Labour Market Assessment Consultant

Job Description

Introduction

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and 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. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

 

Project Context and Scope

The Sudan Integrated Social Sector Infrastructure Rehabilitation Project (SISSIRP) is an African Development Bank (AfDB)-funded project, implemented by the International Organization for Migration. The project covers four states – Aj Jazirah, River Nile, Sennar, and White Nile.

Under Component 1 of the project, IOM is rehabilitating 20 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET)/skills development centres across 20 target communities (5 per state). Under Component 2, SISSIRP commits to conducting 20 Labour Market Assessments – one per community, 5 per state – to ensure that rehabilitated TVET facilities offer market-relevant, demand-driven vocational programmes. 

The four target states and their respective communities are:

• River Nile: Al-Damer, Shendi, Berber, Sidon, Hajar Al-Asal
• Aj Jazirah: Al-Hasaheisa, Al-Kamlin, Wad Al-Haddad, Umm Al-Qura, Tamboul
• Sennar: Wad Al Nile, Sennar, Sinja, Jeb Moya, Doba
• White Nile: Al-Duaim, Rabak, Tendelti, Al Jabalain, Al Rawaat

IOM will provide logistical support and deploy field enumerators to assist with primary data collection. The consultant will be responsible for assessment design, methodology, quality oversight, analysis, and report writing. Day-to-day coordination will be led by the Senior TVET Associate.

The consultant will:

• Design a standardised LMA methodology and suite of data collection tools (structured surveys, Key Informant Interview (KII) guides, Focus Group Discussion (FGD) guides) for use across all 20 communities.
• Deliver an inception report including the methodology, tools, sampling strategy, and work plan.
• Coordinate with IOM’s field enumerators and TVET focal point on logistics, data collection scheduling, and quality assurance measures to ensure accuracy and consistency of data collected by field teams.
• Lead or supervise KIIs and FGDs in target communities as the primary qualitative research lead.
• Analyze and synthesize quantitative and qualitative data collected by IOM-deployed enumerators data through systematic triangulation, ensuring qualitative findings (KIIs/FGDs) are used to contextualize, explain, and validate quantitative labour market trends.
• Produce individual LMA reports for each of the 20 communities, and a consolidated national-level synthesis report
• Produce a set of curriculum alignment recommendations for each TVET centre based on assessment findings, clearly structured as a separate deliverable stream to inform potential partnerships (e.g. UNESCO or equivalent).

• Approach the following target groups for collecting information:

  TVET institutes (Governmental and private)

  The employer’s (small and medium enterprises)

  Unemployed youths (including displaced and female youth)

  Labor offices in each locality

.

The consultant may add another group according to the situation in each locality and  also his own experiences.

Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing

Sudan Integrated Social Sector Infrastructure Rehabilitation Project (SISSIRP) funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB)

Responsibilities

Category B Consultants: Tangible and measurable outputs of the work assignment (with realistic delivery dates)

• Deliverable 1: Inception Report and Data Collection Tools: 
• Due: by 30 April 2026
• LMA methodology note outlining approach, sampling strategy, and data sources that ensures representativeness and comparability across all 20 communities. 
• Finalised quantitative survey instrument (employer/enterprise survey)
• KII and FGD guides for each stakeholder category (employers, TVET graduates, community leaders, ministry officials)
• Work plan and field schedule for all 20 communities
• Deliverable 2: Draft LMA Reports – Rivers Nile & Aj Jazirah (10 communities): 
• Due: by 15 June 2026
• 10 individual community-level LMA reports (Al-Damer, Shendi, Berber, Sidon, Hajar Al-Asal; Al-Hasaheisa, Al-Kamlin, Wad Al-Haddad, Umm Al-Qura, Tamboul)
• Each report to include: labour market overview; demand analysis by trade/sector; skills gap findings; gender and youth disaggregation; preliminary curriculum alignment recommendations for the relevant TVET centre
• Each report to include also 
• Identify opportunities suitable for young women, young people in general and conflict - affected displaced youth to access training in different market-oriented skills.
• The approximately percentage of the TVET graduated (especially from Technical Secondary Schools (TSS)) that exist now in labor market by other words the impact of the technical schools in their respective areas in the previous years.
•  Any new skills demand in each target areas come as the result of running conflict in the country 
• Deliverable 3: Draft LMA Reports – Sennar & White Nile (10 communities): 
• Due: by 30 June 2026
• 10 individual community-level LMA reports (Wad Al Nile, Sennar, Sinja, Jeb Moya, Doba; Al-Duaim, Rabak, Tendelti, Al Jabalain, Al Rawaat)
• Same structure as Deliverable 2 - above
• Deliverable 4: Final Consolidated Report and Curriculum Alignment Package: 
• Due: by 15 August 2026
• All 20 final, revised community LMA reports (incorporating IOM review feedback)
• One national synthesis report summarising cross-cutting labour market findings, trends by state, and priority trade areas across the four states
• Curriculum Alignment Recommendations Package: structured recommendations for each of the 20 TVET centres, identifying priority trade areas and training focus for the following sectors and any additional gaps identified: Auto Mechanics, Machinery/Welding, Electricity/Solar, Plumbing/WASH, Computer Skills, Carpentry, A/C Cooling, General Construction
• Executive summary suitable for submission to AfDB in the Quarterly Progress Report (QPR)

Performance indicators for the evaluation of results

• All outputs delivered within agreed timelines
• 20 LMA reports completed, covering all target communities across the four states
• Assessment methodology is gender-sensitive and includes disaggregated analysis by sex, age group, and displacement status
• Reports are technically sound, contextually relevant, and directly actionable for TVET curriculum planning
• Curriculum Alignment Package covers all eight required trade areas plus any additional market-identified gaps
• Outputs are suitable for direct use in AfDB QPR reporting and donor visibility
• Consultant is responsive to IOM review feedback and revises drafts in a timely manner
• Data collection tools and raw data files are shared with IOM upon completion
• Evidence that appropriate data quality assurance measures were applied to ensure consistency and reliability of data across all locations.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s level or above) in Economics, Labour Economics, Development Studies, Social Science, or a related field. A first-level degree with substantial additional relevant experience may be considered.

Experience

• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in labour market research, livelihoods assessments, or skills development programming.
• Demonstrated experience conducting primary data collection (surveys, KIIs, FGDs) in humanitarian or post-conflict settings.
• Experience in TVET, workforce development, or vocational education programming strongly preferred.
• Prior experience working in Sudan or the East Africa / Horn of Africa region is an asset.
• Experience working with UN agencies, international NGOs, or development finance institutions (such as AfDB, World Bank) is an advantage.

Skills

• Strong quantitative and qualitative data analysis skills.
• Proficiency in standard data collection and analysis tools (e.g. KoBoToolbox, ODK, SPSS, Stata, or equivalent).
• Excellent report writing skills in English; Arabic language proficiency is strongly preferred.
• Ability to manage a multi-site assessment with remote field teams under challenging operating conditions.
• Good understanding of gender equality, conflict sensitivity and data protection principles in research and programming.

Languages

For this consultancy, Fluency in English and Arabic is required.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

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 five 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

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.

IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment system (for internal candidates link here). The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.

No late applications will be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies

Required Skills

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