National Displacement Consultant (Type A) – Vanuatu 3 views

Job Identification (Reference Number): 18253
Position Title: National Displacement Consultant (Type A)
Duty Station City: Port Vila
Duty Station Country: Vanuatu
Contract Type: Consultancy Type A, 11 months
Recruiting Type: Consultancy
Vacancy Type: Consultancy
Initial duration: 11 months
Closing date: 06 January 2026

Nature of the consultancy:

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission in IOM Vanuatu and the direct supervision of the Humanitarian Preparedness, Response and Recovery Coordinator, with technical oversight from the Durable Solutions Technical Specialist, and in close coordination with the Department of Climate Change’s (DoCC) Acting Director and the Climate Change Adviser, and working closely with DoCC and relevant ministries, as well as relevant teams within IOM Vanuatu, IOM Regional Office in the Asia Pacific and Headquarters, the incumbent will be responsible for supporting Government of Vanuatu’s efforts related to Durable Solutions, Displacement, Relocation and Climate Mobility in Vanuatu.

The successful candidate will be required to have the knowledge and skills to liaise with Government, non-Government and community partners and other stakeholders, draft related project documents, conduct community consultations respectfully and in line with the principles of free prior and informed consent, support with logistics and carry out assigned tasks under minimal supervision and in a timely manner.

Project Context and Scope:

Vanuatu is consistently ranked as one of the most hazard prone states in the world. Every year around half of the population of Vanuatu is impacted by extreme climate related events resulting in a high number of displacements. As the impacts of climate change continue – and many families are displaced and remain so for long periods of time – the importance of a government-led response, framed by national standards related to displacement, is more crucial than ever.

The Government of Vanuatu has been undertaking several national efforts to address climate change and disaster-Induced displacement. The Government of Vanuatu’s National Policy on Climate Change and Disaster Induced Displacement, launched in 2018, addresses different aspects of climate related mobility – namely migration, displacement, and planned relocation- and emphasizes an approach of durable solutions. The policy serves as a national roadmap to mitigate the challenges that have and will arise by applying a strategic focus and clear plans.

Building on the National Policy on Climate Change and Disaster-Induced Displacement (2018), the Government of Vanuatu is currently undertaking the revision of the national policy as well as developing institutional frameworks, implementation plans, and relocation strategies for preventing, addressing and resolving displacement. Dedicated national capacity is needed to ensure sustainability of these ongoing efforts.

In line with priorities set forth by the Government of Vanuatu in the National displacement policy, the National Sustainable Development Plan (2016-2030) and the Loss and Damage Policy (2025), the position will support the Government of Vanuatu’s efforts to address displacement needs particularly in the context of climate change and disasters, integrate development principles into the humanitarian response, and enhance the Government’s capacity to address displacement risks and identify durable solutions.

Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing:

The consultant will be supporting activities under IOM’s Durable Solutions and Climate Change portfolio, overall contributing to government-led efforts on climate mobility and displacement.

Tasks to be performed under this contract

The selected candidate is expected to undertake the following responsibilities:

Policy, planning and implementation

• Assist the Government of Vanuatu, in particular the Ministry of Climate Change and Adaptation, in operationalizing strategic areas of the revised national displacement policy and its implementation plan.
• Provide technical support to the Department of Climate Change on displacement and climate resilience, ensuring alignment and integration with the department priorities on adaptation and loss and damage.
• Support the integration of displacement priorities into policy, planning and programming across key ministries and departments.
• Facilitate collaboration on displacement across all levels, national, provincial, area council and community, to ensure a whole-of-government approach. At the national level, this will include liaison with key ministries for climate action, development planning, land, housing, infrastructure, services integration and finance.
• Support the relocation pilot programme and guidelines development by contributing to assessments, community consultations, and planning exercises.
• Contribute to legal and policy reviews of institutional arrangements, safeguards, and frameworks related to displacement.
• Draft briefing notes, policy memos, and background papers for government counterparts.

Coordination

• Act as Secretariat for the National Durable Solutions Taskforce, supporting the Chair in convening the Taskforce and coordinating with members including through follow-up on action points, meeting documentation, and communications.
• Maintain close coordination with the National Advisory Board Secretariate and Technical Working Group.
• Facilitate engagement with stakeholders including custom leaders, communities, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), NGOs, UN, donors and development partners.

Data, Monitoring and Reporting Systems

• Support the Government capacity and ownership of displacement data including data collection, management and analysis, socio-economic analysis and measuring progress on the implementation of the national displacement policy.
• Contribute to displacement and relocation data coordination with Vanuatu Bureau of Statistic (VBOS) and National Disaster Management Office (NDMO).
• Assist in establishing baselines, tracking indicators, and compiling reports.

Financing

• Support efforts to promote innovative financing and sustainable investments for displacement, including integration and advocacy for displacement within development and climate financing priorities.
• Promote/advise leveraging programmatic investments by climate, development and humanitarian actors against strategic areas identified in the national displacement policy.
• Support efforts related to costing of implementation plan for the national displacement policy and planned relocation guidelines.

Capacity Strengthening and knowledge management

• Undertake and support capacity strengthening activities for relevant Government counterparts on displacement and climate mobility.
• Facilitate knowledge sharing and promote best practices, linking with experiences in the Pacific region.
• Strengthen Government knowledge management on displacement. Assist in identifying and addressing any challenges and bottlenecks in coordination and implementation.
• Document lessons learned and support development and dissemination of communication products.

Other Duties

• Undertake necessary duty travel.
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned.

Performance indicators for the evaluation of results

• Hands-on experience in programme implementation and coordination.
• Exposure to national and regional displacement frameworks and stakeholders.
• Skills in research, reporting, and stakeholder engagement.
• Understanding of the work of government and non-government stakeholders on displacement and climate mobility in the Pacific context.

Qualifications

Education

• Advanced degree in climate change, public policy, development studies, disaster risk management, or a related field.

Experience

• Minimum 3–5 years of experience in government, UN, NGO, or development programming in relevant sectors.
• Demonstrated experience in coordination, policy implementation, and field-based program delivery.
• Familiarity with climate change, human mobility, relocation, and land issues in Vanuatu or the Pacific.
• Familiarity with public and private financing mechanisms is a strong advantage.
• Experience working with government systems and community-based structures.

Skills

• Strong interpersonal and coordination skills
• Excellent organizational and problem-solving ability
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Cultural sensitivity and community engagement skills
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities
• Commitment to climate justice, human rights, and gender equality

Languages

• Fluency in English language and Bislama is required.

IOM’s official languages are English, French and Spanish.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Travel required

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 three 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

1. Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.
2. Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, verification of residency, visa, and authorizations by the concerned Government, where applicable.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM online recruitment system. The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.

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