Project Context and Scope:
BACKGROUND
Since 2019, Lebanon has been facing a complex and multi-faceted financial and economic crisis, exacerbated by the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. This has put additional strain on border management authorities, with a growing number of people resorting to unsafe and irregular migration by sea.ย With severe damage caused to border facilities and a contracted GDP for 2024, the Lebanese Government has limited capacity to allocate funds to border management agencies. Further, following the fall of the Assad regime in Syria in December 2024, movement at Lebanon-Syria border crossing points has drastically increased, most notably at Masnaa. Recent incidents at land borders, and a series of new restrictions on visas on both sides of the border further demonstrate the sensitivity of border issues and reiterate the essential need for stronger border management capacities.ย ย
In response to these challenges, IOM Lebanon will implement a new project supported by the European Union, entitled โBRIDGE - Integrated Border Management Phase IVโ. This project aims to contribute to enhanced border management in Lebanon in line with human rights standards andย facilitate dialogue with civil society on issues related to border management. โย
The project aims toย strengthen the capacity of Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), the Directorate General of General Security (GS), the Internal Security Forces (ISF), Customs, and Civil Defense to enhance right-based border management. This approach will follow IOMโs human rights-based approach in developing more robust and integrated national border governance capacities, including the capacity to mainstream human rights across border management practices, as central requirements for facilitating cross border regular movements while preventing the smuggling of migrants and protecting their rights.ย
The project complements and strengthens achievements made through EU-funded programmes in Lebanon, particularly the Integrated Border Management (IBM) Programme Phases I to III, and will build upon past and ongoing IOM projects funded by other donors, such as Denmark, France, Italy and the US.ย
OBJECTIVES
โThe overall objective of the BRIDGE project isย that integrated border management in Lebanon is in line with EU and international standards, including through the application of the human rights-based approach.ย It is organized around 2 outcomes:ย
Outcome 1: Enhance border management in an integrated, secure, coordinated manner, in line with human rights standards, and covering all aspects of integrated border management according to EU standards and areas of focus as defined in the EIBM communication of 14 March 2023.ย Outcome 2: Promote interagency cooperation, transparency, accountability, and the engagement of right holders in integrated border management. ยPURPOSE OF THE BASELINE ASSESSMENT
In order to effectively measure this projectโs impact and success, the status of outcome level project indicators needs to be established. This baseline assessment will be used by IOM and the Donorย to constitute the basis to measure the project's performance over time.ย ย
The baseline assessment will:
Provide benchmark information for measuring the projectโs general objective and outcomes, in line with the project results framework, particularly in the following areas โ among others: The capacity of state and non-state institutions in areas of integrated border management Level of coordination between border management governmental agencies.ย Number of border officials trained on selected border management topics.ย Understanding the engagement of communities in border management, through a perception survey: Percentage of population who express improved confidence in the performance of IBM stakeholders (disaggregated by sex and population group), particularly in border areas.ย Current level of compliance of border management practices with international human rights standards. Verify the project results frameworkโs adequacy and feasibility vis-a-vis realities observed on the ground and propose adjustments to ensure measurability of indicators and achievability of targets such as:ย Number of objectives of the Integrated Border Management Action Plan to be completed by the end of the project; Number of border agenciesโ officials to be trained by the end of the project;SCOPEย OF WORKย
IOM is looking to hire a local consultant to conduct the baseline study. The geographical scope is national, and key stakeholders are border management agencies, organizations implementing border management projects, civil society organizations working on the protection of human rights, as well as border communities. The consultant will be required to undertake the following specific tasks:
Design standardized tools and finalize methodology for the collection of quantitative and qualitative data for the baseline assessment, taking into account the 2 objectives mentioned in section 2 of this TOR. Train around 15 IOM enumerators to collect the required data Conduct primary data collection in targeted project locations to measure key indicators. Analyse and interpret data to develop a comprehensive baseline report. Develop monitoring tools to adequately measure results and objective. Share key findings and insights with relevant staff and stakeholders through consultations.BASELINE QUESTIONS
The baseline study will specifically aim to address the following questions in response to the results framework indicators:
What is the current level of knowledge and skills among border and security officials on IBM and human rights principles? How many officials have received relevant training in the past year, and what additional training needs are identified by institutions? To what extent do current border management practices comply with international human rights standards? What percentage of border-area residents express confidence in IBM stakeholders (disaggregated by sex and population group)? How do communities perceive their involvement in border management? Are there accessible channels for community feedback and concerns? What coordination mechanisms exist among border agencies, and how effective are they?SPECIFICATION OF ROLES
The consultancy will be overseen by IOM Lebanon in Beirut. The consultant will receive direct guidance from IOM Lebanonโs Immigration and Border Governance Unit and the Programme Support Unit. Moreover, the consultant will also receive guidance from Planning, Monitoring & Evaluation specialists based at IOMโs Regional Office in Cairo:
IOM project teamย
Provide the consultant with timely access to all relevant documents and support initial preparations, including identifying stakeholders and organizing the agenda. Manage the baseline process, including providing feedback and comments on the inception report, data collection tools, and draft baseline report. Review and endorse the inception report, tools, and final baseline report before proceeding with the next steps. Provide enumerators for data collection in border areas/ border communities.ยThe Consultant Will:
Design the baseline methodology, data collection tools, and inception report. Prepare for and conduct data collection and analysis, and deliver all outputs outlined in the deliverables section. Coordinate with stakeholders for data collection, with support from the baseline management team. Provide regular updates to the baseline management team on progress and any challenges encountered. Ensure that project stakeholders and intended users are engaged throughout the baseline process. Present initial findings and preliminary conclusions in an online workshop to identify any gaps or misinterpretations before drafting the full report. Draft and revise the baseline report and related presentations. Ensure the final report follows IOM branding guidelines and has undergone an editorial review.METHODOLOGY
The consultant should employ a robust, mixed-methods methodology that effectively addresses the baseline assessmentโs purpose and study questions, measuring the indicators outlined in the projectโs results framework.ย
The methodology must be sufficiently rigorous to produce credible and useful benchmark data while also remaining proportionate in terms of time and burden placed on stakeholders and communities.
The proposed methodology should combine quantitative and qualitative approaches to ensure a comprehensive and contextualized understanding of the baseline conditions. Specifically:
Quantitative data collection should include structured perception surveys targeting key stakeholders such as border officials, community members in targeted areas, and relevant non-state actors. These surveys will help establish baseline values for indicators related to institutional capacity, community perceptions, and performance confidence in IBM actors. Qualitative data collection should include key informant interviews (KIIs), focus group discussions (FGDs), and document reviews. The sampling strategy should be included for the quantitative survey. This should be based on a 95% confidence level and a 5% margin of error, ensuring representativeness across examples (sex, age, population group, and geographic location).Ethical considerations are integral to the methodology โ the study will strictly adhere to IOMโs data protection principles. This ensures that participant confidentiality is maintained, and that all personal data is managed responsibly and securely.
Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing:ย
The consultant will work under the supervision of the Immigration and Border Management unit.ย
Category B Consultants:ย Tangible and measurable outputs of the work assignment:
In accordance with the timetable, the consultant will produce:
A draft inception report which responds to the scope of work with a methodology, target population, survey instruments, and detailed work plan. A field work implementation plan (to be submitted before field work begins). This field work plan should be presented to IOM for comments and revised as necessary prior to commencing field work. A comprehensive draft baseline report including a clear set of actionable recommendations, in conjunction with the donor to verify and establish baselines and targets A final baseline report incorporating feedback from IOM and key stakeholdersย Develop a set of monitoring tools to be used by IOM to adequately measure results and objective/impactยTIMEFRAME
The project is envisioned for a total implementation period of 36 months. This includes a three-month Inception Phase,ย during which the relevant baseline assessment across both outcomes will take place. IOM will fine tune the Description of action in line with the results of the baseline assessments conducted during the inception phase, including a more detailed workplan. The baseline assessment will also feed into the Project Inception Report, due to the donor 4 months after the project start date.ย
The consultant will be required to undertake the exercise within the inception period after signing of the agreement. The timetable is as follows:
Task Number of daysDevelop inception report and submit to IOM
Days 1-10 Collect and analyse available secondary data related to project objectives Days 1-15 Develop baseline assessment tools covering the require scope of work as well as brief field work implementation planย Days 10-25 Conduct primary data collection in targeted project locations. Days 25-40 Draft baseline report and submit to IOM and stakeholders for comments Days 40-50 IOM and stakeholders to provide comments Days 50-55 Incorporate comments and submit final draft version to IOM Days 55-60The consultant must provide a detailed budget, covering costs associated with data collection, logistics, translation services, and any other expenses related to completing the study.
Disbursementย of the evaluation consultancy fees will be made upon satisfactory submission and approval ofย the followingย deliverables by IOM:ย ย
Inception report - Twenty percent (20%) will be paid upon submission and approval of the Inception Report by IOM. First draft of the baseline report - (Fifty percent (50%) will be paid upon submission of theย first draft of the report based on the provided template) Final report (Thirty percent (30%) will be paid upon approval of all deliverables).Education, Experience and/or skills required:
A Masterโs degree or equivalent in a social science with an emphasis on Research Methodologies, baseline assessment, impact evaluations, Monitoring and Evaluation; Minimum 7 years of professional experience, preferably both in Lebanon and abroad, in research methods, monitoring and evaluation, reporting, and analysis and elaboration of indicators in the field of security, border management, human rights and/or migration; Strong professional experience in conducting baseline/impact assessments for large scale projects in the MENA;ย Strong understanding and knowledge of migration trends and dynamics, especially in the context of the MENA region; Ability to gather, analyse, and systematize large amounts of data; Fluency in English and Arabic is required. Additional knowledge of French would be an asset; Strong computer skills and analytical skills with ability to write and review technical reports required; Proven work record in a multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary environment is necessary.Languages:
For all applicants, fluency in English and Arabic is required (oral and written)
IOMโs 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. ย Travel required:Domestic travel may be required. All related costs will be covered by IOM.
Interested consultants should submit a complete application including:
A detailed CV, including relevant experience and qualifications in the subject matter; A brief description of the proposed methodology and understanding of the consultancy, including tools and techniques to be used; Budget outlining costs for desk review, travel, personnel, and any other relevant expenses; Timeline for completing the study, including key milestones and deadlines; Three professional references; If possible, reference to baseline study reports conducted preferrable in migration or border management fields. Required Competencies ย IOMโs competency framework can be found atย this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process. ย 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 Competenciesย โ 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 Organizationโs 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. 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. For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website:ย IOM Careers and Job Vacancies