Consultant for Mapping of Regular Migration Pathways

Job Posting Organization:
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) was established in 1951 and is a Related Organization of the United Nations. It is the leading UN agency in the field of migration, working closely with governmental, intergovernmental, and non-governmental partners to promote humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. IOM's mission includes saving lives and protecting people on the move, driving solutions to displacement, and facilitating pathways for regular migration. The organization is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive, and supportive workplace where all employees can thrive professionally and feel valued. IOM operates in numerous countries and employs a diverse workforce, aiming to harness the full potential of migration and strengthen its support to people on the move. The organization invites candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply and provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process when required.

Job Overview:
The consultancy aims to conduct the first region-wide, corridor-sensitive, and implementation-assessed mapping of regular migration pathways within, into, and out of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This assignment will involve a systematic inventory of both binding and non-binding instruments governing regular pathways across various thematic families, including labor, education, family, humanitarian, climate and environmental, health and care, business and investor, and return and circular pathways. The consultant will assess data systems capable of tracking these pathways and corridors, with findings validated through a regional stakeholder workshop. The final outputs will include a policy brief and an analytical report for use by IOM MENA, Member States, and partner agencies. The consultancy is categorized as type B and will be conducted remotely while collaborating with the IOM Regional Office for MENA in Cairo, Egypt. The duration of the consultancy is four months, subject to medical clearance.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for delivering a comprehensive, multi-phase analysis of regular migration pathways in the MENA region. This includes designing an analytical framework and database structure, supported by an inception report and coding manual. The consultant will conduct a systematic desk review to compile and classify migration-related instruments across 18 countries, build a structured inventory of relevant data sources, assess their quality, accessibility, and gaps. Key informant interviews with government entities, international organizations, and other stakeholders will be conducted to enrich findings. The consultant will produce a regional analytical report, validate results through a stakeholder workshop, and deliver practical outputs including corridor fact sheets and a policy brief with evidence-based recommendations to guide policymakers on strengthening regular migration pathways.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in Migration Studies, International Relations, Law, Political Science, Public Policy, Economics, Human Geography, or a closely related field from an accredited academic institution. A minimum of seven years of relevant professional experience is required, although a PhD in a relevant field may substitute for two years of professional experience. Proven experience in comparative legal and policy analysis of migration governance frameworks, including bilateral and multilateral agreements, is essential. Candidates should have demonstrated experience producing structured migration databases or mapping exercises at a regional scale, with sound methodological documentation. A solid knowledge of the MENA region's migration governance landscape, including GCC labor systems, North Africa outward migration, and Mashreq country profiles, is necessary. Candidates must also have a strong understanding of GCM Objective 5, IOM's Migration Governance Framework (MiGOF), and relevant SDG targets on migration governance. The ability to synthesize complex evidence and produce clear, policy-relevant analytical reports for a practitioner and government audience is crucial, along with strong academic writing skills and demonstrated APA or equivalent referencing practice.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in a relevant field such as Migration Studies, International Relations, Law, Political Science, Public Policy, Economics, Human Geography, or a closely related field is required. This educational background should be from an accredited academic institution, ensuring that candidates have the necessary theoretical and practical knowledge to perform the consultancy effectively.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of seven years of relevant professional experience in the field of migration governance and policy analysis. This experience should include proven expertise in comparative legal and policy analysis of migration governance frameworks, as well as experience in producing structured migration databases or conducting mapping exercises at a regional scale. Familiarity with the MENA region's migration governance landscape is essential, and candidates with a PhD in a relevant field may substitute two years of professional experience for their educational qualifications.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position, as all written outputs and communications will be conducted in English. Good knowledge of Arabic is considered an advantage, as it may facilitate communication and understanding of the regional context. Knowledge of French in addition to professional English proficiency is also desirable, as it may enhance collaboration with various stakeholders in the region.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is categorized as type B and will be compensated on a four-installments payment basis. The first deliverable is an Inception Report and Coding Manual, followed by an Instrument Inventory and Preliminary Database, a Final Database and Corridor Fiches, and a Full draft Regional Analytical Report. The final deliverable will incorporate feedback from a validation workshop and include a Policy Brief and all database files and documentation in agreed formats with IOM MENA. Candidates are requested to attach a sample of their work and a proposal that includes a workplan and budget. IOM covers consultants against occupational accidents and illnesses under the Compensation Plan (CP) free of charge for the duration of the consultancy, but does not provide evacuation or medical insurance for non-occupational accidents and illnesses. Consultants are responsible for their own medical insurance for non-occupational accidents or illnesses and must provide written proof of such coverage before commencing work. Any offer made to the candidate is subject to funding confirmation, and appointment will be contingent upon certification of medical fitness, accreditation, residency or visa requirements, and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security clearances. IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM.