20163 Consultant – Regional Rehabilitation Standards (P-UG) Individual Consultant

The Regional Strategy for Stabilization, Recovery and Resilience (RS-SRR) of the Boko Haram affected areas of the Lake Chad Basin region places a significant emphasis on the provision of rehabilitation support “to address the needs of former associates of Boko Haram and other non-state armed actors, including the possible consequences of trauma deriving from the experience with the armed groups, and a way to address the drivers of enrolment”. Under the RS-RSS, rehabilitation is framed as an essential component of Intermediate Objective 1.2, dedicated to implementing “comprehensive initiatives for the handling of persons formerly associated with Boko Haram and other non-state armed groups operating in the eight territories along with transitional justice, and reconciliation frameworks throughout the Lake Chad Basin region”.

The Transitional Justice Policy Framework Guidelines further reaffirm the importance of rehabilitation and reintegration pathways as “essential to transitional justice processes”, which are considered “vital in creating an environment that is conducive to implementing other transitional justice initiatives”.

To support the implementation of the RS-SRR, and contribute to the development of the LCB Transitional Justice Policy, in the framework of Component 2 of the Special Multi-Partner Delivery Fund (SMDF), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) proposes to lead the development of minimum gender- and age-sensitive common standards and protocols for the transitional rehabilitation of eligible former associates to Boko Haram and other non-state armed groups outside of criminal justice., This initiative is anchored in recommendations issued by representatives of governmental structures in charge of national programmes aimed at the rehabilitation and reintegration of former associates to Boko Haram and other non-state armed groups.

Transitional Rehabilitation (TR) is an essential phase of the exit process from armed groups. TR processes encompass a multi-dimensional approach to address the needs of eligible former associates, including, among others, health, mental health and psychosocial support, socioeconomic and vocational training, religious counselling and civic education, and reconnection with families and communities. To be effective, transitional rehabilitation support needs to be tailored to the individual needs of beneficiaries, and adapted to the specificities of the context. Also, TR has proven to be instrumental in rebuilding trust and fostering acceptance of communities towards returning former associates. As such, it represents a key factor in supporting an effective reintegration and in laying the basis for long-term reconciliation. All LCB countries have deployed efforts to rehabilitate eligible former associates to Boko Haram and other non-state armed groups. Recent years have seen the development of a growing recognition of the need to harmonize these efforts at the regional level.

The proposed initiative builds on previous work carried out by IOM to support governments in the Lake Chad Basin region to manage exits from Boko Haram and other non-state armed groups. Through its regional Disengagement, Disassociation, Reintegration and Reconciliation (DDRR) programme, started in 2017, IOM has supported the development and operationalization of legal, strategic and operational frameworks aimed at the rehabilitation and reintegration of former associates to Boko Haram.

IOM’s DDRR programme has, from its inception, placed a strong focus on the promotion of exchanges among LCB countries, to foster the sharing of good practices and the harmonization of national approaches to the management of exits from armed groups. These efforts resulted in key milestones, on which this proposed intervention will build upon to consolidate the achievements and open the way to additional harmonization initiatives.

Following a series of regional workshops facilitated by IOM, representatives from national governments of the LCB developed in 2021 a set of recommendations outlining priority areas for future collaboration. These recommendations included “to develop minimum regional standards and common protocols for rehabilitation to ensure a common approach to rehabilitation and equal treatment across the region”.

The political will affirmed in the recommendation has provided a basis for additional work in this domain. Among the most notable milestones of this process, it is important to flag the adoption of a set of “Guiding principles for rehabilitation”, through a regional workshop which took place in Yaoundé in March 2023, which fostered a common understanding of the key concepts of TR and its components, and the development of a “Guidance note on Mental Health and Psycho-Social Support in Transitional Rehabilitation”, elaborated in Abuja in March 2024 and currently in its final stages of review.

The proposed initiative will not simply complement the existing work, but will constitute a qualitative advancement in the harmonization process of national approaches to rehabilitation, by, among others, providing guidance on specific policy development on rehabilitation; strengthening operational interventions (i.e.:, on vocational training, health services, socio-economic profiling, data management tools); building the ownership and implementation capacity of national actors; facilitating outreach and community sensitization through strategic communication plans to promote acceptance of rehabilitated former associates into communities.

By supporting Lake Chad Basin governments in developing and adopting a shared set of standards and operational protocols for transitional rehabilitation, this initiative aims to improve the quality and alignment of interventions for former associates of armed groups across the region, thus improving the overall efficacy and consistency of rehabilitation approaches. This initiative will also facilitate the streamlining of key principles, such as, among others, age and gender responsiveness, context and conflict sensitivity, and centrality of Human Rights), while simultaneously facilitating cooperation and the exchange of information and good practices.

The adoption and implementation of minimum standards and protocols for TR can also be instrumental in facilitating effective reintegration and reconciliation. TR is essential to support the reintegration of individuals disengaging from armed groups. It provides a structured space for healing, skill-building, and preparation for civilian life, addressing the psychological wounds and social disconnection that often follow association with armed groups. By offering tailored mental health support, education, and livelihood opportunities, TR equips former associates with viable alternatives to violence. At the same time, it reduces community fear and stigma, making reintegration more credible and acceptable in the eyes of local populations. Structured rehabilitation also reassures communities that returnees have undergone a credible process of change, thus building trust and easing social tensions.

TR is also instrumental in supporting broader reconciliation initiatives. By engaging families and communities early, offering shared services, and fostering dialogue, rehabilitation helps rebuild the social fabric torn by conflict. It prevents resentment by ensuring that recovery efforts extend beyond former associates to affected communities, promoting a sense of fairness. Finally, TR also lowers the risks of re-engagement in violence and creates the foundations for peaceful coexistence, making it a vital link between individual recovery and collective resilience.

Under the overall supervision of the Senior Programme Coordinator (DDRR) and in close collaboration with the IOM Regional Office for West and Central Africa, IOM Country Offices in the Lake Chad Basin region (Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria), the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC), SMDF partners (UNDP, UNODC), and national authorities of Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria, the Consultant will lead the development of gender and age sensitive minimum regional standards and common protocols for transitional rehabilitation (TR) for individuals disengaging from Boko Haram and related armed groups.

This consultancy supports SMDF Component 2—strengthening harmonized policies and practices for Disarmament, Demobilization, Rehabilitation, Reinsertion and Reintegration (DDRRR / SPRR). The consultant will drive a participatory, inclusive regionally aligned process ensuring ownership by governments, alignment with the Regional Strategy for Stabilization, Recovery and Resilience (RS-SRR) of the Boko Haram affected areas of the Lake Chad Basin, also taking into account work already done by implementing partners in this space, including, but not limited to, the LCBC Community-Based Reintegration and Reconciliation Policy (CBRRP).

The output of this consultancy is meant to support and integrate the development of a Regional Transitional Justice Policy for the Lake Chad Basin region. In this regard, the consultant is expected to keep regular contact with partners leading different components supporting he development of the strategy, and to coordinate his work and the schedule of activities with such partners.

Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing

Violence and Conflict Prevention (VCP) unit of the Peace, Recovery and Solutions Division (PRSD) within the Department of Humanitarian Response and Recovery (DHRR).

Responsibilities

Category B Consultants: Tangible and measurable outputs of the work assignment

1. Analytical Desk Review

• Review existing national Disengagement, Disassociation, Reintegration and Reconciliation (DDRR) and related frameworks, and conduct a comprehensive mapping of frameworks, policies, SOPs, approaches and practices for Transitional Rehabilitation as part of DDRR processes.
• Review existing regional frameworks (RS-SRR), policies, principles and outputs (2021 recommendations, 2023 Guiding Principles, 2024 MHPSS Guidance Note) to ensure continuity and consolidation.
• Produce a preliminary analysis identifying gaps, divergences, and opportunities for harmonization across LCB countries.

2. Lead Consultations with Relevant Stakeholders

• Design and facilitate national level consultations with relevant stakeholders, including, but not limited to, ministries and technical unit in charge of the implementation of DDRR programmes, UN entities involved in DDRR and related programming, rehabilitation centers, security actors, CSOs, community representatives, former associates.
• Engage international stakeholders not based in the four LCB countries through remote interviews.
• Identify national priorities, contextual factors, and sensitivities, ensuring age and gender considerations are integrated.

