Project Context and Scope
The project actively supports Malaysia's national anti-trafficking governance framework by collaborating closely with the Council for Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (MAPO). IOM has contributed to the development of the National Action Plan on Anti-Trafficking in Persons 4.0 (NAPTIP 2026 -2030) by generating evidence-based findings and advocating for the inclusion of priority interventions (particularly those addressing protection gaps in East Malaysia) into future federal and state planning cycles.
Whitin the scope of this consultancy, project foresees to conduct an evaluation of current services with VoTs to determine gaps and challenges; as well as to conduct a capacity needs assessment among personnel and volunteers from local shelters and CSOs to determine capacity gaps.
The International Consultant will ensure a comprehensive assessment structured using methodology that reflects the best international practices for shelter operations, staffing, and service provision, relying on the National Consultant for data collection and local context knowledge.
This consultancy covers the foundational needs assessment required to implement the project’s Objective 1: Local service providers improve their capacity to provide trauma-informed, rights-based, survivor-centered protection and care services for VoTs.
Moreover, based on the findings of this consultancy, the project will contextualize training modules on case management and provision of services to VoTs; build the capacity of shelter, law and health related service providers; and facilitate learning exchanges between shelters in Peninsular Malaysia and those in Eastern Malaysia.
Tasks to be performed:
The consultancy will follow a staggered timeline where the International Consultant's intensive work periods are concentrated at the inception and finalization phases, while providing remote technical oversight during the National Consultant led fieldwork phase.
The International Consultant will focus on methodology design, technical oversight, and final reporting, ensuring the final output of the consultancy aligns with global best practices for shelter operation, service provision, and staffing:
Methodology design: propose research questions and design the overall evaluation framework and data collection tools, ensuring the methodology aligns with international protection standards for shelter best practices. Among the data collection tools there might be, but not only: desk review; survey questionnaires; KIIs; FGDs (when relevant and ethically feasible); existing statistics; any other deem relevant.
Synthesis and analysis: oversee data quality and synthesize the National Consultant’s findings to identify where current services (legal, medical, psychosocial support, case management) in Sabah/Sarawak fall short of international standards. Map capacities of potential referral partners, including in MHPSS related issues.
Final reporting: author the high-level Final Comprehensive Assessment Report in English, which will include actionable recommendations to inform the development of subsequent training modules and shelter guidelines.
The International Consultant will rely on the National Consultant for data collection and local context analysis; and will review and approve the National Consultant’s data collection tools and interim report before submission to IOM.
Tangible and measurable outputs of the assignment:
Stages
Outputs
Deadline
Proposed payment
First deliverable
Inception plan and methodology outlining the comprehensive assignment framework, including comparative analysis structure against global shelter/protection best practices.
The framework will include proposed objectives, a work plan including a timeline, the relevant data collection tools, and ethical considerations.
The inception plan and methodology will be presented to and validated by IOM.
By the end of week 2
First instalment payment (20%)
Second deliverable
Technical review and quality assurance memo of the NC's interim report and data: provision of detailed technical review and feedback on the National Consultant's collected data and interim report confirming that the data collected by the NC is complete, ethically sound, and adheres to the IC's established assessment methodology and international standards related to shelter staffing and services.
Required by the end of week 7
Second instalment payment (40%)
Final deliverable
Final comprehensive assessment report including all necessary amendments incorporating IOM’s comments, and including a comparative analysis against at least 2 - 3 international shelter/protection standards (e.g., UNODC, IOM guidelines, ASEAN conventions).
The final report will be submitted to IOM in English (.doc and .pdf formats).
By the end of week 10
Final instalment payment (40%)
The above is an indicative timeframe of deliverable deadlines. Interested applicants are invited to include in their proposal a proposed timeline of activities and consulting days that ensures finalization by the stated dates. The ability to deliver comprehensive and quality work within a realistic timeframe and budget will meet favourable consideration.
Remuneration and terms of payment:
The International Consultant will receive a consultancy fee which will be paid to the bank account indicated in three instalments:
The first instalment in the amount of 20% of the consultancy fee shall be paid within 2 weeks upon submission by email and approval by IOM Malaysia of the inception plan and methodology.
The second instalment in the amount of 40% of the consultancy fee shall be paid within 2 weeks upon submission by email and approval by IOM of the interim review and technical quality assurance memo.
The third and final instalment in the amount of 40% of the consultancy fee shall be paid within 2 weeks upon submission by email and approval by IOM of the final comprehensive assessment report.
Performance indicators:
The International Consultant is expected to deliver outputs in accordance with the agreed timeline and quality standards. Performance will be evaluated based on:
Indicators
Targets
Means of Verification
Timeliness of deliverables
By the indicated weeks
Submission dates in email records
Approved deliverables
Quality of outputs
All deliverables meet international assessment standards and incorporate IOM feedback
IOM review comments
Final approved report
Relevance
Recommendations must inform the further development and contextualization of the training modules
IOM technical team feedback
Regular progress updates
Updates and participation in scheduled follow-up meetings
Meeting minutes
Progress update emails
Language and format compliance
Final report delivered in English in .doc and .pdf formats
Copy of report in relevant language and formats
Follow up of the assignment:
During the development of the assignment, the International Consultant will be required to report on the development and status of the assignment, in accordance with the submitted Work Plan, as well as at the request of the IOM.
The International Consultant will hold regular follow up meetings (in person or online) with IOM and coordination meetings with the National Consultant to ensure coherent implementation.
The frequency of these meetings will be determined in a consensual manner between the International Consultant and IOM. An initial meeting will be held to clarify any doubts that he/she may have regarding the assignment.
IOM will ensure to provide timely comments to the International Consultant’s work and address his/her requests as may be required.
Education, skill and experience required:
Master’s degree (or equivalent advanced university degree) in Social Science, Law, Policy Studies, or a related field.
Minimum 7 years of demonstrated experience in the field of counter-trafficking, protection programming, and large-scale international assessments.
Proven expertise in conducting shelter or institutional capacity assessments.
Demonstrated knowledge of international protection standards and case management.
Experience working in Southeast Asia or similar migration contexts is preferred.
Expertise in developing operational guidelines or training curricula based on needs assessments.
Excellent analytical and report writing skills in English.
Languages 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. Travel required