CONSULTANT for the Development of a Code of Conduct, Standards and Certification for the hiring and employment of migrant workers in Mauritius at International Organization for Migration


Request for Expression of Interest
MU10.REI.2022-02
Position Title: CONSULTANT for the Development of a Code of Conduct, Standards and Certification for the hiring and employment of migrant workers in Mauritius – Category B Consultancy
Duty Station: Homebased, with travels to Mauritius
Type of Appointment: Consultancy
Estimated Start Date:April 2022
Closing Date:06 March 2022

Established in 1951, IOM is the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of migration and works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

Context:
In line with relevant legislation in Mauritius, the Mauritius Export Association (MEXA) has initiated the development an industry-led ‘Code of Conduct, standards and certification for the hiring and employment of migrant workers’ which would serve as an important instrument to guide export-oriented enterprises in their recruitment and labour practices.
MEXA has solicited the collaboration of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) for the development of a code of conduct and standards for the hiring and employment of migrant workers, which will include a set of standards for the employment and management of foreign labour for the export sector. Key stakeholders who would be involved in the initiative include:
• Employers / employers’ organizations
• Recruitment agencies
• Trade union and other civil society actors
• Government
• International clients
The International Organization for Migration is seeking the services of a Consultant to assist the Mauritius Export Association (MEXA) with the development of a Code of Conduct, Standards and Certification for the hiring and employment of migrant workers in Mauritius.
This activity is implemented within the framework of the Southern Africa Migration Management (SAMM) Project. The SAMM Project forms part of the European Union Regional Indicative Programme (11th EDF RIP) for Eastern Africa, Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean (2014–2020) and aims to improve migration management in the Southern Africa and Indian Ocean region. This initiative is being carried out with the context of the project key result area 1.1. “promotion and establishment of rights-based legal and efficient channels of labour migration and mobility (including appropriate protection measures for migrant workers in the Indian Ocean region”. The project is a model ONE UN approach with the collaboration between four UN development and humanitarian agencies: the International Labour
Organization (ILO), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
(UNHCR). The overall objective of the project is to improve the management of migration in Southern Africa and IOC region. It focuses on South-South migration flows, identifying positive spill over effects of international migration on regional integration and regional economic development. Three Regional Economic Communities, namely COMESA, SADC and IOC, are key stakeholders in the implementation of the SAMM project.
Core Functions / Responsibilities:
Purpose of the Assignment
In line with relevant legislation in Mauritius, the Mauritius Export Association (MEXA) has initiated the development an industry-led ‘Code of Conduct, standards and certification for the hiring and employment of migrant workers’ which would serve as an important instrument to guide export-oriented enterprises in their recruitment and labour practices.
MEXA has solicited the collaboration of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) for the development of a code of conduct and standards for the hiring and employment of migrant workers, which will include a set of standards for the employment and management of foreign labour for the export sector. Key stakeholders who would be involved in the initiative include:
• Employers / employers’ organizations
• Recruitment agencies
• Trade union and other civil society actors
• Government
• International clients
A phased approach will be adopted for the project with the following key steps:

  1. Drafting and approval of a Code of Conduct (short term)
  2. Development of standards and implementing an assurance model (medium term)
  3. Certification (long term)
    The Mauritius Export Association (MEXA) is the main private sector association regrouping the Exporting companies of Mauritius which today represent the largest employer of migrant workers in Mauritius. Indeed, the sector employs more than 50% of migrant workers in Mauritius. MEXA highly values the immense contribution of migrant workers toward the development and sustainability of the Mauritian export sector, which remains one of the main economic pillars of the economy. MEXA has always advocated and promoted a fair and ethical treatment of foreign worker among its membership and even with the Government.
    The introduction of a code of conduct and eventually hiring and employment standards seeks:
  4. To set out and ensure humane hiring and employment conditions to protect migrant workers in Mauritius, in line with international standard on recruitment and migrant workers protection
  5. To ensure that export companies adhere to and implement the code of conduct / standards
  6. To build the trust of international clients in Mauritian export companies
  7. To place Mauritius as one of the best host countries for the hiring and employment of migrant workers while taking into consideration the economic and social factors of Mauritius
    The approach of IOM to international labour migration is to foster synergies between labour migration and development, and to promote legal avenues of labour migration as an alternative to irregular migration. As such, the promotion of ethical recruitment is an important area of the work of IOM with the private sector which is guided by the ten principles of the Global Compact for safe, orderly and regular migration (GCM), the Guidelines on Cooperation between the United Nations and the Business Sector, and the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
    To support responsible labour recruiters, IOM alongside like-minded stakeholders has developed the IRIS: Ethical Recruitment initiative to support ethical recruitment of migrant workers. IRIS: Ethical Recruitment is IOM’s flagship initiative to promote ethical recruitment of migrant workers. It has been created by IOM and a coalition of partners from government, civil society and the private sector. IRIS is a global multi-stakeholder initiative that supports governments, civil society, the private sector and recruiters to establish ethical recruitment as a norm in cross-border labour migration. IRIS is comprised of an international standard, certification scheme, and a compliance and monitoring mechanism. It seeks to provide recognition for good practice that is consistent with sustainable international standards on fair and ethical recruitment, so that consumers of goods and services can make better informed decisions regarding which companies they support.
    As the UN migration agency, IOM will provide technical assistance for the development of the Code of Conduct and standards to foster fair and ethical recruitment and employment of migrant workers in the export-oriented sector.
    Scope of the Assignment
    In the first instance a code of conduct will be prepared and the code will be inspired by other codes including the one prescribed by the World Employment Confederation whose key principles include respect for laws, for ethical and professional conduct, for free-of-charge provision to jobseekers, for transparency of terms of engagement, for health and safety at work, for the principle of non-discrimination, for workers’ rights, for confidentiality, for quality of service and fair competition, and, for the access to remedy. The code will also incorporate the key provisions of the Global Compact on Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM), the IOM’sIRIS initiative and the IRIS Standard, and the Fair Recruitment Initiative developed by the International Labour Organisation (ILO). Besides, consideration will be given to ILO’s Fundamental Rights and Principles at work, international labour standards, and guidance on Business and Human Rights and Corporate Social Responsibility, ILO General Principles and Operational Guidelines for fair recruitment.. The implementation of the code of conduct will be accompanied by a monitoring system to increase transparency and address challenges faced by migrant workers.
    The assignment will be undertaken under the overall supervision of the IOM Chief of Mission, with the technical guidance of IOM Experts and MEXA, and in close coordination with the IOM Mauritius Team.
    The main objectives of the Code of Conduct are:
  8. To present the fundamental principles which Mauritian export-oriented enterprises should follow in the recruitment and employment of migrant workers
  9. To guide export-oriented enterprises in the recruitment and employment of migrant workers and promote fair and ethical practices which will respect the rights of foreign workers in Mauritius
  10. To ensure that Export-oriented enterprises adhere and implement the best recruitment and labour migration standards and practices in their organization.
  11. To build the trust of international buyers in Mauritian exporters
  12. To position Mauritius as one of the best host countries for recruitment and employment of migrant workers following international standards and taking into consideration the economic and social factors of MauritiusA consultative and participative approach involving key stakeholders will be used throughout the process of developing the code of conduct. IOM and MEXA, in coordination with the consultant, will agree on the methodology.
    Tangible and measurable outputs of the work assignment
    The consultant is expected to perform the following tasks / activities:
    • Inception report: Develop and submit an inception report, outlining the research methodology to be used, breakdown of work, the timelines, an overview of stakeholders to be engaged with during the assignment, as well as process, outputs, and reporting / coordination modalities. The report will be reviewed and cleared by IOM;
