ADD & Research Consultant

Cairo

  • Organization: IOM - International Organization for Migration
  • Location: Cairo
  • Grade: Senior Executive level - Assistant Director - General level - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Scientist and Researcher
  • Closing Date:

Job Description

Project Context and Scope

The Secretariat of the Abu Dhabi Dialogue (ADD) and IOM Regional Office for Middle East and North Africa (RO MENA) have agreed to jointly develop a research paper within the framework of the 2024 – 2026 ADD Research Priorities. The research paper will focus on “Impacts of climate change on women’s employment in select ADD labour-sending countries and implications for ADD labour-receiving countries”, and it aligns with the first thematic priority of the ADD Research Priorities “Climate Change and Labor Mobility in the Asia-GCC corridor”. The paper will specifically respond to the following guiding question: 
 
How will climate change impact sectors that are more attractive to women in both ADD labour-sending and receiving countries, and what implications will this have on their employment rates?  For example, women often play key roles in agriculture and may be disproportionately affected by climate-related disruptions. Will this necessitate targeted policies to support women’s employment in both national and foreign labour markets?

Nepal and Bangladesh are two priority ADD labour-sending countries that will be the focus of this research paper. In Nepal, women constitute over 70% of the agricultural labour force, making them highly vulnerable to climate change effects, such as declining crop yields and water scarcity. Despite these challenges, women face barriers to using migration as a coping strategy due to care responsibilities, socio-cultural expectations, and lack of education and job opportunities. In Bangladesh, women make up over 50% of the agricultural labour force and face similar vulnerabilities due to climate change. Environmental stresses like rising salinity and erratic rainfall force women to adopt innovative farming practices, but they also face health risks and systemic challenges, including limited access to land and credit. While the share of women among Bangladeshi migrant workers had increased, it dropped post-COVID-19 due to stricter labour regulations and safety concerns. Migration remains a crucial adaptation strategy, but risks such as abuse and limited legal protections hinder women's mobility and well-being. 

This research will explore whether the disruption of women’s primary livelihoods by the effects of climate change in their origin countries would impact the number of women who look for overseas employment. Furthermore, it will explore how skills trainings in combination with regular migration pathways could lead to increased employment of women migrant workers in the emerging or high-demand sectors in the GCC sub-region, such as tourism, healthcare, energy, technology and artificial intelligence (AI). 

Responsibilities

Tasks to be performed under this contract

A Category B Consultant will be hired to develop a research paper on “Impacts of climate change on women’s employment in select ADD labour-sending countries and implications for ADD labour-receiving countries” on a four-instalment payment basis. The research paper will be primarily desk-top research with no field-based data collection expected. The research paper should be within 15 pages in English, including a compelling case study, and with high-level policy recommendations for ADD labour-sending and receiving countries on the relevance and potential of Skills Mobility Partnerships for women whose livelihoods are impacted by climate change. The recommendations should also consider their implications and relevance for the labour sending countries in North Africa. It is expected that preliminary findings from the desk review and a proposed structure of the research paper shall be ready by the time of the ADD Senior Officials’ Meeting (SoM) in September 2025. The final research paper needs to be submitted to the ADD Secretariat by the end of November 2025. 
  1. First deliverable –  Submission of Research inception report, including scoping of the research theme based on the mapping of existing literature and secondary data - First instalment payment (20%) -  Deliverable by email by 20 August 2025
  2. Second deliverable – Submission of Draft presentation on the preliminary findings from desk review and a proposed structure of the research paper for the ADD SOM - Second instalment payment (20%) - Deliverable by email by 15 September 2025
  3. Third deliverable – Submission of First draft of 15-page research paper, including a compelling case study and high-level policy recommendations – Third instalment payment (35%) - Deliverable by email by 20 October 2025
  4. Final deliverable – Submission of Final research paper, reflecting feedback from the ADD Secretariat and IOM – Fourth and Final instalment payment (25%) - Deliverable by email by 25 November 2025
 
Performance indicators for the evaluation of results
  • Understanding of the scope of the assignment 
  • Professional competence and mastery of the subject matter of the consultancy 
  • Robust written and verbal communication skills 
  • Delivering results consistent with the agreed Terms of Reference 
  • Accurately judging the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task 
  • Remain flexible and open for accepting and incorporating feedback from IOM and relevant stakeholders. 
  • Working effectively with people from varied cultures and backgrounds. 
  • Ability to work independently with minimum supervision and remain committed to achiving the results. 

Qualifications

Education and Experience:
  • Master’s Degree in International Relations, Social Science (Economics, Sociology or Political studies), Migration Studies, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with at least seven years of relevant professional experience.
  • In-depth understanding of migration related subjects, especially labour migration, migrant protection, and/or migration, environment and climate change. 
  • Track record of research experience or publications on women and migration issues. 
  • Strong analytical skills and ability to synthesize complex subjects in an easily comprehensible and concise manner. 
  • Excellent writing skills in English.
  • Work experience or knowledge of migration issues in ADD sending and receiving countries is a distinct advantage. 
 
Languages
IOM’s official languages are English, French and Spanish.
Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.
 
Travel required
  • No travel is required
Required Competencies
 
IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.
 
Values - all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these three values:
  • 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.
Core Competencies – behavioural indicators
  • 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.
Notes
  1. Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies

Required Skills

Job info

Contract Type: Consultancy (Up to 11 months)
Vacancy Type: Consultancy
Recruiting Type: Consultant
Grade: UG
We do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify.
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.
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