International Consultant - Conduct Labour Market Assessment to Inform VET Programme Design in Georgia

IntroductionEstablished 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.IOM is committed to ensuring a workplace where all employees can thrive professionally, while working towards harnessing the full potential of migration. Read more about IOM's workplace culture at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for MigrationDuty Station of the Consultancy: Tbilisi, Georgia (Remote assignment, with up to seven days travel to Georgia)Duration of Consultancy: 30 working days (over a 3-month period)Nature of the consultancy: Conduct a demand-driven labour market assessment with strong private sector engagement. The assignment will identify priority occupations and specializations and inform the design of certified vocational training programmesProject Context and ScopeGeorgia faces a complex and evolving migration landscape shaped by persistent skills mismatches, limited access to quality employment opportunities, and increasing climate-related vulnerabilities. These structural challenges contribute significantly to outward migration, particularly among young people, and hinder the sustainable reintegration of returnees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), eco-migrants, and immigrants.In response, the project “Building Resilient Futures for Migration-Prone Populations in Georgia (REforM)” aims to address these challenges through private sector–driven skills development and employment interventions, alongside broader measures to strengthen migration governance and resilience.Despite ongoing reforms, the vocational education and training (VET) system remains insufficiently aligned with private sector needs, resulting in a gap between labour supply and demand. Employers frequently report difficulties in filling vacancies due to a lack of relevant technical and soft skills, while job seekers - especially youth and women struggle to access stable and decent employment opportunities. This mismatch is further exacerbated by rapidly evolving labour market dynamics, including digitalization, climate change impacts, and shifts in sectoral demand.At the same time, climate change is increasingly affecting rural livelihoods and contributing to internal displacement, particularly among eco-migrant communities. These populations often face limited access to labour market opportunities and skills development paths, increasing their vulnerability and reliance on irregular or informal migration channels.While preliminary sectors such as IT, agriculture, construction, transport and logistics, and hospitality have been identified, there is currently insufficient evidence on specific occupations, skills requirements, and future labour market trends within these sectors, particularly in relation to domestic employment opportunities.In this context, a comprehensive and demand-driven labour market assessment is required to generate robust, evidence-based insights that will inform the design of targeted vocational training programmes, ensure alignment with private sector demand, and enhance employment outcomes for vulnerable populations under the project.IOM Georgia is seeking to hire an international consultant to conduct a forward-looking labour market assessment with strong private sector engagement, to identify priority occupations and skills needs and inform the design of demand-driven, certified vocational education and training (VET) programmes aligned with current and emerging labour market trends in Georgia.The assignment will be implemented in close coordination with a national consultant, ensuring strong local contextualization and effective stakeholder engagement.Management Arrangement:Under the overall supervision of the REforM project manager and the direct supervision of the project coordinator the consultant will lead the assessment of selected high-potential sectors, applying a consultative and evidence-based approach to analyze labour demand, skills gaps, and employer requirements.Rules and Responsibilities:The international consultant, in close collaboration with a national consultant, will undertake the following tasks:1. Desk review on labour market trends in Georgia in cooperation with the national consultant:* Review of relevant studies on labour market, reports, and datasets produced by public institutions including the National Statistics Office, Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development (Labor market information Department’s - LMIS) IOM, development partners and other relevant stakeholders. * Review of relevant policies and regulatory frameworks related to skills development, employment, and labour mobility.2. Develop a detailed workplan and timeline for the assignment, including:* Sequencing of activities and key milestones; * Stakeholder consultation plan and indicative schedule;3. Develop and submit an inception report outlining:* Methodological approach and analytical framework; * Data collection tools and stakeholder engagement strategy; * Approach to translating findings into actionable recommendations for sector selection, training programme design, and alignment with labour market demand.4. Design and implement a comprehensive employer needs assessment, including:* Surveys targeting employers in selected sectors; * Key informant interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) with private sector representatives; * Structured engagement with businesses, business associations, sectoral chambers, and industry experts; * Assessment of employer demand for skills, occupations, and competencies, including hard-to-fill and emerging roles in the selected sectors; * Evaluation