Consultant to conduct the stakeholders mapping, data collection for situational assessment on climate mobility, disaster risk and response.

Description

Introduction

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations and the leading UN agency in the field of migration. Working closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners, IOM promotes humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It saves lives and protects people on the move, drives solutions to displacement, and facilitates pathways for regular migration, while providing services and advice to governments and migrants. 

IOM is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive and supportive workplace where all employees can thrive professionally and feel valued. By creating such an environment, IOM aims to better harness the full potential of migration and strengthen its support to people on the move.

IOM invites candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply and provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process when required. Learn more about IOM’s workplace culture at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration 

Lao People's Democratic Republic is increasingly exposed to climate change and disaster risks, including floods, droughts and environmental degradation, which are influencing livelihood systems and human mobility patterns such as migration and displacement. The country has experienced increasing frequency and severity of floods, droughts, storms, and landslides since 2022, with 31 major disasters between 2000 and 2024 affecting 4.3 million people and causing approximately USD 595 million in damage. In 2024 alone, monsoon floods and major storms impacted over 271,000 people and generated USD 313 million in losses. Climate projections indicate a potential temperature rise of up to 3.6°C by the 2090s, with extreme heat already observed—temperatures reached nearly 43°C in April 2023, the highest on record. Climate-related disasters are also expected to significantly affect development, with combined droughts and floods causing estimated average annual economic losses of 3.5% and 2.0% of GDP respectively. Looking ahead, flooding alone could affect more than 80,000 people annually by 2030, while shifting rainfall patterns, soil erosion and drought continue to threaten agricultural productivity and food security. Overall, these trends highlight that climate change in Lao PDR is not only an environmental issue but a major development challenge, affecting livelihoods, public health, and economic stability, particularly among vulnerable rural populations.

Existing data systems frequently face limitations related to fragmentation, inconsistent definitions, and methodological gaps, making it difficult to build a coherent evidence base. Institutions responsible for data collection, analysis, and use, including government agencies, statistical offices, local authorities, academic institutions, and civil society organizations, also face capacity constraints. These challenges highlight the need for tailored technical support and capacity-building to enable a more comprehensive and actionable understanding of the climate change and mobility nexus in Lao People’s Democratic Republic. Besides, available climate, disaster, and population data across institutions, these datasets remain fragmented and are seldom analyzed in an integrated manner to inform climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction (DRR) planning. 

The consultancy is also aligned with Lao People’s Democratic Republic’s National Socio-Economic Development Plan (NESDP), which provides the country’s overarching development framework and emphasizes sustainable, inclusive and climate-resilient development. By strengthening the evidence base on climate-related human mobility, the assignment will help ensure that migration, displacement and livelihood considerations are better reflected in national planning processes, including climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction and broader socio-economic development priorities.

In this context, the consultancy aims to support the Government of Lao People’s Democratic Republic to develop a consolidated, evidence-based understanding of climate-related human mobility, contributing to stronger, more informed climate adaptation and DRR planning processes.

The consultancy will contribute to the Migration Policy Unit of IOM Lao People’s Democratic Republic, under the IOM Development Fund (IOMDF) project “Strengthening national climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction planning”.

Project Context and Scope

The Consultant will support the implementation of Output 1.1 of the IOMDF project.

The Consultant will be responsible for conducting analytical research on climate-related human mobility, including stakeholder mapping, data review, qualitative research and preparation of a government-validated analytical report.

Responsibilities

Tasks to be performed under this contract

Scope of work

The scope of work will include, but not be limited to:

• In consultation with IOM, develop a research tool which includes guiding questions, methods, data forms as required as well as informed consent. 

• Conducting a structured mapping of relevant stakeholders, including government institutions, development partners and civil society actors engaged in climate change, DRR, migration and livelihoods in the country.

• Reviewing existing data sources, analytical gaps, and opportunities for integrated analysis, including climate hazard, disaster impact, livelihood and population data. 

• Undertaking targeted qualitative data collection, including interviews and focus group discussions in selected locations to examine how climate risks influence livelihood decisions and human mobility patterns.

• Preparing a gender-sensitive analytical report of climate-related human mobility, highlighting key patterns, risk dynamics and implications for climate adaptation and DRR planning.

• Supporting consultations and integrating feedback from the Technical Working Group (TWG) and government and non-government stakeholders. 

During the consultancy, IOM will provide technical advisory support, access to IOM’s institutional learnings and publication, and support in facilitating engagement and coordination with the relevant government and non-government key stakeholders.

Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing:

The Consultant will work under the overall supervision of IOM Lao PDR and in coordination with relevant government counterparts, including the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MoAE), Department of Planning and Cooperation, Department of Environment (DoE), Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH), and other members of the TWG.

