Job Description
Introduction
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.
Project Context and Scope
To conduct a policy analysis assessing the extent to which climate-related migration, displacement and planned relocation can be better integrated to Sri Lanka’s national and sub-national climate and disaster related policies, strategies, governance and financing frameworks, building explicitly on existing national research, assessments and strategic roadmaps already developed under this project and related initiatives. Building on this analysis, the consultancy will focus on identifying and operationalizing practical entry points for integrating human mobility considerations into climate change and disaster risk reduction policies, including their implementation and investment planning processes across relevant national and sectoral frameworks (e.g. national climate and disaster policy processes).
Through targeted policy assessment and structured consultations with government and key stakeholders, the assignment will support the development of actionable recommendations, policy integration pathways and a governance- focused pipeline of priority actions to strengthen the inclusion of climate mobility within national commitments on enhancing Climate Resilience. The findings will contribute to a National Dialogue on Climate Mobility and inform a policy-oriented high-level outcome to support the implementation of climate mobility priorities in Sri Lanka.
This consultancy is part of a sub-regional project “Comprehensive Approach to Climate Mobility in South Asia”, implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), funded by the European Union.
“A Comprehensive Approach to Climate Mobility in South Asia” is a three-year sub-regional initiative designed to strengthen how climate-related migration and displacement are governed across seven countries in the region. The project focuses on advancing coherent, evidence-based and forward-looking national and regional frameworks that can guide governments as they respond to the growing impacts of climate and environmental change on human mobility.
Scope of the Assignment
The consultancy will support the operationalization of climate mobility priorities within Sri Lanka’s climate change and disaster risk reduction policy frameworks, with a focus on implementation and investment planning.
The consultant will undertake the following:
Build on existing analysis
Review and consolidate relevant findings from existing regional and national analyses performed by IOM to identify priority policy entry points for integrating climate mobility. The assessment will focus on operational, institutional and implementation dimensions, explicitly avoiding duplication of descriptive policy reviews or re‑analysis of climate–mobility linkages already established in existing studies.
Conduct targeted policy assessment
Undertake a focused assessment of selected national frameworks, including but not limited to the National Adaptation Plan (NAP), Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) and relevant sectoral policies, to examine how climate mobility considerations can be integrated into adaptation, mitigation, loss and damage and just transition processes, including associated implementation and investment plans, as relevant. The assessment will identify priority entry points, sequencing considerations and responsible institutions for integration, distinguishing between short-term (12–24 months) and medium-term actions where feasible, based on ongoing or soon to be established processes.
Identify and validate climate mobility priorities
Identify and validate national and selected sub-national climate mobility priorities by refining, prioritising and contextualising existing evidence, programmes and initiatives, rather than generating duplicative research, includingthrough:
Mapping of existing evidence, programmes and initiatives related to climate mobility.
Consultations with national and sub-national stakeholders (subject to feasibility)
This will result in a prioritized set of climate mobility needs and opportunities grounded in both policy and practice.
Conduct stakeholder consultations
Design and facilitate structured consultations, including:
An initial consultation workshop
Key informant interviews with government, technical agencies, CSOs and development partners
Selected sub-national level consultations
A validation workshop
All consultations will ensure inclusive participation and documentation of outcomes and will be designed to validate findings, test feasibility of proposed policy integration pathways, and build ownership around priority actions, rather than to replicate analytical work already completed.
Develop policy integration pathways
Develop clear and actionable recommendations to integrate human mobility considerations into climate change, disaster risk reduction and relevant sectoral policies. This will include identifying entry points within existing policy commitments, institutional arrangements, coordination mechanisms and implementation pathways, .Recommendations should consider how existing mandates, planning cycles and governance structures can be used or strengthened to support coherent climate mobility action, including coordination, resourcing and accountability considerations Attention should also be given to whether an additional policy – oriented instrument, such as a national declaration or consolidated policy outcome, t, would be necessary or desirable to better bring together existing references to climate mobility across national frameworks.
Develop a governance-focused climate mobility action pipeline
Building on the existing national Roadmap on Climate Mobility and related assessments, develop a governance-focused pipeline of priority actions to support the operationalization of climate mobility within Sri Lanka’s policy and institutional frameworks. The pipeline should focus on policy, coordination, institutional and planning measures required to strengthen climate mobility governance at national and, where relevant, selected sub-national levels.
The pipeline may include indicative actions related to policy integration, inter-agency coordination, technical working mechanisms, data-policy linkages, capacity strengthening, consultation processes, development of guidance tools, and alignment with relevant national planning processes. It should not constitute a full Climate Mobility Investment Plan or a detailed portfolio of community-level interventions, but may identify where further dedicated investment planning or community-level programming would be required.
The pipeline should include indicative sequencing, responsible or relevant institutions, potential implementation modalities, and possible financing or partnership entry points where these can be reasonably identified through the policy analysis. Consideration should also be given to whether the existing Climate Mobility Roadmap should be refined, updated or repositioned to support implementation.
Comprehensive Approach to Climate Mobility in South Asia , NC226 3:1:1:003
The consultant will contribute to the Project “Comprehensive Approach to Climate Mobility in South Asia”, of the Migration, Environment and Climate Resilience (MECR) Unit at the International Organization for Migration.’
The individual consultant shall be reporting to the Project Manager of the MECR unit.
The consultant will be directly responsible for the assessment’s activities, progress and the accuracy of the output.
The activities in connection with the assessment will be conducted by the consultant with consultation and consent from the Project Manager of the IOM team.
Responsibilities
Depth and comprehensiveness of policy analysis
Quality and practicality of recommendations
Effective facilitation of consultation and validation workshops
Timely delivery of outputs
Alignment with national priorities and project objectives
Quality of written documentation and policy matrices
Effective engagement with government and technical stakeholders
Alignment with regional methodological approaches
Timely incorporation of feedback from IOM and stakeholders into deliverables
Qualifications
Required Qualifications and Experience
Education, Experience and Skills Required
8 years of experience in public policy analysis, climate governance, disaster risk reduction or migration policy
Demonstrated experience in conducting policy reviews and institutional analyses
Strong understanding of Sri Lanka’s climate change, disaster management and development planning frameworks
Experience facilitating multi-stakeholder consultations
Advanced degree in Public Policy, Climate Change, Law, Development Studies, Governance or related field
Strong analytical and report-writing skills
Experience working with government institutions and/or UN agencies
Fluency in English (knowledge of Sinhala and/or Tamil is an asset)
Languages
For this consultancy, fluency of English writing is required. Working knowledge of Sinhalese and Tamil is advantageous
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 five 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 – behavioral 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.
How to apply:
Candidates with the required qualifications and competencies are invited to submit their candidature by 11.59 PM (Sri Lanka Time), Sunday 31st May 2026.
Candidates are requested to submit the following as attachments when they apply using the links above;
Curriculum Vitae (CVs)
Brief experience on prior project, inclusive of at least 2 examples of prior relevant work (assessments/ research, etc)
Technical and Financial Proposal -The technical proposal should include examples of suggested policies and literature to be considered in the analysis, a Proposed methodology, order of conduct of the activities with a proposed timeline. The financial proposal for payments- including the total cost of assignment such as consultancy fees and other miscellaneous costs.
Notes
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.
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 e-Recruitment system (for internal candidates link here). The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.
No late applications will be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
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)Initial Contract Duration: 6 Months
Org Type: Country Office
Vacancy Type: Consultancy
Recruiting Type: Consultant
Grade: UG
Is this S/VN based in an L3 office or in support to an L3 emergency response?: No