Project Context and Scope
This home-based, remote consultancy aims to support IOM Denmark and IOM Finlandโs engagement with the private sector, primarily Confederation of Danish Industry (DI) and Helsinki Region Chamber of Commerce as well as other industry groups and their members, to develop country-level Road Maps for private sector collaboration.
Background:
In Denmark: Recently, the Danish government announced easing access for foreign workers from 16 countries1. This decision is a result of negotiation between Danish Employersโ Association (DA) and the Danish Trade Union Confederation (FH). It is based on the needs of Danish employers and opens an opportunity to explore safe and orderly labour pathways to Denmark based on selected labour mobility corridors identified as per employer operational needs, existing regulatory and operation context in Denmark and targeted origin countries.
Employers in Denmark welcome the decision and expressed interest in the new scheme. At the same time this reality is new to them. Currently the employers are beginning to look into practical implementation; considering opportunities, issues and potential challenges, as well as the potential and impact a well-designed and organized implementation of the scheme can bring.
In recent discussions, DI expressed interest to collaborate with IOM Denmark to assist them to work out the details of implementation. Other employer groups in Denmark are also interested.
In Finland: The Finnish government has strengthened its strategic approach to attracting international talent through the Talent Boost programme, which aims to facilitate the recruitment of skilled workers from abroad. The initiative focuses on key sectors facing labour shortages, such as technology, health and social care, and export-driven industries. Under the 2023โ2027 action plan, the government has also identified selected third countriesโincluding India, Brazil, Vietnam, and the Philippinesโas priority partners for international recruitment efforts. This approach is grounded in the operational needs of Finnish employers and aims to develop safe and orderly labour mobility pathways aligned with Finlandโs economic and demographic objectives.
Employers in Finland have welcomed the programmeโs ambitions, but practical implementation is still evolving. Many companies are now exploring how to effectively engage with international talent pipelines, assessing both the opportunities and the challenges associated with long-term recruitment and retention of foreign professionals. There is growing interest in the support measures offered through Talent Boost, such as streamlined permit processing, onboarding support, and services for international families.
In recent dialogues, Finnish employer organizations have expressed interest in cooperating with IOM Finland and other stakeholders to further develop and implement practical tools and partnerships that will support the success of the Talent Boost programme. This includes identifying good practices, tackling administrative bottlenecks, and building capacity to ensure that international recruitment efforts are sustainable, inclusive, and well-integrated into the Finnish labour market.
Objective
IOM Denmark and IOM Finland, with the support of IOMโs Private Sector Partnerships team (under the Office of Partnerships, Advocacy and Communications) plan to commission a consultancy to support engagement with these private sector actors to identify the practical avenues of support IOM can provide to prospective employers of migrant workers in these countries. The objectives of this consultancy are as follows:
employers and their associations/Chambers โ complete with key milestones; products needed; and an
engagement and communications plan. Develop a highly practical and Operational Guide aimed at employers, to support their efforts in the
hiring of migrant workers. It is envisaged that this consultancy will therefore contribute to
strengthening IOMโs positioning with private sector actors as a leading technical and operational
partner.
The candidates are required to submit a short (maximum 2 pages) concept note describing past relevant experience and their approach in implementing the consultancy as part of the application process.ย
Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing The consultant will have a dual reporting line:First line administrative reporting: Programme and Liaison Officer of IOM Denmark and Head of Office
IOM Finland for respective engagement in each country, which is expected to be divided 50/50 Second line reporting: Division Head, PSP HQ (delegated to MBHR/PSP Unit) for overall technical
coordination and alignment with IOM Strategic Plan and relevant parts of private sector strategy Tasks to be performed under this contractย Engagement Framework and Specific Tasks Support IOM Denmark office in consultations with DI and other industry groups and employer associations in Denmark as well as FH, to explore areas of collaboration and in particular in the context of recently announced labour mobility scheme to attract migrant workers for number of selected countries.Support IOM Finland office in follow up consultations with Finish Chamber of Commerce and other industry groups and employer associations in Finland to explore areas of collaboration and in the context of existing labour mobility schemes and opportunities which are already opened by Finish authorities.Map out the landscape of relevant stakeholders to be engaged with.Identify the needs and challenges private sector, in particular in relation to implementation of these labour mobility corridors, and identify priority industries.Analyze the landscape of players in Denmark and Finland respectively and globally to identify IOMโs
comparative advantage vis a vis other actors Danish and Finish private sector could partner with on
this topic.Consult internally with relevant IOM offices the potential for implementation.Develop (draft, consult and finalize) a road map for partnership with DI and other employer groups in Denmark related to implementation of the scheme and any other areas of collaboration.Develop (draft, consult and finalize) a road map for partnership with Finish Chamber of Commerce and other employer groups in Finland related to implementation of existing schemes and any other identified areas of collaboration.Develop short summary overview legal and operational context in Denmark and Finland and in selected countries of origin, as agreed in the roadmap, based on needs and relevance to DI and Finish Chamber of Commerce (can be one summary overview with two sections of two separate ones for
Finland and Denmark).Develop first draft of a practical Operational Guide on Accessing Labour Pathways aimed at employers for how to operationalize hiring of migrant workers, aligned with relevant new/existing legislation.Identify select number of countries of origin (possibly in tier approach based on identified priority countries) from the list identified by Danish authorities, with which DI and other employers are interested to engage and IOM can support with.Identify select number of countries of origin from the ones already identified by Finish authorities, with which Finish Chamber of Commerce and other employers in Finland are interested to engage and IOM can support with.Develop short summary overview legal and operational context in Denmark and Finland and in selected countries of origin, as agreed in the roadmap, based on needs and relevance to DI and Finish Chamber of Commerce (can be one summary overview with two sections of two separate ones for Finland and Denmark).Through the road map document identify various areas of interest for closer collaboration with DI and Finish Chamber of Commerce, and other employer groups in Denmark and Finland, respectively with the potential for MoU between DI and IOM and between Finish Chamber of Commerce and IOM.Performance indicators for the evaluation of resultsย Measurable Outputs of the Work Assignment Draft work plan for the assignment approved.Develop Roadmap for DenmarkDevelop Roadmap for FinlandSummary presentation of Roadmaps prepared, presented and shared with DI and Finish Chamber of Commerce, as Opportunities for collaboration: with outline of key directions of partnership model.Produce first draft Operational Guide on Accessing Labour Pathways for Employers in Finland & Denmark to hire migrantsSummary overview document of legal and operational context in Denmark and in Finland and selected origin countries as agreed with DI and Finish Chamber of Commerce. Languagesย IOMโs official languages are English, French and Spanish.For this position, fluency inย English is required (oral and written).Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.ย Travel required
To fulfil the requirements of this consultancy, the Consultant will be required to travel to Finland and Denmark to support Country Office teams in their ongoing engagement with the identified partners. The exact timing of the travel of Consultant can be discussed to ensure best outcomes. All necessary travel to Finland or Denmark should be budgeted as part of the total consultancy agreement. These are expected to include at a minimum:
Initial meetings with IOM Country teams, as well as with relevant private sector partnersMid-term: check in with Country teams on the development of the Engagement Roadmap; and with partners to validate direction of the Operational Guide under developmentFinal interactive workshop to discuss Operational Guide with partners.Required Competenciesย IOMโs competency framework can be found atย this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.ย Values - all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these three 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 Competenciesย โ 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 Organizationโs 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 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, verification of residency, visa, and authorizations by the concerned Government, where applicable.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.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 online recruitment system. The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website:ย IOM Careers and Job Vacancies