National Consultant- Assignment to Generate Evidence-Based Insights for the Ethiopia–Kenya Bilateral Labour Agreement (BLA) through a Comparative Labour Market Assessment

Introduction Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations and the leading UN agency in the field of migration. Working closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners, IOM promotes humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It saves lives and protects people on the move, drives solutions to displacement, and facilitates pathways for regular migration, while providing services and advice to governments and migrants. IOM is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive and supportive workplace where all employees can thrive professionally and feel valued. By creating such an environment, IOM aims to better harness the full potential of migration and strengthen its support to people on the move. IOM invites candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply and provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process when required. Learn more about IOM’s workplace culture at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration Project Context and Scope The project titled, Regular Pathways for Employment: A collaborative approach between Kenya and Ethiopia for intra and inter-regional migration , aims to enhance regular labour migration pathways between Kenya, Ethiopia and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, promoting regional cooperation and safe migration. The project aims to facilitate the Governments of Ethiopia (GOE) and Kenya (GoK) to establish a labour migration governance and cooperation framework to address irregular migration, safeguard migrant workers' rights and strengthen regional partnerships. It also aims to contribute to the establishment of governance and cooperation frameworks for efficient and sustainable channels for regular migration to selected GCC countries. Kenya and Ethiopia are central to migration dynamics in the East and Horn of Africa region, acting as origin, transit, and destination countries influenced by economic, conflict, and environmental factors. Ethiopians often migrate to Kenya for education, work, or on transit to Southern Africa, Europe and North America, while both Ethiopians and Kenyans seek labour opportunities in GCC countries. In the process, migrants face significant challenges including exploitation, irregular migration, and limited legal protections partly due to inadequate bilateral agreements and weak institutional capacity. The Kenya–Ethiopia corridor is a strategically important economic zone linking northern Kenya and southern Ethiopia, characterized by cross-border trade, infrastructure development, mobility of labour, and emerging urban centres. Recent and planned investments in transport infrastructure, energy, logistics, agribusiness, and services are expected to significantly influence labour demand, skills requirements, and employment opportunities across the corridor. At the same time, there exists persistent challenges including high youth unemployment, informality, skills mismatches, gender disparities in labour force participation, and vulnerabilities related to climate shocks, displacement, and cross-border mobility. Addressing these challenges requires sustained collaborative efforts and coordinated actions between countries and regions to improve governance frameworks and ensure that migration pathways are safe, fair and gender responsive. The GoE is actively engaging in negotiations with countries of destination, including development of Bilateral Labour Migration Agreements (BLMAs); similar efforts are being undertaken by the GoK to increase access to decent employment for their respective migrant workers. Both countries are significant countries of origin for labour mobility to the Gulf Cooperation Council states. Despite the efforts, critical gaps persist, including absence of structured, inclusive, and gender-sensitive and responsive labour mobility frameworks between Ethiopia and Kenya as well as GCC countries. This has contributed to the proliferation of irregular migration, exploitation of migrant workers, and limited access to dignified work opportunities. The GoE has identified labor migration as a strategic priority for development as well as fostering regional integration. Discussions with GoK have been initiated in 2023 to pave the ground for possible MoU on labor migration between the two countries. The Ministry of Labour and Skills (MoLS) of the GoE with support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) intends to commission a Labour Market Assessment (LMA) to generate evidence on existing and future labour demand and supply dynamics along the Ethiopia-Kenya corridor, to inform targeted policy dialogue, and support technical discussions to frame and realize the envisaged Ethiopia-Kenya Memorandum of Understanding (MoU/BLMA). As such, the purpose of this consultancy is to conduct a comprehensive labour market assessment to: Identify and analyze labour market dynamics, trends, and constraints in key economic sectors that have high employment and growth potential in Ethiopia. Identify current and projected labour demand, skills need in Ethiopia, and employment opportunities between the two countries. Analyze Ethiopian labour supply characteristics, focusing on skills, employability, and barriers to labour market participation; and Provide actionable recommendations to inform employment, skills development, Ethiopia-Kenya MoU/BLMA finalization and effective stakeholder engagement. Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing Regular Pathways for Employment: A collaborative approach between Kenya and Ethiopia for intra and inter-regional migration. Project Code: LM.0615 Unit: Migration Management and Governance Unit (MMGU) in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Skills in the Government of Ethiopia Tasks to be performed under this contract The consultant will report to MOLS (Job employment sector) and work closely with the Labour Mobility and Social Inclusion team at IOM Ethiopia. All deliverables will be subject to review and approval by the Overseas Employment Expansion Desk and IOM Ethiopia. Category B Consultant hired to deliver a report on a three-instalment payment basis: 1. First deliverable – Inception Report Detailed methodology, workplan and timelines, and data collection tools - First instalment 20% is done after the submission of the inception report Deliverable by e-mail 2 weeks after contract start 2. Second deliverable – Draft Labour Market Assessment Report Findings, analysis, and preliminary recommendations - Second instalment 40% is done following submission and approval of IOM Deliverable by e-mail 4 weeks after contract start 3. Third deliverable – Validation Workshop Presentation of key findings to stakeholders Deliverable by e-mail 1 weeks following validation workshop 4. Final deliverable – Final Labour Market Assessment Report Incorporating feedback and inputs from stakeholders; finalize the report with a specific roadmap identifying possible priority sectors, occupations, implementation mechanisms, responsible lead actors, timelines for advancing the envisaged BLA – Third and Final instalment 40% is done. Deliverable by e-mail 1 week before contract ends. Total estimated disbursements: ETB1,590,000.00 – ETB1,600,000.00 Performance indicators for the evaluation of results Inception report is submitted within agreed timelines and includes Workplan with all agreed activities, milestones, and timelines and approved Draft Labour Assessment report submitted within agreed timelines, is supported by credible quantitative and qualitative evidence, including preliminary relevant and actionable recommendations PowerPoint Presentation clearly communicates findings; and stakeholder feedback to the findings documented and consolidated following the Validation workshop Final report includes roadmap and identifies priority sectors and addresses both IOM and stakeholder’s feedback. Required Qualifications and Experience Education