Consultant – Diaspora Humanitarian Training

Grade: UG

Introduction

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

Project Context and Scope

Diaspora organizations have long demonstrated their capacity to intervene in humanitarian contexts, reaching even the most vulnerable and isolated communities. When a crisis strikes, they are among the first respondents, mobilizing financial resources and organizing aid delivery thanks to their networks and knowledge of local contexts. Their presence on the ground often precedes and extends beyond the emergency phase, placing them in a key strategic position to bridge the humanitarian- development- peace nexus.[1]

IOM has implemented diaspora engagement initiatives worldwide along humanitarian- development- peace nexus since the 1970s. In Italy, the Organization has been working on diaspora initiatives since the early 2000s, empowering diaspora organizations through dedicated trainings and supporting the implementation of diaspora-led development and humanitarian projects.[2]

Under the DRAFT II - Diaspora for Development Cooperation – Empowering Diasporas in Italy as Development Actors at Local, National and International Levels project, IOM COMED will design and deliver a humanitarian training programme for diaspora organization.

The first component will consist of five face-to-face training days delivered over two weekends, covering the following topics:

• Humanitarian programme cycle, including emergency preparedness
• Frameworks, principles and standards
• Actors and their mandates
• Inter-agency coordination mechanisms
• Field security and context-specific challenges
• Peace and recovery programming

The second component of the training programme will consist of a three-day humanitarian crash course for diaspora organizations whose project proposals are selected under the Emergency Grant Scheme. The training will be delivered prior to the launch of their projects and will provide participants with the knowledge and practical tools needed to operate in emergency preparedness and post-emergency recovery contexts.

In the event that IOM also activates the Rapid Emergency Response Fund, an additional intensive pre-deployment crash course of up to three days will be delivered online to selected diaspora organizations prior to project implementation. The course will provide participants with the essential knowledge and practical tools needed to operate in humanitarian settings, covering, in a condensed format, the key contents of the broader humanitarian training programme.

[1] Taking Stock: from Insight to Impact – Diaspora Engagement in the Humanitarian, Development and Peace Nexus (HDPN) | IOM Publications Platform

[2] For more details on IOM Italy initiatives on diaspora engagement: https://italy.iom.int/it/diaspora-engagement

Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing

Migration and Development Unit

Duty Station of the Consultancy: Homebased, with occasional travel to Rome, Italy.

Tentative start date: December 2026.

Tasks to be performed under this contract

Under the overall supervision of the Project Manager and in coordination with the Project Assistant – Focal Point Peace and Recovery, the consultant will:

Training Design

• Develop a tailored curriculum of a comprehensive training on humanitarian action for diaspora.
• Prepare workshop materials, including slides, case studies, and pre- and post-assessment tools.
• Develop one humanitarian crash course for DOs whose projects will be awarded in the frame of the Emergency Grant Scheme, focusing on emergency preparedness and recovery interventions.
• Develop a condensed version of the comprehensive training on humanitarian action, adapted for online delivery over a maximum of three days and covering its key topics and practical elements.
• Ensure a culturally sensitive approach towards emergency management throughout the training development and delivery.

Training Delivery

• Deliver a five-days workshop in Rome across two weekends to a group of twenty diaspora representatives selected by IOM.
• Use interactive approaches, including role plays, group discussions, and practical exercises to enhance learning.
• Deliver an online pre-deployment crash course to a group of five diaspora representatives whose DOs will be awarded by IOM in the frame of the Emergency Grant Scheme.
• If needs arise, deliver another crash course to a group of five diaspora representatives selected by IOM in the frame of the Rapid Emergency Granting Scheme.
• Ensure that a participative approach is adopted at all times and communication is clear and adapted to the participants’ understanding of the language.

Evaluation and Reporting

• Develop pre- and post-training assessment tools to measure knowledge and skills gained by participants.
• Submit training reports, including participant feedback, assessment outcomes, lessons learned, and recommendations for further capacity building.

Deliverables

The dates indicated below are tentative and subject to change.

Deliverable n. Description Delivery method Due date (indicative)

1. Training curriculum and materials, including slides, and assessment tools, developed and validated with the project team. This will include the first edition of the humanitarian training and two crash courses. E-mail To be completed by 31 March 2027

2. First edition of the humanitarian training workshop in Rome (5 days across two weekends), including final reporting on the training In person To be completed by 15 June 2027

3. Intensive pre-deployment crash course (3 days) delivered to DOs awarded in the frame of the Emergency Grant Scheme Online workshops To be completed by 31 October 2027

Performance indicators for the evaluation of results

The consultant’s performance will be evaluated based on:

• Quality and relevance of materials: Appropriateness, clarity, and practicality of the training’ curriculum and tools.

• Effectiveness of training delivery: Engagement, knowledge transfer, and facilitation skills.

• Timeliness of deliverables: Adherence to timelines for workshop delivery and reporting.

• Feedback from participants: Improvement in participants’ knowledge and confidence to operate in humanitarian sector. 80% of the participants report satisfaction with the training received.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Humanitarian studies, Social studies, Political Sciences, or a related field;

Experience and skills

• At least 5 years of relevant experience in training and capacity development in the field of emergency preparedness, response, humanitarian coordination, post-crisis recovery or related fields.
• Work experience in the field would be an asset.
• Demonstrated experience in designing training programs and developing training materials for field workers.
• Demonstrated experience in delivering trainings and facilitating workshops (both in-presence and online).
• Demonstrated sensitivity to cultural diversity and ability to work with diverse groups.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Professional experience in writing reports and documents in Italian and English.
• Demonstrated experience in working with non-profit organizations and/or civil society actors will be considered a strong asset.

Languages

For this consultancy, fluency in written and spoken Italian and English is required.

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

Assets

Candidates are encouraged to submit a financial proposal as part of their application and upload it in the Attachments section. While not mandatory, the submission of a financial proposal will be considered an advantage.

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 five 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

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.

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