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

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. 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 Migration. Duty 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 programmes Project Context and Scope: Georgia 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. Roles and Responsibilities: The international consultant, in close collaboration with a national consultant, will undertake the following tasks: 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. Develop a detailed workplan and timeline for the assignment, including: Sequencing of activities and key milestones; Stakeholder consultation plan and indicative schedule; 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. 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); In cooperation with the national consultant participate in stakeholder consultations, to ensure alignment and stakeholder ownership. 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). 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). In cooperation with the national consultant assess the alignment of identified occupations with the existing VET system in Georgia. 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. 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. Present and validate findings with stakeholders, including: Presentation of key findings at validation workshop; Incorporation of stakeholder feedback into final outputs. Submit final deliverables, including: A comprehensive labour market assessment report; A concise summary brief highlighting key findings and recommendations.

How to Apply:
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.