TECHNICAL CONSULTANT FOR THE STRENGTHENING COOPERATION ON TIP ENFORCEMENT IN THE WEST AFRICA REGION AND THE MAURITANIA

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1 TERMS OF REFERENCE TECHNICAL CONSULTANT FOR THE STRENGTHENING COOPERATION ON TIP ENFORCEMENT IN THE WEST AFRICA REGION AND THE MAURITANIA. Background The ECOWAS Commission, in collaboration with the ILO funded through the FMM West Africa project, initiated a process to support the strengthening of the Law Enforcement within the ECOWAS region to combat trafficking in persons. In 204, a quick scan of the status of law enforcement on counter-trafficking in the Member States revealed limited capacity as one of the biggest gaps in law enforcement. Limited human and financial resources in the Member states prevent focal institutions from acting upon information when they get it. In addition, lack of cooperation amongst law enforcement operatives challenges effective anti-tip responses. In view of the identified gap, the project engaged two consultants in the development of relevant tools to support Member States in establishing collaborative law enforcement mechanisms in West Africa and Mauritania. In line with the Terms of Reference for the consultancy, the study was conducted and the draft report reviewed by a technical team comprising of ECOWAS, ILO and ICMPD technical officers. The draft study was also discussed with some key officers from NAPTIP s departments for their inputs. Afterwards, the Consultants reviewed the document based on the inputs provided at the technical meeting and the Member state. The final draft of the study, titled Tools to Strengthen Cooperation Mechanisms in the enforcement of Laws against Human Trafficking in West Africa and Mauritania has been submitted to ECOWAS for final approval and for further action. The report of the study and the identified tools was also presented at a meeting to strengthen sub-regional cooperation to fight against Trafficking in Persons in Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania and Senegal under the DDF component. The responses from participants on the study indicated the importance and relevance of the tool. One success story to be reported was the action taken by NAPTIP after the discussion with the consultant. NAPTIP decided to collaborate with UNODC, under another EU funded project, to develop a Standard Operating Procedure for coordination of Law Enforcement Agencies response on Trafficking in Persons in Nigeria. The report presents the findings of the desk study conducted by the consultants with the aim of developing practical tools that could be used to establish and strengthen collaborative law enforcement mechanisms addressing trafficking in persons (TIP) in West Africa and Mauritania. The tools are expected to support counter trafficking measures of the Economic Community of the West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, Member States and Mauritania; and hence foster effective law enforcement at the sub-regional and national levels. The assessment of collaboration practices at the ECOWAS level and globally is the foundation of the study. Hence, presentation of the finding of the study begins by exploring global collaborative law enforcement practices. This review notes that establishment of TIP specialized

2 agencies including multi-agency taskforces at the local level; establishing partnerships with victim protection and advocacy agencies; supporting coordination mechanisms through National Referral Mechanisms, Standard Operational Procedures, Memorandum of Understanding and Operational Protocols; capacity building and specialist training methods targeting police, other stakeholders and frontline officers and first responders as well as prosecutorial and judicial authorities are some of the key measures taken by promising practices in an effective law enforcement collaboration models around the world. The study further summarizes key features and lessons learned from effective collaboration structures and mechanisms. The review includes national and international level good practices across Europe, USA, Canada, Australia, Latin America, South East Asia and Africa. The next section of the report gives an overview of the current and ongoing efforts and the challenges and gaps faced by ECOWAS Member States to collaboratively enforce TIP laws at the national and international levels. Accordingly, the report reveals various encouraging efforts undertaken by many countries to collaboratively address the problem of TIP including by formal and informal measures at the international level and by establishing National Taskforces, TIP dedicated and specialist investigative and prosecutorial agencies, adopting national referral mechanisms and standard operating procedures. The study also reviewed experiences of ECOWAS Member States in the provision of specialist training to police and other front line officers and first responders; in institutionalizing national referral mechanisms; and the implementation of collaboration mechanisms at the national and international level. In addition to reviewing commonly executed strategies and achievements and good practices, the report identifies the challenges and gaps Member States observed in relation to creating specialized agencies for investigation and prosecution of human trafficking and for the coordination of law enforcement efforts with victim support and other response measures. It then concludes that despite commendable efforts in recent years, many countries in the region still face various challenges in enforcing TIP laws and responding to TIP in a coordinated and collaborative framework. Moreover, the existing specialist structures and national taskforces are largely weak to take the responsibility of coordinating law enforcement initiatives with prevention, protection and prosecution responses and TIP information management systems. Finally, the report presents a list of measures recommended at ECOWAS and national level to address the major gaps and challenges in the enforcement of TIP laws and in establishing and enforcing collaborative law enforcement mechanisms. Recommendations proposed by the study include the following: Strengthening Specialist and multiagency agencies so that they play enhanced role in Law enforcement coordination; Standardizing coordination and collaboration mechanisms and Standardizing specialist training programs. To operationalize the report of the study, the ECOWAS Commission with the support from ILO, through the FMM project, plans to establish a regional coordination mechanism of Law Enforcement agencies in combating TIP. To achieve this, a consultant will be engaged to map out existing Law Enforcement Agencies working on eliminating Trafficking in Persons within the ECOWAS region and the Mauritania and also support the process of establishing a regional coordination mechanism and the three-day workshop for Law enforcement agencies.

