The Ministry of Labour and Social Protection (MoLSP) of the Republic of Kenya, in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Kenya, invites qualified consultants or consultancy firms to submit proposals for the design, development, deployment, and training of an online system for end-to-end management of labour migration in Kenya.
With a growing demand for overseas employment among Kenyan citizens, particularly youth, and an increasing number of bilateral labour migration agreements signed with destination countries, there is an urgent need to digitize and streamline migration management services. This consultancy aims to create a centralized, secure, and user-friendly digital platform that will enhance transparency, improve access to information, reduce human trafficking and unethical recruitment, and promote safe and orderly migration.
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Application Deadline: 21 August 2025
Job Type: Consultancy
Contract Duration: Up to 6 months (Part-time)
Client: Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, Republic of Kenya
Implementing Partner: International Organization for Migration (IOM) Kenya
Position Title: Consultant – Online Labour Migration Management System Development
Project Context and Scope
Kenya’s labour migration strategy seeks to address domestic unemployment by facilitating safe international employment for its citizens. As of 2024, over 100,000 Kenyans were successfully placed in jobs abroad, with destination countries including Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, Germany, UAE, Canada, and others. However, the lack of a centralized digital labour migration system has hindered data reliability, service efficiency, and coordination among relevant government agencies.
The current infrastructure includes a One-Stop Shop Centre (OSSC) for labour migration services and two airport-based Labour Migration Desks. These efforts have improved service delivery but rely on manual data entry and disconnected workflows.
To advance labour migration governance and streamline migration processes, the MoLSP is now investing in a national digital solution. The consultant will play a critical role in the conceptualization, development, and implementation of this solution.
Consultant Responsibilities
The selected consultant will be engaged in the full project lifecycle from stakeholder consultations and system design through to post-deployment support. The position involves close collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, IOM Kenya, and other relevant stakeholders.
Key Objectives
- Design, develop, test, and deploy a secure online system for managing Kenya’s labour migration processes.
- Centralize services and data flows for use by migrant workers, recruitment agencies, employers, and government departments.
- Enable real-time monitoring and analytics of migration data for policy-making.
- Build capacity among government officials through technical training and documentation.
Detailed Scope of Work
A. Requirements Gathering & System Design
- Conduct stakeholder consultations across government and private sector stakeholders involved in labour migration.
- Map current systems, manual processes, and institutional workflows.
- Recommend optimized digital workflows.
- Design the system architecture including APIs, databases, and user interface components.
B. Development of Core System Modules
- Migrant Worker Registration: Create modules for profile management, employment status, and documentation.
- Recruitment Agencies Management: Include functionality for license validation, compliance tracking, and application history.
- Employment Contract Verification: Automate validation of overseas job offers and contracts.
- Pre-departure Requirements: Track training, medical checks, police clearance, and orientation.
- Monitoring and Case Management: Integrate real-time case tracking and support follow-up procedures.
- Data Analytics and Dashboards: Provide visual dashboards for policy and operational insights.
- User Management: Implement role-based access for various stakeholders.
C. Systems Integration
- Integrate with national systems such as ID, Immigration, and embassies.
- Implement mobile-friendly design with SMS and email alerts.
- Ensure compatibility with Konza Technopolis infrastructure.
D. Data Security
- Align with Kenya Data Protection Act and international standards.
- Integrate multi-factor authentication and secure encryption protocols.
E. Training and Documentation
- Develop user manuals, training materials, and administrator guides.
- Conduct in-person training for key government staff.
- Provide post-deployment support and troubleshooting.
F. Deliverables
- Inception Report: Including work plan and stakeholder analysis.
- System Design Documentation: Architecture, workflows, security, and integration plans.
- Functional System: Web and mobile responsive application with full backend.
- Integration APIs: Seamless data exchange with government and third-party systems.
- User Testing: Full User Acceptance Testing (UAT) with feedback implementation.
- Training Workshops: Sessions for administrators and users.
- Final Project Report: Summary of implementation, challenges, solutions, and future roadmap.
- Hardware and Infrastructure: Deployment at Konza Technopolis with production and backup servers, network devices, biometric scanners, and required licenses.
Assignment Duration and Timeline
Total duration: 4 months (from 15 August 2025)
Work Breakdown:
- Inception & Requirements Gathering: 3 weeks
- System Development & Testing: 8 weeks
- Deployment & Training: 3 weeks
- Final Adjustments & Handover: 2 weeks
Payment Terms
- 30% upon approval of the inception report
- 30% upon completion of system development and testing
- 30% upon system deployment and training
- 10% upon submission and approval of final report
Hardware and software licenses will be paid 100% upon delivery and verification by the Ministry.
Evaluation Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated on:
- Relevance and depth of experience in labour migration, e-government systems, and digital governance
- Experience with Konza Technopolis infrastructure or similar data centers
- Understanding of Kenya’s labour migration ecosystem
- Technical methodology, including software and infrastructure approach
- Sustainability and implementation schedule
- Compliance with Kenya’s Data Protection Act
- Cost-effectiveness of financial proposal
Required Documentation for Application
- Detailed Technical and Financial Proposal
- Work Plan and Gantt Chart
- Individual and Team CVs
- Portfolio of Similar Projects (including past government or migration-related systems)
Team Composition and Experience Requirements
The selected consultant (individual or firm) must demonstrate capacity in:
- Web and mobile application development
- Government digital systems implementation
- Labour migration governance
- Cybersecurity and data protection
- Infrastructure deployment
- System integration with public-sector services
The consultant must also show strong capacity in stakeholder engagement, project documentation, and multi-disciplinary collaboration.
Required Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in Computer Science, Information Technology, Software Engineering, or related field
- Professional certifications such as PMP/PRINCE2, CISSP, CISM, or similar are advantageous
- Minimum 5 years of experience in public sector digital systems development
- Prior experience integrating solutions into Government of Kenya platforms is highly desirable
- Familiarity with Konza Technopolis infrastructure is an asset
- Experience in UX/UI, database design, cybersecurity, and API development is essential
- Proven ability to train and support diverse stakeholder groups
Required Skills
- Advanced use of project management and digital collaboration tools
- Proficiency in development frameworks (e.g., PHP, Python, .NET, Java) and database management systems
- Familiarity with Kenyan regulatory requirements, including data protection policies
- Ability to develop intuitive, responsive user interfaces
- Expertise in API development, mobile integration, and biometric systems
- Sound knowledge in server infrastructure, disaster recovery, and network security
- Competence in integration of bulk SMS, email alerts, and identity verification mechanisms
Languages
- Fluency in English and Kiswahili is required.
- IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish. Fluency in English will be assessed during evaluation.
Travel Requirements
- No travel is required for this assignment.
- All consultations and training sessions will take place in Nairobi or virtually.
Core Values and Competencies
All consultants are expected to uphold IOM’s values and competencies:
Values:
- Inclusion and respect for diversity
- Integrity and transparency
- Professionalism
- Courage
- Empathy
Core Competencies:
- Teamwork
- Delivering results
- Managing and sharing knowledge
- Accountability
- Communication
Important Notes
- This consultancy is contingent upon funding availability.
- Medical insurance coverage for non-occupational issues is the responsibility of the consultant.
- IOM upholds a zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment, and discrimination.
- No recruitment or application fees are charged at any stage.
- Applications must be submitted through the official IOM online recruitment platform.
