National Consultant - Family-Centred Assistance to PALM Workers - TONGA

Tonga

  • Organization: IOM - International Organization for Migration
  • Location: Tonga
  • Grade: C-1
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Children's rights (health and protection)
    • Sexual and reproductive health
  • Closing Date: Closed

Job Description

Project Context and Scope
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) Office in Tonga seeks to enhance climate resilience and durable solutions, facilitate regular pathways and support migration governance in the Blue Pacific. Tonga became an IOM member state in 2016, and IOM and the Government of Tonga signed their Cooperation Agreement in 2016. IOM established an office in Nukuʻalofa, Tonga in 2018. 

The Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme facilitates temporary labour migration from Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste to Australia, creating economic opportunities for workers and their families. To maximise the benefits of labour migration while supporting family well-being throughout the migration cycle, IOM is implementing a DFAT-funded family-centred assistance program that provides tailored training to PALM Scheme workers and their families to help strengthen the positive and long-term impacts of migration.

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission (CoM)/Sub-Regional Coordinator of IOM COCF based in Suva, Fiji, and the direct supervision of IOM Head of Office/National Project Officer in Nukuʻalofa, Tonga, the incumbent will support the implementation of the DFAT-funded Family-Centred Assistance programs in Tonga, serving primarily as a facilitator for pre-departure and reintegration training for participants in the PALM Scheme, along with their spouses/close family members.

Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing
This consultant will contribute to IOM project LM0551, Family-Centred Assistance to PALM Workers—Regional Pilot, funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. 
 

Responsibilities

Tasks to be performed under this contract
  1. Facilitate pre-departure training
    • Design and deliver culturally appropriate pre-departure orientation sessions for PALM Scheme participants and their families.
    • Cover topics such as financial literacy, family communication, adaptation to life in Australia, rights and obligations, and well-being support.
    • Coordinate with relevant stakeholders to ensure materials are aligned with PALM Scheme guidelines and local contexts.
  2. Conduct Reintegration Support Activities
    • Facilitate reintegration workshops for returning workers and their families.
    • Provide training on using remittances productively, including budgeting, savings, small business development, and access to local economic opportunities.
    • Offer psychosocial support tools to help families adjust to reunification after prolonged separation.
  3. Engage with Stakeholders
    • Liaise with relevant government ministries (e.g., Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Labour), community leaders, NGOs, and diaspora groups.
    • Coordinate with IOM staff and partners for effective delivery and follow-up of trainings.
  4. Provide Case Management or Referrals (as needed)
    • Identify vulnerable individuals or families in need of additional support.
    • Refer complex psychosocial or social protection cases to appropriate service providers in Tonga.
  5. Monitoring and Reporting
    • Document training attendance, key outcomes, and feedback from participants.
    • Provide regular reports to IOM Tonga and contribute to donor reporting as required.
    • Collect success stories, testimonials, and data that demonstrate the impact of the training.
  6. Support Capacity Building of Local Partners
    • Mentor local trainers or facilitators to support program sustainability.
    • Organize and deliver training-of-trainers (ToT) sessions where applicable.
       7. Provide support for programme visibility and dissemination and ensuring effective communication of key results and messages
  • Support programme visibility (Develop and maintain visibility materials; Ensure branding compliance; Support event visibility)
  • Contribute to the development of IEC (Information, Education and Communication) materials.
  • Assist in organizing community awareness sessions on the PALM Scheme and family preparedness for migration
  • Communicate key results and messages (Draft communication content; Contribute to donor reporting; Support success story collection; Facilitate media engagement)
  • Support internal coordination and communication (Ensure internal knowledge-sharing; Maintain a communications folder)
      8. Participation in meetings with key stakeholders 
  • Coordinate and attend regular coordination meetings; 
  • Present programme updates and key results; 
  • Document meeting outcomes; 
  • Strengthen stakeholder relationships)
      9. Support training delivery by overseeing logistics and ensuring timely acquittal of expenses in line with IOM systems and processes, while maintaining a safe, inclusive                environment for all participants
  • Provide detailed logistic planning and coordination (pre-training, during training, post-training)
  • Timely Expense Acquittal in Line with IOM Systems
  • Maintaining a Safe & Inclusive Environment
  • Continuous Improvement & Coordination.
     10. Undertake duty travel when required; and
     11. Perform any other relevant tasks that may be assigned by the supervisor.
 
Performance indicators for the evaluation of results
  • Performance should be assessed according to the tangible and measurable outputs of the work assignment above. 
  • The consultant will be required to submit a completed timesheet along with a brief report (1–2 pages) each month, summarising the activities undertaken and outputs delivered.

 

 

Qualifications

Education
  • High School diploma with one year of relevant experience; or,
  • Bachelor’s degree in communication, journalism, development studies, social sciences, public administration, migration studies or a related field from an accredited institution 
Experience
  • Previous experience with labour mobility, either through personal participation in a labour mobility scheme (such as the PALM Scheme, PLS, SWP, or RSE), or by having a partner/family member who has participated.
  • Experience in facilitating training sessions, public speaking, or leading group activities, gained through professional roles or community/volunteer work (e.g., through a church or youth group).
  • Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and at different levels, utilising strong verbal and written communication skills.
  • Proven experience in using organisational, time management, and planning skills to complete tasks efficiently, with the ability to follow instructions while being self-motivated and capable of working with minimal supervision.
Skills
  • Fluency in English and Tongan is required (oral and written). 
  • Ability to facilitate training sessions and workshops effectively
  • Ability to work effectively with local authorities, stakeholders and beneficiaries.
  • Strong communication skills, with the ability to engage with diverse audiences
  • Organizational, time management, and planning skills
  • Proficiency in using digital tools for communication, research, and documentation
  • Cultural sensitivity and ability to work effectively in diverse environments
Languages
IOM’s official languages are English, French and Spanish.
Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.
 
Travel required
  • Duty travel may be required.
Required Competencies
 
IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.
 
Values - all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these three values:
  • Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
  • Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
  • Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
  • Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
  • Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.
Core Competencies – behavioural indicators
  • Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
  • Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
  • Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
  • Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
  • Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.
Notes
  1. Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.
  2. Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, verification of residency, visa, and authorizations by the concerned Government, where applicable.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM online recruitment system. The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.
For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies

Required Skills

Job info

Contract Type: Consultancy (Up to 11 months)
Initial Contract Duration: 11 months
Vacancy Type: Consultancy
Recruiting Type: Consultant
Grade: C-1
This vacancy is now closed.
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