Consultant (Nature-based Solutions and Climate Mobility)
Remote | Home Based - May require travel
- Organization: IOM - International Organization for Migration
- Location: Remote | Home Based - May require travel
- Grade: Senior Executive level - Assistant Director - General level - Internationally recruited position
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Occupational Groups:
- Environment
- Meteorology, Geology and Geography
- Climate Change
- Closing Date: 2025-07-20
Job Description
| Position Title | : | Consultant (Nature-based Solutions and Climate Mobility) |
| Duty Station | : | Homebased |
| Type of Appointment | : | Consultancy Contract, 3 months |
| Estimated Start Date | : | As soon as possible |
| Closing Date | : | 20 July 2025 |
Established in 1951, IOM is the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of migration and 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 IOM Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (ROAP) in Bangkok, Thailand is covering 40 countries across the Asia and Pacific region. The key responsibility of the ROAP is to formulate regional strategies and plans of action and to provide programmatic and administrative support to the countries within the region.
Context:
The Climate Mobility Innovation Lab (CMIL), hosted by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), was established to scale up action on the nexus between human mobility and climate change, and the challenges this intersection presents. The Lab has been at the forefront of fostering innovation and partnerships to address the complex challenges posed by climate change and human mobility in the Asia and the Pacific region. This work is driven by its two flagship initiatives:
- Risk Index for Climate Displacement (RICD): A groundbreaking operational foresight tool that enhances understanding of the complex dynamics of climate-induced displacement—including its drivers, triggers, and tipping points. The RICD supports the identification of current and future displacement hotspots, trends, and patterns, providing critical insights to inform policymaking and investment decisions.
- Climate Catalytic Fund (CCF): An agile, data-driven blended finance mechanism designed to minimize and address climate displacement in Asia and the Pacific. Building on RICD data, the CCF guides targeted interventions and investment decisions to strengthen communities before they reach critical levels of vulnerability. It operates through a blended finance model that leverages matching funds from local actors, including governments, civil society organizations, and the private sector ensuring shared commitment and sustainable resource allocation for local climate adaptation and displacement risk reduction initiatives.
Furthermore, the Lab seeks to explore the linkages between Nature-based Solutions (NbS)[1] and human mobility especially in the context of climate change - particularly in preventing forced displacement, supporting in-situ adaptation for those who wish to remain, and creating conditions conducive to voluntary return. To this end, CMIL is supporting a research initiative that is structured around three key components:
Conceptual study: This study will examine the extent to which NbS interact with the environmental, social, and economic drivers, triggers, and root causes of climate mobility. It will analyse how NbS can contribute to improved climate mobility outcomes in Asia and the Pacific, especially by influencing people’s and communities’ vulnerability and exposure to the drivers of climate mobility. Drawing on case studies from the region, the study will also explore the role of IOM, [partners] and other actors in supporting and scaling these efforts. The study will align with a research framework including agreed research questions. Linkages with CMIL’s Risk Index on Climate Displacement (RICD), an analytical tool designed to anticipate and quantify risk of future climate related human mobility is also essential, in exploring how this tool may be adapted to incorporate assessment of NbS feasibility and utility. The study will also include alignment with global frameworks, initiatives, and policy recommendations, such as IUCN’s Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions.
- Define the scope of the study, refine hypotheses / research questions on the linkages between NbS and climate mobility, and outline the research methodology and workplan.
- Conduct desk reviews, targeted interviews, and light quantitative analysis, where feasible.
- Analyze the collected data and evidence, and synthesize the findings into a report.
- Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to gather feedback and validate findings.
Country or thematic briefs: Based on the findings and recommendations of the conceptual study, tailored briefs will be developed for potential pilot countries where this approach may be applied, including, for example, the Solomon Islands, Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Fiji, and Vanuatu. These briefs will identify strategic entry points such as standalone approaches or small-scale NbS pilot projects that could be supported by CMIL’s Climate Catalytic Fund (CCF) or as standalone projects. Each brief will highlight how local NbS initiatives can offer cost-effective, long-term solutions to climate mobility while enhancing resilience, reducing adaptation costs, and delivering co-benefits for biodiversity and livelihoods. They may also feature hybrid approaches that combine NbS with “grey infrastructure” interventions. The country briefs will also ensure alignment with relevant frameworks, strategies, etc.
