BACKGROUND
Cameroon is experiencing a rapidly evolving migration landscape, with growing evidence that the countryโs migration flowsโboth outward and returnโare increasingly feminized. Data collected under previous programmes and consolidated in the national research draft on womenโs migration reveal thatย 20% of all assisted returnees are women, a proportion significantly higher than in many neighbouring contexts.ย Moreover, the research highlights that female migratory pathways are shaped by complex economic pressures, family-level decision-making, social expectations, gender norms, and exposure to heightened protection risks along migration routes.
Despite their increasing presence in migration dynamics,ย the specific reintegration needs of women remain insufficiently documented and inadequately addressed. Women returnees often face additional vulnerabilitiesโsuch as social stigma, GBV risks, economic dependence, and lack of access to resourcesโthat impede sustainable reintegration. Yet, until now, Cameroon has lacked gender-sensitive operational guidance, standard procedures, and evidence-based reintegration models that reflect the lived realities of female returnees.
The EU-fundedย RRR projectย aims to address systemic gaps in the reintegration ecosystem, including the need forย gender-sensitive tools, research, and operational methodologies. This assignment directly responds to that gap by integrating the feminization of migration into reintegration policy-building and improving the capacity of the national system to deliver equitable, safe, and effective reintegration assistance for women and girls.
PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT
The Reintegration Assistant (Gender & Feminization of Migration) will support IOM and RRR project partners to:
Analyse gender dimensions in migration and reintegration in Cameroon; Document the feminization of migration pathways, return motivations, and reintegration experiences; Assess existing reintegration services against gender-sensitive standards; Develop gender-sensitive SOPs, tools, and guidance for return and reintegration programming; Produce a short research report feeding the RRR policy and practice component.This role is both analytical and operational. The assistant will ensure that gender considerations are systematically integrated into the RRR projectโs tools, service packages, and reintegration centre workflows.
A. Research & Analysis (Feminization of Migration)
Conduct a gender-focused analysis of migration dynamics based on: The research on female migration already initiatedย RRR and MPRR datasets (with M&E support) Qualitative interviews with returnees, centre staff, NGOs, and ministries Document: Determinants of womenโs emigration Their financing and decision-making processes Return factors and experiences Reintegration success/failure determinants Risks, vulnerabilities, and protection concerns Produce gender-disaggregated reintegration profiles for the five regions targeted.B. Assessment of Reintegration Services Through a Gender Lens
C. Development of Gender-Sensitive SOPs & Tools
Draftย Gender-Sensitive Return & Reintegration SOPs, including: Identification & referral of at-risk women and girls Gbv-sensitive interview protocols Gender-sensitive case management Economic empowerment pathways tailored for women Community acceptance & stigma reduction approaches Produceย Gender Checklist for Reintegration Centresย (operations + training + outreach). Align products with MPRR and IOM integrated reintegration frameworksยD. Research Output & Policy Contribution
Produce aย short Research Reportย (20โ25 pages) synthesizing: Feminization of migration in Cameroon Gender-differentiated risks on migration routes Gender-specific reintegration barriers Actionable recommendations for RRR and national policy processes Integrate findings into: The National Migration Policy formulation processย RRR planning and guidance documents.E. Capacity Strengthening & Awareness
Deliver 2โ3 orientation sessions for: Reintegration centre staff Caseworkers and social workers Ministry partners (MINAS, MINPROFF) Support the development of awareness-raising messages on womenโs experiences of migration and reintegration (coordination with Comms Officer).F. Reporting & Coordination
Submit monthly activity updates. Provide consolidated final report covering research findings, SOPs, and recommendations. Participate in Working Groups (Protection, Data & Research, Reintegration).job creation support,EDUCATION
Highย school diploma with six years of relevant experience; or, Bachelorโs degree in International Relations, Migration Studies, Economics, Social Sciences, Development Studies or related fieldsย from an accredited institution with four years of relevant professional experience Masterโs degree is an assetEXPERIENCE
Minimum 3โ5 years working on gender, protection, migration, or reintegration. Experience drafting research reports, guidance notes, or SOPs. Familiarity with GBV risk mitigation and referral pathways. Experience engaging vulnerable groups, especially women returnees.SKILLS
Strong analytical and writing abilities. Ability to work with sensitive data and ethically engage vulnerable populations. Knowledge of gender-responsive programming and protection principles. Excellent coordination and facilitation skills.LANGUAGE
For this position, fluency in English, French is required (oral and written).