UN CareersUN CareersGlobal Opportunities
Colombo, Sri LankaGrade UGConsultancy (Up to 11 months)IOM
ClosedPosted May 24, 2026

Scope of the Assignment

Conduct a comprehensive assessment, responding to the research questions, of existing national and sub-national data and data governance systems on disaster displacement, migration and relocation with an emphasis on identifying practical opportunities to strengthen the governance and use of climate mobility.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;

<span>Map institutional mandates and coordination structures, clearly identifying which institutions collect, compile, validate, analyse and disseminate climate, disaster and displacement-related data, and assess the effectiveness of inter-agency coordination mechanisms.</span>&nbsp;

<span>Review and analyse existing data collection, compilation and reporting methodologies, including indicators, definitions, tools, reporting formats, frequencies, levels of disaggregation (sex, age, disability, ethnicity, socio-economic status) and current operational challenges respectively.</span>&nbsp;

Map the current data collection, verification, reporting and dissemination pathways from community/GN level to DS, district and national levels, including formal reporting systems, operational and informal communication practices, local knowledge inputs and practical pathways for risk communication and EWS dissemination to affected communities.

Examine how disaster-related mobility data is collected and used across the mobility lifecycle, including early risk signals, evacuation, displacement, return, secondary movement, protracted displacement, planned relocation and longer-term settlement outcomes.

<span>Undertake a limited number of field-level consultations, observations or scenario-based walkthroughs in selected districts, in coordination with DMC, NDRSC and relevant district authorities, to understand how data is collected, shared, validated and used during real or simulated disaster events.</span>

<span>Examine data-sharing frameworks, including data interoperability, information management systems, institutional procedures, operational sensitivities, enabling factors and barriers to harmonization.</span>

Analyse the applicability, efficiency and usability of existing tools, identifying areas where tools exist but may be further strengthened, updated, harmonized or more consistently applied.

<span>Review existing Early Warning Systems (EWS) and analyse the linkages between disaster-related data systems, established disaster management Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and contingency planning frameworks, including identifying practical opportunities to strengthen adequacy, coordination and field-level application.</span>

<span>Assess how existing data can support anticipatory action and decision-making, including the identification of practical indicators, thresholds or decision points that may inform early warning, preparedness, evacuation, planned relocation and resource allocation.</span>

<span>Identify minimum or “good enough” data requirements for different operational decisions in emergency contexts, recognizing that complete data may not always be available during rapidly evolving disaster events.</span>&nbsp;

<span>Assess the operational and resource implications of selected data gaps, including how gaps may affect response planning, targeting of assistance, coordination, prioritization, duplication management and resource allocation.</span>

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<span>Provide clear, practical and prioritized recommendations including:</span>

<span>Support and facilitate national/local validation workshops and incorporate stakeholder recommendations into the final report.</span>

<span>Ensure cross-cutting integration, including gender-responsive data collection, disability inclusion, human-rights-based data governance and conflict-sensitive approaches.</span>

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How to apply

Candidates with the required qualifications and competencies are invited to submit their candidature for the position via the&nbsp;

applicable links below&nbsp;<strong>by 11.59 PM (Sri Lanka Time), Monday 01<sup>st</sup> June 2026.</strong>

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Candidates are requested to submit the following as attachments.

<span><strong>Curriculum Vitae (CVs)&nbsp;</strong></span>

<span><strong>Demonstrated experience on prior projects relevant to data on disaster, displacement, migration or frameworks&nbsp;</strong></span>

<span><strong>Technical and Financial Proposal - The technical proposal should include a Proposed methodology, examples of suggested policies and literature to be reviewed, order of conduct of the activities with a proposed timeline. The financial proposal for payments- including the total cost of assignment such as consultancy fees and other miscellaneous costs.&nbsp;</strong></span>

<span>Advanced degree in Climate Change, Disaster Risk Reduction, Migration Studies, Public Policy, Data Science or related field</span>

<span>7 years of experience in disaster data systems, migration data, climate risk analysis or related fields</span>

<span>Demonstrated experience in conducting institutional or data gap analyses</span>

<span>Strong understanding of Sri Lanka’s disaster management and climate governance frameworks</span>

Experience working with government institutions and UN agencies

Proven analytical and report-writing skills

Fluency in English (knowledge of Sinhala and/or Tamil is an asset)

<span>Experience with displacement tracking systems (e.g., DTM, IDMC methodologies)</span>

Preferably prior working experience with a UN organization or an INGO, in similar line of work and in close coordination with Disaster Management Centre and the National Disaster Relief Service Centre

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