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: 

 Global context:

Climate change impacts are visible across Europe and Central Asia in rising temperatures, precipitation variability, heatwaves, drought, wildfires, and glacial melt that are affecting the lives and livelihoods of people, including food and water security. According to the Sixth Assessment of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the temperature rise will cause substantive agricultural production losses for most European areas, while decreasing water availability would make adaptation using irrigation methods a serious challenge[1]. Moreover, increasing frequency and severity of natural hazards (e.g., wildfires, flooding, landslides) will adversely impact all sectors of society. These climate change impacts exacerbate pre-existing inequalities and vulnerabilities, especially for those already facing societal inequalities.

At the global level, human mobility in the context of climate change is now firmly anchored in several key policy frameworks such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, the Sustainable Development Goals, and the Global Compact for Safe Orderly and Regular Migration. The Executive Committee of the Warsaw International Mechanism on Loss and Damage of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change invited the Parties to continue supporting efforts, including finance, technology, and capacity building of Parties, local actors, and communities to address human mobility-related challenges and opportunities in the context of climate change, at all levels, including community, national, regional and international levels.[2] 

However, translating these global commitments into tangible outcomes requires significant and sustained financing. Climate change is already displacing communities, straining local resources, and creating new vulnerabilities that cannot be addressed without adequate funding. The scale of human mobility challenges linked to climate impacts—ranging from sudden-onset disasters to slow-onset processes such as sea-level rise—demands targeted investments. This highlights the urgent need for climate finance to bridge the gap between policy ambitions and real-world action on the ground.

Climate finance refers to local, national, or transnational financing – drawn from public, private, and alternative sources of financing – that seeks to support measures related to mitigation, adaptation, and loss and damage.[3] Public finance falls short of the overall financing needs for climate action. Leveraging private investment using public finance to fill this funding gap is one of the solutions. Blended finance – broadly defined as the combination of public concessional finance with private or public resources – is often portrayed as a key financing mechanism to deliver the resources needed for climate action. 

Context in the Republic of Moldova

The Republic of Moldova faces profound challenges and vulnerabilities due to climate change, particularly in smallholder agriculture, making it one of the most climate-exposed countries in Europe. Rural communities, heavily dependent on agriculture, are especially at risk due to their limited capacity to adapt. This vulnerability is intensified by the growing frequency of droughts, floods, soil erosion, pests, and diseases, which have led to declining crop yields. Beyond agriculture, climate change affects livelihoods, infrastructure, and ecosystems, driving both internal displacement and outward migration. These shifts have far-reaching implications for economic sustainability and social cohesion. Addressing these challenges requires a clear understanding of the complex interplay between climate change and human mobility, alongside active engagement from national authorities in programmes that integrate migration into climate adaptation strategies.

In this context, IOM Moldova has actively supported Moldovan authorities in gaining a better understanding of the Migration, Environment, and Climate Change (MECC) nexus and in integrating human mobility considerations into key climate-related policies-and vice versa. As a result of the IOM Moldova contribution, MECC considerations have been integrated into the Republic of Moldova's key policy frameworks, including the National Adaptation Program until 2030 (NAP-2), the National Strategy for Agricultural and Rural Development for 2023-2030 (AgSAP), and the Migration and Asylum Programme for 2022-2025 (MAP). This reflects the country's recognition, at the policy level, of the diaspora's potential to support climate action and enhance climate resilience in their home country. 

Leveraging the engagement of the migrants and diaspora, and their families in climate change adaptation remains in its early stages in the Republic of Moldova. With IOM's support, Moldovan authorities have introduced programmes such as PARE 1+1 and its expansion PARE 1+2, which engage the migrants and diaspora in fostering sustainable economic initiatives. More recently, the “Diaspora Succeeds at Home Programme” (DAR 1+3) was launched to involve the diaspora in local development projects. These initiatives consider the participation of migrants and diaspora, and their families in climate action. Notably, with IOM's direct contribution to the DAR 1+3 mechanism, 2024 marked the first implementation of dedicated small-scale local climate action projects with the support of the Moldovan diaspora.

