The consultant is tasked with developing a guide that will support business enterprises in meeting the criteria for the Department of Migrant Workers’ (DMW) Award System for Employers or Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), currently being developed in collaboration with IOM. In coordination with IOM Philippines, the consultant is expected to:
(1) Conduct desktop research, participate in relevant stakeholder consultations organized by IOM and DMW, and arrange interviews to identify case studies and global best practices related to the award system criteria. The consultant is expected to provide at least two case studies for each criterion in the award system featuring how companies operating in different contexts seek to align their practices with international standards.
(2) Develop a practical guide based on the identified case studies and best practices to support employers of OFWs in establishing or enhancing their systems and practices to meet the award system criteria.

The guidance material produced through this consultancy will build on and complement IOM’s key resources in Migration, Business, and Human Rights (MBHR), including but not limited to IOM’s Migrant Worker Guidelines for Employers, IOM Fair and Ethical Recruitment Due Diligence Toolkit and the Operational Guidelines for Businesses on Remediation of Migrant Worker Grievances. It will also aim to help employers of OFWs align their practices with fair and ethical recruitment principles and international human rights due diligence standards, enabling greater compliance with other regulatory requirements on corporate sustainability due diligence. It will contribute to the deliverables under the MBHR in Asia programme. As an output-based consultant (Category B), the consultant is expected to provide professional high-quality research and writing services and ensure that the knowledge product follows the IOM House style manual, IOM Spelling List, layout manual, and brand guidelines.

Project Context and Scope:

MBHR in Asia is a regional programme aimed at promoting corporate responsibility to respect migrant workers’ rights in line with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), implemented in the Philippines, Viet Nam, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, Nepal and Malaysia.

Through MBHR in Asia, IOM collaborates with governments, business and civil society to uphold the human and labour rights of migrant workers in key sectors and migration corridors. The programme recognizes that engaging businesses encourages the wider adoption of the UNGPS, by leveraging their role as employers and their influence over supply chains to shape and promote fair and ethical recruitment and employment practices. The programme aims to enhance and expand regular labour migration pathways that ensure ethical recruitment, facilitate labour mobility and decent work.

Background and Scope of the Guide to DMW Award System for Employers of OFWs:

The Philippines continues to be one of the top labour sending countries globally, with millions of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) deployed each year. Recognizing the significant number of OFWs and their contributions to the Philippines’ socio-economic development, the Government of the Philippines is implementing various initiatives to protect and promote their rights and welfare.

As part of these efforts, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is launching an Award System for Employers of OFWs. This programme aims to recognize employers who demonstrate exemplary practices in providing decent and high-quality employment to OFWs. It also seeks to incentivize business enterprises to adopt practices aligned with fair and ethical recruitment principles and relevant international human and labour rights standards. This initiative is in line with the DMW’s commitment to advancing fair and ethical recruitment, as outlined in the Philippines’ National Action Plan on Fair and Ethical Recruitment and the 2023 DMW Rules and Regulations.

In support of this initiative, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is partnering with the DMW in developing the framework for the Award System. This collaboration particularly ensures that the programme’s criteria and evaluation processes align with relevant international standards and global best practices on business and human rights.

The guidance material developed under this consultancy will support the effective implementation of the Award System by helping employers of OFWs understand DMW’s expectations and providing illustrative examples of how these expectations can be met.  It will also help ensure that any changes to recruitment and employment practices made in relation to the programme will align with relevant regulatory requirements in employers’ respective countries or regions and comply with the codes of conduct set by their business partners.

Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing: 

The consultant will report to the Private Sector Engagement (PSE) Team under IOM Philippines’ Migration Management Unit, funded by the MBHR in Asia programme. The consultant is also expected to collaborate closely with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).
Category B Consultants: Tangible and measurable outputs of the work assignment:

1. First deliverable – Proposed scope and outline of the guide – First instalment payment – Deliverable by 11 April 2025
2. Second deliverable – Initial draft of the guide – Second instalment payment – Deliverable by 30 June 2025
3. Final deliverable – Finalized guide based on feedback from the project team and DMW – Final instalment payment – Deliverable by 30 July 2025

Performance indicators for the evaluation of results

• Required deliverables are submitted within the agreed-upon deadlines.
• Submitted output is based on comprehensive research and adheres to international standards on business and human rights
• Feedback from the majority of stakeholders consulted indicates that the output is clear, easy to use, and applicable to their operations and specific country contexts
• Submitted output ensured that all writing and formatting are consistent and aligned with the IOM Brand Style Guide.
• Any issues raised during development are resolved amicably with outcomes accepted by all parties involved.

Education, Experience and/or skills required
•     Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in public policy, social science, international relations, international development, migration studies or related courses with a minimum of seven years of relevant professional experience, or an advanced/ graduate degree with at least five years of relevant professional experience
•     Substantial formal training and experience in social compliance management system development and implementation, such as but not limited to SA 8000, ISO 45001, and ISO 9001.
•     Advanced understanding of internationally recognized frameworks and standards on business and human rights, including human rights due diligence
•     In-depth knowledge of the laws, policies and cross-cutting issues in Philippine labour migration. Fluency in both English and Filipino, with strong communication skills in both languages
•     Excellent writing skills, with the ability to produce clear, concise, and structured outputs and documentation. Shortlisted candidates will be required to submit samples of previous written work, such as research output or technical manuals/guides developed or co-authored by the candidate.
Travel required
The consultant may work remotely, with no travel required unless specified for occasional meetings or events.
Competencies

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.

How to apply:

IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM online recruitment system. The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.

The submission should include:

1. Motivation letter and Curriculum Vitae

2. A cover letter (not more than one page)

3. IOM Personal History Form. To access the form, please visit link.

5. A detailed financial proposal

6. Minimum of one (1) sample of previous research/technical writing work (such as links to published research or other written output).

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements