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
The project titled Inclusive Stabilization Partnerships for Reintegration and Empowerment (INSPIRE) is a five-year programme (July 2026 – June 2031) funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (MFA) and implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). INSPIRE will operate in Ninewa, Anbar, and Salah al-Din Governorates, with national-level engagement in Baghdad.
The project aims to address key barriers faced by vulnerable internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees (including Iraqi individuals from northeast Syria), and host community members in accessing basic services, civil documentation, and durable solutions. It operates across three interconnected levels: individual, community, and systemic, organized under three outcomes:
- Outcome 1: Improved access to basic services and durable solutions pathways for vulnerable displaced populations
- Outcome 2: More resilient and cohesive communities in areas of high return, with empowered local civil society structures
- Outcome 3: Enhanced national and local government capacity to plan, coordinate, and deliver services to Iraqi citizens
Inception Phase
Recognizing Iraq's evolving context, with shifting return and displacement patterns, changing funding priorities, and significant differences across governorates and districts - INSPIRE will begin with a three-month inception phase. This phase is critical to ensure that the five-year programme is evidence-based, context-sensitive, and strategically targeted from the outset.
The Inception Phase will produce one core output: the Inception Report. The Report will contain:
- A detailed Year 1 Intervention Plan, identifying priority locations and beneficiary groups based on current conditions; and
- A five-year Strategic Impact Monitoring Framework, aligned with INSPIRE's Results Matrix and Theory of Change.
The Inception Report will integrate multiple data sources, including: IOM Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) data; funding and intervention mapping to identify gaps where INSPIRE can add value without duplication; field consultations with local authorities, community leaders, and potential beneficiaries; and interviews with Government of Iraq (GoI) counterparts, local CSOs, UN agencies, and international partners. The Inception Phase will conclude with a Validation Workshop convening the Government of the Netherlands, relevant Iraqi ministries, the UN Resident Coordinator's Office (RCO), and key partners to finalize the Year 1 workplan and agree on coordination structures, including annual revision mechanisms.
The INSPIRE inception phase requires specialized expertise in programme design, durable solutions programming, stakeholder consultation methodologies, conflict-sensitive analysis, and strategic results framework development. Given the time-bound nature of the inception phase and the need for independent technical expertise to support the development of the Inception Report and associated strategic frameworks, these services cannot be fully met through existing project staffing resources during the inception period. Therefore, IOM seeks to engage a consultant to provide targeted technical advisory support for this assignment.
Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing
Under overall guidance of the Chief of Mission (CoM), and the direct supervision of the Senior Programme Coordinator in close coordination with the involved IOM teams.
Scope of Work
The consultant will provide senior-level technical advisory support and facilitate the analytical and consultative process for the development of the INSPIRE Inception Report and associated strategic frameworks.
The consultant will provide advisory services only and will not have decision-making, supervisory, or representational authority on behalf of IOM
The consultant's responsibilities include:
- Conducting a comprehensive desk review of relevant secondary data sources, including IOM DTM reports, existing assessments (legal, protection, MHPSS, livelihoods), prior IOM project documentation, and national/UN strategic frameworks (UNSDCF, National Plan to End Displacement, Yazidi Survivors Law, INAP III)
- Developing and implementing a stakeholder consultation methodology, including Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions, with GoI counterparts (federal and KRG), local CSOs, UN agencies, international partners, community leaders, and affected populations across Ninewa, Anbar, and Salah al-Din
- Conducting a funding and intervention mapping exercise to identify ongoing and planned interventions in target areas, assess complementarity, and identify gaps where INSPIRE can add value
- Analysing IOM DTM and other displacement data to ensure targeting reflects current displacement and return dynamics
- Development of a strategic Year 1 Intervention Plan, including prioritized locations, target beneficiary groups, preliminary activity plans, and indicative resource allocation, in coordination with the IOM programme and MEAL teams
- Developing a five-year Strategic Impact Monitoring Framework aligned with the INSPIRE Results Matrix, Theory of Change, and SRoL/DSH indicators
- Supporting the facilitation, preparation and documentation of the Validation Workshop with the Government of the Netherlands, Iraqi ministries, UNRCO, and key partners
- Incorporating stakeholder feedback and finalizing the Inception Report for submission and publication
Tasks to be performed under this contract
Consultancy Fee and Payment Schedule
The consultant will be engaged as a Category B, for the duration of the assignment.
Payments will be made upon satisfactory completion and acceptance of the following deliverables by the Senior Programme Coordinatorr:
- First instalment: [20]% of the total fee upon submission and acceptance of Deliverable 1.
- Second instalment: [30]% of the total fee upon submission and acceptance of Deliverable 2.
- Third instalment: [25]% of the total fee upon submission and acceptance of Deliverable 3.
- Final instalment: [25]% of the total fee upon submission and acceptance of Deliverable 4 and the Final Inception Report. No payment shall be made for incomplete or unsatisfactory deliverables. All payments are subject to IOM's financial rules and procedures.
Performance indicators for the evaluation of results
Performance IndicatorMeans of VerificationTargetInception Report delivered on time and accepted by IOMWritten acceptance by IOM Project ManagerFinal report accepted by end of Month 3Year 1 Intervention Plan delivered on time and accepted by IOMWritten acceptance by IOM Project ManagerFinal plan accepted by end of Month 3Number and breadth of stakeholder consultations conducted (GoI, KRG, CSOs, UN agencies, community leaders, beneficiary groups) across priority locationsConsultation log / KII tracker submitted alongside Deliverable 2Minimum 20 KIIs/consultations covering all key governorates and all three INSPIRE outcomesFunding and intervention mapping completed, identifying gaps and complementarity for INSPIREMapping matrix included in Deliverable 2 and final reportAt least 15 active donor/partner interventions mapped across priority locationsFive-year Strategic Impact Monitoring Framework developed, aligned with the INSPIRE Results Matrix and SRoL indicatorsWritten acceptance by IOM MEAL Unit and Project ManagerFramework endorsed and accepted by end of Month 3Validation Workshop successfully convened and documentedWorkshop report, attendance list, and agreed minutesWorkshop held with participation of GoN, at least 3 Iraqi ministries, and minimum 10 partners; agreed minutes produced
Education
- Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in Political Science, International Development, Humanitarian Affairs, Conflict Studies, Sociology, Migration Studies, or a related field
- A first-level university degree with significant directly relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree
Experience
- A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience in programme development, project design, or research in humanitarian, stabilization, or development contexts
- Demonstrated experience developing reports or strategic frameworks for multi-year, multi-sectoral programmes in conflict-affected or post-conflict settings
- Proven experience conducting stakeholder consultations, KIIs, and field assessments in complex operating environments, ideally in Iraq or the MENA region
- Familiarity with the Iraq displacement and reintegration context, and the relevant GoI institutional landscape
- Experience with monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL) frameworks, including results matrices and Theory of Change development
- Prior experience with IOM, UN agencies, or internationally funded programmes (particularly Dutch MFA-funded programmes) is a strong advantage
- Experience engaging with civil society organizations, and familiarity with protection, MHPSS, livelihoods, durable solutions, and community policing programming, is desirable.
Skills
- Excellent analytical and writing skills, with a demonstrated ability to synthesize complex qualitative and quantitative data into clear, actionable recommendations
- Strong facilitation and stakeholder engagement skills, including experience facilitating multi-stakeholder workshops
- Proficiency in data analysis and presentation;
- Ability to work independently, manage multiple tasks under time pressure, and deliver high-quality outputs on schedule.
Languages
For this consultancy:
- Fluency in English (written and spoken) is required
- Proficiency in Arabic/Kurdish is advantageous
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.