policy-building and improving the capacity of the national system to deliver equitable, safe, and effective reintegration assistance for women and girls.
PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT
The Reintegration Assistant (Gender & Feminization of Migration) will support IOM and RRR project partners to:
Analyse gender dimensions in migration and reintegration in Cameroon; Document the feminization of migration pathways, return motivations, and reintegration experiences; Assess existing reintegration services against gender-sensitive standards; Develop gender-sensitive SOPs, tools, and guidance for return and reintegration programming; Produce a short research report feeding the RRR policy and practice component.This role is both analytical and operational. The assistant will ensure that gender considerations are systematically integrated into the RRR project’s tools, service packages, and reintegration centre workflows.
A. Research & Analysis (Feminization of Migration)
Conduct a gender-focused analysis of migration dynamics based on: The research on female migration already initiated RRR and MPRR datasets (with M&E support) Qualitative interviews with returnees, centre staff, NGOs, and ministries Document: Determinants of women’s emigration Their financing and decision-making processes Return factors and experiences Reintegration success/failure determinants Risks, vulnerabilities, and protection concerns Produce gender-disaggregated reintegration profiles for the five regions targeted.B. Assessment of Reintegration Services Through a Gender Lens
Conduct a rapid assessment of: Reintegration centres’ capacities Psychosocial/gbv referral pathways Economic reintegration opportunities for women Gaps in staff training, tools, or procedures Coordinate with MINAS, MINPROFF, local NGOs, GBV actors, and community leaders.C. Development of Gender-Sensitive SOPs & Tools
Draft Gender-Sensitive Return & Reintegration SOPs, including: Identification & referral of at-risk women and girls Gbv-sensitive interview protocols Gender-sensitive case management Economic empowerment pathways tailored for women Community acceptance & stigma reduction approaches Produce Gender Checklist for Reintegration Centres (operations + training + outreach). Align products with MPRR and IOM integrated reintegration frameworksD. Research Output & Policy Contribution
Produce a short Research Report (20–25 pages) synthesizing: Feminization of migration in Cameroon Gender-differentiated risks on migration routes Gender-specific reintegration barriers Actionable recommendations for RRR and national policy processes Integrate findings into: The National Migration Policy formulation process RRR planning and guidance documents.E. Capacity Strengthening & Awareness
Deliver 2–3 orientation sessions for: Reintegration centre staff Caseworkers and social workers Ministry partners (MINAS, MINPROFF) Support the development of awareness-raising messages on women’s experiences of migration and reintegration (coordination with Comms Officer).F. Reporting & Coordination
Submit monthly activity updates. Provide consolidated final report covering research findings, SOPs, and recommendations. Participate in Working Groups (Protection, Data & Research, Reintegration).job creation support,EDUCATION
High school diploma with six years of relevant experience; or, Bachelor’s degree in International Relations, Migration Studies, Economics, Social Sciences, Development Studies or related fields from an accredited institution with four years of relevant professional experience Master’s degree is an assetEXPERIENCE
Minimum 3–5 years working on gender, protection, migration, or reintegration. Experience drafting research reports, guidance notes, or SOPs. Familiarity with GBV risk mitigation and referral pathways. Experience engaging vulnerable groups, especially women returnees.SKILLS
Strong analytical and writing abilities. Ability to work with sensitive data and ethically engage vulnerable populations. Knowledge of gender-responsive programming and protection principles. Excellent coordination and facilitation skills.LANGUAGE
For this position, fluency in English, French is required (oral and written).