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

The Consultant is expected to perform the following activities and produce the deliverables listed below. Activities are to be conducted in close coordination with IOM Lao People’s Democratic Republic, relevant government counterparts through the TWG, and other stakeholders.

• Inception phase

  - Prepare a detailed workplan and timeline for the consultancy, including proposed methodology, data collection and analysis tools, mapping of key stakeholders.

  - Conduct a desk review and literature review of existing research, data systems, and institutional arrangements on climate mobility in Lao People’s Democratic Republic.

  - Develop stakeholder and institutional mapping tool.

  - Deliverable: Draft inception report outlining methodology, workplan, timeline, data collection and analysis tools and stakeholder and institutional mapping tool).

• Data collection and analysis phase

  - Deliver capacity training on mapping, data collection for core government partners at central level and local authority at the study location.

  - Conduct stakeholder and institutional mapping.

  - Review datasets (climate, livelihoods, migration, displacement, DRR).

  - Carry out qualitative field research (e.g., interviews, focus group discussions).

  - Analyze data and identify key patterns and gaps.

  - Deliverables: Draft analytical report, stakeholder and institutional mapping, and draft PowerPoint presentation.

• Finalization and validation phase

  - Present preliminary findings at a TWG validation meeting; facilitate and lead discussions to incorporate feedback.

  - Revise draft reports and presentation based on TWG and IOM feedback.

  - Finalize analytical report and presentation.

  - Deliverables: Final analytical report, final presentation material, documentation of consultations and meetings.

• Other Tasks: Perform any additional related duties as may be assigned to support the successful delivery of the consultancy.

Deliverables

Deadline

Installment

Inception report

2 weeks after contract (Start date: 1 September 2026)

30%

Draft analytical report including stakeholder and institutional mapping and draft PowerPoint presentation

1 March 2027

40%

Final analytical report and outputs

31 May 2027

30%

The total duration for this assignment is within the period of 1 September 2026 – 31 May 2027. The Consultant will determine their final work schedule at the beginning of the assignment with the approval of Chief of Mission of IOM Lao People’s Democratic Republic and Thailand. The work schedule will set clear deadlines for the completion of each expected deliverable.

Performance indicators for the evaluation of results

• Timely submission of all deliverables.

• Quality and comprehensiveness of reports, assessed by alignment with international standards and project goals.

• Satisfactory incorporation of feedback from IOM and stakeholders.

• Adherence to IOM Brand Guidelines and visibility requirements.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Master’s degree or higher in Social Sciences (e.g., Migration Studies, Economics, International Relations, Development Studies, Environmental Studies) or a related field from an accredited academic institution. 
•  A background combining social science with data analysis, statistics, or environmental/climate studies would be an advantage.

Experience

• Proven experience in applied research, data analysis, or assessments.
• Experience working with governmental agencies in Lao People’s Democratic Republic.
• Familiarity with climate change, human mobility (e.g., migration, displacement) or DRR issues.

Skills

• Excellent analytical and reporting-writing skills.
• Ability to conduct qualitative research.
•  Ability to work effectively in a sensitive environment and exercise impartiality, diplomacy and neutrality. 
• Gender-sensitive and context-sensitive analytical capacity.
• Excellent presentation and representation skills. 
• Capacity to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated understanding of Responsible AI principles (fairness, accountability, transparency, and human oversight) and their application in humanitarian and migration contexts. 
• Strong understanding of climate-related human mobility data landscape.
• Gender-sensitive, culture-sensitive, and able to work with colleagues from diverse cultural backgrounds. 
• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines. 
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Thai is an asset.

Travel required

Travel to and within Lao People’s Democratic Republic may be required for field data collection and consultations subject to project needs. If required, IOM will provide transportation or reimbursement per IOM travel policies (IN/6), along with Daily Subsistence.

Remuneration and Term of Payment.

The Consultant will receive an all-inclusive fee based on milestones and deliverables as follows:

• Conduct preparatory work and initial phase (inception) – 30%

• Data collection and draft reporting phase, addressing comments and validation – 40%

• Final analytical report, and other materials including interview or FGD transcripts, meeting notes, presentation material, cleaned datasets – 30%

The fee will be transferred to the registered bank account in the following month upon submission of the approved report. This fee shall be final and not subject to revision; and should the Consultant be requested to work during weekends and IOM official holidays upon prior coordination with the Manager, the Consultant’s performance of such services will not give rise to extra compensation.

The payment will be made 10 (ten) days upon satisfactory confirmation from the Direct Supervisor after receiving the submitted report/ guideline/ etc.

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