Programme Design Support and Inception Phase Consultant (INSPIRE )

Job Description

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.

IOM invites candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply and provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process when required. Learn more about IOM’s workplace culture at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration

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.

The consultancy is open to international consultants and will be primarily remote. Field missions to Iraq will be required for stakeholder consultations, fieldwork, and facilitation of the Validation Workshop. Mission timing and locations will be agreed with the IOM Senior Programme Coordinator based on operational needs and security considerations.

Responsibilities

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

Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Experience

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.

Note:  As part of your application, please submit a financial proposal outlining your approach and fees to complete the assignment.

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

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

Job info