Research Consultant (Ghanaian diaspora for climate action)

Project Context and Scope

Climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, leading to unstable agricultural output and rising food insecurity. Desertification, sea-level rise, and extreme heat threaten livelihoods, especially for the most vulnerable. These pressures heighten the risk of forced migration and displacement worldwide, including in Senegal and Ghana. Nevertheless, despite being considered as an additional factor of instability, human mobility can support adaptation by bridging territories transnationally, promoting knowledge and resource transfer. In this context, diaspora engagement for climate action can be a powerful tool for adaptation and resilience building. In particular, diasporas from Ghana and Senegal in Italy— two priority Countries of Origin (CoOs) for the Italian Government — are already active in supporting sustainable development in their CoOs, but their potential to contribute to climate action and food security in their countries of origin remains largely untapped due to absence of structured mechanisms for engagement  and comprehensive information on diasporas potential role in driving action in these areas. The project “Diaspora for Climate Action and Food Security” seeks to strengthen the engagement of Ghanaian and Senegalese diasporas in actions for climate and food security with the aim of supporting them in implementing projects that benefit their CoOs. In particular, the project will begin with a preliminary study of the diaspora’s capacity and interest to engage in climate action, providing the evidence base needed to guide policy development and practical interventions. Specifically, the study will focus on the following elements for Senegalese and Ghanaian diaspora groups in Italy and their potential action in their countries of origin:

1. Past, ongoing, or planned climate action, including food security initiatives, by diaspora organizations (DOs) and individual diaspora members in Italy;

2. Green skills and knowledge available within the wider diaspora group;

3. Perceived opportunities, challenges, and potential innovative solutions for diaspora groups and organizations to engage in climate action and food security, which are also responsive to gender and youth perspectives; 

4. Priority areas for climate action and food security in Senegal and Ghana that diaspora groups and organizations could potentially support; 

5. Existing national institutional mechanisms for diaspora engagement in climate action and food security in Senegal and Ghana; and

6. DOs’ interest in participating in climate action activities in their countries/communities of origin, based  on their capacity to mobilize and on the actual needs in their countries/communities of origin.

    

   The selected candidate will perform his/her duties under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission, the direct supervision of the Head of Programme and Policy Support, the close guidance of the MECR Focal Point and in coordination with the diaspora engagement team. 

   Within this framework, the consultant is required to conduct research on the aforementioned aspects concerning the Ghanaian diaspora in Italy, produce a report of the findings emerged from his/her research and to take responsibility for drafting the study presenting the final reports of the results of the research conducted on the Ghanaian and Senegalese diaspora. The research and  analysis on the Senegalese diaspora in Italy, will be carried out separately by another consultant. The consultant must ensure that the final study is comprehensive and coherent, reflecting both sets of findings in alignment with the project’s objectives.
    

   Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing 

   Programme & Policy Support Unit, Coordination Office for the Mediterranean of the International Organization for Migration – Project “Diaspora for Climate Action and Food Security” 
     Tasks to be performed under this contract

   In particular, the consultant will be expected to:

   • Attend coordination meetings with IOM;

   • Develop an inception report presenting the methodology and the timeline;

   • Ensure coordination with the consultant in charge of developing a report on the Senegalese diaspora in order to adopt the same methodology;

   • Collect primary and secondary data on Ghanaian diaspora groups in Italy (both organizations and individuals), including through in person meetings/focus groups and interviews;

   • Consult other stakeholders as appropriate and in coordination with IOM;

   • Analyse collected data and prepare a report (draft and final version);

   • Present the initial findings to IOM during an online internal meeting;

   • Review the report of the analysis results concerning the Senegalese diaspora groups - which will be collected by a different consultant - and integrate the report in the overall study; 

   • Draft a maximum 50-page study presenting main findings and recommendations, clearly identifying entry points for Senegalese and Ghanaian diasporas’ initiatives on climate action and food security;

   • Guarantee coherence and harmonization of the content of the whole study which will include the reports of the research conducted on the Ghanian and Senegalese diaspora, ensuring the respect of IOM standards and editorial guidelines. 

   • Present the final findings during an online meeting with external stakeholders.

      

     Tangible and measurable output of the work assignment

     Deliverable Number

     Deliverable

     Payment

     Delivery Method

     Due Date

     First

     Inception report presenting the methodology and the timeline

      None

     Deliverable by email

     10.03.2026

      

     Second

     Presentation of initial findings and a power point presentation with the initial findings

     None

     Deliverable by email/live meeting

     20.04.2026

      

     Third

     📚 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗮 𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯! 🌍🤝 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗨𝗡𝗛𝗖𝗥, 𝗪𝗙𝗣, 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗙, 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗦𝗦, 𝗨𝗡𝗙𝗣𝗔, 𝗜𝗢𝗠 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀! 🌐

     ⚠️ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐰: 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐚 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐍𝐎𝐖!

     First draft of the study (including the integration of the report on the Senegalese diaspora)

     First instalment payment (30%)

     Deliverable by email

     21.05.2026

      

     Fourth

     Final version of the study (including the report on the Senegalese diaspora)

     Second instalment payment (20%)

     Deliverable by e-mail

     30.06.2026 

      

     Final

     Presentation of the study 

     Third and final instalment payment (50%)

     Deliverable via online/live meeting

     10.07.2026

      Performance indicators for the evaluation of results 

   • One inception report delivered by the established date;

7. One draft study delivered by the established date compliant with IOM quality standards and editorial guidelines;

One final study delivered by the established date compliant with IOM quality standards and editorial guidelines.

Implementation Period

From 01 March 2026 to 31 July 2026.

A completed university degree from an accredited academic institution in one of the following fields of study: development studies, migration studies, international development, environmental studies, climate change, or related fields;

Minimum 7 years of experience in conducting qualitative research in social sciences;

Experience in conducting interviews and consultations with diverse stakeholders, including diaspora groups and institutions;

Demonstrated experience and knowledge in the field of diaspora engagement and/or in working with diaspora organizations/migrant communities;

Demonstrated experience on and knowledge about the nexus between climate change and sustainable development; 

Strong understanding of climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies, food security systems, and climate finance;

Previous experience with IOM will be considered an asset;

Previous experience working with the Ghanaian diaspora based in Italy or working in Ghana will be considered an asset;

Hold a valid work permit for Italy for the duration of the assignment;

Submission of a technical and financial proposal is required (please ensure it is uploaded in the attachments section).

Fluency in written and spoken Italian and English;

Good knowledge of French will be considered an asset.

The selected consultant may be required to travel in Italy. Travels originating from outside Italy are not admitted.

Submitting the following documents is mandatory:

Curriculum Vitae;

Technical and financial proposal.

Applicants are encouraged to submit a Cover Letter.