IOM is Hiring a Climate and Gender Consultant – Great opportunity: Apply by 28 Feb 2026

Are you passionate about climate justice, gender equality, and human mobility? Here’s an exciting opportunity to influence how Africa responds to one of the most pressing challenges of our time. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is seeking a Climate and Gender Consultant to join its innovative work under the Climate Mobility Innovation Lab (CMIL) Africa, based in Nairobi, Kenya.

This consultancy offers the chance to drive transformative, gender-sensitive climate solutions across the continent while collaborating with leading experts and policymakers in climate mobility.

About the Role

• Position: Climate and Gender Consultant
• Location: Nairobi, Kenya
• Contract Type: Consultancy (up to 11 months)
• Initial Duration: 3 months
• Apply Before: 1 March 2026
• Grade: UG
• Organizational Unit: Climate Mobility Innovation Lab (CMIL) Africa

The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Head of CMIL Africa and coordinate closely with IOM headquarters, regional thematic specialists, and partners across Africa and beyond.

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Project Context: Climate, Mobility & Gender

The Climate Mobility Innovation Lab (CMIL) was established to address the growing intersection between climate change and human mobility. Across Africa, climate change is reshaping livelihoods, increasing displacement risks, and intensifying vulnerabilities. However, these impacts are not gender-neutral.

Women, men, girls, and boys experience climate shocks differently. Structural inequalities, access to resources, decision-making power, and social norms all influence how climate-related risks are experienced and managed. Yet, the gendered dimensions of climate mobility remain insufficiently understood and inadequately addressed in programming.

To close this gap, CMIL Africa will commission a gender-sensitive needs assessment that identifies:

• Gender-differentiated risks
• Barriers to climate mobility innovation
• Opportunities for inclusive adaptation
• Institutional and community capacity gaps

The findings will directly inform CMIL’s strategic direction, programming, data collection, and forecasting efforts.

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What You’ll Be Responsible For

1. Designing the Methodology

The consultant will begin by developing a comprehensive inception report outlining:

• A roadmap and timeline
• A mixed-methods research approach
• A desk review of existing literature
• Identification of knowledge gaps
• Consultations with experts and practitioners

This phase ensures the needs assessment is evidence-based, inclusive, and aligned with both local realities and global climate mobility research.

2. Delivering the Gender-Sensitive Needs Assessment

At the core of this consultancy is the development of a robust needs assessment report. This will:

• Analyze literature and datasets on gender and climate mobility
• Incorporate focus group discussions with experts and practitioners
• Identify gender-differentiated risks and barriers
• Highlight opportunities for innovation in climate mobility
• Strengthen institutional and community capacity
• Provide actionable recommendations for CMIL programming

The consultant will also:

• Organize and conduct a validation workshop
• Facilitate focus group discussions
• Refine findings through a comprehensive review process
• Finalize a strategic report that informs CMIL-Africa’s planning

The end goal? A practical, forward-looking, and gender-responsive framework that strengthens Africa’s climate mobility strategies.

3. Communication & Knowledge Sharing

Beyond research, this role emphasizes communication and capacity development. The consultant will:

• Develop communication materials to share results
• Present findings at CMIL workshops or conferences
• Deliver two knowledge exchange and capacity development workshops
• Collaborate with the CMIL Africa team to amplify impact

Clear, compelling communication is essential—outputs must be accessible to both technical experts and policy audiences.

Performance Deliverables

Success in this role will be measured through:

1. An inception report outlining methodology and workplan
2. A draft gender-sensitive needs assessment
3. Validation workshop and summary report
4. A finalized needs assessment with actionable recommendations
5. Two knowledge exchange workshops (with materials and feedback reports)

Who Should Apply?

This role is ideal for experienced researchers and practitioners with strong expertise in climate, migration, and gender programming.

Education

• Master’s degree (or higher) in climate adaptation, environmental science, migration studies, or related fields.

Experience

You should demonstrate:

• Proven experience conducting quantitative and qualitative research on gender and migration
• Strong understanding of datasets related to gendered climate realities
• Prior involvement in gender-responsive climate programming
• Technical expertise in survey design and qualitative methodologies
• Experience with participatory and community-based approaches
• Ability to work independently while coordinating effectively across Africa

Skills

• Excellent analytical and synthesis skills
• Strong writing ability tailored to diverse audiences
• Outstanding verbal communication
• Project management and organizational strength
• Collaborative approach across multi-disciplinary teams

Knowledge of climate migration or disaster resilience is an advantage.

Language Requirements

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish. Proficiency in English will be specifically assessed during the selection process, potentially through written and/or oral evaluations.

IOM Values & Competencies

As part of a UN-affiliated organization, consultants must uphold IOM’s core values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity
• Integrity and transparency
• Professionalism
• Courage
• Empathy

Core competencies include teamwork, accountability, delivering results, communication, and managing knowledge effectively.

Important Notes for Applicants

• Offers are subject to funding confirmation.
• Appointment requires medical fitness certification and residency/visa verification (where applicable).
• Consultants are covered for occupational accidents under IOM’s Compensation Plan.
• Personal medical insurance for non-occupational incidents is required.
• IOM maintains a zero-tolerance policy for misconduct, including sexual exploitation, harassment, and discrimination.
• IOM does not charge any recruitment fees.
• Applications must be submitted via the official IOM online recruitment system.

Why This Role Matters

Climate mobility is one of the defining issues of our generation. Africa is disproportionately affected by climate impacts, yet it is also a continent of innovation, resilience, and leadership.

By integrating gender-sensitive approaches into climate mobility innovation, this consultancy will help:

• Ensure climate responses are equitable
• Strengthen community resilience
• Improve evidence-based policy development
• Support inclusive adaptation strategies
• Enhance regional cooperation

This is more than a consultancy—it is an opportunity to shape policy, influence programming, and elevate gender-responsive climate action across Africa.

Ready to Apply?

If you have the expertise, passion, and commitment to contribute to transformative climate mobility solutions, this is your chance to make a measurable impact.

Submit your application before 1 March 2026 and become part of a forward-thinking team working at the forefront of climate and migration innovation.

Your research could help redefine how Africa approaches climate mobility—with gender equality at the center.