Developing Guidance on planned relocation in support of the implementation of the Pacific Regional Framework on Climate Mobility (Regional Framework)

1. Duty Station of the Consultancy: Home-based

2. Duration of Consultancy: 30 Days

3. Nature of the consultancy: Developing Guidance on planned relocation in support of the implementation of the Pacific Regional Framework on Climate Mobility (Regional Framework)

4. Project Context and Scope:

At the 52nd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting in the Cook Islands in November 2023, the Pacific Regional Framework on Climate Mobility[1] (Regional Framework) was endorsed by Pacific Governments. The Regional Framework recognizes the urgent need to strengthen understanding, coordination and cooperation on climate change-related human mobility; to establish adequate human rights-based response and support mechanisms for people at risk; and to adopt a pro-active and planned approach to address climate mobility and enhance Pacific resilience and well-being. One of the unique aspects of the Regional Framework is that it recognizes the right and the preference of Pacific people to stay in their homes as a fundamental priority, while comprehensively preparing for and responding to different forms of human mobility in the context of the adverse effect of climate change.

In addition to staying in place (as referenced in the Regional Framework), the Regional Framework considers different forms of movement such as migration, displacement and planned relocation. In doing so, the Regional Framework emphasizes that planned relocation should only be used as a last resort and only after other options have been reasonably exhausted and recognizes that “if not well-planned, negotiated, managed, implemented and monitored, planned relocations can have long-term, traumatic and intergenerational consequences for Pacific people’s identity, sense of belonging, and cultural survival and socio-economic well-being”.

The Regional Framework further recognizes that Planned Relocation can play an important role both as an anticipatory measure (to avert displacement by helping people to move to safer areas) and as a remedial measure in the aftermath of disasters and displacement (to provide durable solutions for displaced people who cannot return home safely). In such cases, the Regional Framework also notes that planned relocations, should restore and improve people’s living conditions and livelihoods, including access to health care, adequate housing, decent work, education, social protection, and water and food security other services. More specifically, through the Regional Framework, Forum Leaders committed to “Develop regional planned relocation guidelines in consultation with affected Pacific Island Forum (PIF) members and communities, including chiefs and customary land-holding groups and councils”.

The Pacific Climate Change Migration and Human Security Programme (PCCMHS) Phase II programme contributes to strengthened resilience and adaptive capacity of Pacific Islanders in the context of climate change and disasters, ensuring that migration and relocation remains a choice, and displacement is averted, minimized and addressed.

The programme will support the following outcomes:

• Governments cooperate at the (Pacific) regional and sub-regional level to manage climate mobility (outcome 1);
• Pacific Governments develop and implement national policies to address climate mobility (outcome 2);
• Pacific civil society actors, worker and employer organizations, and communities actively engage in national, regional and global processes to manage climate mobility (outcome 3).

The programme is being delivered through a partnership, with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) as the lead agency, alongside UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), along with the Platform on Disaster Displacement (PDD) and Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS).

The overall aim of this consultancy is to support the implementation of the Regional Framework by way of distilling existing knowledge, research and learnings, including from other regions and make it usable for and tailor it to the specific context in the Pacific. The Guidance can contribute to the development of a regional guide on planned relocation to support individual Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) to plan for, manage, implement and monitor planned relocation in their respective contexts. The Guidance will target policy makers and practitioners involved with and supporting planned relocation processes at the national and local levels.

Part one of the consultancy consists of a descriptive and short desk-based literature review and mapping of existing national laws, policies, strategies, plans, guidelines, standard operating procedures etc. relating to internal planned relocation in the Pacific. The review shall also include reference to case studies, reports and academic literature, when applicable and relevant. For context and to ensure cross-regional learning, a short overview and reference to mappings, case studies, tools, guidelines and frameworks on planned relocation at the global level and from other regions shall also be provided[2]. The expected output of part one will be a compendium or repository of available resources/tools that can be updated (in the future) and be made available on relevant websites and to be annexed to the Guidance (see below).

The second part of the consultancy shall be analytical and prescriptive (provide guidance) by presenting and synthesizing examples of objectives, principles, standards, effective practices and recommendations for planning, implementing and monitoring planned relocation in the Pacific. The guidance will aim at integrating a human rights-based approach to planned relocation by taking into account the human rights impacts of human mobility in the context of the adverse effects of climate change. The guidance shall also include a non-exhaustive checklist or analytical framework of risks, issues and steps that shall be considered in a planned relocation process in the Pacific. It shall also outline the elements of a draft structure for a regional planned relocation guideline in the Pacific. The analysis coming from the second part of the consultancy shall further contain recommendations on how to make the guideline on planned relocation in the Pacific regionally specific by way of consulting with relevant stakeholders and tailoring content and working modalities to the context in the Pacific including by integrating human rights perspectives. The Guidance shall be based on and draw from the mapping and review of the first part of the consultancy.

5. Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing:

Under the overall supervision of the IOM Chief of Mission in Fiji, the direct supervision of the Programme Manager, Migration and Climate Change, and through technical guidance of the Secretariat of the Platform on Disaster Displacement, the consultant will be responsible for developing a Guidance on Planned Relocation in support of implementation of this commitment outlined in the Pacific Regional Framework on Climate Mobility (hereinafter Guidance). The output of the Consultancy will seek to support and inform the Regional Framework Implementation Plan which is under development, and ultimately the development of a regional guideline on planned relocation.

6. Category B Consultants: Tangible and measurable outputs of the work assignment

In coordination with the PCCMHS programme team, with an IOM and PDD Secretariat focal point as key counterpart, the tasks and expected outputs under this consultancy include:

(i) First deliverable – Workplan, Methodology, Guidance outline

• Upon commencement of the consultancy the consultant will provide an updated workplan, detailing the draft workplan, methodology and outline Guidance/Annexes and delivery dates.
• Estimated Delivery Date: 2 days of contract commencement.
• Delivery details: The report will be submitted electronically in word and PDF format to the designated point of contact at IOM.
• First instalment: 10% of total contract amount

(ii) Second deliverable – A Compendium/Repository of resources and tools on planned relocation and a first draft Guidance through validation workshop with key stakeholders to seek additional inputs and recommendations.

• Estimated Delivery Date: 5 days
• Delivery details: The report will be submitted electronically in word and PDF format to the designated point of contact at IOM.
• Second instalment: 30% of total contract amount

(iii) Final deliverable – Final Report with layout and printing

• Final Guidance report incorporating feedback from validation workshop, and written inputs from PCCMHS partners and other stakeholders received (from PCCMHS Programme Steering Committee) and formatted based on IOM House Style Manual in readiness for layout and printing.
• Estimated Delivery Date: 23 days
• Final instalment: 60% of total contract amount

7. Performance indicators for the evaluation of results

Timeliness, Communication, Feedback and Satisfaction:

• All deliverables are submitted by the agreed-upon deadlines.
• Progress updates are provided on a regular basis, as specified in the contract.
• Any inputs from IOM and PCCMHS partners are incorporated, and issues or concerns raised during the consultancy are promptly and effectively addressed.

Quality of Deliverables

• The consultant will be responsible to follow IOM writing guidelines including the IOM House Style Manual.
• The deliverables will be of high quality, based on significant research and comprising relevant recommendations

8. Education, Experience and/or skills required

• Master’s level degree or higher from an accredited academic institution preferably in International Law, Public Policy, Political Sciences, International Development, Public Administration, Social Sciences with 7 years of work experience
• Demonstrated experience in research or policy development on matters relating to planned relocation
• Experience working on climate change and migration dynamics, including understanding of planned relocation, displacement issues, international human rights, land tenure management, traditional governance.
• Track record of previous publications or engagement on related topics.
• Experience working in the Pacific region, including with governments and regional organizations is an advantage
• Excellent communication, writing and editing skills in English
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills
• Flexible, reliable team player with proven networking skills
• Ability to function effectively and harmoniously in a fast-paced, cross-cultural work environment
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and to meet deadlines

9. Travel required

None

10. Competencies

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.

11. Language(s)

Fluency in English is required.

[1]https://forumsec.org/sites/default/files/2024-02/Pacific%20Regional%20Framework%20on%20Climate%20Mobility.pdf

[2] E.g. Brookings/Georgetown/Brooking (https://www.brookings.edu/articles/planned-relocations-disasters-and-climate-change-consolidating-good-practices-and-preparing-for-the-future/)

PDD Global mapping/Regional snapshots (https://disasterdisplacement.org/portfolio-category/planned/)