DEVELOPMENT OF FORENSIC DOCUMENT EXAMINATION MANUAL AND A STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE - HOMEBASED

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

The integrity of travel documents is critical to national security, migration management, border control, and identity assurance. In recent years, the proliferation of fraudulent documents, advancements in document‑forgery techniques, and increased mobility across borders have intensified the need for standardized procedures and enhanced specialized training for immigration personnel responsible for verifying and examining travel documents. To strengthen institutional capacity, this consultancy aims to develop a comprehensive Forensic Document Examination (FDE) Training Manual for users and administrators, and a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to reflect international best practices for travel document examination, taking into account ICAO standards for travel documents Interpol, and other relevant bodies. The consultant shall ensure alignment with existing IOM institutional frameworks, guidance, and training products related to document examination and border control, including the Passport Examination Procedures Manual (PEPM), DESC-related materials, and other relevant IOM technical resources. The Manual and SOP developed under this consultancy are intended to complement and operationalize existing IOM tools and frameworks, particularly the PEPM, and shall avoid duplication of existing institutional guidance and training content. These documents will be a practical, evidence‑based, and user-friendly resources to guide personnel through procedures, tools, and best practices in forensic examination of travel documents at various levels of responsibility. The manual and SOP will be designed for use by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).

1. Development of a Forensic Document Examination Training Manual for Users and Administrators:

1. Conduct a desk review of existing zero draft forensic document examination manual, relevant IOM institutional documents and training packages (including PEPM and DESC-related materials), existing training materials, policy documents, operational procedures, and international best practices. 

2. Develop an inception report detailing the proposed methodology, workplan, and draft structure of the Manual and SOP. The proposed structure and outline shall be submitted for review and formal approval by the IOM Project Manager and the technical oversight units within the BMRR Division at Headquarters prior to the development of the full content.

3. Facilitate consultative workshops/meetings and stakeholder engagements to gather technical and operational insights to identify training gaps, challenges, and capacity needs for both user and administrator-level relevant personnel. 

4. Map existing document examination procedures and practices, available tools, and institutional workflows as outlined in the Passport Examination Procedure Manual (PEPM) and Document Examination Laboratory in Immigration Environment (DELMIE) ensuring that the training manual provides for different levels of expertise in document examination.

5. Develop the overall structure, format, and outline of the training manual, defining learning objectives, competencies, and performance outcomes for users and administrators. 

6. Design and prepare structured instructional content comprising frameworks, operational modules, visual aids, illustrations, examples, practical exercises, and evaluation tools tailored to operational roles. The materials shall be aligned with functional roles of personnel and shall incorporate critical aspects of identity management, fraud detection, and the protection of vulnerable migrants in accordance with national and international standards.

7. Create practical exercises, case examples, and assessment questions and provide guidance for trainers and facilitators who will use the manual.

8. Present the draft manual for review by IOM, including the relevant BMRR technical units at HQ, and incorporate all agreed feedback prior validation.

9. Support and facilitate a national validation workshop for the manual.

10. Finalise the Forensic Document Examination Training Manual in editable and print-ready formats.

11. Submit a final report summarizing methodology, consultations, and recommendations. 

    1. Review of the Standard Operating Procedure for Travel Document Examination

       1. Conduct consultations and interviews with frontline officers, supervisors, and relevant stakeholders to understand current procedures, identify gaps, challenges, and operational realities

          1. Establish the overall framework and structure for the SOP, ensuring alignment with global standards in document security and border management.

             1. Review and update existing forms, templates, and reporting formats for documentation and referrals, and develop standardized checklists for document examination procedures.

                1. Draft the full SOP based on all consultations, and assessment findings, ensuring it covers detailed standard procedures on primary inspection, secondary inspection, advanced forensic examination support and use of tools and technologies. 

                   1. Integrate quality assurance, compliance measures and interagency coordination mechanisms.

                      1. Facilitate technical review sessions and incorporate stakeholder inputs into a revised SOP.

                         1. Present the draft SOP during a validation workshop.

                         2. Finalize the SOP incorporating all validated feedback in editable and print-ready formats.

          2. Conduct Training of Trainers (ToT) for relevant officials 

     

1. Design and facilitate a ToT session for relevant border management stakeholders based on the developed Manual and SOP

   1. Develop ToT materials, including presentations, exercises, facilitator notes and practical scenarios.

      1. Conduct pre‑ and post‑training assessments to evaluate participant learning outcomes.

         1. Submit a detailed training report summarizing the training, outcomes, challenges and recommendations.

1. TANGIBLE AND MEASURABLE OUTPUT OF THE WORK ASSIGNMENT: 

    

• Ability to accurately coordinate with NIS and relevant stakeholders.

• Satisfactory completion of tasks indicated in the ToR.

• Timeliness: Ability to meet the project timeline and deliver on time.

• Clarity: Ability to communicate protection, mixed migration and free movement contents clearly and concisely.

• Adaptability: Ability to adjust changes in scope or objectives.

• Knowledge: Understanding of migrant protection, management and free movement context for West Africa region.

• Understanding: Ability to understand and interpret the complexities of SOM, migrant protection, and TiP 

• Responsiveness: Ability to provide timely responses to inquiries from all stakeholders

• A master’s degree from an accredited academic institution in Forensic Science, Security Studies, Criminology, or related field. A first-level university degree.

• Seven years of experience in forensic document examination or border management which may be accepted in place of a master’s degree.

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in developing SOPs, training materials, and/or curricula.

• Experience conducting ToT sessions or capacity-building programs.

• Knowledge of ICAO, Interpol, and ISO/IEC standards.

• Oral and written proficiency in English.

• Strong Analytical, Communication and Reporting Skills

• Extensive work experience in migration protection, counter trafficking, and border and migration governance.

• Ability to work with colleagues from varied cultures and professional backgrounds. 

• Excellent understanding of gender-related needs, perspectives, concerns, and participation.

   

Proficiency in English language (written and oral) 

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

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.

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