Border Management Strategy for BGA

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Libya occupies a strategic geographic position linking North Africa, the Sahel, and the Mediterranean region. In the context of ongoing political and institutional fragmentation since 2011, the country continues to face significant challenges in ensuring effective border governance and management across its extensive land and maritime borders. Libya shares approximately 4,300 kilometres of land borders with Niger, Chad, Sudan, Algeria, Tunisia, and Egypt. Large sections of these borders extend across remote and sparsely populated desert areas characterised by limited state presence, inadequate infrastructure, and constrained operational capacities. These conditions contribute to a high degree of border porosity and present substantial challenges to the effective monitoring and control of cross-border movements.
The security and governance dynamics in Libya’s border areas are closely linked to broader regional trends, particularly in the Sahel, where persistent instability, the presence of non-state armed groups, political transitions, and socio-economic vulnerabilities continue to drive insecurity and population movements. These dynamics are further exacerbated by environmental stressors and limited livelihood opportunities, contributing to increased mobility and displacement across borders. Within this context, Libya is affected by complex and interrelated cross-border challenges, including:
• Mixed migration flows involving migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees transiting through Libya, often in vulnerable situations.
• The activities of transnational organised crime networks engaged in the smuggling and trafficking of persons, weapons, fuel, and illicit substances.
• The movement of armed groups and foreign fighters across porous border areas.
• The potential exploitation of ungoverned or weakly governed spaces by terrorist and violent extremist actors.
These challenges have implications not only for Libya’s national security and stability but also for regional peace and security, including in neighbouring Sahelian and North African countries. Border communities, particularly in remote areas, are disproportionately affected by these dynamics, facing limited access to services, economic marginalisation, and heightened protection risks.
The Government of Libya has taken steps to address these challenges, including the development of strategic frameworks such as the “Security Plan to Reduce Smuggling and Control the Borders” and the “Four Lines of Defense” concept. While these initiatives provide an important foundation, there remains a need to further consolidate, harmonise, and operationalise existing approaches within a comprehensive and coherent national strategy. In this regard, there is a recognized need to strengthen border governance through an integrated and coordinated approach. The European Union’s Integrated Border Management (IBM) concept offers a relevant reference framework, promoting a multi-agency, multi-level, and whole-of-government approach to border
management. This approach emphasises effective coordination among relevant national authorities, including border guards, customs, migration services, and law enforcement agencies, as well as enhanced cooperation with neighbouring countries and regional partners.
In line with international standards and guidance developed by relevant organisations, including the United Nations, the World Customs Organization (WCO), and the World Bank, effective border management requires a balanced and comprehensive approach that integrates security considerations with the facilitation of legitimate trade and mobility, the protection of human rights, and the promotion of sustainable development in border areas. Against this backdrop, the development of a comprehensive Border Management Strategy for Libya is considered a priority. Such a strategy should build on existing national frameworks while addressing identified gaps in legal and regulatory systems, institutional coordination, operational capacities, infrastructure, and cross-border cooperation mechanisms. It should further be accompanied by a realistic and phased implementation plan, ensuring alignment with national priorities and international standards.
The consultant shall also define clear governance arrangements, roles, and coordination mechanisms among the Border Guards Agency, Ministry of Interior entities (e.g. GACIM), Ministry of Defence/Border Guards, and customs authorities. The strategy should address overlapping mandates and establish practical frameworks for information sharing, joint planning, and coordinated operations - particularly for SARD - by clarifying command structures, SOPs, and handover procedures.
The development and implementation of such a strategy is expected to contribute to strengthened state institutions, enhanced border security and governance, improved regional cooperation, and the promotion of safe, orderly, and regular cross-border movements.

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• Advanced academic background in border management, security studies, migration governance, public policy, law, international relations, or a related field relevant to strategic planning and institutional development

• Demonstrated experience in planning and infrastructure development in cross-border trade.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting and/or developing strategy documents for security authorities.
• Demonstrated experience in working with authorities involved in border management is desirable.
• Working experience on border management, both thematic and operational, is an asset.
• Prior work experience with an international organization and/or providing technical assistance to national border management authorities is an asset.

•  Good understanding of the Libyan and African context of migrants’ flows along the Central Migration Route.
• Proven analytical, interpersonal and organizational skills.

Fluency in English and Arabic is required.

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