Position Title : Development of the Checklist of the ASEAN Guidelines on Effective Return and Reintegration for Migrant Workers Duty Station : Homebased Type of Appointment : Consultancy Contract, 14 days Estimated Start Date : As soon as possible Closing Date : 20 May 2025
Established in 1951, IOM is the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of migration and works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.
The IOM Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (ROAP) in Bangkok, Thailand is covering 40 countries across the Asia and Pacific region. The key responsibility of the ROAP is to formulate regional strategies and plans of action and to provide programmatic and administrative support to the countries within the region.
Context:
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) represents a regional labour market with millions of migrant workers moving within the region and beyond, primarily through temporary labour migration pathways for low- and middle-skilled work on short duration contracts. Thus, return migration to countries of origin in any given year can be substantial and returning migrants are often in need of reintegration measures and supported access to social protection. Recognizing this, the ASEAN Member States (AMS) in 2020 adopted the “ASEAN Guidelines on Effective Return and Reintegration” and acknowledged the need for enhanced guidance and concrete tools to operationalize these Guidelines effectively.
In this context, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Philippines in collaboration with the IOM, the ASEAN Secretariat, and the International Labour Organization (ILO), is leading a regional process to develop a Checklist to operationalize the ASEAN Guidelines. This is an activity of the ASEAN Committee on Migrant Workers (ACMW) under the Action Plan 2018-2025 to implement the ASEAN Consensus on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers (2017). The proposed Checklist will serve the purpose of being an implementation and monitoring tool among AMS, helping AMS to benchmark progress in the voluntary operationalization of the ASEAN Guidelines on Effective Return and Reintegration of Migrant Workers and allowing for clearer understanding of where appropriate policies and operations are already in place and where further effort is required. The checklist will also support broader ownership of the ASEAN reintegration guidelines amongst stakeholders involved in reintegration work and is expected to stimulate continuous improvement of reintegration programmes or initiatives across countries.
The IOM is seeking to contract a consultant to support Development of the Checklist for the ASEAN Guidelines on Effective Return and Reintegration for Migrant Workers. Established in 1951, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as a specialized UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental, and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments, the private sector, and migrants. IOM believes all migrants, regardless of their migration status, are rights holders. States, as duty bearers, have an overarching obligation to protect, respect, and fulfill the rights and fundamental freedoms of all migrants, without any discrimination, while promoting the security, well-being, and prosperity of all communities within their territories. IOM supports the efforts of States, at their request, to fulfill their responsibilities as duty bearers.
Under the supervision of the Project Management Committee comprising representatives from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), ASEAN Secretariat, International Labor Organization (ILO), and IOM, the consultant will be expected to develop a practical, actionable Checklist informed by ASEAN best practices, international standards, and relevant global examples such as the UN Network on Migration Checklist on Return and Reintegration. The checklist should also be contextually anchored and reference post-pandemic adjustments, emergence of Artificial Intelligence, green jobs, and climate change. The checklist should also refer to findings and recommendations outlined in the First Edition of the ASEAN Migration Outlook. The consultant will closely engage with AMS through ad-referendum consultations and regional dialogue, ensuring that the Checklist is context-specific, practical, gender-responsive, and reflective of regional priorities and international standards.
The assignment consists of development of two outputs the ASEAN Checklist and a compilation of good practices.
The checklist (6-10 pages): Identifies specific actions that accompany the identified policy areas as written in the ASEAN Guidelines on Return and Reintegration, suggesting possible responsible entities for those actions. This checklist is a practical tool for AMS governments to undertake the following actions on a voluntary basis: Self-assess the status of their policies and practices against the guidance provided in the ASEAN Guidelines on Effective Return and Reintegration for Migrant Workers. Identify needs for strengthening policies and practices on reintegration for returning migrant workers keeping in mind gender responsive needs of migrant workers; Monitor progress, by establishing a baseline and update the checklist on a periodic basis. The Good practice compilation (6-10 pages): Informs discussions on the ASEAN Checklist. The parts should include but not be limited to the following: Introduction: Background, trend analysis, definitions, intended purpose, guiding principles Good Practice examples: Identifying steps AMS have taken to support reintegration as well as areas which are ready for supporting reintegration of returning migrants, but require some further policy support to do so Recommendation: a succinct one-page way forward, with key recommendations to AMS on next steps.The consultancy will contribute to the ongoing projects implemented by the Protection Unit of the IOM Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific.
Core Functions / Responsibilities:
Key Responsibilities:
Conduct consultations with AMS representatives and relevant stakeholders to gather information on current practices, challenges, and successful strategies in return and reintegration. Meetings with the representatives will be facilitated by the project management committees.Prepare a zero draft Checklist and Good Practise compilation, submitted to IOM by 10 June 2025, incorporating insights from initial consultations and ensuring alignment with ASEAN guidelines, international best practices, and contemporary issues.Submit a revised Checklist and good practise compilation by 20th June to be presented by the project management committee to a broader set of ACWC stakeholders by end of June.Sr.DeliverablesInstallment1Develop and submit Zero draft Checklist under guidance and supervision of the project management committee.
50% of total contract
(May to early-June 2025)
2Develop and submit Compilation of good practises in implementation of reintegration programmes of returning migrant workers in line with the ASEAN Guidelines on Effective return and reintegration for Migrant Workers under guidance and supervision of the project management committee 3Revised Draft Checklist Following feedback from the Project Management Committee50% of total contract
(Mid- June 2025)
4Develop the agenda of the regional dialogue together with the project management committee.Performance indicators for the evaluation of results
Satisfactory completion of all tasks listed above;Timely submission of all key deliverables listed above;Adherence to IOM Brand Guidelines and other visibility requirements;Quality of final products. Required Qualifications and Experience Education Master’s degree or higher from an accredited academic institutionAccredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education DatabaseExperience
At least 10 years of experience in migration management in South-East Asia, with a specific focus on Return and Reintegration;In depth knowledge and experience in Southeast Asian migration issues and familiarity with ASEAN frameworks. This includes knowledge of the international standards, regulations and policies in the field of Return and Reintegration, and knowledge about the authorities and organizations active the field;Significant practical experience and knowledge of working with diverse national stakeholder groups, including with governmental partners on the development of networks, working groups, common standards and procedures, advocacy and technical capacity development on Return and Reintegration;Demonstrable track record of drafting practical guidelines, monitoring tools, checklists, or similar resources related to migration management and reintegration;Proven experience conducting stakeholder consultations, workshops, and dialogues with government representatives, tripartite partners, international organizations, civil society, and other relevant stakeholders;Experience working with ASEAN or with majority of the governments of its Member States on labour migration issues. Engagement related to return and reintegration of migrant workers is an advantage.Skills Excellent analytical and research skillsStrong interpersonal skills, with proven capability to effectively engage governments in a multicultural environment of inter-governmental cooperationProficiency in facilitating dialogues, workshops, and presentations.Ability to exercise discretion, impartiality, diplomacy and neutralityExcellent presentation and representational skillsCapacity to work independently with minimal supervision;Personal commitment, efficiency, and flexibility;Gender-sensitive, culture-sensitive, and able to work with colleagues and stakeholders from diverse cultural backgrounds.Demonstrated ability to work under pressure and meet deadlinesExcellent language and communication skills (English) Languages Fluency in English language (oral and written) is required. Travel required Should the Consultant be required to travel by the Organization, the Consultant will be provided with transportation or reimbursed for the cost of their travel following advance agreement and in accordance with IOM’s travel policies, including IN/6. The Consultant will receive a Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) according to IOM’s established rates, during their stay in the place of duty while on TDY. 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.How to apply:
Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications via IOM e-Recruitment system within the above said deadline at 11:59 p.m. (BKK Time) referring to this advertisement. Please attach the following documents in your application:
A cover letter, indicating the dates of availability and a proposed rate for this assignment A curriculum vitaeA one-page expression of interest outlining how the candidate would approach and carry out the workPrevious work sample (if any) A duly completed IOM Personal History Form which can be downloaded from https://thailand.iom.int/sites/g/files/tmzbdl1371/files/personal-history-form_ro-bangkok.xlsm 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 and verification of residency, visa and authorizations by the concerned Government, where applicable. Only shortlisted candidates will be called for assessment.For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies