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
Bangladesh is among the countries most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, facing increasing climate-induced hazards such as river erosion, floods, cyclones, salinity intrusion, droughts, and tidal surges. These hazards contribute to human mobility in the form of migration and displacement while posing significant challenges to public health, livelihoods, climate adaptation, and sustainable development.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) Bangladesh is implementing a portfolio of research and technical initiatives to strengthen the evidence base on climate mobility and support policy development, national planning processes, and stakeholder engagement. As part of this initiative, IOM will undertake the following research and technical assignments:
To support the successful implementation of these assignments, IOM seeks to recruit a qualified Research Assistant who will provide technical, research, coordination, and administrative support throughout the research lifecycle.
Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing
Under the overall supervision of the National Programme Officer (and in cooperation with the Unit as necessary), the Research Assistant will provide technical, research, coordination, and administrative support for the implementation of the above-mentioned studies. The incumbent will contribute to research quality assurance, stakeholder engagement, knowledge management, project coordination, and day-to-day programme implementation.
The consultant will be hired under the Disaster, Displacement, Response and Recovery (DDRRU) Unit of IOM Bangladesh. The project “Promoting a Comprehensive Approach to Climate Mobility in South Asian Countries,” funded by the European Union (EU), will contribute to hiring the consultant.
Tasks to be performed under this contract
The Research Assistant will undertake, but not be limited to, the following responsibilities:
Research Support
- Support the planning, implementation, and monitoring of all four research and technical assignments which will be implemented by Senior Research Consultants/Research firms. These can be international or national entities.
- Assist in developing research methodologies, data collection tools, analytical frameworks, and work plans.
- Facilitate and monitor quantitative and qualitative data collection, data management, data cleaning, and preliminary analysis.
- Review draft research reports, policy briefs, presentations, and other technical outputs for quality and consistency.
- Compile comments received from IOM country, regional and global offices, government counterparts, and technical reviewers and assist in incorporating revisions into research deliverables .
- Maintain organized documentation and records related to all research activities.
- Coordinate regularly with consultants, research firms, government counterparts, UN agencies, academic institutions, development partners, and civil society organizations.
- Monitor implementation progress against agreed work plans and timelines for the mentioned research.
- Support preparation of progress reports, briefing notes, meeting summaries, and donor reporting inputs.
- Track research deliverables and support timely submission of outputs.
- Assist in preparing concept notes, presentations, talking points, and technical documentation.
- Prepare workshop materials, participant lists, meeting minutes, and follow-up actions.
- Support dissemination of research findings and policy recommendations.
- Support knowledge management activities, including organizing technical resources and maintaining project records.
Education
- Bachelor's degree in Public Health, Climate Change, Environmental Science, Geography, Migration Studies, Development Studies, Social Sciences, International Relations, Public Policy, Economics, Statistics, or another relevant discipline from an accredited academic institution with at least five (5) years of relevant professional experience; or
- Master's degree in one of the above-mentioned disciplines from an accredited academic institution.
Experience
- Experience working with government, international organizations, or development partners
- Familiarity with Bangladesh’s climate, health, and migration context will be considered an asset
- Previous experience with IOM/UN system agencies would be considered as an asset.
Skills
- Proven ability to design and implement mixed-methods research
- Proven track record of managing and supervising large scale complex researches undertaken by external consultants and/or research firms.
Strong analytical and report writing skills
Languages
- Excellent drafting, editing, and communication skills in English.
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.