Consultant - Comprehensive Approach to Climate Mobility in South Asia

Objective: To produce a comprehensive mapping of diaspora associations, individuals and diaspora organizations in at least ten EU Member States in order to strengthen diaspora-led climate action across four South Asian countries.

Tentative Research Questions: 

In what ways could EU-based diaspora associations* from Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka be better engaged in local climate adaptation, disaster preparedness and community resilience initiatives and Policy processes?

• What are the relevant diaspora associations, individuals, diaspora organizations originating from Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka in EU Member States that could be engaged in local climate action and policy processes such as through knowledge and skills exchange, financial and technological investments and community-led climate resilience initiatives?

• What are the broad areas of interventions, trusted implementation modality/preferred mode of engagement for different diaspora associations when they contribute to origin countries? Engagement would mean broadly, philanthropic contribution, investment, technical assistance, knowledge and technology transfer, relief distribution in disaster period, trade, etc.   

• What platforms and engagement strategies already exists for diaspora associations and individuals to enhance climate action in Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka?

• What is the readiness of different diaspora associations to participate in co-creation, piloting, and iterative learning around climate mobility solutions, and what conditions would enable them to move from advocacy to experimentation and implementation?

• Which diaspora-led or diaspora-supported climate initiatives show potential for replication or scaling across countries or corridors, and what enabling factors (policy, finance, trust, governance) made them viable?

4. Scope of the Assignment:

The international consultant will determine, in consultation with IOM and country offices, the final selection of at least 10 EU Member States based on diaspora concentration and diversity (Diaspora Mapping Toolkit | IOM Publications Platform, good practices, and available literature). A light-touch diaspora mapping database shall be developed to cover all European Union (EU) Member States. In addition, a comprehensive, in-depth mapping—encompassing stakeholder outreach and identification of engagement opportunities—shall be conducted for ten (10) selected EU countries, as proposed by the Consultant and subject to prior approval by IOM. The international consultant will hire, manage, and mentor national consultants in South Asia (India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka), with each national consultant supporting stakeholder mapping, government liaison, and local validation activities in their respective capital city. The consultancy will adopt a phased approach to ensure a comprehensive and systematic assessment inclusive of:

Hiring National Consultants 

• The International Consultant shall be responsible for the recruitment of National Consultants across South Asia (with the exception of Bangladesh, where IOM will directly engage a National Consultant). The International Consultant shall retain full and sole accountability for the quality, timeliness, and completeness of all final deliverables under this assignment.

• The International Consultant shall oversee the end-to-end recruitment, management, supervision, and mentoring of all National Consultants engaged under this assignment in South Asia (Except Bangladesh). All costs associated with the engagement of National Consultants in India, Sri Lanka and Nepal shall be borne by the International Consultant and must be covered within the agreed overall consultancy fee.

• The National Consultants shall operate remotely and shall perform tasks as directed by the Lead International Consultant, who shall retain full discretion in determining the scope, allocation, and coordination of their work in alignment with the requirements of the assignment.

• Under the overall oversight and guidance of IOM, the National Consultants shall bear primary and strict responsibility for establishing and maintaining coordination with relevant government counterparts. This includes, but is not limited to, initiating and facilitating communications, arranging and scheduling meetings and calls, and undertaking any other necessary coordination or administrative tasks required to effectively support the Lead International Consultant in the execution of the assignment.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Conduct consultations with key stakeholders, including: 

  • IOM Country Offices in Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka, as well as IOM offices in the selected EU countries.

  • Embassies and High Commissions of the four South Asian countries in the ten selected EU Member States.

  • Government diaspora focal points and relevant organizations (e.g., diaspora units, foreign employment ministries, central banks, climate change agencies).

  • EU-based South Asian diaspora associations, individuals, professional networks, student groups, and community organisations.

  • Relevant EU institutions and programmes working on diaspora engagement, migration cooperation, integration or climate action.

• Engage diaspora leaders to understand their interests, capacities, and existing climate‑related initiatives.

Research, data collection and Analysis

• The Consultant shall develop and deliver a comprehensive diaspora mapping database using a light-touch approach covering all European Union (EU) Member States, and shall submit to IOM the complete set of all data entries generated under this mapping; additionally, the Consultant shall conduct an in-depth diaspora mapping for ten (10) selected EU countries (as proposed by the Consultant and subject to prior written approval by IOM), including stakeholder identification, targeted outreach, and analysis of engagement opportunities, with all outputs delivered in accordance with agreed formats, timelines, and IOM quality standards.