3. Draft Minimum Regional Rehabilitation Standards and Protocols

• Produce the first draft of the regional standards and protocols, aligning them with:
• The revised RS SRR, with particular attention to intermediate objective 1.2: Implement comprehensive initiatives for the handling of persons formerly associated with Boko Haram and other non-state armed groups operating in the eight territories, along with transitional justice, and reconciliation frameworks throughout the Lake Chad Basin region;
• Other relevant policy and operational frameworks at the regional, country and local level, including, but not limited to, the LCBC CBRRP, the LCBC Transitional Justice Policy Framework, the Rehabilitation Guiding Principles and MHPSS Guidance Note, national DDRR policies, strategies and programs, Territorial Action Plans (TAPs) for the eight affected territories;
• Relevant legal national and international frameworks;
• Human Rights law;
• Gender and age sensitivities; and,
• Context and conflict sensitivity requirements.
• Develop practical guidance for implementation: process flows, referral mechanisms, case management steps, MHPSS, civic education, religious counselling, vocational training, family/community engagement.

4. Facilitate a Regional Validation Workshop

• Design and organize, with the support of relevant IOM Country Offices and other stakeholders, a regional validation workshop to collect feedback and inputs from international, regional, national and local stakeholders.
• Prepare workshop materials and presentations.
• Incorporate country specific and regional feedback into the consolidated final document.

5. Finalization and Dissemination

• Deliver the final validated regional standards protocols, fully formatted and ready for dissemination.
• Prepare as dissemination package for governments, SMDF partners, governor’s offices, and rehabilitation stakeholders.

6. Cross-Cutting Tasks

• Ensure coherence with international, regional, national and local frameworks on DDRR, as well as with the RS-SRR and related policy and operational documents.
• Integrate data management, monitoring & evaluation, and information sharing mechanisms.
• Contribute to strategic communications narratives promoting acceptance of former associates.

Category B Consultant hired to deliver an evaluation on a three-installment payment basis:

1. Deliverable: Delivery of finalized inception report, including planning of field visits and activities – first instalment payment – deliverable by email by 31 May 2026 – USD 10,000.00

2. Deliverable: Finalized analytical desk review – Second instalment payment – deliverable by email by 31 July 2026 – USD 20,000.00

3. Deliverable: First draft of regional rehabilitation standards and protocols, including annexes – Third instalment payment – deliverable by email by 30 September 2026 – USD 20,000.00

4. Deliverable: Final version of the regional rehabilitation standards and protocols, incorporating comments formulated during the regional validation workshop – Fourth instalment payment – deliverable by email by 15 December 2026 – USD 20,000.00

7. Performance indicators for the evaluation of results

• Level of completion of evaluation deliverables (%)
• Level of quality of evaluation report (low, medium, high)

Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Master’s degree in International Development, Peace and Conflict Resolution, Social and/or Political Science, International Relations, Law or a related field from an accredited academic institution with seven years of relevant professional experience; or,
• University degree in the above fields with nine years of relevant professional experience.

Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.

Experience

• At least 7 years of professional experience in DDR and related approaches, peacebuilding, transitional justice, human rights, or other relevant field;
• Demonstrated experience drafting policy guidance, SOPs, or standards for DDR and related processes;
• Proven experience conducting multi country consultations and high level facilitation;
• Experience working in conflict affected settings; specific experience in the Lake Chad Basin Region is an advantage; and
• Familiarity with UN policies, Human Rights and Counter-Terrorism frameworks.

Skills

• Excellent writing and analytical skills;
• Excellent people and communication skills and demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders and partners; and,
• Excellent knowledge of violence and conflict prevention topics and processes.

Languages

All staff members in all categories are required to be fluent in one of the IOM’s official languages (English, French, and Spanish).

For this consultancy, fluency in English and French is required (oral and written).

Working knowledge of another official UN languages (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, and Spanish) and/or any local language spoken in the Lake Chad Basin Region is an advantage.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Travel required

The selected consultant will be required to travel to the four LCB countries (Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria) for national consultation and for the regional workshop.

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.

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, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, security clearances.

IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities.

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.

IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the HERE (for internal candidates link here). The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.

No late applications will be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies.

Tagged as: Agriculture, Food Security and Livelihoods