Development of Standard Operating Procedures for Victims of Trafficking Trust Fund

Position details

• Vacancy type: Consultancy
• Recruiting type: Consultant
• Contract type: Consultancy (Up to 11 months)
• Initial contract duration: September 2026
• Office or unit: Country Office
• Location: Maseru, Lesotho
• Application deadline: 2026-09-01T00:00:00+00:00

Context

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 Scop

4.1 Project Context and Scope

Context

Funded by the U.S. Department of State, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is supporting the Ministry of Home Affairs and Police in combating Trafficking in Persons (TIP) under the project titled “Supporting Lesotho in the Protection of Victims of Trafficking and the Prosecution of Trafficking in Persons.

The Government of Lesotho has demonstrated its commitment to combating Trafficking in Persons (TIP) through the enactment of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, 2011 (as amended in 2021), and the establishment of institutional mechanisms aimed at preventing trafficking, protecting victims, and prosecuting offenders. The Act provides for the establishment of a Victims of Trafficking Trust Fund, intended to support assistance, protection, rehabilitation, reintegration, and recovery services for victims of trafficking. While the legal provision exists, the Trust Fund has not yet been operationalized, and there are currently no standardized procedures to guide its governance, administration, financing, accountability, disbursement, monitoring, and reporting.

IOM, in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs and Police, seeks to engage a qualified consultant to develop comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the management of the Victims of Trafficking Trust Fund. Given that the Trust Fund provided for in the Act has not yet been operationalized, the consultancy shall not only develop SOPs but also propose a practical operationalization framework to guide the establishment and functioning of the Trust Fund. This framework should identify the institutional, governance, financial, administrative, and legal arrangements required to make the Fund fully operational and sustainable. The SOPs will serve as a practical guide for the establishment, governance, management, utilization, and accountability of the Trust Fund, in accordance with national legislation and international good practices.

4.2. Scope of Work

Overall objective 

The overall objective of the consultancy is to develop the operationalization framework and Standard Operating Procedures to guide the establishment, administration and effective functioning of the Victims of Trafficking Trust Fund.

Specific Objectives

1. Review the legislative and policy framework governing trafficking in persons and victim assistance in Lesotho.
2. Assess existing institutional capacities, gaps, and operational requirements necessary for the effective establishment and operationalization of the Trust Fund
3. Assess international and regional best practices relating to trafficking victim compensation and trust fund management.
4. Consult relevant stakeholders regarding the proposed governance and management arrangements of the Trust Fund.
5. Develop a practical operationalization framework for the Trust Fund 

6. Develop standard operating procedures for the administration and management of the Trust Fund

7. Facilitate stakeholder validation of the draft SOPs and the operationalization framework and incorporate feedback into the final documents.

8. Produce final validated operationalization framework and Standard Operating Procedures 

    

4.2.1 Scope of Work

The consultant shall undertake the following tasks, which include but are not limited to:

1. Review relevant Anti-Trafficking legislation, policies, strategies, guidelines, regulations, and victims assistance frameworks

2. Review international standards and best practices on victim trust funds, compensation mechanisms, and victim assistance programs.

3. Review examples of victim of trafficking trust funds and operationalization frameworks.

4. Review examples of standard operating procedures for the administration and management of the Trust Fund from other countries.

5. Conduct stakeholder consultations in the development of both the operationalization framework and the SOP.

The consultancy will contribute to the project titled “Supporting Lesotho in the Protection of Victims of Trafficking and the Prosecution of Trafficking in Persons.”

Responsibilities

(a) Inception Report: Submit an inception report outlining the detailed methodology, workplan and timeline, stakeholder mapping, data collection tools, and overall approach to the assignment, including any anticipated challenges and mitigation measures.

(b) Desk Review Report: Conduct a comprehensive desk review and submit a report summarizing key findings, including analysis of relevant legislation, policies, existing frameworks, identified gaps, and benchmarking against international best practices.

(c) Stakeholder Consultation Report: Conduct structured stakeholder consultations and submit a report detailing the consultation methodology, list of stakeholders engaged, key findings, challenges identified, and recommendations to inform the operationalization framework and SOPs.

(d) Draft Trust Fund Operationalization Framework: Submit a draft Trust Fund Operationalization Framework.

(e) Draft SOPs for the Trust Fund: Submit draft Standard Operating Procedures covering detailed processes for fund administration, eligibility criteria, application and disbursement procedures, financial management, monitoring and reporting, and accountability mechanisms.

(f) Validation Workshop: Organize and facilitate a validation workshop to present the draft Operationalization Framework and SOPs, and submit a workshop report including the agenda, participant list, key feedback received, and recommendations for revisions.

(g) Final Trust Fund Operationalization Framework: Submit the finalized Operationalization Framework incorporating feedback from IOM and stakeholders, ensuring alignment with national legislation and international best practices.

(h) Final SOPs and Operational Toolkit: Submit the finalized SOPs along with a practical operational toolkit, including templates, forms, checklists, and guidance materials required to support the implementation and day-to-day management of the Trust Fund.

Reporting line: The consultant will work closely with the Head of Office (a.i.), IOM Lesotho Mission. All deliverables will be reviewed and approved by IOM Lesotho Mission and the Regional Thematic Specialist for Migrant Protection and Assistance.

The consultant’s performance will be assessed against the timely delivery, quality, and completeness of the agreed outputs. Key indicators shall include (a) submission of an inception report with a clear methodology and work plan (b) submission of a technically sound draft Trust Fund Operationalization Framework (c) submission of comprehensive draft SOPs and operational tools (d) facilitation of a stakeholder validation workshop and submission of a validation report that incorporates comments from IOM and stakeholders into the final deliverables ( e)  and submission of final, well-structured, editable documents within the agreed contractual period.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Master’s degree from an accredited academic institution in Law, Public Administration, Public Policy, Development Studies, Human Rights, Social Sciences. OR

• A first-level university degree in the above fields, combined with at least 10 years relevant professional experience, may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree, subject to applicable institutional requirements.

   

Experience

• At least 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience in developing policies, institutional frameworks, standard operating procedures, or operational guidelines.

• Demonstrated experience in policy and operational programming on anti-trafficking, victim protection, gender-based violence, child protection, social protection, justice sector reform, or related protection programming.

• Proven experience conducting legal and institutional analysis and translating findings into practical operational frameworks and tools.

• Experience facilitating multi-stakeholder consultations and validation workshops with government, civil society, and development partners.

• Previous work experience in Lesotho or Southern Africa and familiarity with public sector systems, trust fund mechanisms, and victim assistance programming will be an added advantage.

Skills

• Strong analytical and drafting skills, with demonstrated ability to produce high-quality policy and procedural documents.

• Excellent understanding of victim-centred, rights-based, gender-sensitive, and confidentiality principles.

• Knowledge of governance, accountability, and financial management arrangements relevant to trust funds or similar financing instruments.

• Excellent facilitation, consultation, and communication skills.

   

Languages

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Sesotho will be an added advantage

Required Competencies

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.

Values - all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these five values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
• Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
• Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
• Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators

• Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
• Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

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.

IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment system (for internal candidates link here). The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.

No late applications will be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies