Consultant, Regional Situation Reports on Trafficking in Persons in ASEAN

Position Title : Consultant - Develop Regional Situation Reports on Trafficking in Persons in ASEAN Duty Station : Home-based Classification : Consultancy, Category B Type of Appointment : Consultant Contract (3 months) Desired Start Date : As soon as possible Closing Date : 17 July 2026 (11.59 PM/ Bangkok Time) Reference Code : CFA21987/2026 Introduction Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations and the leading UN agency in the field of migration. Working closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners, IOM promotes humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It saves lives and protects people on the move, drives solutions to displacement, and facilitates pathways for regular migration, while providing services and advice to governments and migrants. IOM is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive and supportive workplace where all employees can thrive professionally and feel valued. By creating such an environment, IOM aims to better harness the full potential of migration and strengthen its support to people on the move. IOM invites candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply and provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process when required. Learn more about IOM’s workplace culture at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration Project Context and Scope In South East Asia, migrant workers - including many in the fisheries sector - continue to face heightened protection risks, such as exploitative labour conditions, limited access to grievance mechanisms and barriers to accessing protection services. Regional initiatives, including ASEAN-level dialogues and the Ship to Shore Rights South East Asia Programme, have sought to strengthen protections for migrant fishers through improved policy frameworks, enforcement, and cross-border coordination. However, gaps remain in the practical implementation of protection measures, particularly across jurisdictions. At the same time, the region is witnessing a rise in trafficking in persons for forced criminality, particularly related to online scam operations. Victims are often trafficked across borders and subjected to coercion in scam compounds, creating complex challenges for victim identification, consular assistance, and cross-border referral. Existing referral mechanisms and consular support systems are not always adequately adapted to respond to the specific vulnerabilities and legal complexities associated with such cases. To strengthen evidence-based programming and policy engagement, the IOM Country Office with Coordinating Functions (COCF) for Lao People’s Democratic Republic and Thailand seeks to commission 2 (two) analytical reports: • Study report on consular assistance and referral practices in TIP-FC cases related to scam operations, identifying gaps, challenges, and recommendations, drawing on existing regional studies (including ongoing initiatives by the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights, AICHR) and supplementary desk research. • A regional situation report on the protection of migrant fishers in ASEAN, informed by a regional consultation workshop held by the ASEAN Commission on the Placement and Protection of Migrant Workers (ACMW) and supplementary desk research. The overall objective of this consultancy is to generate evidence-based, policy-relevant analysis to strengthen protection frameworks for victims of trafficking and vulnerable migrants in fisheries sectors and scam-related operations in ASEAN, by identifying current practices, gaps, and action recommendations to improve coordination, response mechanisms, and victim support. Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing The consultancy will contribute to IOM’s broader efforts under ongoing programmes, including Enhancing the Capacity of Thailand to Combat Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants through Enhanced Border Management, funded by the Government of Canada and Ship to Shore Rights in South East Asia: Safe Migration for Decent Work in the Blue Economy, funded by the European Union. Responsibilities Tasks to be performed under this contract Specific deliverables under this contract include: • Submission of inception report outlining methodology, analytical framework, workplan, and data sources for both reports (15 August 2026) • Submission of first draft of Report 1: Consular Assistance and Referral Practices in TIP-FC Cases in ASEAN (05 September 2026) • Submission of first draft of Report 2: Situational Report Protection of Migrant Fishers in ASEAN (05 September 2026) • Submission of final versions of both reports incorporating feedback from IOM and relevant stakeholders (30 September 2026) In accordance with the deliverables outlined above, the consultant may, where relevant: • Situation Report 1: Consular Assistance and Referral Practices in TIP Scam Cases in ASEAN• Analyse challenges in consular assistance, return, and reintegration; • Identify gaps in coordination between countries of origin, transit, and destination; • Map current consular assistance practices and referral pathways for cases related to scam operations; • Provide recommendations to strengthen cross-border cooperation/protection responses; and • Revise reports based on feedback and finalize for publication. • Situation Report 2: Protection of Migrant Fishers in ASEAN • Analyse the current protection landscape for migrant fishers across ASEAN; • Identify key risks, protection gaps, and barriers to access to services; • Identify promising practices in cross border or cross region referral mechanisms supporting migrant fishers; and • Provide recommendations to strengthen protection and coordination mechanisms. • Revise reports based on feedback and finalize for publication. 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 • Overall quality of final products Qualification Required Qualifications and Experience Education • Master’s degree or higher from an accredited academic institution. Experience • At least 8-10 years of experience in counter-trafficking and migration issues in Southeast Asia. • Possesses knowledge and skills on gender sensitivity lens and rights based approach. • Significant practical experience and knowledge of working with diverse national stakeholder groups, including with government partners on the development of networks, working groups, common standards and procedures, advocacy and technical capacity development on migration related issues. • Experience working with an international or intergovernmental organization. • Experience working with the Thai Government or other Southeast Asia countries is an advantage. Skills • Excellent analytical and reporting skills. • Ability to work effectively in a politically sensitive environment and exercise discretion, impartiality, diplomacy and neutrality. • Excellent presentation and representational skills. • Capacity to work independently with minimal supervision. • Personal commitment, efficiency, and flexibility. • Gender-sensitive, culture-sensitive, and able to work with colleagues from diverse cultural backgrounds. • Demonstrated ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines. • Excellent language and communication skills (English). 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 five 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 referring to this advertisement. Please attach the following documents in your application. • a cover letter, indicating the dates of availability; • a curriculum vitae; • a duly completed IOM Personal History Form which can be downloaded from https://thailand.iom.int/sites/g/files/tmzbdl1371/files/Vacancies/Form/iom-personal-history-form-270122.xls. 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, verification of residency, visa, and authorizations by the concerned Government, where applicable. • 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. • 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 IOM online recruitment system. 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. 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