While current efforts to leverage diaspora resources for national development highlight the need for more sustained engagement, this gap is even more pronounced in the context of climate action. Remittances, diaspora funding, and broader contributions remain largely untapped in climate change adaptation and resilience policies and programmes, limiting their potential impact on Moldova's socio-economic development. However, migration plays a key role in enhancing adaptive capacity and supporting climate adaptation at the household level. With the right policies and mechanisms, its contribution to building climate-resilient rural communities in Moldova can be significantly strengthened. 

The primary challenge for both Moldovan households and diaspora members seeking to engage in climate change adaptation is the limited access to structured programmes and financial mechanisms that facilitate access to affordable financing for investments in climate action. Access to low-cost financing is particularly crucial for small entrepreneurs and rural households, as they often lack the capital and collateral required by traditional lenders. Affordable financing would enable them to invest in key areas such as biodiversity conservation, clean energy, circular economy, climate-smart agriculture, disaster risk reduction and green renovation. Without accessible and cost-effective financial solutions, many rural businesses and households remain unable to make the necessary investments to adapt, innovate, and sustain their livelihoods in the face of climate challenges. Despite having excess liquidity, private banks in the Republic of Moldova have developed a limited sustainable portfolio with micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), small entrepreneurs, and smallholders in rural areas. At the same time, non-bank financial institutions face liquidity constraints that restrict their ability to expand their portfolios, and they have limited access to guarantee mechanisms to manage lending risks.

To address these challenges, some critical actions are needed. This could include de-risking investments, improving the bankability of climate change adaptation projects, attracting private sector investment, expanding financial access for MSMEs and start-ups, developing skills to match the needs of new green businesses and supporting innovation in climate change adaptation. Mobilizing public and private funds requires stronger collaboration among government institutions, private banks, small entrepreneurs, and private investors (including the migrants and diaspora, and their families). Establishing gender-sensitive financing and inclusive advisory mechanisms will be key to ensuring affordable financing for climate change adaptation investments and fully leveraging the potential of the migrants and diaspora, and their families for sustainable development in the Republic of Moldova.

Against this background IOM Moldova has launched the project “Engaging the Moldovan Diaspora and Local Stakeholders in the Implementation of the Second National Climate Change Adaptation Plan” financed by IOM DF to develop a blended finance mechanism to address human mobility in the context of climate change action in coordination with relevant stakeholders in the Republic of Moldova.

Migration Governance Unit of IOM Moldova in coordination with the Regional Office in Vienna is responsible for coordinating and overseeing this assignment within the IOM project: “Engaging the Moldovan Diaspora and Local Stakeholders in the Implementation of the Second National Climate Change Adaptation Plan” (NC0213) financed by IOM DF.

Overall objective: To achieve the above projects’ outcome IOM is looking to employ the expertise of a national consultant who will review the relevant regulatory mechanisms, formulate gender-sensitive recommendations for amending implementation mechanisms targeting migrants and the diaspora in the context of the priority sectors of the NAP-2 and AgSAP and subsequently support national authorities in incorporating these recommendations into the regulatory frameworks of the relevant national programmes, as well as support the development of an updated concept of an innovative or blended finance mechanism related to climate change action.

To support the achievement of the overall objective the selected national consultant, under the overall supervision of IOM and guided by the International Service Provider (contracted impact investment company) will execute the following task: 

• Review and update the IOM analytical report [1], focusing on the relevant regulatory mechanisms (e.g. laws, regulations, strategies, plans, etc.) and formulate gender-sensitive recommendations for amending implementation mechanisms targeting migrants and diaspora in the context of the priority sectors of the NAP-2 and the AgSAP. The updated analytical report should as well include a new component / chapter analyzing the national regulatory market and operational landscape relevant to innovative and blended finance in the Republic of Moldova (through desk research and key informant interviews) and identify relevant international best practices on using innovative or blended finance mechanisms to leverage investment from migrants and diaspora, and their families into climate action. It will assess the enabling conditions in order to identify opportunities, challenges, and potential partnerships for the development of an updated concept for an innovative or blended finance mechanism related to climate action. It will assess the conditions for establishing an innovative or blended finance mechanism for enabling migrants and diaspora, and their families, to participate in and benefit from climate action in the Republic of Moldova. The International Service Provider will review the report and providefeedback which should be reflected in the report. The report should formulate actionable recommendations for developing an updated concept of an innovative or blended finance mechanism related to climate action. 

