National Consultant – MECC Policy Review

Job Description

Established in 1951, IOM as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all.

Southeast Asia, including Thailand is one of the region's most severely affected by climate change, with countries experiencing multi-faceted challenges related to environmental degradation, human mobility, health and socio-economic resilience. Thailand is highly vulnerable to climate change impacts, ranked as the 9th most affected country in the period of 2000–2019 by the Global Climate Risk Index Report (CRI) 2021 (Eckstein et al., 2021). Climate change is likely to increase the incidence of flooding across the country, with the number of people affected by extreme river floods anticipated to grow to over 2 million by the 2035–2044 period (World Bank and ABD, 2021). Coastal flooding could affect a further 2.4 million people by 20702100, with many densely populated urban centres situated along the coastline. Thailand also frequently suffers from droughts resulting from shortage of rainfall, reduced flow in surface and subsurface rivers, and poor land management practices (World Bank, 2023a).

These climate and environmental changes have important implications for human mobility in Thailand, influencing patterns of migration, displacement, and planned relocation, and creating situations of immobility among vulnerable groups.

Over the past decade, Thailand has made notable progress in establishing national frameworks and legislation on climate change and environmental management. The Climate Change Act (2024) provides the overarching legal foundation for climate action, institutionalizing coordination mechanisms across ministries and setting obligations for greenhouse gas reduction, adaptation, and monitoring. Its implementation is anticipated in 2026. Complementing this, the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) 2023–2037 outlines sectoral adaptation priorities, including for human settlement and security. The Climate Change Master Plan (2015–2050) continues to serve as a strategic framework for a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy, and the 13th National Economic and Social Development Plan (NESDP) further embed sustainability and resilience in national development objectives.

However, human mobility considerations remain largely absent or implicit in these frameworks, and institutional responsibilities across climate, disaster management, and migration governance remain fragmented. Strengthening coherence among these policy domains, especially between the Department of Climate Change and Environment (DCCE), Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), and Office of National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), is essential to address the emerging linkages between human mobility and climate change.

These evolving dynamics call for stronger policy coherence, institutional coordination, and integration of human mobility dimensions across climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and sustainable development planning. In line with Thailand’s commitments under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM), there is an opportunity to ensure that policies and strategies systematically address the diverse forms of mobility arising in the context of environmental and climate change.

Against this background, IOM Thailand seeks to recruit a National Consultant to conduct a comprehensive policy review on Migration, Environment and Climate Change (MECC) in Thailand. The assignment will map and analyse existing laws, policies, and strategies related to human mobility, environment, climate change, and disaster risk reduction; assess institutional arrangements and coherence; and identify gaps and opportunities for better integration of human mobility into national climate and development frameworks. The review will generate actionable recommendations to strengthen Thailand’s policy landscape on MECC, supporting national efforts toward a more coordinated, evidence-informed, and inclusive approach to migration and climate governance.

The consultancy will contribute to the Migration Data and Research Unit (MDRU) of IOM Thailand, under the project “Resilient Futures – Addressing Climate Mobility in Southeast Asia.”.

Responsibilities

The consultancy will support IOM Thailand in conducting a comprehensive policy review on MECC. The review will examine how human mobility considerations are reflected across Thailand’s national frameworks on climate change, environment, disaster risk reduction, and development, including the Climate Change Act (2024), NAP (2023–2037), and Climate Change Master Plan (2015–2050).

The consultant will assess the policy coherence, institutional arrangements, and coordination mechanisms among relevant actors such as the DCCE, DDPM, and the Office of the NESDC. The analysis will identify gaps, overlaps, and opportunities for better integration of human mobility into Thailand’s climate and development policy frameworks.

The Consultant will work under the overall supervision of the Head of the Migration Data and Research Unit (MDRU), within the framework of the project “Resilient Futures – Addressing Climate Mobility in Southeast Asia.” (NC0220), supported by the European Union’s Directorate-General for International Partnerships (INTPA).

The scope of work will include:

• Mapping and reviewing existing laws, policies, strategies, and institutional mandates related to migration, environment, climate change, and disaster risk reduction;
• Assessing the extent to which human mobility dimensions (migration, displacement, planned relocation, and immobility) are addressed;
• Analysing institutional coordination mechanisms and identifying barriers to policy coherence;
• Conducting consultations and interviews with key government and non-government stakeholders to validate findings; and
• Developing practical recommendations to enhance policy integration, inter-agency coordination, and alignment with international frameworks such as the UNFCCC, Sendai Framework, and GCM.

