Consultant for Migration and Climate Change

Job Posting Organization:
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is a regional political and economic union of fifteen countries located in West Africa. Established in 1975, ECOWAS aims to promote economic integration and cooperation among its member states, enhancing trade and development. The organization has a mission to foster peace, stability, and prosperity in the region, addressing issues such as migration, climate change, and disaster management. ECOWAS operates in multiple countries across West Africa, focusing on various sectors including humanitarian affairs, social development, and environmental sustainability. The organization employs a diverse workforce dedicated to achieving its goals and has been instrumental in addressing regional challenges through collaborative efforts.

Job Overview:
The consultant will play a crucial role in enhancing the capacity of ECOWAS to manage migration and climate change impacts in the region. This position involves conducting research and analysis on migration trends, particularly those related to environmental changes and disasters. The consultant will develop policy briefs and recommendations to support ECOWAS and its member states in implementing commitments under the Global Compact on Migration. The role requires collaboration with various stakeholders, including humanitarian agencies and ECOWAS directorates, to ensure that migration dynamics are integrated into disaster response mechanisms. The consultant will also assist in capacity-building activities for member states, focusing on disaster migration management and resilience-building initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct research and analysis on migration trends in the ECOWAS region, focusing on displacement caused by conflict, disasters, and environmental changes.
• Develop briefs, reports, and policy recommendations for ECOWAS and partners on displacement issues.
• Support coordination mechanisms between ECOWAS directorates, the Disaster Operation Centre, and relevant stakeholders.
• Provide technical input to regional programs addressing migration in contexts of conflict and environmental stress.
• Assist in developing programs that enhance resilience and sustainable solutions for affected populations.
• Design and facilitate capacity-building activities for ECOWAS member states on disaster migration management.
• Contribute to advocacy efforts for policy reforms and regional frameworks on forced migration.
• Improve data collection and information-sharing mechanisms between ECOWAS institutions and agencies.
• Develop technical frameworks for humanitarian assistance coordination within the ECOWAS Disaster Operation Centre.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or higher in Humanitarian Affairs, Migration Studies, International Relations, Environmental Degradation and Disaster Risk Reduction, or related fields.
• At least seven (7) years of experience in humanitarian response, conflict-induced migration, disaster management, or population movements in West Africa or similar regions.
• Demonstrated experience in facilitating stakeholder consultations and producing high-quality written reports.
• Excellent understanding of gender-related needs and perspectives in migration contexts.
• Relevant regional and international experience is an added advantage.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree or higher in relevant fields such as Humanitarian Affairs, Migration Studies, International Relations, Environmental Degradation and Disaster Risk Reduction, or related disciplines. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of migration and climate change issues in the West African context.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of seven (7) years of relevant experience in areas such as humanitarian response, conflict-induced migration, disaster management, or population movements. Candidates should have a proven track record of working in similar contexts, particularly in West Africa, and should demonstrate the ability to engage with various stakeholders effectively.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory for this position. Fluency in French or Portuguese is highly desirable, as IOM's official languages include English, French, and Spanish. Language proficiency will be evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and oral assessments.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy contract will last for 9 months, with a total payment of USD 20,000, distributed in four installments based on the validation of deliverables. The consultant will be responsible for all deliverables outlined in the Terms of Reference (ToR) and any associated costs for translation or communication. IOM will cover occupational accidents and illnesses under the Compensation Plan for the duration of the consultancy. No travel is anticipated, but any future travel must be approved by IOM and ECOWAS. Candidates must be Community Citizens of ECOWAS and are required to submit a CV, technical proposal, and financial proposal as part of their application.