- Draft tailored country briefs for Cambodia and the Solomon Islands, proposing pilot NbS initiatives that are potentially bankable, scalable, and offer cost-effective, long-term solutions to climate displacement. These briefs will identify opportunities for funding from alternative sources.
- Develop country briefs for Indonesia, the Philippines, Vanuatu, and Fiji, highlighting NbS initiatives, identify main financial and operational actors, and potential pilot projects that can be supported through CMIL’s Climate Catalytic Fund. These briefs will showcase interventions that are both bankable and scalable.
- Where feasible, highlight hybrid approaches that combine NbS with “grey infrastructure,” aiming to strike an optimal balance between immediate environmental protection and long-term sustainability.
RICD and CCF guidance note: A guidance note will frame practical entry points to integrate NbS into both RICD and country-level CCF pilots. It will provide recommendations on how NbS-related datasets and indicators can be integrated into the Risk Index for Climate Displacement (RICD) and how a community-level climate fund like CCF can integrate NbS interventions.
- Identify practical entry points for future research and action related to NbS and climate mobility, in particular as it relates to expanding RICD to include information on the utility and viability of NbS.
- Provide recommendations on how NbS interventions can be integrated into CCF.
IOM is looking for a consultant (individual or team) to lead the research, and lay a foundation for the country-level work.
A more elaborate Research Framework is included in annex.
[1] In this study ‘Nature‑based Solutions’ is used as an umbrella term that implicitly includes ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA), ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction (Eco-DRR), the enhancement of critical ecosystem services, and related green/blue infrastructure approaches that support climate resilience.
Responsibilities
Core Functions / Responsibilities:
The successful candidate will be responsible for producing the following outputs.
| Sr. | Deliverable | Delivery Date | Payment (%) | |
| 1. | Inception note: A detailed methodology and work plan, including clear research questions, hypotheses to be submitted within two weeks of the contract start | By the end of week 2 after contract start | 50% | |
| 2. | Annotated outline & preliminary finding memo | By the end of week 5 after contract start | ||
| 3. | Draft conceptual study, country briefs and guidance note | By end of September | 50% | |
| 4. | Final study, country briefs and guidance note | Mid-October |
- Satisfactory completion of deliverables specified in the TOR
- Completed documents as required
- Attendance at meetings
Qualifications
- Master's degree relevant to climate adaptation, environmental science, migration, or similar.
- Demonstrated experience in NbS evaluation or climate‑mobility research, ideally both.
- Strong analytical capacity, and synthesis and writing skills for mixed expert, and policy audiences.
- Demonstrated strong technical knowledge of project management, especially on NbS is an asset.
- Familiarity with participatory or community‑based approaches an asset.
- Capacity to work independently while effectively coordinating with external partners across Asia and the Pacific.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong organizational and project management capabilities.
- Proven ability to collaborate with, engage, and liaise effectively across multi-disciplinary teams.
- Understanding of climate migration, disaster resilience, or related fields is an advantage.
- Knowledge of the Asia-Pacific region is essential.
- Understanding of quantitative and qualitative data collection is an advantage.
- Fluency in English language (oral and written) is required.
- Yes
How to apply:
Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications via IOM e-Recruitment system within the above said deadline at 11:59 p.m. (BKK Time) referring to this advertisement. Please attach the following documents in your application:
- A cover letter, indicating the dates of availability and a proposed rate for this assignment
- A curriculum vitae;
- Previous work sample (if any)
- 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.
- 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.
- 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, verification of residency, visa, and authorizations by the concerned Government, where applicable.
- 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.
- IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities.
- IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.
- 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.
Required Skills
Job info
Contract Type: Consultancy (Up to 11 months)Initial Contract Duration: 3 months
Vacancy Type: Consultancy
Recruiting Type: Consultant
Grade: UG
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.