• Support the organization of one stakeholder consultation session on the initial concept of a blended finance mechanism in the Republic of Moldova, involving government authorities, the private sector, financial institutions, and development partners: provide input to and deliver a joint presentation in coordination with the International Service Provider during the initial consultations with the main stakeholders. The International Service Provider will develop the concept note, agenda, and materials (e.g., slide decks, briefing notes) for the consultation and will prepare and deliver a presentation together with the national consultant. This session will provide a platform to present the draft concept of the innovative or blended finance mechanism related to climate action and gather direct feedback from investors, entrepreneurs, and professionals from the Moldovan migrant and diaspora community, ensuring that the mechanism effectively mobilizes their financial resources and expertise to support climate action in the Republic of Moldova. The national consultant will prepare a report on the results of the stakeholder consultation. 

• Based on the findings and recommendations of the updated analytical report support the Moldovan national authorities in incorporating gender-sensitive recommendations to amend regulatory mechanisms of relevant national programmes. This support will include providing expert guidance on which specific laws, regulations, strategies, and plans need to be amended, identifying the necessary legislative changes to endorse the proposed modifications, and developing a roadmap for the amendment process. Through policy advice and targeted technical assistance, the national consultant will help ensure that the proposed amendments are practical, actionable, and inclusive in the context of the Republic of Moldova's legal and policy framework.

• Provide two one-day capacity development workshops for local authorities, Moldovan migrants and diaspora, and entrepreneurs to enable them to benefit from the amendments to the regulatory mechanisms, with a focus on priorities identified in the NAP-2 and the AgSAP. One workshop will focus on strengthening the capacities of local authorities in the Republic of Moldova, while the other will engage migrants and diaspora, and their family members, and Moldovan entrepreneurs interested in climate change adaptation. These workshops will provide practical guidance on navigating the revised regulatory frameworks, accessing financial and technical resources, and leveraging new opportunities for participating in and benefiting from climate change adaptation in alignment with the NAP-2 and the AgSAP. 

• Based on the findings and recommendations of the updated analytical report provide inputs to the updated concept of an innovative or blended finance mechanism related to climate action, developed by the International Service Provider, including its sustainable governance and management structure, implementation roadmap, and fundraising plan for the Republic of Moldova that will aim to enable the migrants and diaspora, and their families to invest in climate change adaptation, while ensuring a gender-balanced decision-making framework and alignment with the country's sustainable development priorities.

• Support post-financing monitoring, mentoring, learning, and assistance for DAR 1+3 Programme[2] beneficiaries: developing and implementing a monitoring, evaluation, and learning framework to track the progress and effectiveness of IOM co-funded DAR 1+3[3] initiatives, document best practices, and promote successful models for replication and integration into nationally funded programmes. The national consultant will be engaged to offer one-on-one coaching, peer learning sessions, and networking opportunities. This support shall help beneficiaries enhance their operational capacity, improve resource management, and refine their project strategies.  Additionally, the national consultant will help connect beneficiaries with further investment and partnership opportunities, ensuring their initiatives are financially viable beyond the initial grant period.  A report with lessons learned from the implementation of these projects will be shared with national and local stakeholders to inform future climate adaptation programmes and funding mechanisms for the engagement of migrants and diaspora, and their families, in climate change adaptation.

• Lead the organization of one stakeholders consultation session on sustainability of the updated concept of an innovative or blended finance mechanism with the main stakeholders in the Republic of Moldova: develop the concept note, agenda, and materials (e.g., slide decks, briefing notes) for the consultation and prepare and deliver a presentation under the guidance of the International Service Provider. The national consultant will prepare a report on the results of the consultations on sustainability. This consultation aims to ensure buy-in from local stakeholders and to fine-tune both the implementation roadmap and fundraising plan, and the section on sustainable governance and management structure of the concept of the blended finance mechanism.   

