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.
Project Context and Scope
IOM Lesotho has implemented trafficking in persons (TIP) interventions that support the Government of Lesotho (GoL) to strengthen national and decentralized responses to trafficking through prevention, protection and prosecution, commonly referred to as the “3Ps” approach. These interventions have been implemented in close collaboration with key government counterparts, including the Ministry of Home Affairs and Police, the Ministry of Law and Justice, the Ministry of Labour and Employment, the Ministry of Gender, Youth and Social Development, as well as civil society organizations (CSOs). The interventions aimed to strengthen the prosecution of TIP cases, enhance the protection of victims of trafficking (VoTs), and support victim-centred assistance and referral mechanisms. These efforts are aligned with Lesotho’s National Strategic Framework and Action Plan to Combat TIP (2021–2026), Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, 2011 (as amended in 2021) and contribute to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly targets related to human rights, protection and access to justice.
The project implementation was based on the assumption that strengthening the capacities of law enforcement, judicial institutions, social protection actors and CSOs, while improving coordination and survivor-centred service delivery, will lead to more effective prosecution of trafficking cases and enhanced protection of VoTs. Through the provision of standardized training, operational support, improved coordination mechanisms, cross-border cooperation platforms, and management of the Victims of Trafficking Trust Fund, the project aimed to enhance the ability of stakeholders to identify, investigate and prosecute trafficking offences, while ensuring that victims receive comprehensive, trauma-informed protection and support services.
This theory of change suggests that, if these interventions strengthen institutional capacities, collaboration and accountability, then law enforcement and judicial actors will improve the investigation and prosecution of trafficking cases, stakeholders will share information and collaborate more effectively, and victims will have greater access to justice, rehabilitation and compensation mechanisms.
Ultimately, these changes are expected to contribute to stronger national anti-trafficking systems, improved protection and access to justice for victims, and the disruption of trafficking networks in Lesotho, thereby advancing the overall goal of enhancing government and civil society capacity to prosecute TiP cases and protect victims
EVALUATION PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES
The evaluation will examine the extent to which the project:
- Strengthened institutional capacities of government institutions, law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, and civil society organizations to investigate, prosecute and adjudicate trafficking in persons cases,
- Strengthened national and district-level coordination, information-sharing, and cross-border collaboration mechanisms,
- Improved access to survivor-centred, trauma-informed protection services and access to justice for victims of trafficking,
- Strengthened systems and mechanisms that are likely to continue delivering results beyond the life of the project.
The evaluation will serve two complementary purposes:
Accountability
To provide IOM, the Government of Lesotho (GoL), the United States Department of State, implementing partners, and other stakeholders with an independent assessment of project performance, results achieved, resource utilization, and the project's contribution towards strengthening the national response to trafficking in persons.
Learning
To identify lessons learned, good practices, innovative approaches, implementation challenges, and strategic recommendations that can inform the design and implementation of future anti-trafficking programming in Lesotho and similar contexts. The evaluation findings will also support evidence-based decision-making by the GoL through relevant ministries, institutional learning, and future resource mobilization.
EVALUATION SCOPE
This summative evaluation will cover the entire project implementation period from August 2023 to October 2026 in the five selected districts where the project was implemented i.e. Butha-Buthe, Leribe, Maseru, Mafeteng and Qacha’s Nek. The evaluation will also cover transit monitoring activities implemented under the project, including their relevance, effectiveness, contribution to victim identification and referral, coordination with relevant authorities and partners, and the extent to which these activities informed broader prevention and protection outcomes. It will be conducted during the final quarter of the project period (August to October 2026) by an external evaluator.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
The evaluation will be guided by the six-standard OECD/DAC criteria, also endorsed by the United Nations Evaluation Group (UNEG): relevance, coherence, efficiency, effectiveness, impact, and sustainability as a lens for analysis.
Relevance
Coherence
Efficiency
Effectiveness
Impact
Sustainability
EVALUATION METHODOLOGY
The evaluation will primarily use a qualitative design to assess the relevance, coherence, efficiency, effectiveness, impact, and sustainability of the project. Interested applicants should propose an appropriate and robust methodology; however, suggested methods may include desk review, key informant interviews (KIIs), focus group discussions (FGDs), and outcome harvesting. IOM Lesotho prefers the use of multiple methods to strengthen triangulation. The desk review may cover project proposals and budgets, progress and donor reports, publications and other project documentation, relevant government documents, and other relevant academic or grey literature. Semi-structured KIIs will be conducted in person where feasible and virtually where necessary.
Following a review of the project documentation, the evaluator will work collaboratively with the project team to identify key informants. These may include members of the Multi-Sectoral Committee (MSC), members of TIP task teams at national and subnational levels, IOM staff responsible for project implementation, IOM staff who provided technical and managerial.
Furthermore, the evaluation will assess the extent to which cross-cutting principles were integrated throughout the intervention, including a rights-based approach, sustainability of results, protection mainstreaming, and accountability to affected populations. Special attention will be paid to age, human rights, participation, and protection considerations.
ETHICAL NORMS AND STANDARDS FOR EVALUATION
The evaluation shall be conducted in accordance with the United Nations Evaluation Group (UNEG) Norms and Standards for Evaluation, the UNEG Ethical Guidelines for Evaluation, IOM evaluation guidance, IOM Data Protection Principles, and all applicable ethical and safeguarding requirements. The evaluator shall ensure that ethical considerations are integrated throughout the evaluation process, including evaluation design, sampling, data collection, analysis, reporting, dissemination and use of findings.
Given the sensitive nature of trafficking in persons programming and the potential involvement of vulnerable individuals, the evaluation must apply a survivor-centred, trauma-informed, rights-based and “do no harm” approach
Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing
The consultancy will contribute to the project titled “Supporting Lesotho in the Protection of Victims of Trafficking and the Prosecution of Trafficking in Persons.” PX0440: X:1:3:001
Tasks to be performed under this contract
Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or above) in a relevant field such as monitoring and evaluation, development studies, population or migration studies, international relations, law, statistics, social science research, or another related discipline. If applying as a team, all team members should demonstrate qualifications relevant to their proposed roles.
Experience
Skills
Required Competencies
Notes
IOM covers Consultants against occupational accidents and illnesses under the Compensation Plan (CP), free of charge, for the duration of the consultancy. IOM does not provide evacuation or medical insurance for reasons related to non-occupational accidents and illnesses. Consultants are responsible for their own medical insurance for non-occupational accident or illness and will be required to provide written proof of such coverage before commencing work.
Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.
Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, security clearances.
IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities.
IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.
No late applications will be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.