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.
Background
The Maldives is a low-lying island nation in the Indian Ocean with a resident population of approximately 500,000, of which one fourth are migrants. The migrant population comprises mostly of labour migrants from neighbouring South Asian countries, especially lower skilled workers from Bangladesh and India, who are key contributors to the economic development of the country, providing the workforce needed for key industries such as tourism and hospitality, construction, and fisheries.
As a small island developing state, Maldives is also exceptionally vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Rising sea levels, increasing temperatures, and the intensification of extreme weather events pose existential threats to the country's environment, economy, and population. As these climate-related challenges escalate, they increasingly influence patterns of human migration within the country, driving people from vulnerable coastal and island communities to more secure areas.
One critical challenge that continues to undermine broad action on this topic is the limited use of and access to context-specific, government-owned evidence and data on the impacts and implications of climate and environmental change on human mobility. In 2024, Microsoft AI for Good lab and IOM Maldives collaborated to identify islands with and without climate disaster risk of sea level rise and coastal flooding by 2025, combining AI-based population analysis and climate projections. The analysis was able to identify five “safe islands” with lower relative risks from sea level rise. The identified islands were Sh. Funadhoo, Sh. Milandhoo, R. Hulhudhufaaru, D. Kudahuvadhoo and K. Thulusdhoo.
In 2025, IOM Maldives conducted baseline research in these five islands, delving into the intricate relationship between migration, environmental degradation, and climate change in the Maldives. The study sought to understand how environmental changes were influencing population movements, the socioeconomic consequences of these migrations, and the strategies that could be adopted to mitigate their adverse effects. Another key component of the research was assessing community awareness and understanding of climate-related risks and how these challenges affected daily life. Building on this foundation, the present consultancy expands the scope of analysis of the baseline research to 20 additional islands across the Maldives, applying and further strengthening the tools and lessons learned.
This consultancy is part of a sub-regional project “Comprehensive Approach to Climate Mobility in South Asia”, implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), funded by the European Union.
Required Qualifications and Experience
Education
Experience
Skills
Languages
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:
Core Competencies – behavioural indicators
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.
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Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, security clearances.
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Established in 1951, the International Organization for Migration is the leading intergovernmental organization in the field of migration and is committed to the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits migrants and society.
IOM works with its partners in the international community to assist in meeting the growing operational challenges of migration, advance understanding of migration issues, encourage social and economic development through migration and uphold the well-being and human rights of migrants.
More people are on the move today than at any other time in recorded history: 1 billion people – comprising a seventh of humanity. A variety of elements – not least the information and communications revolutions – contribute to the movement of people on such a large scale. The forces driving migration as a priority issue are: climate change, natural and manmade catastrophes, conflict, the demographic trends of an ageing industrialized population, an exponentially expanding jobless youth population in the developing world and widening North–South social and economic disparities.
