Tenders are invited for 20163 Consultant - Regional Rehabilitation Standards (P-UG) Closing Date: 10 May 2026 Type: Consultancy The Regional Strategy for Stabilization, Recovery and Resilience (RS-SRR) of the Boko Haram affected areas of the Lake Chad Basin region places a significant emphasis on the provision of rehabilitation support to address the needs of former associates of Boko Haram and other non-state armed actors, including the possible consequences of trauma deriving from the experience with the armed groups, and a way to address the drivers of enrolment. Under the RS-RSS, rehabilitation is framed as an essential component of Intermediate Objective 1.2, dedicated to implementing comprehensive initiatives for the handling of persons formerly associated with Boko Haram and other non-state armed groups operating in the eight territories along with transitional justice, and reconciliation frameworks throughout the Lake Chad Basin region. The Transitional Justice Policy Framework Guidelines further reaffirm the importance of rehabilitation and reintegration pathways as essential to transitional justice processes, which are considered vital in creating an environment that is conducive to implementing other transitional justice initiatives. To support the implementation of the RS-SRR, and contribute to the development of the LCB Transitional Justice Policy, in the framework of Component 2 of the Special Multi-Partner Delivery Fund (SMDF), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) proposes to lead the development of minimum gender- and age-sensitive common standards and protocols for the transitional rehabilitation of eligible former associates to Boko Haram and other non-state armed groups outside of criminal justice., This initiative is anchored in recommendations issued by representatives of governmental structures in charge of national programmes aimed at the rehabilitation and reintegration of former associates to Boko Haram and other non-state armed groups. Transitional Rehabilitation (TR) is an essential phase of the exit process from armed groups. TR processes encompass a multi-dimensional approach to address the needs of eligible former associates, including, among others, health, mental health and psychosocial support, socioeconomic and vocational training, religious counselling and civic education, and reconnection with families and communities. To be effective, transitional rehabilitation support needs to be tailored to the individual needs of beneficiaries, and adapted to the specificities of the context. Also, TR has proven to be instrumental in rebuilding trust and fostering acceptance of communities towards returning former associates. As such, it represents a key factor in supporting an effective reintegration and in laying the basis for long-term reconciliation. All LCB countries have deployed efforts to rehabilitate eligible former associates to Boko Haram and other non-state armed groups. Recent years have seen the development of a growing recognition of the need to harmonize these efforts at the regional level. The proposed initiative builds on previous work carried out by IOM to support governments in the Lake Chad Basin region to manage exits from Boko Haram and other non-state armed groups. Through its regional Disengagement, Disassociation, Reintegration and Reconciliation (DDRR) programme, started in 2017, IOM has supported the development and operationalization of legal, strategic and operational frameworks aimed at the rehabilitation and reintegration of former associates to Boko Haram. IOMs DDRR programme has, from its inception, placed a strong focus on the promotion of exchanges among LCB countries, to foster the sharing of good practices and the harmonization of national approaches to the management of exits from armed groups. These efforts resulted in key milestones, on which this proposed intervention will build upon to consolidate the achievements and open the way to additional harmonization initiatives. Following a series of regional workshops facilitated by IOM, representatives from national governments of the LCB developed in 2021 a set of recommendations outlining priority areas for future collaboration. These recommendations included to develop minimum regional standards and common protocols for rehabilitation to ensure a common approach to rehabilitation and equal treatment across the region. The political will affirmed in the recommendation has provided a basis for additional work in this domain. Among the most notable milestones of this process, it is important to flag the adoption of a set of Guiding principles for rehabilitation, through a regional workshop which took place in Yaoundé in March 2023, which fostered a common understanding of the key concepts of TR and its components, and the development of a Guidance note on Mental Health and Psycho-Social Support in Transitional Rehabilitation, elaborated in Abuja in March 2024 and currently in its final stages of review. The proposed initiative will not simply complement the existing work, but will constitute a qualitative advancement in the harmonization process of national approaches to rehabilitation, by, among others, providing guidance on specific policy development on rehabilitation; strengthening operational interventions (i.e.:, on vocational training, health services, socio-economic profiling, data management tools); building the ownership and implementation capacity of national actors; facilitating outreach and community sensitization through strategic communication plans to promote acceptance of rehabilitated former associates into communities. By supporting Lake Chad Basin governments in developing and adopting a shared set of standards and operational protocols for transitional rehabilitation, this initiative aims to improve the quality and alignment of interventions for former associates of armed groups across the region, thus improving the overall efficacy and consistency of rehabilitation approaches. This initiative will also facilitate the streamlining of key principles, such as, among others, age and gender responsiveness, context and conflict sensitivity, and centrality of Human Rights), while simultaneously facilitating cooperation and the exchange of information and good practices. The adoption and implementation of minimum standards and protocols for TR can also be instrumental in facilitating effective reintegration and reconciliation. TR is essential to support the reintegration of individuals disengaging from armed groups. It provides a structured space for healing, skill-building, and preparation for civilian life, addressing the psychological wounds and social disconnection that often follow association with armed groups. By offering tailored mental health support, education, and livelihood opportunities, TR equips former associates with viable alternatives to violence. At the same time, it reduces community fear and stigma, making reintegration more credible and acceptable in the eyes of local populations. Structured rehabilitation also reassures communities that returnees have undergone a credible process of change, thus building trust and easing social tensions. TR is also instrumental in supporting broader reconciliation initiatives. By engaging families and communities early, offering shared services, and fostering dialogue, rehabilitation helps rebuild the social fabric torn by conflict. It prevents resentment by ensuring that recovery efforts extend beyond former associates to affected communities, promoting a sense of fairness. Finally, TR also lowers the risks of re-engagement in violence and creates the foundations for peaceful coexistence, making it a vital link between individual recovery and collective resilience. Under the overall supervision of the Senior Programme Coordinator (DDRR) and in close collaboration with the IOM Regional Office for West and Central Africa, IOM Country Offices in the Lake Chad Basin region (Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria), the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC), SMDF partners (UNDP, UNODC), and national authorities of Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria, the Consultant will lead the development of gender and age sensitive minimum regional standards and common protocols for transitional rehabilitation (TR) for individuals disengaging from Boko Haram and related armed groups. This consultancy supports SMDF Component 2strengthening harmonized policies and practices for Disarmament, Demobilization, Rehabilitation, Reinsertion and Reintegration (DDRRR / SPRR). The consultant will drive a participatory, inclusive regionally aligned process ensuring ownership by governments, alignment with the Regional Strategy for Stabilization, Recovery and Resilience (RS-SRR) of the Boko Haram affected areas of the Lake Chad Basin, also taking into account work already done by implementing partners in this space, including, but not limited to, the LCBC Community-Based Reintegration and Reconciliation Policy (CBRRP). The output of this consultancy is meant to support and integrate the development of a Regional Transitional Justice Policy for the Lake Chad Basin region. In this regard, the consultant is expected to keep regular contact with partners leading different components supporting he development of the strategy, and to coordinate his work and the schedule of activities with such partners. Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing Violence and Conflict Prevention (VCP) unit of the Peace, Recovery and Solutions Division (PRSD) within the Department of Humanitarian Response and Recovery (DHRR). Responsibilities Category B Consultants: Tangible and measurable outputs of the work assignment 1. Analytical Desk Review Review existing national Disengagement, Disassociation, Reintegration and Reconciliation (DDRR) and related frameworks, and co Tender Link : https://reliefweb.int/job/4209394/20163-consultant-regional-rehabilitation-standards-p-ug