3 In view of the above, the ILO, through the EU funded project, Support to Free Movement of Persons and Migration in West Africa (FMM West Africa) and the ECOWAS Commission, seeks to engage a consultant to provide technical support in achieving the deliverables as stated in session 2 of this document. The Consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Regional Advisor on counter trafficking in the Directorate of Humanitarian and in close collaboration with the Gender Officer of the Social Affairs Department and report on results achieved to the ILO/FMM Chief Technical Adviser through the ILO/FMM National Programme Officer. 2. Scope of Work This consultancy is designed to provide specific supports to ECOWAS Commission in the achievement of specific strategic results regarding strengthening Cooperation amongst Counter Trafficking Law Enforcement Agencies within the ECOWAS Region. Under the supervision of Humanitarian and Social Affairs Directorate, (TIP and Gender units), and the ILO/FMM National Programme Officer, an Abuja based consultant will be recruited for a period of 70 working days within 7 months. S/he will be responsible for the delivery of the following: i. Mapping of Law Enforcement Agencies involved in the combat of TIP within the ECOWAS Member States and the Mauritania. ii. Disseminate the Strengthening Coordination Mechanisms in the Enforcement of Human Trafficking Laws in West Africa and Mauritania to the identified law enforcement agencies for their feedback before the regional workshop, especially on how to operationalize the developed tools. iii. Support the organization and write report on the Regional Meeting of Counter Trafficking Law Enforcement Agencies iv. Make Presentations on the report of the mapping of Law Enforcement Agencies involved in the combat of TIP at the regional level and the Mauritania to Experts at the strategic meeting of Law Enforcement Agencies and on ways to operationalize the developed tools. v. Provide other technical support to the Humanitarian and Social Affairs Department for effective and efficient implementation of the ECOWAS trafficking activities, especially, under the FMM West Africa Project. 3. Expected Deliverables i. A detailed work plan of the activities to be undertaken stating specific timelines, verifiable indicators submitted to the ILO upon agreement with the Humanitarian and Social Affairs Department s, especially the TIP and the gender units (on or before 2weeks after signing the contract)

4 ii. A draft report of the Mapping of Law Enforcement Agencies involved in the combat of TIP in the ECOWAS region and Mauritania. iii. Finalized report of the Mapping vi. Report on Regional Meeting of Counter Trafficking Law Enforcement Agencies iv. PPT Presentation on the report of Mapping of Law Enforcement Agencies involved in the combat of TIP in the ECOWAS region and Mauritania vii. Report on the dissemination and feedback from Member States on operationalizing the developed tools stated Strengthening Coordination Mechanisms in the Enforcement of Human Trafficking Laws in West Africa and Mauritania. 4. Competencies/Qualification i. A minimum of a Bachelor s degree in Political Science, Law, Arts or relevant social or political areas with adequate focus on child protection, anti-trafficking, criminal justice or social studies; a Master s Degree will be an advantage. ii. A minimum of 3 years of progressive professional experience in trafficking in persons is mandatory iii. Must be able to express him or herself clearly and communicate effectively verbally and in written form iv. Substantial knowledge and skill in program planning and implementation. v. Experience in communicating with, and creating and nurturing appropriate relationships with senior level personnel from member states and non-state actors is required. vi. Work experience with a regional or international organization, multi-lateral or bilateral development partner in any ECOWAS country would be an asset. 6. Location The Consultant will be based in Abuja. 7. Timeframe The consultancy is to start on the 26th of March 208 and end by 28th of August 208. The timelines for each deliverable will be agreed upon at the review of the detailed work-plan to be submitted by the Consultant. 8. Consultancy fees The consultancy cost under this contract is 6,000USD, to be paid in local currency and Payment will be made as follows: i. 5% consultancy fees upon the submission of the detailed work-plan ii. 30% consultancy fees upon the submission of the draft report of the Mapping of

5 Mapping of Law Enforcement Agencies involved in the combat of TIP in the ECOWAS region and Mauritania and Report on the dissemination and feedback from Member States on operationalizing the developed tools stated Strengthening Coordination Mechanisms in the Enforcement of Human Trafficking Laws in West Africa and Mauritania. iii. 40% consultancy fee upon the submission of the Report on Regional Meeting of Counter Trafficking Law Enforcement Agencies and PPT Presentation on the report of the Mapping of Law Enforcement Agencies involved in the combat of TIP in the ECOWAS region and Mauritania iv. 25% consultancy fee upon the submission of the clean copy of the the Mapping of Law Enforcement Agencies involved in the combat of TIP in the ECOWAS region and Mauritania Child Policy to the satisfaction of the ECOWAS Commission and ILO Director-General through the Director of the ILO Office in Abuja. HOW TO APPLY Interested and qualified candidates are invited to submit their applications to address and on or before 9th March 208. In order for the applications to be considered valid, ILO only accepts applications with Curriculum Vitae (CV), detailed work plan and a cover letter not more than one page specifying the motivation for application, addressed to The Director, International Labour Organization (ILO) Country Office of Abuja and with a subject line Consultancy on Technical assistance in achieving strategic results on the trafficking and child protection components of the FMM West Africa project. All applications should include a functional address and mobile number (s). Please note that only applications sent by will be accepted and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.