Introduction
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Duty Station of the Consultancy: Tbilisi, Georgia (Remote assignment, with travel to Georgia for stakeholder meetings)
Duration of Consultancy: 30 Working days over a period of three month, September-December 2026
Nature of the consultancy: The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is implementing the project “Building Resilient Futures for Migration-Prone Populations in Georgia (REforM)”, which aims to strengthen migration governance in Georgia through rights-based, innovative and sustainable approaches that enhance the protection and inclusion of populations affected by migration dynamics. The project focuses on improving migrant protection frameworks, strengthening ethical recruitment practices and expanding access to information, services and remedies for migrants residing in Georgia.
Georgia is increasingly evolving as a country of destination for migrant workers and other foreign nationals, resulting in a growing need for accessible, coherent and rights-based support systems for migrants. While the country has continued to strengthen its migration governance architecture, migrants may still encounter practical barriers in registering their legal presence and employment activities, understanding and exercising their rights, navigating administrative procedures and accessing available support mechanisms. Language barriers, limited awareness of existing procedures, unfamiliarity with institutional structures and limited access to trusted information channels may increase vulnerabilities and hinder access to timely assistance in situations involving exploitation, discrimination or other forms of abuse.
Recent legislative developments further underscore the need to strengthen migrant support mechanisms. In particular, amendments to the Law of Georgia on Labour Migration, which entered into force in March 2026, introduced a new work activity permit system and additional compliance requirements for foreign nationals and employers, significantly reshaping the regulatory landscape governing labour migration in Georgia.[1] These changes increase the importance of ensuring that migrants have access to reliable information and practical support to understand and navigate evolving administrative and legal requirements. For the purpose of this assignment, migrants refer to foreign nationals residing and/or working in Georgia, particularly those encountering barriers in accessing information, administrative procedures, legal rights and available support mechanisms.
In this context, civil society organizations (CSOs) are well positioned to serve as trusted intermediaries between migrants and relevant institutions by providing information, guidance, support related to registration and administrative procedures, referral services and advocacy support. However, the ecosystem of civil society organizations directly engaged in supporting migrants in Georgia remains relatively limited and fragmented. Existing initiatives are often project-based, sector-specific or focused on particular categories of migrants, resulting in uneven service availability and limited coordination among relevant actors. Strengthening and standardizing service delivery approaches is therefore essential to establish a more coherent, sustainable and accessible support framework for migrants in Georgia. Strengthening collaboration and referral pathways among CSOs, relevant state institutions and other stakeholders will further contribute to the gradual development of a coordinated support ecosystem for migrants in Georgia.
This intervention contributes to broader efforts aimed at strengthening ethical recruitment practices and enhancing migrant protection by ensuring that migrants have improved access to registration mechanisms, information, rights, services and available remedies. By strengthening access to information, grievance mechanisms and support services for migrants, the intervention also contributes to preventing labour exploitation and reducing vulnerabilities associated with unethical recruitment practices and trafficking risks.
Under this activity, IOM will support the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for CSOs engaged in supporting migrants, including organizations providing legal aid, human rights, labour rights, social inclusion, community-based and referral services in Georgia. The SOPs will establish a practical and standardized framework to guide CSOs in conducting initial case intake and registration, identifying vulnerabilities and support needs, providing information on rights and obligations, assisting migrants in navigating relevant administrative procedures and facilitating access to appropriate services, referrals and available remedies in situations involving abuse, exploitation or other protection concerns. The process will include technical drafting, stakeholder consultations, validation and integration of feedback to ensure that the SOPs are practical, context-specific and aligned with national frameworks and international standards. The activity will also include capacity-strengthening elements to facilitate the practical application of the SOPs by CSOs and promote improved consistency, quality and sustainability in the delivery of information, advocacy and support services to migrants.
IOM Georgia is seeking to hire an International Consultant to lead the development of SOPs and related capacity-building activities aimed at strengthening the capacity of civil society organizations to provide advocacy, information and support services to migrants in Georgia.
[1] For more information please accsess the website: https://www.geoconsul.gov.ge/en/news/71
Project Context and Scope
Under the overall supervision of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and in close coordination with the REforM Project Manager and Project Coordinator, the International Consultant will support the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for civil society organizations (CSOs) engaged in providing advocacy, information, and support services to migrants in Georgia. The International Consultant will work in close collaboration with a National Consultant who will support data collection, stakeholder engagement, contextual analysis and validation processes to ensure that the International Consultant can focus on the technical development of the SOP framework and integration of international good practices. While the methodological approach will be further refined in consultation with IOM during the inception phase, it is anticipated that the assignment will include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following tasks and responsibilities:
- Review and validate the legal, institutional and procedural analysis prepared by the National Consultant concerning immigration, labour migration, registration obligations, work activity permit requirements, access to services and available protection, complaint and remedy mechanisms, and identify implications for SOP development.
- Review and analyse international good practices, comparative models and existing SOPs related to migrant support services, case management, referral systems and rights-based service delivery that may be adapted to the Georgian context.
- Review and analyse stakeholder mapping and service mapping conducted by the National Consultant, including civil society organizations, public institutions and other service providers supporting migrants, and identify operational considerations relevant for SOP development, referral pathways and service coordination.
- Based on the review of stakeholder consultations, mapping exercises, national context analysis and international good practices, identify key gaps, good practices, institutional bottlenecks and operational challenges relevant to the development of practical SOPs for CSOs supporting migrants in Georgia.
- Develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for CSOs, including clear workflows, roles and responsibilities, case intake and registration procedures, vulnerability screening approaches, referral pathways, confidentiality considerations and minimum service standards for providing structured support to migrants.