of private sector readiness to engage in programme development , secondment of subject matter experts, training delivery, including apprenticeships and work-based learning (capacity, incentives, constraints); * Identification of barriers and opportunities for labour market participation of target groups (e.g., youth, women, returnees, eco-migrants); * Assessment of alignment between employer needs and existing VET programmes in selected professions, including gaps in curricula, training capacity, and infrastructure; * Collection of employer inputs to inform practical design of training programmes (modalities, duration, structure);5. In cooperation with the national consultant participate in stakeholder consultations, to ensure alignment and stakeholder ownership.6. Analyze labour market dynamics in selected sectors, including:* Identification of skills shortages and gaps; * Mapping of hard-to-fill and emerging occupations; * Assessment of current and projected labour demand; * Identification of regional disparities and sector-specific labour market dynamics (where relevant).7. For each selected sector, identifying priority occupations and specialisations suitable for (re)training programmes. For each proposed specialisation, define:* Required knowledge, competencies and practical skills; * Key tasks and occupational profiles; * Occupational standards (where available); * Required tools, equipment, and materials; * Certification requirements (if applicable); * Indicative training structure (duration, balance of theoretical vs practical learning).8. In cooperation with the national consultant assess the alignment of identified occupations with the existing VET system in Georgia.9. For each selected specialization, assess future skills need and sectoral trends including:* Impacts of digitalization, automation, and changing forms of work (e.g., platform economy); * Climate change and environmental considerations (including green skills); * Medium- to long-term implications for sector growth, transformation, or decline. * Where feasible, review the potential demand for selected specialisations in international labour markets, with a focus on Europe, and outline considerations related to skills transferability and compatibility with international standards.10. In cooperation with the national consultant develop recommendations to inform pilot VET programme design, including:* Priority sectors and occupations for intervention; * Feasibility of apprenticeships and work-based learning schemes; * Recommendations for private sector engagement models; * Identification of potential VET and private sector partners; * Key risks and sustainability considerations.11. Present and validate findings with stakeholders, including:* Presentation of key findings at validation workshop; * Incorporation of stakeholder feedback into final outputs.12. Submit final deliverables, including:* A comprehensive labour market assessment report; * A concise summary brief highlighting key findings and recommendations.13. Submit final consultancy report on the delivery of tasks.Project to which the Consultant is contributingBuilding Resilient Future for Migration-Prone Populations in Georgia (REforM)Category B Consultants: Tangible and measurable outputs of the work assignment* Deliverable 1: Inception report including methodology, stakeholder engagement approach, and data collection tools; Detailed work plan, as well as the outline of the labour market assessment report, submitted by 15 May 2026. * Deliverable 2: Draft labour market assessment report, covering sector analysis, skills gap assessment, identified priority occupations, employer demand and readiness, alignment with existing VET programmes, analysis of target groups and barriers to employment as well as future trends analysis, gender and environmental considerations, submitted by 30 June 2026. * Deliverable 3: Final labour market assessment report, actionable recommendations for sector prioritization, VET programme design, and private sector engagement, and summary brief of key findings, by 10 July 2026.Performance indicators for the evaluation of results* Delivers the listed deliverables on time and of good quality.Required Qualifications and ExperienceEducation* Advanced university degree in economics, business, social sciences, development or a related field.Experience* Proven professional experience in conducting labour market assessments and sectoral analysis. * Strong expertise in skills analysis / workforce development, vocational education and training (VET) systems including alignment with curriculum development and qualification frameworks. * Proven experience in designing and implementing data collection methodologies and conducting quantitative and qualitative analysis. * Demonstrated experience working with private sector stakeholders including businesses and associations. * Experience in analysing in international and/or European labour markets. * Experience working with vulnerable groups, including migrants, youth, or women, and integrating inclusion considerations into labour market interventions. * Experience with apprenticeship systems, dual education models, or work-based learning approaches is an asset. * Familiarity with emerging labour market trends, including digitalization and green skills, is an assetSkills* Excellent analytical, problem-solving, facilitation, and report-writing skills. * Strong facilitation, organizational and communication skills.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.Required CompetenciesIOM’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 APPLYApply here: https://shorturl.at/5CR8WNotesIOM 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