Local Consultant -Type B Regional Initiative on Human Mobility Due To Deser at IOM

Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Bagamati Province, Nepal -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

07 Jan, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

09 Oct, 25

Experience

2 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Migration Patterns, Environmental Sustainability, Climate Change, Research, Livelihood Support, Policy Development, Data Analysis, Community Engagement, Social Protection, Urban Planning, Land Management, Gender Analysis, Agricultural Productivity, Displacement, Climate Adaptation, Integrated Approaches

Industry

International Affairs

Description

Nature of the Consultancy Under the direct supervision of the Head of Migration, Environment, Climate Change and Risk Reduction Department, and in close collaboration with other IOM and UN Habitat experts and thematic specialists at global regional levels the consultant will support the production of a case study on the impacts of desertification, land degradation and drought on the migration patterns and mobility outcomes of small-holder farmers and traditional herder communities in Nepal – Category B Consultancy. Project Context and Scope The relationship between desertification, land degradation, drought (DLDD), and human mobility is increasingly evident in Nepal, where fragile ecosystems and climate variability intersect with traditional livelihoods. In these contexts, DLDD not only undermines environmental sustainability but also reshapes patterns of migration and displacement. In Nepal, the impacts of DLDD are felt most acutely in the arae where subsistence farming and domestic livestock are the main source of livelihoods, and high-altitude regions where transhumant pastoralism has long been practiced. Seasonal migration between alpine and subalpine pastures is essential for managing livestock and maintaining ecological balance. Yet, climate change has disrupted snowfall patterns and reduced pasture productivity, while land tenure conflicts – especially with community forestry groups – have restricted access to traditional grazing routes. These pressures have led to a decline in pastoralist populations, with many young people abandoning herding for wage labor or migrating abroad. Climate and environmental stressors are not only undermining agricultural productivity in Nepal but are also reshaping mobility patterns among smallholder farmers. As climate extremes such as floods, droughts, and erratic monsoons intensify, many farming households face declining yields and rising food insecurity. This climate-induced livelihood stress is contributing to increased internal migration, particularly among men seeking work in urban centres or abroad. This has led to the feminization of agriculture, with women increasingly managing farms and making key decisions. In some cases, DLDD has also contributed to internal displacement, particularly in areas affected by landslides and drought-induced crop failures. Young people increasingly leave rural areas for larger cities and urbanizing areas, seeking education, jobs, and better living conditions. However, urban centers are often ill-equipped to absorb this influx. Migrants face housing shortages, informal employment, and limited access to public services. In some cases, migration leads to the fragmentation of families, with older generations left behind in degraded rural areas while younger members pursue uncertain futures in urban environments or abroad. These migration patterns also strain urban governance and planning. Rapid urbanization driven by increased rural to urban migration can outpace infrastructure development, leading to urban sprawl, traffic congestion, and increased vulnerability to climate risks such as flooding and heatwaves. Furthermore, limited policies, and poor enforcement of existing policies to support displaced populations means that many migrants fall through the cracks of social protection systems. DLDD therefore acts as a threat multiplier, exacerbating poverty, food insecurity, and social inequality. Migration emerges as both a coping strategy and a consequence of environmental degradation. However, without supportive policies and sustainable land management, mobility may become less adaptive and more distress-driven. Addressing these challenges requires integrated approaches that link land restoration with livelihood support, climate adaptation, and inclusive governance—ensuring that mobility remains a choice rooted in resilience, not desperation. This in turn requires more detailed evidence on the challenges and implications of DLDD on human mobility patterns and outcomes. Research on the intersection of DLDD and human mobility in Nepal has grown in recent years, reflecting increasing concern over the socio-environmental impacts of climate change and unsustainable land use. In Nepal, research has examined the impacts of DLDD on high-altitude pastoralism, subsistence agriculture, and rural livelihoods, with particular attention to the role of community forestry and land tenure systems, as well as tenure typologies, land use planning and sustainable land use management (with due consideration to disaster risks). Despite these advances, several critical research gaps remain. First, there is a lack of integrated studies that combine ecological, economic, and social dimensions of DLDD and migration. Most research tends to be sectoral, focusing either on environmental degradation or on migration, without fully capturing the complex feedback loops between land loss and human mobility. For example, in Nepal, the impacts of DLDD on internal displacement and international labor migration are underexplored, especially in relation to gender, youth, and social protection. Research on the mobility outcomes of people who migrate to cities or overseas due to DLDD in Nepal is also still emerging, with notable gaps in understanding the long-term impacts on livelihoods, wellbeing, and integration. Migration outcomes in Nepal are complex due to the dual nature of mobility: internal migration to urban centers and international labor migration, including to Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC) and to Southeast Asia. Remittances from overseas migrants can support rural development, including investments in agriculture and education. Yet, the impacts on urban migrants, especially those displaced by environmental stressors, are less well understood. There is a lack of systematic data on how these migrants fare in terms of employment, housing, and social inclusion in urban settings. Moreover, the gendered dimensions of migration, such as the feminization of agriculture and shifting household roles, are underexplored in urban contexts. A broader systematic review of climate migration literature highlights that while Asia is one of the most studied regions, there is very little research on the livelihood outcomes of climate migrants in their destination areas, especially in urban environments. Most studies focus on drivers of migration rather than the post-migration experience, leaving a gap in understanding how migrants adapt, access services, and contribute to urban economies. There is also limited exploration of policy responses to support migrant integration, such as housing, employment programs, or mental health services. Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing Migration, Environment, Climate Change and Risk Reduction Department, Under the direct supervision of the Head of Migration, Environment, Climate Change and Risk Reduction Department, and in close collaboration with other IOM and UN Habitat experts and thematic specialists at global regional levels

Responsibilities

The consultant will support the production of a case study on the impacts of desertification, land degradation, and drought on migration patterns and mobility outcomes in Nepal. This involves collaborating with IOM and UN Habitat experts to analyze the socio-environmental impacts of climate change on traditional livelihoods.