- Ensure that the SOPs provide practical guidance for CSOs on conducting case intake, identifying vulnerabilities, supporting migrants in navigating administrative requirements, accessing legal rights, available services and remedy mechanisms, while clearly defining the scope and limitations of CSO engagement, institutional boundaries, referral responsibilities and situations requiring onward referral to competent authorities.
- Develop practical SOP annexes, procedures and standardized tools, including case intake forms, vulnerability screening checklists, informed consent templates, referral forms, confidentiality protocols, service documentation templates and referral follow-up tools that can be realistically and consistently applied by CSOs when supporting migrants. Ensure that these tools incorporate data protection principles, including the secure collection, handling, storage, sharing and retention of personal information, in accordance with applicable national legislation and relevant international standards.
- Ensure that SOPs incorporate rights-based, protection-sensitive and gender-responsive approaches, with due consideration to migrants facing heightened vulnerabilities.
- Develop practical referral pathways and coordination mechanisms among CSOs, relevant state institutions and other stakeholders to facilitate timely access to information, services and support for migrants, taking into account the evolving and limited ecosystem of migrant-focused service providers in Georgia.
- Provide technical guidance to stakeholder consultations led by the National Consultant and participate in selected consultations as required to ensure that the SOPs are practical, context-specific, operationally feasible and responsive to identified needs.
- Lead the validation process of the SOPs through structured workshops, present key findings and recommendations and integrate stakeholder feedback into the finalized document.
- Develop and deliver capacity-building activities for selected CSOs on the application and operationalization of the SOPs, including practical exercises on case intake, vulnerability identification, referral decision-making, confidentiality considerations, case studies and implementation guidance.
- Support the development of practical guidance materials, user-friendly tools and communication approaches that can assist CSOs in effectively disseminating information to migrants regarding registration requirements, rights, available services and support mechanisms.
- Ensure that communication, accessibility and outreach considerations are appropriately integrated throughout the SOP framework, including approaches for reaching diverse migrant communities and addressing language barriers.
- Prepare all technical documentation required throughout the assignment, including analytical inputs, consultation summaries, workshop materials, presentations and recommendations.
- Support the finalization of the SOPs by incorporating stakeholder feedback and ensuring alignment with international standards, good practices and the Georgian migration governance context.
- Provide technical recommendations to IOM on sustainability and future institutionalization of the SOPs beyond the duration of the project.
Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing
Building Resilient Future for Migration-Prone Populations in Georgia (REforM).
Responsibilities
Category B Consultants: Tangible and measurable outputs of the work assignment
- Deliverable 1: Inception report, including detailed workplan, methodology, analytical framework, stakeholder mapping and implementation approach for SOP development and consultations, submitted by 1 October 2026.
- Deliverable 2: Analytical report and recommendations for SOP development, based on the review of legal and institutional analysis, stakeholder mapping and consultation findings prepared by the National Consultant, including assessment of CSO roles, service delivery practices, coordination and referral mechanisms, identification of key gaps, bottlenecks and good practices, and integration of relevant international good practices, submitted by 15 October2026.
- Deliverable 3. Facilitation of a consultation workshop on preliminary findings and SOP structure, presentation of draft analysis and consolidation of stakeholder feedback and recommendations for SOP development, submitted by 15 November2026.
- Deliverable 4: Validation workshop on draft SOPs, incorporation of stakeholder inputs and refinement of SOP workflows, referral mechanisms, roles and responsibilities and service standards, submitted by 30 Novembert 2026.
- Deliverable 5: Final SOP package for CSOs supporting migrants in Georgia, including SOPs, operational workflows, referral pathways, coordination mechanisms, minimum service standards, and practical annexes and tools such as case intake forms, informed consent templates, vulnerability screening checklists, referral forms and confidentiality protocols, submitted by 15 December 2026
- Deliverable 6: Training package for CSOs on SOP implementation, including training materials, case studies and facilitation guidance, as well as user-friendly outreach/dissemination tools to support practical application, 31 December 2026
Performance indicators for the evaluation of results
- Delivers the listed deliverables on time and of good quality.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications and Experience
Education
- Advanced postgraduate degree (i.e. PhD, MA, MSc) in Law, Human Rights, Social Sciences, Sociology, Public Policy, Migration Studies, Public Health, Gender Studies, or other relevant disciplines related to the assignment.
Experience & Skills
- Strong knowledge of legal and institutional frameworks related to migration, labour migration, administrative procedures, access to services, and protection mechanisms.
- Experience in developing or supporting Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), guidelines, operational frameworks, or similar tools in the context of public administration, civil society service delivery, or international organizations.
- Demonstrated experience in designing and operationalizing referral mechanisms, case intake procedures, service standards, or institutional coordination frameworks for migrant protection, social services, human rights, or related sectors.
- Demonstrated experience in qualitative research and consultative processes, including key informant interviews, desk research and facilitation of stakeholder consultations and workshops.
- Experience engaging with government institutions, international organizations, civil society actors, and/or private sector stakeholders in migration, protection, or related governance areas.
- Excellent analytical, drafting, and report-writing skills, with demonstrated ability to produce clear, structured, and practice-oriented policy or operational documents in English.
- Familiarity with migrant support systems, referral mechanisms, or case management approaches will be an advantage.
- Knowledge of the Georgian migration context will be considered an asset.
- Demonstrated ability to work in English.
Languages
For this consultancy, Fluency in English is required.
Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.
Travel required: Travel within Georgia for up to 12 days is required during the assignment period.
Required Competencies
IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.
Values – all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these five 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.
How to apply
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.
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