Consultant : Labour Market Assessment

Introduction

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

 

Project Context and Scope

The Kenya–Ethiopia corridor is a strategically important economic zone linking northern Kenya and southern Ethiopia, characterized by cross-border trade, infrastructure development, mobility of labour, and emerging urban centres. Recent and planned investments in transport infrastructure, energy, logistics, agribusiness, and services are expected to significantly influence labour demand, skills requirements, and employment opportunities across the corridor.

At the same time, there exists persistent challenges including high youth unemployment, informality, skills mismatches, gender disparities in labour force participation, and vulnerabilities related to climate shocks, displacement, and cross-border mobility. Addressing these challenges requires sustained collaborative efforts and coordinated actions between countries and regions to improve governance frameworks and ensure that migration pathways are safe, fair and gender responsive. The Government of Kenya (GoK) is actively engaging in negotiations with countries of destination including development of Bilateral Labour Migration Agreements (BLMAs) with similar efforts being undertaken by the government of Ethiopia to increase access to decent employment for Kenyan and Ethiopian migrant workers. Both countries are significant countries of origin for labour mobility to the Gulf Cooperation Council states.

Despite the efforts, critical gaps still persist, including absence of structured, inclusive, and gender-sensitive and responsive labour mobility frameworks between Kenya, Ethiopia, and GCC countries, and between Kenya and Ethiopia. This has contributed to proliferation of irregular migration, exploitation of migrant workers, and limited access to dignified work opportunities. The absence of gender-sensitive rights-based labour agreements which clearly articulate the protection of migrant workers has disproportionately affected migrant workers, particularly women and youth, whose specific vulnerabilities including exposure to abuse, lack of social protection and exploitative working conditions remain unaddressed.

It is for this reason therefore, that the State Department for Labour and Skills Development with support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) intends to commission a Labour Market Assessment (LMA) to generate evidence on current and future labour demand and supply dynamics along the Kenya–Ethiopia corridor, to inform targeted interventions, policy dialogue, and development of the Kenya-Ethiopia BLMA.

Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing

1. Identify and analyze  key economic sectors and value chains driving employment along the Kenya-Ethiopia labour mobility corridor.
2. Analyze  current and anticipated labour demands by across key sectors, occupations, and skill levels.
3. Analyze labour supply characteristics along the corridor , including demographics, education, skills and labour mobility.
4.  Identify skills gaps, skills mismatches, and training needs relevant to Kenya-Ethiopia corridor economies.
5. Analyze cross-border labour mobility patterns, regulations, and constraints.
6. Analyze gender, youth, and vulnerable group participation in the labour market.
7. Identify barriers to job creation and decent work, including policy, institutional, and market constraints.
8. Provide practical recommendations for BLMA establishment, policy engagement, stakeholder engagement, and labour mobility programming.
    

1. Inception Report within 2 weeks of contract start.
2. Draft Labour Market Assessment Report.
3. Validation Workshop / Presentation.
4. Final Labour Market Assessment Report.
    

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

•    Advanced degree in economics, labour studies, development studies, or a related field.

Experience

•    At least 10 years of demonstrated experience in  conducting labour market or employment-related                       assessments at national level.
•    Strong understanding of East Africa labour markets, preferably Kenya and Ethiopia.
•    Experience in private sector, value chain, or skills development analysis.
•    Experience working in cross-border or fragile contexts is an asset.
 

Skills

•    Proven qualitative and quantitative research skills.
•    Excellent analytical and report-writing skills.
 

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.

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.

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