• The consultant is required to identify, for each South Asian country, the top ten EU Member States where their diaspora populations are most concentrated. These lists should then be compared to select countries with the highest overlap, prioritizing those locations where different diaspora groups coexist, in order to maximize opportunities for exchange, learning, and diverse engagement.

• Conduct a desk review of: 

  • Existing diaspora mapping studies by IOM, EU institutions, South Asian governments and academic sources.

  • Diaspora policies, remittance frameworks, migration governance and climate adaptation strategies of the four governments

  • Digital platforms and existing diaspora registries/databases

• Map diaspora associations across selected EU Member States, including: 

  • Community associations

  • Professional bodies and sectoral groups

  • Business councils, SME/start-up networks and chambers of commerce

  • Alumni/student networks

  • Philanthropic and volunteer organisations

• Analyse diaspora association characteristics including: 

  • Organisational structure

  • Thematic interests (e.g., climate and disaster resilience, education, development, humanitarian aid, just transition)

  • Membership and leadership patterns

  • Fundraising and outreach modalities

  • Potential for climate-related partnerships

• Identify and validate contact details, thematic focus and engagement potential.

• Conduct qualitative interviews with: 

  • Diaspora association representatives and individuals and government agencies

  • Embassy diaspora officers

  • EU based climate action stakeholders (where relevant)

  • IOM focal points and national agencies in South Asian countries

• Conduct an email survey and structured questionnaires to capture diaspora perspectives on climate engagement, barriers and potential areas of cooperation.

• Prepare a comprehensive diaspora mapping database, including: 

  • Verified lists of diaspora associations

  • Geographic coverage across EU Member States

  • Organisational / Individual profiles and areas of interest

  • Climate engagement potential and recommended partnership pathways

• Identify gaps and opportunities for improved diaspora engagement relevant to climate adaptation, disaster preparedness and community resilience initiatives and Policy processes.

Reporting

• Develop a detailed inception report, including: 

  • Conceptual framing and rationale for diaspora engagement in climate action

  • Research methodology, data collection tools, templates

  • Stakeholder engagement strategy

  • Work plan and timeline

  • Risks and mitigation strategies

• Develop a draft analytical report responding to the research questions, including: 

  • Diaspora mapping results

  • Findings of the diaspora engagement potential and strategies for Climate Action in India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka

  • Barriers to climate engagement and opportunities for engagement and partnerships

  • Recommendations for structured outreach and engagement as well as capacity strengthening

• Produce the final consolidated report, incorporating revisions, annexes, datasets, methodological tools and contact directories.

• Present key findings and recommendations to project stakeholders in a PowerPoint Presentation 

• Prepare a knowledge product- policy brief on diaspora engagement based on the findings of the mapping including the recommendations and validation of findings with diaspora stakeholders. 

   

  1. Expected Outputs, Target Completion & Payment Schedule:

1. Performance Indicators for the Evaluation of Results:

The consultant’s performance will be assessed against the following indicators:

• High‑quality inception package submitted on time and endorsed by IOM focal points.

• Comprehensiveness and accuracy of the diaspora mapping database, with 95% validated entries.

• Analytical depth in the mapping report, demonstrating clear segmentation of diaspora actors and engagement pathways.

• Final consolidated report submitted on time and meeting IOM quality standards (clarity, structure, evidence‑based analysis).

• Timely communication maintained throughout (updates and coordination calls as agreed).

• In addition to the set deliverables, the consultant shall report to the Project manager on the progress of the project activities, as agreed. Products will be reviewed by IOM and comments are expected to be incorporated ensuring the quality of the expected products in a timely manner.

• All written outputs, including the inception report, mapping database and final analytical report, must adhere fully to the IOM House Style Manual to ensure consistency, clarity and institutional standards

• Demonstrated experience in people management and team coordination

• Advanced degree in Development Studies, Climate Change, Migration Studies, Sociology, or related field.

• Minimum 7 years of experience in diaspora engagement, climate change, development studies or migration research.

• Demonstrated experience conducting mapping exercises or policy research, familiarity with EU diaspora knowledge would be an advantage

• Proven analytical and report-writing skills.

• Experience working with UN agencies or government institutions is desirable.

       • Fluency in English.