The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is the UN Migration Agency. With 173 member states it is committed to the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits migrants and society. Established in 1951 and now active in over 400 field locations worldwide, IOM works with partners, government and civil society to:
IOM is committed to a diverse and inclusive environment. Internal and External candidates are eligible to apply to this vacancy.
IOM’s Regional Office for the East and Horn of Africa supports and monitors the following countries: Burundi, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. Through a team of specialists, the Regional Office supports the development, implementation, monitoring, reporting and evaluation of projects and initiatives undertaken by country offices and regional programmes.
An emerging area of concern within the climate change discourse, is the nexus between migration, climate change (and environmental degradation), and conflict/violence. Whilst is has now been determined by most academics, that although climate change may not directly lead to conflict, research indicates that climate factors may exacerbate those issues that do directly drive conflict. In other words, the multiplicity of drivers that contribute to migration in the context of climate and environmental change and the dynamic interactions between them, may contribute to conflict. The below diagram by Bushby et. Al, (2014) illustrates the complex interplay of indicators related to vulnerability the security consequences of climate change (situations where large numbers of people could be at risk of death as a result of exposure to climate-related hazards, that may or may not escalate to conflict): please find table in this link.
Whilst the literature abounds with quantitative research on the influence that climate change has on civil wars such as the Syrian crisis and other violent conflicts , relatively less is know about resource-based and localised conflicts.
IOM’s Regional Office for the East and Horn of Africa, in partnership with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development’s (IGAD’s) Climate Prediction and Application centre (ICPAC) and in collaboration with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP)’s initiative under the ‘UN Comprehensive Regional Prevention Strategy for the Horn of Africa’ , have an interest in better identifying the drivers that contribute to climate security and understanding the degree to which different drivers influence the propensity for resource-based conflicts, with a focus on the IGAD region. This research is done in support of the 2019 Comprehensive Regional Prevention Strategy for the HoA which aims to enhance coordination between UN stakeholders and regional institutions such as IGAD and the AU. Specifically, the research contributes to the work of Pillar 4 of the ‘Prevention Strategy’, which seeks to improve the analysis of environmental risks, including climate-related security risks, in order to develop more conflict responsive programming and policy including for the sustainable management of natural resources.
The research will also contribute to providing a baseline of information, data and evidence for Pillar 1 of the MPTF Joint Programme (IOM, UNHCR, ILO with IGAD), particular into the expansion of the risk model to integrate conflict drivers. The MPTF Joint Programme seeks to better identify the drivers of migration to facilitate pathways for regular migration in the IGAD region and to minimize displacement caused by climate change and climate hazards. Pillar 1 of this project aims to provide national governments in the IGAD region with enhanced access to quality data and evidence on disaster displacement risk and other forms of human mobility. This research will also ensure close collaboration with other related initiatives such as the UNDP STRATA Project, which is creating a digital platform to determine where environmental and climate stresses are converging and contributing to increased risk of maladaptation, fragility, migration, and conflict; and with IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix.
The definitions for ‘conflict’ vary widely in the literature and can include physical and non-physical conflict. The term conflict is also often used interchangeably with the terms; ‘violence’ and ‘violent conflict’ . For the purposes of this study, IOM sets the scope of the study to include all forms of non-physical (e.g. threats, coercion and tension) as well as physical conflict to include the use of weapons.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM)’s Migration, Environment and Climate Change (MECC) Division’s 2021-2030 Strategy seeks to promote a comprehensive, evidence and rights-based approach to migration in the context of environmental degradation, climate change and disasters, for the benefit of migrants and societies. It does this through three strategic objectives:
The UN Comprehensive Regional Prevention Strategy for the Horn of Africa (HoA) has a long term goal of “Strengthening the regions’ resilience to crises and to build a prosperous, stable and peaceful region”, and a 5 year goal of “Supporting the region to improve interstate-state relations and sub-regional collaboration, and prevent new outbreaks of crises”. The strategy aims to “encourage joined-up action and coherence within the Secretariat and among agencies, funds and programmes that are active in the Horn of Africa [and] aims to galvanize consensus towards a prosperous, stable and peaceful region”. In particular, Pillar 4 of that strategy addresses sustainable natural resources management and climate adaptability/resilience and focusses on improving the analysis of environmental risks, including climate related security risks, leading to more consistent adoption of conflict-sensitive methodologies, trans-boundary water resources management, and transparent and accountable management of extractive resources.
Please find table with tasks in this link.
Required: Excellent command of English (oral and written). Proficiency in French will be an advantage.
Interested candidates should submit a technical and financial proposal with examples of past, relevant research on soft copies, CV and a cover letter indicating the Position Title and Vacancy Number with three professional referees (previous and current supervisors), and their contacts (both email and telephone) to International Organization for Migration (IOM), RO Human Resources Department, via e-mail: ronairobihrdrec@iom.int
CLOSING DATE: 24 February 2022
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. Please click here for more details.
NOTE
NO FEE: The International Organization for Migration (IOM) does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, process or training). IOM does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank details.