National Consultant - Migration Preparedness Needs Assessment and Contingency

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 around the world, focusing on various aspects of migration and humanitarian assistance, and aims to better harness the full potential of migration while strengthening its support to people on the move.

Job Overview:
The National Consultant will play a crucial role in the 'Strengthening Emergency Preparedness Capacities in Azerbaijan' project, which aims to enhance the country's emergency preparedness framework in light of significant environmental and geological hazards, as well as geopolitical tensions. The consultant will support the International Lead Consultants in developing a high-quality, gender-responsive Migration Emergency Preparedness Needs Assessment Report and a gender-sensitive Contingency Plan. This position requires a deep understanding of Azerbaijan's legal, institutional, and operational context, as well as the ability to engage with various stakeholders, including government institutions, civil society organizations, and migrant communities. The consultant will conduct a desk review of relevant national legislation and policies, provide contextual information, and facilitate stakeholder engagement to ensure that the assessment findings and contingency plan accurately reflect the operational environment in Azerbaijan.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The National Consultant will be responsible for several key tasks, including:

• Supporting the International Lead Consultants in the development of the Migration Emergency Preparedness Needs Assessment Report and the Contingency Plan.
• Conducting a comprehensive desk review of national legislation, policies, and institutional frameworks related to migration and emergency preparedness.
• Compiling and summarizing key national reference materials to inform the development of the needs assessment and contingency plan.
• Providing contextual information on national systems, institutional mandates, and coordination mechanisms.
• Mapping stakeholders and facilitating engagement with relevant stakeholders, including government institutions, emergency response actors, local authorities, civil society organizations, and migrant communities.
• Assisting in the synthesis and integration of stakeholder inputs and feedback, ensuring that local perspectives are captured in the final products.
• Providing technical inputs to the drafting process and facilitating stakeholder consultations and validation meetings.
• Assisting in revising and finalizing both products in line with stakeholder feedback and approval requirements.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a higher university degree in social sciences, disaster management, migration studies, public administration, or a related field. Additionally, candidates must possess strong analytical, research, reporting, communication, documentation, presentation, and facilitation skills. A solid understanding of national institutional frameworks, protection, gender mainstreaming, and GBV risk mitigation is essential. Experience in data collection and analysis, as well as stakeholder engagement, is also required. Knowledge of migration governance, displacement, and border management is highly desirable.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a higher university degree in social sciences, disaster management, migration studies, public administration, or a related field. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of migration and emergency preparedness in Azerbaijan.

Experience:
A minimum of 3 years of experience in emergency response or humanitarian programming in Azerbaijan is required. Candidates should have demonstrated experience in emergency preparedness, contingency planning, disaster risk management, and capacity-building initiatives. Experience in developing operational guidance and preparedness frameworks is also essential for this role.

Languages:
Excellent command of Azerbaijani and English, both written and spoken, is mandatory for this consultancy. Proficiency in these languages will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Additional Notes:
The consultant will be compensated with a lump-sum fee of USD 2500 upon satisfactory completion of all deliverables, with payment occurring in two installments. The first deliverable is a summary report documenting the National Consultant's contributions to the Migration Emergency Preparedness Needs Assessment, due by the end of the 12th week of the contract period. The final deliverable is a brief report outlining activities undertaken for the Contingency Plan, due by the end of the 19th week. IOM covers consultants against occupational accidents and illnesses under the Compensation Plan, but consultants are responsible for their own medical insurance for non-occupational accidents or illnesses. The appointment is subject to certification of medical fitness, accreditation, and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security clearances. IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with its aims and objectives.