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

Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges of the 21st century, affecting human lives and livelihoods in multiple ways. Among its impacts, human mobility has emerged as a complex and multidimensional phenomenon requiring a holistic and cross-sectoral response. Environmental migration refers to the movement of people within or across borders as a result of adverse environmental and climate-related factors, including floods, landslides, droughts, and land degradation.

Environmental migration is already a reality in Georgia. According to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre, approximately 39,000 people were living in internal displacement due to disasters induced by climatic hazards at the end of 2023.[1] National data further indicates that as of 2025, around 12,300 families (approximately 42,000 individuals) are registered as eco-migrants, of which a significant share has already been resettled.[2]

These dynamics have significant implications for human rights, socioeconomic stability, and long-term development. Environmental migration also has differentiated impacts across population groups, with women often facing heightened vulnerability due to unequal access to resources, information, and decision-making, while also playing a critical role in strengthening resilience.

In response to these challenges, the project Building Resilient Futures for Migration-Prone Populations in Georgia (REforM) aims to advance integrated, solutions-oriented approaches linking climate adaptation, migration governance, and economic resilience. A key focus of the project is the exploration and design of innovative and blended finance mechanisms to support climate-resilient and economically sustainable livelihood opportunities for migration-affected populations. 

Within this context, strengthening the evidence base on environmental migration is essential. A key constraint, however, lies in the limited availability of the data on eco-migrant populations - particularly regarding their geographic distribution, socio-economic profiles, livelihood systems, and access to finance. Addressing this gap is essential to ensure effective targeting and feasibility of financial interventions. 

Objective of Consultancy:

This consultancy aims to undertake a comprehensive mapping and profiling of eco-migrants in Georgia, with a focus on a) geographic distribution and exposure to environmental risks; b) livelihood systems and economic potential; c) access to financial services and barriers; d) willingness and readiness to engage in financial mechanisms. 

The assignment will draw on national data sources, including eco-migrant registries and hazard data, and will be implemented in coordination with IOM’s parallel initiative “Enabling Actions to Address Challenges of Environmental Migration in Georgia” to ensure complementarity and avoid duplication.

Management Arrangements:

The National Consultant will work under the overall supervision of the project manager. The service provider will be directly responsible for, reporting to, seeking approval from, and obtaining a certificate of acceptance of outputs from the REforM Project Manager. 

Roles and Responsibilities:

The national consultant will undertake the following tasks:

• Develop a detailed work plan in coordination with the IOM Project Team to ensure alignment with the Building Resilient Futures for Migration-Prone Populations in Georgia (REforM) project and its blended finance component;
• Conduct a comprehensive review of existing data sources related to environmental migration in Georgia, including eco-migrant registries, hazard and geological data and relevant national and international studies;
• Develop and apply a methodology for mapping and profiling environmental migrants, integrating geospatial analysis, socio-economic assessment, and financial inclusion indicators;
• Conduct mapping and analysis of eco-migrant populations to identify their geographic distribution, settlement patterns, and exposure to environmental risks;
• Assess the socio-economic conditions of eco-migrant households, including livelihood systems, income sources, access to services, and key vulnerabilities;
• Analyse livelihood capacities and economic potential of eco-migrant populations, including identification of climate-resilient livelihood opportunities;
• Assess access to financial services, key barriers to finance, and levels of financial inclusion among eco-migrant households;
•  Evaluate the willingness and readiness of eco-migrant populations to participate in financial mechanisms, including Green financial products;
• Identify and segment priority beneficiary groups and geographic areas to support targeting of interventions under the blended finance mechanism;
• Support stakeholder engagement processes, including participation in consultations with financial institutions, development partners, and other relevant actors;
• Validate findings through stakeholder consultations and incorporate feedback into the analysis;
• Prepare a comprehensive analytical report outlining:
  • mapping results and geospatial analysis; 
  • socio-economic and livelihood profiling; 
  • financial inclusion and willingness assessment; 
  • segmentation of eco-migrant groups; 
  • Provide clear and actionable analytical inputs and recommendations to inform the design and targeting of the blended finance mechanism;
• Undertake presentation(s) of the findings to the relevant stakeholders;
• Compile and submit a final consultancy report, including key findings, analytical outputs, and recommendations developed during the consultancy period.

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

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Advanced university degree in environmental studies, economics, geography, public policy, migration or a related field. A first-level university degree combined with additional relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.

Experience

• Minimum three years year of relevant professional experience in research, data analysis, socio-economic assessments, or related analytical work.

• Demonstrated experience in conducting mapping, profiling, or analytical studies related to migration, environment, livelihoods, or similar fields.

• Familiarity with environmental migration, climate change impacts, and/or livelihood resilience 

• Proven experience in working with quantitative and qualitative data, including data collection, analysis, and interpretation. Experience with geospatial analysis or GIS tools is an asset.

•  Experience in analysing financial inclusion, access to finance, or economic opportunities for vulnerable populations is an asset.

• Experience with geospatial analysis or GIS tools is an asset.

•  Experience working with international organizations is an asset.

Languages

For this consultancy, Excellent command of written and spoken English and Georgian is required.

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