1. The Gambia is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation. Rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, and the increasing frequency and severity of floods and droughts—combined with underlying socio‑economic vulnerabilities—are undermining food security, livelihoods, and social stability, particularly in rural areas. These dynamics are accelerating rural‑urban migration and exacerbating tensions over natural resources. National assessments, including the 2023 UN Common Country Analysis and Afrobarometer survey, confirm that climate and environmental shocks pose a significant obstacle to sustainable development and the achievement of the SDGs.

In response, the Government of The Gambia has established a strong policy framework, including the Green‑Recovery Focused National Development Plan (2023–2027), the National Migration Policy (2020–2030), the National Employment Policy (2022–2026), and national climate adaptation and disaster risk management strategies. These frameworks emphasize climate resilience, human mobility management, and the promotion of green jobs and nature‑based livelihoods. However, gaps remain in translating policy commitments into community‑level capacities, particularly in climate‑vulnerable and conflict‑prone localities.

This consultancy supports IOM The Gambia’s implementation of two complementary initiatives:

• The IOM Development Fund (IDF) project “Addressing the Adverse Climate‑related Drivers of Migration for Rural Communities in The Gambia”, which focuses on strengthening the capacity of local authorities and communities to reduce climate‑induced socio‑economic vulnerabilities and mitigate distress migration; and

• The Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) project “Empowering Communities in The Gambia to Prevent, Mitigate and Resolve Land‑Related Conflicts Exacerbated by Climate Change”, which addresses climate‑related land degradation, livelihood insecurity, and tensions between host and mobile communities through peacebuilding‑oriented, nature‑based solutions.

The assignment aims to bridge climate action, livelihoods, migration, and peacebuilding at the community level. It will support IOM by strengthening participatory community engagement processes; contributing to the development and validation of Community Adaptation Frameworks; supporting Training of Trainers (ToT) for local actors; and providing technical inputs for the design of gender‑sensitive, climate‑resilient and green livelihood initiatives. The consultancy will also contribute analytical and advisory support to identify and promote green livelihoods and nature‑based solutions that reduce land‑related conflict risks and enhance social cohesion.

Overall, the assignment supports integrated, community‑driven solutions that enhance resilience, reduce climate‑related migration pressures, and contribute to sustainable livelihoods and peace in climate‑vulnerable regions of The Gambia.

1. Community Engagement and Participatory Advisory Support (Cross‑Cutting Task)

• Provide technical advice on the design and implementation of inclusive community engagement approaches across all livelihood and peacebuilding activities.

• Support IOM in applying community‑based participatory planning (CBPP) principles, ensuring meaningful participation of: 

  • Women

  • Youth

  • Persons with disabilities

  • Host and mobile (pastoralist) communities

• Advise on conflict‑sensitive facilitation techniques, particularly in contexts of land pressure, resource competition and climate stress.

• Support the integration of feedback, validation and community ownership mechanisms throughout project activities.

2. Advisory Support on Climate‑Resilient Livelihoods (IDF – Activity 2.1.1)

• Provide technical guidance on short‑term skills development and livelihood training aligned with climate‑resilient and green economy opportunities.

• Advise on the integration of gender equality, youth inclusion and protection considerations into livelihood capacity‑building.

• Support contextualization of training approaches using Climate Vulnerability Assessment (CVA) findings and community‑identified priorities.

3. Facilitation of Community‑Based Livelihood Design (IDF – Activity 2.1.2)

• Facilitate structured consultations with community associations (Kafos) using participatory methods.

• Provide advisory support to communities to identify locally feasible, socially acceptable and environmentally sustainable livelihood options.

• Support articulation of livelihood concepts that strengthen resilience while avoiding exacerbation of local tensions or exclusion.

4. Technical Support on Green Livelihoods and Nature‑Based Solutions (PBF – Activity 3.3.6)

• Conduct a technical assessment of green livelihood opportunities and nature‑based solutions in LRR, NBR and CRR.

• Analyse linkages between climate change, land degradation, livelihood insecurity, migration patterns and conflict dynamics.

• Provide advisory recommendations to inform peacebuilding‑oriented livelihood programming under the PBF project.

5. Advisory Inputs to Green Livelihood Grant Design (PBF – Activity 3.3.4)

• Provide technical advice to support the design and prioritization of green livelihood grant interventions.

• Advise on conflict‑sensitive, gender‑responsive and climate‑resilient criteria for livelihood support.

• Support community engagement processes that promote dialogue, trust‑building and cooperation between host and mobile communities.

6. Coordination and Knowledge Support

• Coordinate closely with IOM technical teams, and where relevant, FAO and WFP counterparts under the PBF project.

• Provide ongoing advisory inputs to ensure coherence between community engagement, livelihood development and peacebuilding objectives.

At the end of the assignment, the consultant is expected to have:

• Quality and relevance of community engagement and technical advice provided.

• Effectiveness of facilitation in inclusive and conflict‑sensitive settings.

• Integration of gender, climate and peacebuilding considerations.

• Timely and professional execution of assigned tasks.