International Consultant: Development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to Strengthen Migrant Support, Protection and Access to Rights in Georgia

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

Under the overall supervision of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and in close coordination with the REforM Project Manager and Project Coordinator, the International Consultant will support the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for civil society organizations (CSOs) engaged in providing advocacy, information, and support services to migrants in Georgia. The International Consultant will work in close collaboration with a National Consultant who will support data collection, stakeholder engagement, contextual analysis and validation processes to ensure that the International Consultant can focus on the technical development of the SOP framework and integration of international good practices. While the methodological approach will be further refined in consultation with IOM during the inception phase, it is anticipated that the assignment will include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following tasks and responsibilities:

• Review and validate the legal, institutional and procedural analysis prepared by the National Consultant concerning immigration, labour migration, registration obligations, work activity permit requirements, access to services and available protection, complaint and remedy mechanisms, and identify implications for SOP development.
• Review and analyse international good practices, comparative models and existing SOPs related to migrant support services, case management, referral systems and rights-based service delivery that may be adapted to the Georgian context.
• Review and analyse stakeholder mapping and service mapping conducted by the National Consultant, including civil society organizations, public institutions and other service providers supporting migrants, and identify operational considerations relevant for SOP development, referral pathways and service coordination.
• Based on the review of stakeholder consultations, mapping exercises, national context analysis and international good practices, identify key gaps, good practices, institutional bottlenecks and operational challenges relevant to the development of practical SOPs for CSOs supporting migrants in Georgia.
• Develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for CSOs, including clear workflows, roles and responsibilities, case intake and registration procedures, vulnerability screening approaches, referral pathways, confidentiality considerations and minimum service standards for providing structured support to migrants.
• Ensure that the SOPs provide practical guidance for CSOs on conducting case intake, identifying vulnerabilities, supporting migrants in navigating administrative requirements, accessing legal rights, available services and remedy mechanisms, while clearly defining the scope and limitations of CSO engagement, institutional boundaries, referral responsibilities and situations requiring onward referral to competent authorities.
• Develop practical SOP annexes, procedures and standardized tools, including case intake forms, vulnerability screening checklists, informed consent templates, referral forms, confidentiality protocols, service documentation templates and referral follow-up tools that can be realistically and consistently applied by CSOs when supporting migrants. Ensure that these tools incorporate data protection principles, including the secure collection, handling, storage, sharing and retention of personal information, in accordance with applicable national legislation and relevant international standards.
• Ensure that SOPs incorporate rights-based, protection-sensitive and gender-responsive approaches, with due consideration to migrants facing heightened vulnerabilities.
• Develop practical referral pathways and coordination mechanisms among CSOs, relevant state institutions and other stakeholders to facilitate timely access to information, services and support for migrants, taking into account the evolving and limited ecosystem of migrant-focused service providers in Georgia.
• Provide technical guidance to stakeholder consultations led by the National Consultant and participate in selected consultations as required to ensure that the SOPs are practical, context-specific, operationally feasible and responsive to identified needs.
• Lead the validation process of the SOPs through structured workshops, present key findings and recommendations and integrate stakeholder feedback into the finalized document.
• Develop and deliver capacity-building activities for selected CSOs on the application and operationalization of the SOPs, including practical exercises on case intake, vulnerability identification, referral decision-making, confidentiality considerations, case studies and implementation guidance.
• Support the development of practical guidance materials, user-friendly tools and communication approaches that can assist CSOs in effectively disseminating information to migrants regarding registration requirements, rights, available services and support mechanisms.
• Ensure that communication, accessibility and outreach considerations are appropriately integrated throughout the SOP framework, including approaches for reaching diverse migrant communities and addressing language barriers.
• Prepare all technical documentation required throughout the assignment, including analytical inputs, consultation summaries, workshop materials, presentations and recommendations.
• Support the finalization of the SOPs by incorporating stakeholder feedback and ensuring alignment with international standards, good practices and the Georgian migration governance context.

• Provide technical recommendations to IOM on sustainability and future institutionalization of the SOPs beyond the duration of the project.
   

Building Resilient Future for Migration-Prone Populations in Georgia (REforM).

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

• Advanced postgraduate degree (i.e. PhD, MA, MSc) in Law, Human Rights, Social Sciences, Sociology, Public Policy, Migration Studies, Public Health, Gender Studies, or other relevant disciplines related to the assignment.

• Strong knowledge of legal and institutional frameworks related to migration, labour migration, administrative procedures, access to services, and protection mechanisms.

• Experience in developing or supporting Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), guidelines, operational frameworks, or similar tools in the context of public administration, civil society service delivery, or international organizations.

• Demonstrated experience in designing and operationalizing referral mechanisms, case intake procedures, service standards, or institutional coordination frameworks for migrant protection, social services, human rights, or related sectors.

• Demonstrated experience in qualitative research and consultative processes, including key informant interviews, desk research and facilitation of stakeholder consultations and workshops.

• Experience engaging with government institutions, international organizations, civil society actors, and/or private sector stakeholders in migration, protection, or related governance areas.

• Excellent analytical, drafting, and report-writing skills, with demonstrated ability to produce clear, structured, and practice-oriented policy or operational documents in English.

• Familiarity with migrant support systems, referral mechanisms, or case management approaches will be an advantage.

• Knowledge of the Georgian migration context will be considered an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to work in English.

For this consultancy, Fluency in English is required.

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

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