Established in 1951, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is a Related Organization of the United Nations and the leading UN agency on migration. IOM works closely with governments, intergovernmental bodies, and civil society partners to promote humane and orderly migration. The organization is committed to diversity, inclusion, and evidence-based interventions addressing complex migration and displacement challenges.
This consultancy is part of the sub-regional project “Comprehensive Approach to Climate Mobility in South Asia”, funded by the European Union. The initiative strengthens governance of climate-related migration across seven countries, aiming to integrate national and regional frameworks with practical, evidence-driven interventions.
Project Context
Sri Lanka faces significant climate and environmental challenges, including rising temperatures, unpredictable rainfall, floods, droughts, storms, and human-wildlife conflicts. These hazards particularly impact marginalized communities reliant on nature-based livelihoods such as farming and fishing. Climate shocks often reduce coping capacities, affecting income, health, and well-being. In many cases, human mobility—through migration, displacement, or planned relocation—becomes an adaptation strategy.
Mobility is influenced by multiple interacting factors, including distance, type of movement (seasonal, temporary, permanent), socioeconomic opportunities, vulnerabilities, and social networks. While mobility can provide access to safer environments, livelihoods, and education, it can also exacerbate stress, social isolation, conflict, and disruption of livelihoods.
Understanding the gendered dimensions of climate mobility is critical. Women, children, youth, elderly, persons with disabilities, and female-headed households may face unique vulnerabilities and adaptive challenges. Integrating gender perspectives into research, policy, and programming is essential for designing effective, inclusive interventions.
Scope of Work
The consultant will conduct a comprehensive desk review of academic and grey literature, policy documents, and institutional reports on gender and climate mobility in Sri Lanka, building on the 2023 National Assessment. The desk review will:
- Map the existing evidence base, highlighting gender-specific insights relevant for policy and programming.
- Analyse gendered impact pathways, including care burdens, shifts in decision-making, GBV risks, and left-behind stressors.
- Examine methodological approaches, including the quality of sex, age, and disability-disaggregated data and intersectional methods.
- Identify gaps in research, policy, and practice, including geographic, thematic, and data-related gaps.
- Assess the integration of gender dimensions into disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, and social protection policies.
- Develop a concise intersectional gap map (gender × age × disability × livelihood × mobility type).
- Recommend practical, context-specific interventions at community, district, and national levels.
- Identify priority districts/communities for further research and pilot programming, proposing methodologies and tools.
The consultant will engage with stakeholders primarily for validation and co-creation of recommendations. Deliverables must adhere to IOM standards, including a final report of no more than 25 pages.
Deliverables & Performance Indicators
- Timely submission of the desk review and associated outputs.
- Comprehensive coverage of relevant literature from the past 5–8 years.
- Effective engagement with stakeholders to validate findings.
- Clear, actionable, and SMART recommendations informed by gender analysis.
- High-quality, publishable written outputs compliant with IOM style and standards.
Qualifications & Experience
- Master’s degree or equivalent in Gender Studies, Development Studies, Climate Change, Migration, Sociology, or a related field.
- Minimum 7 years of experience in gender analysis, climate change, disaster risk reduction, or migration research.
- Experience with UN agencies or government institutions is highly desirable.
- Strong knowledge of Sri Lanka’s gender, disaster, and climate governance frameworks.
- Demonstrated expertise in literature reviews, policy research, and report writing.
- Fluency in English; knowledge of Sinhala and/or Tamil is an asset.
Required Competencies
- Inclusion & Diversity: Promote and respect individual and cultural differences.
- Integrity & Transparency: Uphold ethical standards and organizational principles.
- Professionalism: Deliver quality outputs with careful judgment and reliability.
- Teamwork: Collaborate effectively within and across teams.
- Delivering Results: Produce high-quality work on time and in a service-oriented manner.
- Knowledge Management: Share insights, learnings, and innovative approaches.
- Accountability: Take ownership of tasks and responsibilities.
- Communication: Convey complex concepts clearly, motivating and informing stakeholders.
Application Process
Interested candidates should submit the following by 11:59 PM, 7 April 2026 to HRSRILANKA@iom.int, with the position title in the subject line:
- Detailed CV/biodata
- Cover letter highlighting relevant experience
- Two examples of thematic written products (publications, reports)
- Technical and financial proposal:
- Technical: Methodology, suggested literature, proposed timeline, and policy recommendations
- Financial: Consultancy fees and related costs
Applications missing any of these components will not be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Note: IOM does not charge fees at any stage of the recruitment process.
This consultancy provides a unique opportunity to shape gender-responsive climate mobility policy and programming in Sri Lanka while contributing to a regional initiative addressing climate-induced human mobility challenges
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