• Support the organization of two promotional and networking events in the Republic of Moldova: with the input from the International Service Provider, the national consultant and the IOM Project Team will develop the concept note, agenda, and materials (e.g., slide decks, briefing notes), prepare and provide presentations at the two promotional and networking events targeting development partners, local business communities, investors, diaspora, and migrants. These events will serve multiple purposes, including raising awareness about the proposed climate finance mechanism, showcasing successful international models, and fostering connections between key stakeholders. During these events the national consultant and the IOM Project Team will facilitate knowledge exchange on innovative or blended finance models, highlight the role of migrants and diaspora in climate action, and explore investment opportunities in priority sectors identified in the NAP-2 and AgSAP.

Tangible and measurable output of the work assignment: The assignment will help strengthen the Republic of Moldova's regulatory and financial frameworks relevant to engaging the migrants and diaspora, and their families in climate change adaptation.  The findings from a review of regulatory mechanisms (e.g. laws, regulations, strategies, plans, etc.) will inform the review and updating of key public programmes like PARE 1+1, PARE 1+2, SMEs Greening Programme, and DAR 1+3. Moreover, the findings of this report will also inform the design of the proposed blended finance mechanism. Capacity development workshops will equip the migrants and diaspora, and their families, local authorities, and entrepreneurs with the knowledge or skills to navigate revised frameworks. Monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) framework will track the progress of the matching grants provided by IOM to selected local public authorities under the DAR 1+3 programme to support migrants and diaspora, and their families to sponsor climate change adaptation measures in local communities under the matching grant scheme, while mentoring and technical support will enhance sustainability and attract investment.

Category B Consultants: Tangible and measurable outputs of the work assignment 

Category B Consultant is hired to provide the bellow deliverables, according to the proposed timeline:

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Master’s degree in finance, social sciences or another related subject.

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas: investment management/consulting, blended and/or climate finance, sustainable development, migration and development, environmental economics. 

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in public policy assessments, field research, and impact evaluations. 

•  Proven experience engaging with the financial sector, including the development of financial services/products for general population and/or migrants.

• Experience in the design and implementation of commercial investment instruments is an advantage.

• Demonstrated experience in conducting structured consultations with diverse stakeholders, including government authorities, development partners, civil society, and private sector actors.

• Demonstrated experience in delivering capacity building interventions to local authorities, Moldovan migrants and diaspora, and entrepreneurs. Strong background in migration and diaspora engagement, particularly where linked to investment or climate resilience initiatives.

• Experience in providing specialized expertise to local and central authorities, as well as international organizations, in fields related to migration, diaspora engagement, sustainable development, or climate action.

•  Previous experience working with or cooperating with UN agencies is an advantage.

Skills

• Strong data analytical, writing and communication skills. 

• Strong knowledge of economic diaspora contributions and remittances trends in the country. 

• Strong knowledge of national financial system in the country; 

• Financial modelling capabilities;

• Strong understanding of diaspora engegement institutional and regulatory frameworks in the country;

• Good understanding of migration, environment and climate change nexus in Moldova

• Strong understanding of international climate finance architecture (e.g., GCF, GEF, Adaptation Fund, EU climate finance, MDB facilities).

• Proven ability to facilitate multi-stakeholder dialogues, workshops, and validation processes leading to consensus-building.

• Proven ability to collaborate effectively with partners, respond constructively to feedback, and integrate comments into written deliverables in a timely manner.

• Proven ability to engage diaspora communities and migration-focused organizations in policy consultations is a strong asset. 

• Fluent in speaking, writing and reading in Romanian and English required.

• Availability for the envisaged period and high mobility and flexibility.

• Familiarity with IOM’s mandate;

Languages

For this consultancy, proficient use of both Romanian and English

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

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 – 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

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