    • Inception meeting: Support the facilitation of a stakeholders’ inception meeting to present the research methodology and other elements of the inception report;
    • Desk Review: Collect and review existing documents and literature, including from official documents, reports, news publications, IOM and UN / other organizations’ reports and studies, and other relevant sources;
    • Data collection and Field Mission Report: Implement the methodology validated by IOM in Mauritius. The Consultant will produce a Field Mission Report, including the description of the conduct of the field mission, the stakeholders met, a description of positive aspects and limitations on collecting data; a summary of recommendations and suggestions from stakeholders met;
    • Analysis and preparation of draft Code of Conduct: Conduct stakeholders consultations; Analyze the data collected; Prepare a draft Code of Conduct as well as a draft final report;
    • Validation workshop / Final report: Make a presentation at a validation workshop; Finalize the Code of Conduct & Report while including the comments made by key stakeholders.
    Timeline
    This assignment is expected to start tentatively in April 2022, but the actual timeline is subject to change based on the date of the agreement to be signed between IOM and the Consultant.
    Deliverables
  13. An inception report outlining the methodological approach of the consultant on how he/she will undertake the assigned tasks and how he/she intends on proceeding with the research, also indicating the timeframe of the research.
  14. A field mission report, including the description of the running of the field mission; the agenda of stakeholders met; a summary of content; a description of positive aspects and limits on collecting data; a summary of recommendations and suggestions from stakeholders met.
  15. A draft Code of Conduct accompanied by a draft report
  16. A final Code of Conduct accompanied by a final Report incorporating inputs from the key stakeholders.
    All documents are to be produced and delivered in English language.
    Required Qualifications and ExperienceIOM is seeking applications from individual consultants and/or consortiums of individual consultants. The successful (lead) consultant should have a minimum of the following qualifications and experience:
    Education
    • Advanced university degree in Labour studies, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Business Administration, Human Resource Management, International Development, Economics, Migration studies, or a related field
  17. Experience & Skills
    • Minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in academia, project management, governmental, inter-governmental, or non-governmental organizations.
    • Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships.
    • Proven previous experience in conducting primary and secondary research, assessments, monitoring and evaluation, policy analysis, with Government, NGOs or private sector.
    • Full computer literacy, including excellent competences in using both quantitative and qualitative tools (SPSS, STATA, etc.) to analyze data.
    • Capacity to collate and synthetize qualitative and quantitative data in a comprehensible manner.
    • Good knowledge and understanding of the process of hiring and employment of migrant workers.
    • Fully conversant with international standards and certifications, ILO conventions and best practices that relate to the hiring and employment of migrant workers.
    • Good understanding and experience of the exigencies and requirements of international brands/ buyers
    • Experience in drafting research reports or policy analysis documents.
    • Experience in leading validation workshops and engaging with stakeholders
    • Experience with multistakeholder initiatives, compliance systems, social standards
  18. Languages
    Fluency in English is required.
    Required Competencies
    Values
    • Inclusion and respect for diversity: encourages the inclusion of all team members and stakeholders while demonstrating the ability to work constructively with people with different backgrounds and orientations.
    • Integrity and transparency: maintains impartiality and takes prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour.
    • Professionalism: demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter and willingness to improve knowledge and skills.
    Core Competencies
    • Teamwork: establishes strong relationships with colleagues and partners; relates well to people at all levels.
    • Delivering results: produces quality results and provides quality services to clients.
    • Managing and sharing knowledge: shares knowledge and learning willingly, and proactively seeks to learn from the experiences of others.
    • Accountability: operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules.
    • Communication: encourages others to share their views, using active listening to demonstrate openness and to build understanding of different perspectives.
    6 / 6
    Other
    Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment,
    accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

How to apply

Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications to the Human Resources Unit by email to iommauritius@iom.int with clear reference of the Request for Expression of Interest (MU10.REI.2022-02) in the subject line by 06 March 2022. The application package should include:
• a cover letter;
• a detailed CV and P11 Form of the lead consultant that will be involved in the assignment, including contact details of three (3) references (The Personal History (P11) form can be downloaded here: https://southafrica.iom.int/vacancy;
• a 2-4 pager technical proposal on your capacity and approach to the assignment, including a proposed timeframe;
• A 1-page financial proposal indicating daily professional fees in USD and a breakdown of all costs.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Posting period:
From 18 February 2022 to 06 March 2022Country

City

Organization

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Years of experience