Project Context and Scope ย
The Kingdom of Lesotho (Lesotho) and the Republic of South Africa (RSA) enjoy good bilateral relations that are underpinned by common history, culture and language. The two countries have strong bonds of friendship and kinship that span many centuries. Their destinies are inextricably linked by geographic proximity and socio-economic interdependence. Formal relations between RSA and Lesotho were established in 1987 at Trade Representatives Level. In December 1992, the formal relations between the two countries were upgraded to Ambassadorial level. In June 1994, after the first democratic elections in RSA, diplomatic relations were re-established at the High Commission level following South Africaโs re-admission to the Commonwealth of Nations. Lesotho and RSA share membership to both regional and international organizations such as Southern African Development Community (SADC), Southern African Customs Union (SACU), African Union (AU), Commonwealth of Nations, Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and the United Nations (UN). The two countries have in place a signed Memorandum of Understanding on Diplomatic Consultations to harmonise their positions on multilateral issues, including on migration.ย
Economic Cooperation between Lesotho and RSA has been conducted through structured bilateral mechanism of a Joint Bilateral Commission for Cooperation (JBCC) from April 2001, at the level of Council of Ministers chaired by the Ministers responsible for foreign affairs and international relations and cooperation. In November 2020, that platform was elevated to the Bi-National Commission (BNC), which is conducted at the level of Heads of State and Government. The Bi-National Commission (BNC) was signed by the Ministers responsible for foreign affairs and international relations and cooperation of the two countries on 25th November 2021.ย ย
The cooperation and relations between the two countries were conducted under a structured framework dubbed the Joint Bilateral Commission of Cooperation (JBCC) signed in April 2001. In June 2020 the Council of Ministers under the erstwhile JBCC resolved to review the framework. The review culminated in the transformation of the JBCC to the Bi National Commission (BNC) which was signed on 25th November 2021. The BNC is a structured framework of cooperation which serves to guide the strategic partnership between the two countries including to facilitate the movement of people, goods and services between the two neighbourly countries, taking into consideration the unique geographic position of Lesotho; which is a sovereign enclave completely inside South Africa. The BNC elevated the structured bilateral mechanism from a Ministerial to the level of Heads of State and Government.ย
Lesotho and RSA held the official launch and the inaugural session of the Bi National Commission (BNC) from the 26th to 28th September 2023 in Pretoria, RSA. The inaugural session of the BNC started with the Committee of Senior Officials to the Council of Ministers and culminated with the Summit of Heads of State and Government. At the Summit, RSA was represented by The President of South Africa, His Excellency President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, and Lesotho was represented by The Right Honourable the Prime Minister, Mr. Samuel Ntsokoane Matekane.
The Summit noted that while there was commendable progress made under the 2001 Joint Bilateral Commission of Cooperation (JBCC) framework, there were several challenges and outstanding matters that still needed to be addressed. These include, amongst others, the facilitation of movement of people, goods and services in view of the unique geographic location and proximity of the two countries. In this regard, the Summit directed the respective Ministers responsible for Home Affairs to finalise work on the establishment of a new model on migration to facilitate ease of movement of people, goods, and services between two countries.ย
In response to the directive by the two Heads of State and Government to the respective Ministers responsible for Home Affairs, to work on the development of a new model on migration, the Director-General of the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) of RSA and the Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftainship, Home Affairs, and Police, Lesothoย responsible for Immigration established a Joint Task Team (JTT) to assist in conducting research in this regard. The JTT was charged and mandated to oversee the research to inform the ultimate development of a Pan-African model for migration between Lesotho and RSA is conducted to address the challenges of cross border mobility and adapt to the prevailing migration characteristics, trends and patterns between the two countries.ย It is against this background that Lesotho and the RSA are adjoined toย develop a new migration model in the 21st century.ย
It is against this background the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftainship, Home Affairs and Police (MOLCHP) of Lesotho and the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) of the RSA require a consultancy firm to undertake research that will propose a cross-border mobility model that is most suitable to facilitate pathways for regular migration. The objective of the research is to conduct an in-depth analysis of the current migration patterns/trends and state of migration cooperation between Lesotho and RSA and identify best practices and models of migration cooperation from other countries and regions to provide evidence-based recommendations aimed at enhancing migration cooperation between Lesotho and South Africa. These recommendations should be practical, actionable, and tailored to the specific contexts of both countries.
ย Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing The project is contributing to IOM support to regular pathways, border governance and cooperation on migration between The Kingdom of Lesotho and The Republic of South Africa.ย This will further contribute to enhancing management of ease movement of people, goods and services between RSA and the Kingdom of Lesotho in response to the directive by the two Heads of States and Government to the respective Ministers responsible for Home Affairs on developing of a new model on migration. Tasks to be performed under this contract
Primary and secondary research need to be undertaken so that the proposed Model to facilitate movement of goods and services as well as safe and orderly migration between Lesotho and RSA can be evidence-based and informed by regional and international practice. The successful consulting firm will be expected provide the following services:
- Review existing literature, policies, bilateral and multilateral agreements, existing cross border movement and trade regulatory framework and other relevant documents related to migration cooperation between Lesotho and South Africa as well as the diagnostic report done by the JTT.
- Interviews with key informants, including government officials, migration experts, civil society organizations, and international organizations.ย
- Undertake benchmarking study visits to two African countries (Senegal/Gambia and Botswana/Namibia) and one Schengen European country (Luxembourg/ Belgium) that are land linked and have cross border agreementsย
- Undertake legal analysis of the international, regional and domestic policies and legislative instruments in relation to international migration and migration between the two countries.ย
- Analysis of a) qualitative and quantitative analysis of data on migration flows collected by the DTM team to identify key trends and patterns; b) migration cooperation models and approaches from other countries and regions to identify best practices and models that can be applied to the Lesotho-South Africa context; c) analysis of challenges and opportunities
- Hold a Research Validation Workshop with relevant stakeholders to review the finding of the study
- Preparation of a consolidated detailed report outlining findings, best practices, and recommendations for enhancing migration cooperation between Lesotho and South Africa.ย
- Develop a policy briefย summarizing the key findings and recommendations for the ideal cooperation arrangement.
- Present the final Report and Policy Brief on a viable Migration Model between Lesotho and RSA to Senior Officials.
ย Tangible and measurable outputs of the consultancyย
Under the overall oversight of the Sub-Regional Office Director in RSA and direct supervision of the project manager in IOM Lesotho in collaboration with the JTT and support from regional office Regional Thematic Specialists, the consultant is expected to deliver the following;
Key Deliverables and time frames
Due Date
Research Activity
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Inception Report outlining research methodology and workplan
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1st Draft: A comprehensive research report (including the Desk Research Findings), detailing the findings and analysis of migration cooperation between Lesotho and South Africa, as well as the comparative analysis of other countries and regions.
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Research Validation Workshop with relevant stakeholders
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Final Draft: A comprehensive research report (including the Desk Research Findings), detailing the findings and analysis of migration cooperation between Lesotho and South Africa, as well as the comparative analysis of other countries and regions.
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Policy Briefย summarizing the key findings and recommendations for the ideal cooperation arrangement.
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*Each deliverable is subject to approval by IOM and the consultancy will not be complete until publication of the research report.
Performance indicators for the evaluation of results
* Where primary research is conducted (interviews, workshops or focus group discussions) the service provider will be required to provide the JTT with reports and data of the research.
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The receipt and approval of each deliverable is subject to approval from IOM and JTT.ย ยThe following will form the basis of review of the consultantโs performance:
Education, Experience and/or skills required
โข ย ย ย ย Quality of reportsย
โข ย ย ย ย Adherence to stipulated time frames
โข ย ย ย ย The engagement with the JTT to ensure complementarity of field research with the desk review conducted by the JTT
ยThe consultant should have the following qualifications and experience:
Languages
a.ย ย ย ย Completed advanced University degree from an accredited academic institution preferably in Social sciences. International Relations, Economics, Political Science, Sociology, Development Studies, the profile(s)/CV(s) and copies of the qualifications of the consultancy firmโs capacity/team to deliver on the scope of the project must be included. A composition of a Team with legal experts will be an added advantage
b.ย ย ย ย At least 8-10 years of experience in migration research-oriented project management, monitoring, and reporting
c.ย ย ย ย Capacity to collate and synthesize qualitative and quantitative data in a comprehensible manner.
d.ย ย ย ย Knowledge of the African Union, SADC and other migration governance and trade frameworks and preferably previous experience working in Southern Africaย
e.ย ย ย ย Knowledge of the South African and Lesotho legal frameworks for migration.
f.ย ย ย ย Proven previous working experience consisting of substantial involvement in assessments, research and/or policy reviews in related areas.ย
g.ย ย ย ย Working experience with senior officials within government, inter-governmental, and non-governmental organizations in Africa, preferably in SADC/IOC
h.ย ย ย ย Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective relationships.
i.ย ย ย ย Language(s): Fluency in English is required.
j.ย ย ย ย Travel required
ย - Fluency in English 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
- The consultant is expected to travel for field visits. 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.