IOM will provide technical guidance, access to relevant documentation, and support in facilitating engagement with government counterparts and partners throughout the assignment.

During the consultancy, IOM will provide technical advisory support, access to IOM’s institutional learnings and publication, and support in facilitating engagement and coordination with the relevant government and non-government key stakeholders.

Category B Consultant: Tangible and measurable outputs of the work assignment

The Consultant is expected to perform the following activities and produce the deliverables listed below. Activities are to be conducted in close coordination with IOM Thailand, relevant government counterparts, and other stakeholders.

Inception phase   

• Develop a detailed workplan and timeline for the consultancy, including methodology, list of reviewed documents, and proposed stakeholder consultations.
• Conduct a desk review of existing legislation, policies, strategies, and institutional mandates relevant to migration, environment, climate change, and disaster risk reduction.
• Deliverable: Draft Inception report including workplan, methodology, and initial indicative mapping of key policies and stakeholders.

Policy review and analysis phase

• Conduct a comprehensive policy mapping and analysis, identifying gaps, overlaps, and opportunities for integrating human mobility considerations across climate and environmental policies.
• Undertake stakeholder consultations (interviews, focus groups, or workshops) to validate findings and gather inputs on institutional arrangements and coordination mechanisms.
• Prepare a draft MECC Policy Review report, synthesizing findings and preliminary recommendations.
• Develop a draft PowerPoint presentation summarizing key findings and recommendations in both Thai and English, to be used for validation with stakeholders.
   Deliverables: Draft MECC Policy Review report, draft PowerPoint presentation (TH and EN), and documentation of stakeholder consultations.

Finalization and validation phase

• Present preliminary findings at a validation meeting with IOM and relevant stakeholders.
• Revise the draft report based on feedback and prepare the final MECC Policy Review report, including actionable recommendations to strengthen policy coherence and institutional coordination.
• Prepare a concise summary brief (4–5 pages) highlighting key findings and recommendations for policymakers.
• Finalize the PowerPoint presentation in both Thai and English for dissemination and reference.
• Deliverables: Final MECC Policy Review report, Policy Summary brief, finalized PowerPoint presentation (TH and EN), and minutes of validation meetings.

Other Tasks: Perform any additional related duties as may be assigned to support the successful delivery of the consultancy.

The Consultant will determine their final work schedule at the beginning of the assignment with the approval of Chief of Mission of IOM Thailand. The work schedule will set clear deadlines for the completion of each expected deliverable.

Performance indicators for the evaluation of results

• Timely submission of all deliverables.
• Quality and comprehensiveness of reports, assessed by alignment with international standards and project goals.
• Satisfactory incorporation of feedback from IOM and stakeholders.
• Adherence to IOM Brand Guidelines and visibility requirements.

Qualifications

Education

• Master’s degree or higher in Social Sciences (e.g., Migration Studies, Economics, International Relations, Development Studies, Environmental Studies) or a related field from an accredited academic institution. 
• A background combining policy analysis, governance, and environmental/climate studies would be an advantage.

Experience

• Minimum 8 years of experience in policy analysis, policy review, or governance assessments, ideally with a focus on MECC
• Proven expertise in mapping and analysing legislation, policies, and institutional frameworks.
• Experience engaging with government agencies and national stakeholders, preferably in Thailand or Southeast Asia.
• Familiarity with international frameworks such as the UNFCCC, Sendai Framework, 2030 Agenda, and GCM is highly desirable.

Skills

• Excellent analytical and reporting skills, with experience producing clear, evidence-based policy recommendations.
• Ability to work effectively in sensitive environments and exercise impartiality, diplomacy, and neutrality.
• Strong presentation and facilitation skills, including the ability to prepare bilingual materials (Thai and English).
• Capacity to work independently and manage deadlines with minimal supervision.
• Strong understanding of the policy landscape on climate change, environment, and migration in Thailand.
• Gender-sensitive and culture-sensitive, with the ability to engage effectively with colleagues and stakeholders from diverse backgrounds.
• Fluency in Thai and English is mandatory.

Languages:

• Fluency in Thai and English (oral and written) is required.

Travel required

Travel to and within Thailand will be required for stakeholder consultations or presentations, subject to project needs. If required, IOM will provide transportation or reimbursement per IOM travel policies (IN/6), along with Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) at established rates.

Required Skills

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