1. Duty Station of the Consultancy: Pohnpei, Republic of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM).   The consultancy will be conducted primarily on a remote basis, with approximately 80% of the assignment undertaken remotely and 20% on-site requiring travel. 

2. Duration of consultancy: Six (6) months (From the start date)

3. Nature of the consultancy: To conduct diaspora mapping to generate evidence-based insights on FSM citizens living in the United States and its territories to inform policy development, programming, and future diaspora engagement. 

4. Project Context and Scope: 

The FSM continues to experience steady outward migration, particularly to the United States and its territories under the Compact of Free Association. FSM citizens migrate for education, employment, health care, family connections, and wider socio-economic opportunities. While the scale and importance of this movement are well known, comprehensive and up to date information on the diaspora remains limited.

The FSM Government in collaboration with International Organization for Migration is currently developing a National Migration Policy within which emigration constitutes a core thematic area. Evidence from the FSM diaspora is therefore essential to inform and guide policy direction, strengthen pre-departure programming, return & reintegration support and guide strategies for effective diaspora engagement and contributions to national development. This research is intended to feed directly into the emigration chapter of the National Migration Policy and to support broader national planning processes.

To address diaspora-related information gaps and provide a stronger evidence base, a consultant will be recruited to conduct structured mapping on FSM diaspora communities living in the United States and its territories. 

Organizational Department / Unit to which the consultant is contributing: The assignment will be carried out under the IOM Micronesia Migration Unit, and the consultant will work under direct supervision of the Program Officer-Migration Management, and overall supervision of the IOM Chief of Mission for IOM North Pacific Coordination Office. In addition, given that the target FSM diaspora communities are mainly based in the United States, coordination with other relevant IOM offices will be required as appropriate. In particular, IOM Washington and the IOM Regional Office in Bangkok will support the review of all materials and outputs developed under this consultancy to ensure alignment with relevant regional and international standards on diaspora engagement.

I. CATEGORY B Consultant: Tangible and measurable outputs of the work assignment:

1. 1. Methodology. 

The Consultant will design and submit a detailed methodology for the FSM diaspora mapping exercise. The methodology shall outline the overall research design, data collection approaches, analytical framework, and ethical considerations, and shall demonstrate a clear understanding of the FSM migration context and diaspora dynamics. Specifically, the Consultant will be responsible for.

• Propose a mixed methods approach combining quantitative and qualitative data collection

• Define the scope, geographic coverage, and target diaspora populations, including gender, age, and FSM state of origin considerations.

• Identify key stakeholders, institutions, and diaspora networks to be engaged

• Outline data sources, sampling strategies, tools, and limitations

• Developing a clear workplan and timeline for implementation.

• Develop a risk mitigation plan addressing potential challenges and recommended actions

• Outline informed consent procedures, ethical safeguards, and data protection measures

• Analyse and utilize relevant existing IOM tools and resources, including the IOM Diaspora Mapping Toolkit.

The methodology will be submitted to the FSM Government and IOM for review and approval prior to commencement of data collection.

2. Comprehensive gender-sensitive FSM diaspora mapping. 

The Consultant will conduct the diaspora mapping exercise in accordance with the approved methodology and produce a comprehensive, gender sensitive diaspora mapping report. The report shall present an evidence-based profile of the FSM diaspora and provide actionable findings relevant to policy and programming. The Consultant will be responsible for collecting, analysing, and synthesising quantitative and qualitative data on FSM diaspora, demographics, geographic distribution, migration drivers, legal status, skills, employment, education, remittances, access to services, and community organisation.

• Map the size, geographic distribution, and demographic profiles of FSM diaspora populations across major US states and territories.

• Understand the main drivers and pathways of migration from FSM to the United States and its territories.

• Assess the socio-economic experiences of FSM diaspora, including remittances, skills, employment, education, housing, health access, social services, legal status and community support and among other key factors.

• Analysing gender differentiated experiences, needs, vulnerabilities, strength and contributions of FSM diaspora members including remittances, knowledge transfer, cultural ties, and community leadership.

• Identifying barriers and opportunities related to pre-departure preparedness, overseas support mechanisms, and diaspora engagement. In addition, explore long term intentions of migrants, including plans for settlement, mobility, or return.

• Documenting existing diaspora initiatives, networks, and contributions to national development

• Identify gaps in existing support systems and propose clear and practical recommendations for policy, pre departure programming, reintegration, and long-term diaspora engagement and related implementation frameworks

The report shall be clearly structured, policy oriented, and aligned with FSM national priorities and international good practices.

3. Validation of Findings.

The Consultant will facilitate a validation process to ensure accuracy, relevance, and national ownership of the diaspora mapping findings. Validation shall be participatory and inclusive, incorporating feedback from key government stakeholders, IOM, and relevant diaspora representatives. The Consultant will be responsible for:

• Preparing and presenting key findings in a clear and accessible format for validation purposes

• Supporting the organisation and facilitation of one national validation workshop in coordination with the FSM Government and IOM

• Documenting stakeholder feedback and integrating validated inputs into the final diaspora mapping report.

• Submitting a final revised report reflecting agreed recommendations and conclusions.

4. As required, attend FSM Policy Taskforce meetings to ensure alignment of the mapping exercise with the national priorities. 

5. Provide regular progress updates to the Chief of Mission and the Program Officer- Migration management officer.

6. Summary of expected deliverables: 

2. Travel: The consultant will be required to undertake up to two duty travel missions. One at the inception phase to support data collection and stakeholder consultations, and one during the validation phase to support presentation and validation of findings. Any required travel will be coordinated with IOM and undertaken in accordance with IOM travel policies.

1. Education, Experience and/or skills required

• Bachelor's degree in migration related studies, public policy, international relations or development, economics, data science/statistics or a related field with at least years of professional experience in migration management, government or policy development. Or advance degree in migration related studies, public policy, international relations or development, economics, data science/statistics or related field with at lest five years of professional expereince in migration government, policy development, or related areas.

• Prior involvement in migration or related research surveys and familiarity with diaspora engagement frameworks.

• Proven experience in drafting policy documents for governments or international organizations.

• Strong understanding of international migration frameworks and regional migration contexts.

• Excellent research and analytical skills 

• Communication, workshop facilitation, and writing skills.

• Demonstrated experience working with Pacific Island or Indigenous communities is an asset.

2. Language: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of any of local languages (Pohnpeian, Kosraean, Chuukese, and Yapese) is advantageous.