Technical consultant to deliver Counter-Trafficking in Persons activities including trainings in Kiribati Jan - March 2025

Technical consultant to deliver Counter-Trafficking in Persons activities including trainings in Kiribati (Jan - March 2025) 

Home-based, with travel to Tarawa

1. Background:

Mwakuri Aika Nakoraoi Ibukin Maeuraoimi (“Decent Employment for Everyone’s Development”) (MANIM Project) is a four-year initiative funded by the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) for implementation in Kiribati. The overall MANIM Project is governed by a Threshold Agreement between MCC and the Government of Kiribati,[1] and aims to facilitate decent and inclusive employment for I-Kiribati.

It consists of three activities:

(1) Mwakuri Aika a Raraoi Ibukimi (“Decent Work for All”) Activity 1 (MARI 1), focused on MEHR capability building and implemented by MCC;

(2) Mwakuri Aika a Raraoi Ibukimi (“Decent Work for All”) Activity 2 (MARI 2), focused on worker protection and family resilience and implemented by ILO; and

(3) Uaiakinan ao Uarokoan Toronibwaia (“Striving to Achieve Well-being for I-Kiribati”),focused on youth skills camps and scholarships, and implemented by American Councils.

In addition to leading MARI 2, ILO is responsible for Counter-Trafficking in Persons (CTIP) management across the MANIM project as a whole. Per MCC CTIP Policy requirements, MCC has carried out a MANIM project-wide TIP risk assessment which rated the risk as “high”. Accordingly, a TIP Risk Management Plan was drafted to address identified risks associated with the MANIM Project as a whole.

The resulting recommendations informed the design of the following five specific measures to prevent and mitigate trafficking risks:

1. Prepare and conduct trainings for Government of Kiribati officers in MEHR and line ministries, along with non-governmental SafeNet service providers, and other MCC partners. An initial training plus annual refresher trainings will be considered, with the agenda and frequency to be decided in consultation with these stakeholders.
2. Establish and Strengthen Complaints Handling and Reporting Pathways on TIP and Associated Risks within the context of the MANIM Project, in consultation with MCC partners and key service providers
3. Build Awareness of TIP and C-TIP during pre-departure training for overseas workers, and students
4. Mainstream TIP awareness into trainings delivered at the community level on migration awareness, which will include potential overseas workers and their families.
5. Ensure data collection and monitoring including through worker surveys, and (in coordination with MANIM Project partners) surveys of students going overseas. In coordination with MANIM Project partners, and responsible Government line ministries, ensure a complaints channel exists for workers and students.

To inform ongoing efforts to mitigate and prevent trafficking risks across the MANIM Project, an expert consultant is required to conduct consultations with MANIM project partners and concerned stakeholders in Kiribati and design an operational workplan and training curriculum to ensure the delivery of the above five measures.

2. Objective

The primary objective of this consultancy is to support MANIM project stakeholders to address the TIP risks identified in the project-specific risk assessment, by delivering trainings and trainings-of-trainers using the relevant tools for achievement of the five agreed measures (listed above) for preventing and mitigating TIP risks across the MANIM project.

This will be achieved through consultation with relevant stakeholders, and in compliance with relevant ILO, American Councils and MCC policies and requirements.

3. The assignment

A technical expert is required to deliver high-level trainings to support the achievement of the MANIM Project CTIP Plan, with the following expected results:

1. Deliver training content for initial and refresher trainings for Government of Kiribati officers in MEHR and line ministries, along with non-governmental SafeNet service providers, and other MCC partners
2. Deliver training-of-trainers for:
   • Mainstreaming TIP and CTIP awareness into existing pre-departure training delivered to migrant workers and students
   • Promoting TIP and CTIP awareness through community-based consultations/awareness raising
3. Final Report detailing highlights and potential improvements

Reporting to the MARI 2 Project Manager the consultant will be home-based, with travel to Tarawa, Kiribati.

4. Deliverables

1. Inception report

The existing MANIM Project CTIP Plan is informed by extensive consultation, research and review. The consultant will conduct a rapid review of literature already compiled by MCC, ILO and American Councils, and develop an inception report which:

• Summarises key issues and proposes a structure for expected deliverables (listed below)
• Provides a detailed workplan for the assignment, outlining the methodology, timeline and key milestones for completion of the assignment, including with consideration to stakeholder engagement.

2. Stakeholder consultation

In addition to preparatory virtual consultations with key ILO and GoK representatives, the consultant will undertake a mission to Tarawa, Kiribati, to conduct in-person trainings with stakeholders in-country, informing the deliverables listed below (#3).

3. Curriculum delivery

To deliver of training for both duty bearers (Government, service providers and MANIM Project partners), and community-based outreach (for workers, students and their families), the consultant will deliver curriculum by:

1. Conducting a thorough review of MCC CTIP Policy, ILO materials and International Labour Standards, and other relevant documents.
2. Deliver the following training content with optional virtual component:
   1. Deliver training content for initial trainings for Government of Kiribati officers in MEHR and line ministries, along with non-governmental SafeNet service providers, and other MANIM Project partners, including employers’ and workers’ organizations if deemed relevant during consultations.
   2. Deliver Training-of-trainers content to mainstream TIP and CTIP awareness into existing pre-departure training delivered to migrant workers and students
   3. Deliver Training-of-trainers content to support community-based outreach on TIP and C-TIP

The consultant will be responsible for ensuring the training is comprehensive, covering TIP awareness, prevention, detection, reporting and victim/survivor-centred support at a level appropriate to the target audience; that it is in line with international standards and best practices, including with respect to social and gender inclusion; and that the curriculum is culturally appropriate and accessible, including for people from outer islands and vulnerable populations.

5.Proposed timeline

The assignment is expected to begin in February 2025, to be completed by March 2025, with the following milestones:

1. Inception report - 24 Jan 2025 -31 Jan 2025 (6 days)
2. Development of follow-up mechanisms to evaluate the effectiveness of trainings and promote sustainability of outcomes-3 Feb 2025 -5 Feb 2025 (3 days)
3. Delivery of C-TIP trainings in Kiribati -17 Feb 2025 -21 Feb 2025 (5 days)
4. Delivery of C-TIP ToTs in Kiribati-24 Feb 2025 - 26 Feb 2025 (3 days)
5. Development of supplementary training materials to support long-term dissemination of training content -3 Mar 2025 - 4 Mar 2025 (2 days)
6. Final Report -3-5 Mar 2025 (3 days)

Total - 22 days

MISSION SUPPORT

The ILO will cover the cost of return airfares on the most direct route to Tarawa and back, following the ILO Travel Policy. Additionally, the Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) will be provided in accordance with the UN Rates.

Payment Schedule

1. 30% on submission of Work Plan and Inception Report, and evaluation mechanism
2. 50% on delivery of C-TIP and ToT C-TIP trainings in Tarawa
3. 20% on completion of Final Report

6. Qualifications and Experience

The consultant should possess the following qualifications and experience:

1. An advanced degree in social sciences, human rights, law, or related field, or with an undergraduate degree combined with relevant practical experience
2. Experience and qualifications in designing and teaching educational material to adults (qualifications to this effect are very highly regarded)
3. Extensive proven experience in developing CTIP or related curricula and training programs
4. Strong understanding of trafficking in persons, forced labour, human rights issues, and labour migration
5. A demonstrated commitment to gender-responsive and socially inclusive approaches to CTIP programming and training
6. Excellent communication, consultation and facilitation skills
7. Experience working in Pacific Island countries will be very highly regarded.