Project Context and Scope ย
This opportunity is open to both national and international consultants.
The Group of 77 (G77) was established in 1964, initially by 77 developing countries, with the aim of promoting the Global Southโs collective economic interests and strengthening their joint negotiating capacity in major international fora within the UN system while promoting South-South cooperation. Since then, the membership has grown to 134 countries, and the group is often referred to as โG77+Chinaโ since China regularly represents the interests of G77 in international negotiations and collaborations while the country remains a non-member. The Government of Iraq was elected to become the new Chair of G77 + China for the year 2025.
As the largest gathering of countries in the UN, the G77+China has significant influence on shaping international negotiations, including climate negotiations at the Conferences of Parties (COP) of UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).ย In climate negotiations, the G77+ China upholds the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, in light of different national circumstances, and in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication. The group emphasizes the importance of scaling-up climate finance for the Global South based on the assessments of their climate finance needs, technology development and transfer and capacity building of Parties from the Global South to accelerate the implementation of the Paris Agreement.
As developing nations, the G77 members are highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change and the human mobility dimension of these changes.ย The G77+China recognizes the growing impacts of climate change on human mobility and has consistently called for its full and urgent integration into the UNFCCC agenda. However, despite this prioritization and increased global recognition, human mobility remains insufficiently addressed across key UNFCCC processes and negotiation tracks.ย
The Climate Mobility Specialist will provide technical and coordination support to the G77+China Chair to ensure that human mobility is strategically and consistently integrated across priority UNFCCC negotiation tracks in the lead-up to and during COP30. The Specialist will serve as a neutral technical resource, supporting both the Chair and relevant coordination structures of the G77+China and facilitating linkages with IOMโs global climate mobility expertise.ย
Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing ย Under the Transition and Recovery Division, Climate Action Unit, IOM Iraq Mission, in close coordination with the Regional Thematic Specialist on Climate Action and Mobility (CAD RTS), IOM Regional Office for Middle East and North Africa (RO MENA), and IOMโs Climate Action leadership team (CAD HQ and CAD Thematic Specialists in other Regional Offices, Global Office for Brussels and Special Liaison Office for the African Union).ย ย ย ย Tasks to be performed under this contractย1- Strategic Negotiation Support
Analyse and advise on key UNFCCC processes (e.g. Global Goal on Adaptation, Just Transition, NAPs, Loss and Damage) to identify entry points for mobility-relevant language.Develop, vet, and support text proposals and position papers on climate mobility.Track and report on evolving negotiation dynamics relevant to displacement, migration, and relocation.ย
2- Coordination and Liaison
Support the G77+China Chair in liaising with regional negotiation sub-groups, thematic coordinators, and other negotiating blocs.Facilitate coordination between the Chairโs office and IOM.Represent IOM and the Chair (as appropriate) in technical and preparatory meetings related to COP30.Provide in-country, inter-government/ministerial coordination/workshop to ensure alignment, particularly with the Iraqi Ministry of Migration and Displacement.ยย
3- Capacity Building and Diplomacy
Organize briefings, technical webinars, and closed-door strategy sessions for negotiators and G77+China member states on climate mobility.Support the Chair to convene an in-person coordination meeting with regional sub-group chairs, including exploring enhanced collaboration between IOM and G77+China sub-groups.ย Provide rapid technical briefings and on-demand backstopping during COP30.Act as a confidential and impartial specialist in politically sensitive discussions and maintain discretion regarding internal group strategy.ย
4- Reporting and Knowledge Management
Provide regular analysis and briefings to IOM and the Chairโs office to inform coordinated approaches.ย Deliver a mid-assignment strategic update to IOM and the Chairโs office with recommendations.Produce a final strategic report with policy recommendations, success factors, and replicable practices for future G77+China Chairs.ย Performance indicators for the evaluation of resultsย Robust technical agility through confidently shifting between detailed technical analysis and diplomacy, serving as both a trusted technical backstop and a discreet, strategic specialist.ย Demonstration of credibility, responsiveness, and discretion in politically sensitive contexts, while maintaining the speed and clarity necessary to support rapid negotiations, bilateral engagements, and evolving group strategies.Quality and timely submission of the deliverables agreed with IOM and the Chair.ย Excellent interpersonal skills, strong inter-cultural awareness and flexibility to accommodate options, suggestions and feedback from the G77+China Chair, Member Countries and stakeholders for the effective delivery of the tasks.ยโข ย ย ย ย Ability to work independently with minimum supervision and remain committed to achieving the results.ย
ยEducation, Experience and/or skills required
Masterโs degree in international relations, environment social sciences, sustainable development, migration studies or related field is required from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience, or university degree in the above fields with seven years of relevant professional experience.Proven experience in climate diplomacy, intergovernmental negotiation support, or multilateral environmental agreements.Strong technical knowledge of the UNFCCC, including COP processes and negotiation track structures.Robust expertise in climate mobility, displacement, or migration policy in the context of climate change.Demonstrated ability to navigate sensitive political environments, including experience working with or supporting Global South negotiation blocks.Excellent writing, facilitation, and political analysis skills.Fluency in English is required. Fluency in Arabic is desirable.ย LanguagesIOMโs 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.ย Travel required YesPlease submit your proposed fee along with your application.Required Competenciesย IOMโs competency framework can be found atย this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.ย Valuesย - 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 Competenciesย โ 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 Organizationโs 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 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, verification of residency, visa, and authorizations by the concerned Government, where applicable.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.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 online recruitment system. The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website:ย IOM Careers and Job Vacancies