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.

Project Context and Scope

Building on ongoing efforts to strengthen migration governance and promote informed migration choices in Iraq, the project seeks to support the integration of structured migration education modules into selected universities and vocational institutions in coordination with relevant education authorities. This intervention contributes to broader national efforts aimed at promoting safe, orderly, and regular migration, while addressing the risks associated with irregular migration through evidence-based education and awareness initiatives.

Under this activity, IOM Iraq will support the development and integration of migration-related educational content within higher education and vocational training systems. The intervention aims to enhance institutional capacities to provide students and young people with balanced, practical, and rights-based knowledge on migration, including regular migration pathways, labour mobility, migrant rights and obligations, risks associated with irregular migration, and sustainable reintegration considerations.

Under the overall supervision of the Head of Mobility Pathways and Inclusion (MPI) and direct supervision of the Migration Management National Officer, the National Consultant will provide technical support for curriculum module development, stakeholder consultations and coordination, institutional engagement, and capacity-building activities with relevant ministries, universities, vocational institutions and other key stakeholders. The consultant will work closely with relevant Iraqi institutions to ensure that the curriculum is technically sound, adapted to the Iraqi context, responsive to institutional needs, and suitable for integration within relevant education and vocational training frameworks. The assignment will contribute to strengthening long-term national capacities for migration education and mainstreaming migration governance considerations into educational and vocational frameworks in Iraq.

This opportunity is open to National consultants only. The position is home-based in Iraq, with frequent travel to Baghdad.

Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing:

Mobility Pathways and Inclusion (MPI), Migration Governance and Labour Migration Unit

RESPONSIBILITIES

Tasks to be performed under this contract

Deliverable 1 – Inception Report and Curriculum Module Framework (5000 USD)
Timeline: 31 of Oct 2026 (Within 30 days)

Performance Indicators:

• Conduct initial consultations with relevant national education authorities, universities, vocational institutions and IOM to inform the curriculum framework.
• Submission of an Inception Report outlining the proposed methodology, workplan, coordination arrangements, and implementation timeline.
• Submission of a Curriculum Module Framework defining proposed modules, learning outcomes, assessment criteria, and delivery methodologies.

Deliverable 2 – Draft Curriculum Module Content and Facilitator Guides (4500 USD)
Timeline: 30 of Nov 2026 (Within 60 days)

Performance Indicators:

• Development of draft migration education curriculum modules tailored to the Iraqi context.
• Integration of migration governance, labour rights, ethical recruitment, regular migration pathways, and referral mechanisms into the curriculum content.
• Submission of draft Facilitator Guides, including methodologies, exercises, and indicative delivery timelines.

Deliverable 3 – Validation Workshop and Revised Draft Curriculum Package (4500 USD)
Timeline: 31 of Dec 2026 (Within 90 days)

Performance Indicators:

• Presentation of the draft curriculum package to IOM and relevant national stakeholders for technical review and validation.
• Submission of a revised draft curriculum package reflecting stakeholder inputs and technical feedback.

Deliverable 4 – Final Curriculum Package (4500 USD)
Timeline: 31 Jan 2027 (Within 120 days)

Performance Indicators:

• Submission of a finalized and implementation-ready curriculum module package in English.
• Submission of final curriculum module materials, including curriculum manual, participant workbook/handouts, and finalized facilitator guides.

Performance indicators for the evaluation of results

• 1 Inception Report and 1 detailed workplan submitted and approved by IOM within the agreed timeline.
• 1 Curriculum Module Framework developed in coordination with IOM and relevant stakeholders.
• Draft one migration education module and one facilitator guide developed in line with agreed thematic areas and learning objectives.
• One validation sessions/workshops conducted with relevant stakeholders and IOM staff presence, and feedback incorporated into revised drafts.
• 1 Final curriculum package submitted in English.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Education: Master's degree in Migration Studies, Education, Curriculum Development, Social Sciences, International Relations, Development Studies, or another relevant field.

Experience & Skills

• Minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience in curriculum design and development, adult learning, vocational training, higher education, migration, or capacity-building programmes.
• Demonstrated experience in developing educational or training content and translating technical concepts into practical and accessible learning materials.
• Knowledge and/or professional experience related to migration governance, regular migration, labour migration, migrant rights, reintegration or related areas is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated experience engaging with Iraqi Government institutions, universities, vocational institutions and/or other relevant national stakeholders.
• Strong knowledge of the Iraqi institutional, educational and socio-economic context.
• Proven ability to conduct desk research, stakeholder consultations and needs assessments and translate findings into practical curricula and training materials.
• Previous experience working with UN agencies, international organizations or development partners is an advantage.

Languages

• Fluency in Arabic and English is required.

Required Competencies

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.

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.

For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies.