Consultant(e) international(e) – Recherche sur la mobilité climatique des femmes, des jeunes et des personnes en situation de handicap, Hodh El Chargui, Mauritanie

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.

Project Context and Scope

Mauritania's territory is largely arid or semi-arid, and the country faces dune encroachment, desertification, recurrent drought, seasonal flooding and the degradation of natural resources. These dynamics are associated with population movements taking the form of internal migration, temporary displacement, forced relocation and international migration.

The Climate Vulnerability Assessment (CVA) conducted by IOM's Displacement Tracking Matrix between December 2025 and January 2026 covered 196 localities across six moughataas of Hodh El Chargui and Guidimakha, representing 81,777 families. It recorded drought in 86 per cent of the localities assessed, sand and dust storms in 81 per cent, abnormally heavy rainfall in 46 per cent, rising temperatures in 45 per cent, desertification in 41 per cent and flooding in 39 per cent. It found that 30 per cent of localities had experienced climate-induced mobility over the previous two years, with marked territorial disparities ranging from 8 to 56 per cent depending on the moughataa. The CVA documented the scale and structural drivers of vulnerability at locality level through key informants. It does not capture the differentiated experiences of women, youth and persons with disabilities, whose adaptation capacities and mobility options are shaped by gender norms, age and disability-related barriers.

This consultancy fills that gap through qualitative, participatory and action-oriented research, in direct complementarity with the CVA. Fieldwork takes place in two moughataas of Hodh El Chargui: Bassiknou, where a high proportion of affected localities, 53 per cent, rests on a robust sample and a significant demographic weight, and Adel Bagrou, which offers a contrasting pattern at 19 per cent, spread across the largest number of communities in the area.

The consultant personally conducts all data collection: 16 in-depth individual interviews, of which 11 in person and 5 remote, 8 focus group discussions disaggregated by gender and target group, and 3 life stories. IOM identifies and convenes the participants, and provides interpretation, logistical coordination and advance scheduling of all appointments prior to the field mission.

The consultancy produces three deliverables over two months: an inception report, a findings note submitted to IOM for comment, and a final research report of 30 pages maximum excluding annexes, written in French. The research is expected to inform adaptation and protection policies, strategies and programmes, and to guide the targeting of subsequent interventions in the wilaya. It applies gender-responsive and disability-inclusive methods throughout, with documented informed consent, systematic anonymisation and an agreed referral pathway for participants disclosing protection needs.

Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing

Migration, Data and Research Unit (Displacement Tracking Matrix), IOM Mauritania,

Project: NC0161, Climate Change and Migration Data Programme (CCMD), funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark.

Tasks to be performed under this contract

Education

• Master's degree in social sciences, development studies, human geography, gender studies, migration studies or a related field from an accredited academic institution, with five years of relevant professional experience; or
• University degree in the above fields from an accredited academic institution, with seven years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• At least five years of applied research experience in climate change, migration or the protection of vulnerable groups in African contexts; experience in the Sahel, and preferably in Mauritania or in West and Central Africa, is an advantage.
• Proven experience conducting studies on climate mobility or environmental migration, including the design of data collection tools and the direct conduct of fieldwork.
• Demonstrated experience in qualitative data collection and analysis, including in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and life stories, in research involving persons with disabilities or the use of accessible and inclusive methods, and in producing publication-quality research reports.

Skills

• Mastery of qualitative research methods, including thematic analysis and systematic disaggregation of findings by gender, age and disability.
• Solid command of gender-responsive and disability-inclusive research approaches, and of ethical standards applicable to protection-sensitive settings: informed consent, the do no harm principle, anonymisation and data protection.
• Excellent analytical and drafting skills in French, the final report being written in French; ability to work with national authorities, civil society organisations and communities, to conduct interviews through an interpreter, and to work autonomously during an extended field mission in remote locations.

Languages

For this consultancy, fluency in French is required, both oral and written. Working knowledge of Arabic is an advantage.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Required Competencies

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.

No late applications will be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.