EWS Consultant

Job Description

IOM Vanuatu is seeking a Local Consultant or a suitable candidate based in Port Vila to conduct 
a targeted gap analysis of the Early Warning System (EWS) landscape in Vanuatu, aligned with the 
four pillars of the UN Early Warnings for All (EW4ALL) initiative. This analysis will include desk 
research, Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), and validation sessions 
with government stakeholders and communities. The results will inform the design of activities 
under the IOM-led project “Early Warning System Scale-Up in the Pacific” and support future 
programme development and resource mobilization efforts aimed at reducing displacement and 
building resilience. This consultancy will also complement a regional study on early warning systems 
(EWS) commissioned by IOM, covering Fiji, Papua New Guinea (PNG), and Vanuatu

Responsibilities

Project Context and Scope

Countries in the Pacific are vulnerable to a range of natural hazards, many of which are caused or worsened by climate change, such as floods, droughts, and tropical cyclones. Others, like earthquakes and tsunamis, originate from geophysical processes but can be equally destructive. These hazards cause significant disruptions to developing states in the Pacific, including human, material, economic, and environmental damages. Increasingly, such events also lead to population displacement and influence migration patterns, as affected communities are forced to relocate, temporarily or permanently, due to the destruction of homes, livelihoods, and essential services. IOM recognizes that a natural hazard becomes a disaster when the event overwhelms the affected community or society’s capacity to cope with its own resources. In line with IOM’s global objective to promote solutions to displacement, the Organization partners with governments across the Pacific to focus on strengthening communities’ resilience to reduce the impact of hazards, minimize displacement, and create safer conditions for people to stay or move voluntarily. 

 Amongst the small island countries in the Pacific, Vanuatu is one of the most disaster-prone, with regular exposure to tropical cyclones, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods, and tsunamis. The Government of Vanuatu, in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and other regional actors, is actively working to strengthen early warning systems and community preparedness across the country in support of communities at risk of displacement. Despite efforts from government and partners, systemic gaps remain across technical, institutional, and community levels. This consultancy will support IOM Vanuatu’s efforts to comprehensively assess the current state of EWS in the country by:

 • Reviewing existing EWS reports, related practices, systems, and tools.

 • Gathering qualitative insights from relevant stakeholders, including government and communities. 

• Developing recommendations for capacity-building interventions that address gaps 

• Validating findings through consultations and workshops. 

The findings will directly contribute to shaping IOM’s current and future DRR programming in Vanuatu and regional knowledge products

Qualifications

Education, Experience and/or skills required

• Bachelor’s Degree in Disaster Risk Management, Environmental Studies, Engineering, Geography, Social Sciences, or a related field. 

• At least 5 years of experience in early warning systems, disaster risk reduction, humanitarian response, or research.

 • Demonstrated experience conducting qualitative assessments, particularly FGDs and KIIs.

 • Strong knowledge of the Vanuatu context and DRR governance. 

• Fluency in English and Bislama required; Bislama-French proficiency is an advantage.

Required Skills

• Team Player with Strong Interpersonal Skills

Job info