National Consultant: Development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to Strengthen Migrant Support, Protection and Access to Rights in Georgia

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

Duty Station of the Consultancy: Tbilisi, Georgia
 

Duration of Consultancy: 30 Working days over a period of three months, September -December

Nature of the consultancy: The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is implementing the project “Building Resilient Futures for Migration-Prone Populations in Georgia (REforM)”, which aims to strengthen migration governance in Georgia through rights-based, innovative and sustainable approaches that enhance the protection and inclusion of populations affected by migration dynamics. The project focuses on improving migrant protection frameworks, strengthening ethical recruitment practices and expanding access to information, services and remedies for migrants residing in Georgia.

Georgia is increasingly evolving as a country of destination for migrant workers and other foreign nationals, resulting in a growing need for accessible, coherent and rights-based support systems for migrants. While the country has continued to strengthen its migration governance architecture, migrants may still encounter practical barriers in registering their legal presence and employment activities, understanding and exercising their rights, navigating administrative procedures and accessing available support mechanisms. Language barriers, limited awareness of existing procedures, unfamiliarity with institutional structures and limited access to trusted information channels may increase vulnerabilities and hinder access to timely assistance in situations involving exploitation, discrimination or other forms of abuse.

Recent legislative developments further underscore the need to strengthen migrant support mechanisms. In particular, amendments to the Law of Georgia on Labour Migration, which entered into force in March 2026, introduced a new work activity permit system and additional compliance requirements for foreign nationals and employers, significantly reshaping the regulatory landscape governing labour migration in Georgia.[1] These changes increase the importance of ensuring that migrants have access to reliable information and practical support to understand and navigate evolving administrative and legal requirements. For the purpose of this assignment, migrants refer to foreign nationals residing and/or working in Georgia, particularly those encountering barriers in accessing information, administrative procedures, legal rights and available support mechanisms.

In this context, civil society organizations (CSOs) are well positioned to serve as trusted intermediaries between migrants and relevant institutions by providing information, guidance, support related to registration and administrative procedures, referral services and advocacy support. However, the ecosystem of civil society organizations directly engaged in supporting migrants in Georgia remains relatively limited and fragmented. Existing initiatives are often project-based, sector-specific or focused on particular categories of migrants, resulting in uneven service availability and limited coordination among relevant actors. Strengthening and standardizing service delivery approaches is therefore essential to establish a more coherent, sustainable and accessible support framework for migrants in Georgia. Strengthening collaboration and referral pathways among CSOs, relevant state institutions and other stakeholders will further contribute to the gradual development of a coordinated support ecosystem for migrants in Georgia.

This intervention contributes to broader efforts aimed at strengthening ethical recruitment practices and enhancing migrant protection by ensuring that migrants have improved access to registration mechanisms, information, rights, services and available remedies. By strengthening access to information, grievance mechanisms and support services for migrants, the intervention also contributes to preventing labour exploitation and reducing vulnerabilities associated with unethical recruitment practices and trafficking risks.

Under this activity, IOM will support the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for CSOs engaged in supporting migrants, including organizations providing legal aid, human rights, labour rights, social inclusion, community-based and referral services in Georgia. The SOPs will establish a practical and standardized framework to guide CSOs in conducting initial case intake and registration, identifying vulnerabilities and support needs, providing information on rights and obligations, assisting migrants in navigating relevant administrative procedures and facilitating access to appropriate services, referrals and available remedies in situations involving abuse, exploitation or other protection concerns. The process will include technical drafting, stakeholder consultations, validation and integration of feedback to ensure that the SOPs are practical, context-specific and aligned with national frameworks and international standards. The activity will also include capacity-strengthening elements to facilitate the practical application of the SOPs by CSOs and promote improved consistency, quality and sustainability in the delivery of information, advocacy and support services to migrants.

IOM Georgia is seeking to hire a National Consultant to provide technical expertise and contextual support for the development of SOPs and related capacity-building activities aimed at strengthening the capacity of civil society organizations to provide advocacy, information and support services to migrants in Georgia. The National Consultant will work in close collaboration with the International Consultant, providing the national evidence base, stakeholder inputs and contextual analysis required to inform the International Consultant’s technical development and finalization of the SOP package.

Project Context and Scope

Under the overall supervision of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and in close coordination with the REforM Project Manager and Project Coordinator, the National Consultant will support the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for civil society organizations (CSOs) engaged in providing advocacy, information, and support services to migrants in Georgia. The National Consultant will provide context-specific technical inputs to inform the development of the SOP framework, including review of the national legal and institutional environment, mapping of relevant stakeholders and existing service delivery mechanisms, identification of operational gaps and challenges, and facilitation of consultations with relevant actors. The National Consultant will work in close collaboration with the International Consultant, who will be responsible for the overall technical development of the SOP framework, integration of international good practices and finalization of the SOP package. The National Consultant will lead national-level data collection, stakeholder engagement and consultation processes and will provide the resulting evidence and consolidated feedback to the International Consultant in a timely manner. While the methodological approach will be further refined in consultation with IOM during the inception phase, it is anticipated that the assignment will include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following tasks and responsibilities:

• Review and analyse relevant Georgian legislative, policy and institutional frameworks related to migration governance, residence and registration procedures, labour migration, access to services, protection mechanisms, complaint procedures and available remedies relevant to migrants residing and/or working in Georgia.
• Prepare an overview of relevant institutions, mandates and procedures affecting migrants’ access to information, administrative services, protection mechanisms and support services.
• Conduct stakeholder and service mapping of relevant civil society organizations, public institutions, international organizations and other service providers supporting migrants, including analysis of their mandates, roles, available services, target groups, referral practices, coordination arrangements and operational capacities relevant to the development of SOPs.
• Assess existing migrant support approaches, service delivery practices and operational mechanisms used by CSOs and other relevant actors, including case intake, information provision, vulnerability identification, referral pathways, confidentiality practices and coordination mechanisms and identify key gaps, good practices and capacity needs to inform SOP development.
• Plan, organize and lead consultation consultations with relevant stakeholders, including CSOs, public institutions and other actors, to gather information on existing practices, operational challenges, referral arrangements and recommendations regarding the development and implementation of SOPs. 
• Provide contextual analysis and technical inputs to the International Consultant during the development of the SOP framework, including recommendations on workflows, roles and responsibilities, referral pathways, minimum service standards, practical tools and procedures to ensure alignment with Georgian legislation, institutional mandates and operational realities.
• Review draft SOPs and accompanying tools developed by the International Consultant and provide technical feedback, including assessment of case intake procedures, vulnerability screening approaches, informed consent and confidentiality procedures, referral mechanisms and other operational elements to ensure their applicability in the Georgian context.
• Support stakeholder consultations and validation processes for the SOPs, including facilitating consultation workshops with relevant actors, documenting and consolidating stakeholder feedback, and providing clear recommendations to the International Consultant for refinement of the draft and final SOP package.
• Provide contextual support to capacity-building activities for CSOs on the application of the SOPs, including contributions to training materials, practical exercises, case studies and implementation guidance reflecting the Georgian context.

Responsibilities

Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Advanced postgraduate degree (i.e. PhD, MA, MSc) in Law, Human Rights, Social Sciences, Sociology, Public Policy, Migration Studies, Public Health, Gender Studies, or other relevant disciplines related to the assignment.

Experience & Skills

• Strong knowledge of the Georgian legal and institutional frameworks related to migration, labour migration, administrative procedures, access to services, and protection mechanisms.
• Experience in developing or supporting Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), guidelines, operational frameworks, or similar tools in the context of public administration, civil society service delivery, or international organizations.
• Demonstrated experience in designing and operationalizing referral mechanisms, case intake procedures, service standards, or institutional coordination frameworks for migrant protection, social services, human rights, or related sectors. Demonstrated experience in qualitative research and consultative processes, including key informant interviews, desk research and facilitation of stakeholder consultations and workshops.
• Demonstrated experience in qualitative research and consultative processes, including key informant interviews, desk research and facilitation of stakeholder consultations and workshops.
• Experience engaging with Georgian government institutions, international organizations, civil society actors, and/or private sector stakeholders in migration, protection, or related governance areas.
• Excellent analytical, drafting, and report-writing skills, with demonstrated ability to produce clear, structured, and practice-oriented policy or operational documents in English.
• Demonstrated ability to work in English.

Languages

For this consultancy, Fluency in Georgian and English 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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