Project Context and Scope ย
Globally, the Latin America and Caribbean region has seen the fastest growth in migration since 2010. There are currently 16-18 million migrants across Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries. Among these, roughly eight million are residing in LAC nations, including approximately 6.5 million Venezuelans, one million Haitians, and half a million Nicaraguans. Hundreds of thousands have also migrated through regular pathways to the United States and Canada.ย ย
Ageing populations and increasingly educated populations have created labour shortages and mismatched skills across various sectors in many countries. Labour mobility pathways allow receiving countries to fill labour gaps in sectors of high demand, while providing opportunities for migrants to move to a new country via regular channels, rebuild their lives, and contribute to the economic growth and social fabric of receiving countries, while also supporting countries of origin through remittances and other support. โRefugee labour pathways have been implemented in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. as a partnership between governments and Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB), with support from other implementing organizations. To date, these programs have resulted in more than โโโโ916 job offers for displaced individuals and the opportunity to migrate with them for nearly 1,100 additional family members. Programs have also been established in Italy and Portugal, though individuals have yet to move through these pathways.โ1ย ย
Canada offers the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) which helps skilled migrants, refugees and other displaced people with protection needs immigrate to Canada through economic programs and gives employers access to qualified candidates to fill job openings. Migrants, refugees or displaced persons can either apply via the regional EMPP or federal EMPP, based on work experience, education, and language skills, with or without a job offer. In addition, other programs exist that offer temporary or permanent labour paths in high demand sectors, such as caregiving and agriculture.ย
Despite the expansion of labour mobility pathways in recent years, migrants and refugees in Latin America continue to face significant barriers to accessing these opportunities. They lack resources, information on available programs and opportunities, as well as related application and administrative processes. They also face barriers accessing employment commensurate with their qualifications and experience. Furthermore, they require tailored support with application processes for employment opportunities, including CV and interview preparation. Finally, many lack required documentation and language skills required to meet eligibility requirements for labour paths and employment opportunities. Additional information on the barriers faced by these populations will allow partners to design evidence-based programs and support tailored to needs.ย
Under the overall supervision of the Head of Operations and direct supervision of the Project Manager of the Office of the Special Envoy (OSE), and in close coordination with the Regional Thematic Specialists, the successful consultant will carry out a research study analyzing the barriers migrants, refugees, and other populations in Latin America face to access permanent international labour mobility opportunities.ย
ย Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing
Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, Office of Regional Operations, Panama City, Panamaย ย Tasks to be performed under this contract ย
The consultant will be responsible for carrying out a research study including the following information:ย
Map existing available โinternational permanent โlabour mobility pathways with a durable solution available for migrants, refugees and other populations in Latin America for two to three selected countries of destination, including eligibility requirements, application processes, and processing timelines. Internal materials will be provided to help with this mapping exercise.ย Briefly summarize progress achieved to date through existing labour mobility pathways, including numbers of people who have benefitted from programs and their impact.ย Identify and highlight existing programmatic best practices that support access to labour mobility pathways for migrants, refugees, and other vulnerable populations in Latin America.ย ย Identify gaps and barriers faced by migrants, refugees, and other vulnerable populations in Latin America to access labour mobility pathways, with a focus on key sectors of high demand for destination countries, such as healthcare, caregiving, construction, food services, and hospitality. This includes barriers to access employment opportunities, as well as barriers to access opportunities commensurate with their qualifications and experience, including recognition and revalidation of qualifications and upskilling. This can also include institutional barriers such as costs, application timelines, and discretionality.ย ย Provide clear and actionable recommendations for implementing partners and employers on how to address barriers faced by these populations to inform program design aimed at addressing these challenges, to achieve greater access to labour mobility pathways.ยA deeper understanding of these challenges will allow implementing partners and employers to tailor programs to address specific needs and barriers faced by migrants and refugees.ย
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Methodologyย
The study will be conducted by an external consultant(s) under the supervision of IOM. The methodology will consist of an extensive documentation review, structured and semi-structured interviews and/or electronic surveys with key staff and partners, affected population, academia, and civil society, to take stock of existing labour mobility pathways and barriers, including possible visits to key countries in Latin America as deemed appropriate. Focus group discussions and/or community consultations will be also considered and the possibility of remote interviews or surveys if physical visits are challenging. The study will employ mixed methods (qualitative, quantitative) and several data collection tools. Various data collection tools will facilitate the triangulation of information collected, thereby increasing the reliability of the findings, lessons learned, good practices, and recommendations presented in the report.ย
Regular monitoring calls will be scheduled to review the progress of the study. The deliverables will be reviewed and approved by IOM, TBB, and IRCC before publication and dissemination. The consultant will be responsible for reflecting any comments or requested changes from the above stakeholders until approved by the above parties.ย ย
Deliverablesย
The consultant(s) will be expected to complete the following deliverables:ย
Deliverable 1: Inception report outlining the scope and detailed overview of the study, proposed methodology, study structure, work plan, and timelines (20 July 2025).ย Deliverable 2: Mid-term presentation on initial findings of the study, including existing labour pathways and barriers identified (1 September 2025).ย Deliverable 4: Final formatted report with graphics ready for publication on existing labour mobility pathways and barriers faced by migrants, refugees, and other vulnerable populations in Latin America to access these pathways. The report will include concrete recommendations on how to address these barriers (10 November 2025).ย Deliverable 5: Two-pager and PowerPoint Presentation summarizing key findings of the report (20 November 2025).ยย
IOM will review and approve all products submitted by the consultant. The consultant is expected to respond to and implement all comments provided until an acceptable final product is approved by the above parties. Payment will be made by deliverable once completed satisfactorily.ย ย Performance indicators for the evaluation of results
Guarantee IOM principlesย Timely and quality completion of a research study meeting the agreed requirements within the established timelines.ย On time delivery of tasks, including comments raised by IOM and other relevant stakeholders of the project.ย Integrity and precision at revision and analysis stages.ย Clarity and accessibility of the developed materials.ย Follow IOM Principles for Data Protection.ย Education Masterโs degree in political science, International Cooperation and Development, Migrations studies, Project Management, Social Sciences, or a related field, from an accredited academic institution; Experience At least 15 years of research and analysis experience (or 10 years of research experience and an advanced degree in social and political sciences), including research and analysis experience in the field of migration and regular pathways; Knowledge and experience in the Latin America region, particularly related to migration and regular pathways.ย Skills Advanced knowledge and skills in categorization, systematization, mapping, and mixed qualitative and quantitative research and analysis methods, such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, etc.ย Languages Knowledge of English and Spanish languages is mandatory.ย IOMโs 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 Travel not required.ย Required Competencies ย IOMโs competency framework can be found atย this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process. ย Values - 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