Consultant for Regional Preparedness Simulation Exercise for North Africa

Job Description

1. Duty Station of the Consultancy: Remote and working with the IOM Regional Office for MENA- Cairo, Egypt.

2. Duration of Consultancy: 6 months

3. Nature of the consultancy:  Consultancy on the development and Execution of a Regional Preparedness Simulation Exercise for North Africa- Category B consultant

4. Project Context and Scope: 

   The MENA region is a major crossroads of global migration, serving simultaneously as a point of origin, transit, and destination for people on the move. The Central Mediterranean Route (CMR) remains one of the most perilous corridors, with Libya, Tunisia, and Egypt acting as key transit points for migrants attempting to reach Europe. Algeria and Morocco also continue to experience mixed migration flows, primarily along the Western Mediterranean and Atlantic routes. Across these routes, migrants face severe protection risks, including gender-based violence, arbitrary detention, forced returns, family separation, trafficking, and the threat of death or disappearance. According to IOM’s 2024 data, more than 3,400 migrants lost their lives or went missing along migration routes in the Middle East and North Africa. While this represents a 33% decrease compared to previous years, the region remains the deadliest migration corridor. These numbers are widely acknowledged to be a substantial undercount, as many fatalities go unreported, particularly in remote desert areas, conflict zones, and at sea, where shipwrecks often leave no trace. The Central Mediterranean Route (CMR) remains over 86 per cent of all incidents reported as of September 2025. This also marks the highest monthly total of incidents on the CMR since the start of 2024. Libya recorded the highest number of incidents this month (621), followed by Tunisia (520) and Morocco (155). The rising frequency of these tragedies underscores the urgent need for immediate action to save lives and protect people on the move.

   The complex and dynamic nature of migration in the region requires an urgent, more coordinated response to enhance protection efforts. This is particularly evident across North Africa, where migrants’ access to essential services is constrained by overlapping, systemic challenges, including political constraints, security dynamics, and regulatory barriers.

   The proposed intervention will respond to priorities of the Pact for the Mediterranean¹ and contribute to the operationalization of its upcoming Action Plan. In particular, the proposed intervention will support pillar III of the Pact, on Security, preparedness and migration management, and the implementation of a whole-of-route approach to migration management, and support capacities to prevent and respond to migration crises, through the development of early warning systems, risk monitoring tools, and multi-stakeholder contingency plans.  

   It will also come in support of the Africa-led responses to humanitarian crises, disaster preparedness and response, as identified in the Joint Declaration issued on the occasion of the 7^th African Union – European Union Summit of December 2025².  

   The proposed interventions will bring together stakeholders from relevant line ministries in Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia, civil society organizations, UN agencies, and national partners, to promote inclusive and coordinated preparedness planning. Building on the ongoing countries’ initiatives to strengthen preparedness and crisis management, IOM proposes to adopt an inclusive, multi-stakeholder approach aimed at strengthening national capabilities to anticipate, prepare for, and respond to migration crises. 

   The proposed action will be integrated into the Regional Development and Protection Programme (RDPP) in North Africa project interventions that, based on ongoing efforts and lessons learned, and good practices, will aim to strengthen regional protection capacities, enhance cross-border cooperation, and the emulation of good practices on protection-sensitive migration management across North Africa. In particular, the overall objective of the RDPP Phase 7: Strengthening National and Regional Protection Systems, Local Integration and Service Provision Mechanisms for Migrants, including Victims of Trafficking and Children on the move across North African migratory Routes, Mauritania, Niger.       

5. Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing: 

• Regional Development and Protection Programme for North Africa (RDPP-NA).

Responsibilities

RO MENA is looking for a consultant to facilitate the development of a Simulation Exercise (SiMEX) for countries in North Africa. The SiMEX will use a mixed-methods approach, combining adult learning, tabletop, and mock exercises. 

This is a type B consultancy hired on a 3-installment payment basis:

1. First deliverable: Draft and submit an Inception Report :

   The inception report will outline the detailed methodology and scope of SimEX. It will define the approach, including the overview of the three days activity and its deliverables.

2. Second deliverable: Prepare comprehensive SiMEX Package:

   Comprehensive SiMEX package including final concept note and agenda, PowerPoint presentations, group work exercise, case studies, mock exercise, handout, and the diagnostic tool templates. 

3. Third Deliverable: Conduct the SiMEX and final report:

   Facilitating the 3-day SiMEX, with lead facilitation role, as well as an after-SiMEX report including the finalized diagnostic tool. 

Performance indicators for the evaluation of results

• Number of consultations 

• Quality of report drafting and number of reviews required

• Demonstrated coordination capacity

• Successful design, planning, and delivery.

Travel required
The consultant is expected to undertake field visits within the duration of this consultancy. IOM will bear the costs of all travel on duty in line with IN/6 Travel Policy. 

Qualifications

1. Education, Experience and/or skills required:

• University Degree in International Relations, Social Sciences, Information Management, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with at least 10 years of relevant professional experience working on migration and human rights.

• Quantitative and Qualitative research experience in the field of protection, migration crises, including field experience related to displacement and migration research

• Experience in adult learning and conducting similar exercises in different contexts, especially in the field of migration.

• Experience providing result-oriented conclusions and recommendations to national and international stakeholders

Desired:

• Proven experience in conducting cross-regional similar SiMEX exercises 

Languages:

• The consultant is expected to be fluent in English and French; the capacity to interact in Arabic is an advantage.
   

Competencies

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 one's own actions and delegated work. 

    • Communication: encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring, and motivational way.

Required Skills

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