Consultant for Regional Study on Smuggling of Migrants in the Middle East & North Africa

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

1. Duty Station of the Consultancy: Remote and working with IOM Regional Office for MENA- Cairo, Egypt.

    

2. Duration of Consultancy: Three (3) months, subject to the medical clearance

3. Nature of the consultancy: Consultancy to conduct the Regional Study on Smuggling of Migrants in the Middle East and North Africa: Strengthening Data Systems and Enhancing Regional Cooperation.

       Category B Consultant

Smuggling of migrants is an increasingly complex and under‑documented dimension of mobility in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The region functions simultaneously as an origin, transit, and destination hub for mixed migration flows, yet national data ecosystems remain fragmented, inconsistent, and unable to provide a consolidated regional understanding. Existing data systems rely predominantly on administrative or law‑enforcement reporting, which captures only a narrow portion of smuggling dynamics and often overlooks broader elements such as shifting routes, operational modalities, demand factors, and the influence of socioeconomic and geopolitical contexts.

National institutions across MENA use different definitions, indicators, methodologies, and reporting practices, resulting in major gaps in comparability and interoperability. Limited coordination between agencies and constrained analytical capacity further impede effective policymaking, operational planning, and cross‑border cooperation. Strengthening national data governance systems, improving harmonization, and building regional coherence are essential steps to reinforce evidence‑based responses to smuggling.

The study will also assess the extent to which information on regular migration pathways—including labour mobility schemes, family reunification procedures, student and training visas, and humanitarian/resettlement programmes—is collected and integrated into national migration data systems. Improving the capture and comparability of regular pathway data is critical, as limited access to safe and predictable channels may indirectly influence reliance on smuggling networks.

Gender will be incorporated as a cross‑cutting analytic dimension to ensure that smuggling‑related vulnerabilities and protection concerns are examined inclusively, without shifting the central focus of the study. The findings will provide concrete, actionable recommendations to strengthen data governance, institutional coordination, and regional cooperation mechanisms.

Regional Data Hub (RDH), IOM Regional Office for Middle East and North Africa (MENA)

This is a type B consultancy hired on a 3-installments payment basis: 

1. First deliverable - Inception Report: The inception report will outline the detailed methodology, analytical framework, workplan & data collection strategy, and mapping of additional national data ecosystems. 

2. Second deliverable – Data Analytical Report: Data Analytical report including consolidated findings from desk review & consultations, mapping of smuggling related & regular pathways data systems, comparative analysis of definitions, indicators & institutional arrangements, and identified gaps, interoperability issues & regional coordination needs.

3. Third & final deliverable - Final analytical report & Policy brief: Including finalizing 60-70 page regional report, policy brief for decision makers, and integrated recommendations on data governance, institutional coordination, and protection sensitive approaches. Finally, input for Q4 dissemination event.

The consultant will be required to participate in the regional dissemination event in Q4, lies between September & December 2026, to present the findings, and provide technical support during the validation / dissemination workshop.

Education, Experience and/or skills required

• Master’s degree or higher in Migration Studies, International Relations, Data Science, Sociology, Public Policy, or a related field 

• Minimum 7–10 years of experience conducting research on migration, smuggling, protection, or data systems 

• Demonstrated expertise in migration data governance, institutional mapping, or comparative policy analysis 

• Experience conducting multi‑country research in complex mobility contexts; experience in MENA is an asset 

• Strong analytical, writing, and synthesis skills 

• Familiarity with administrative data, law‑enforcement datasets, and regular migration pathways 

• Experience engaging with government officials, UN agencies, and civil society organizations 

• Ability to integrate gender and protection‑sensitive approaches in research

• The consultant is required to be fluent in English; good knowledge in Arabic is an advantage.

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.

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