Local Consultant -Type B Regional Initiative on Human Mobility Due To Desertification, Land Degradation and Drought

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

  Tasks to be performed under this contract
 

1. A case study reviewing DLDD and human mobility in Nepal, in particular on: 
2. The interactions between DLDD, as well as other factors such as policy settings, on the migration of herder communities and small-holder subsistence farmers, focusing on the drivers of mobility; and
3. The impacts of that mobility, especially of vulnerable groups of people moving from rural to urban areas (including subsistence smallholder farmers, marginalized communities and minorities), focusing on the outcomes of mobility, including migrants’ socio-economic outcomes in places of destination.

   The case study should also develop recommendations for further research in this area, and for specific interventions and initiatives to support improved mobility outcomes.   Performance indicators for the evaluation of results

4. Deliverables submitted according to timelines outlined below. 
5. Quality of the deliverables according to the tasks outlined below.
6. Final version of the deliverables submitted reflect inputs of parties consulted.  Deliverable Delivery Date
7. Draft outline of case study One week from commencement of consultancy
8. Draft case study and recommendations for IOM and UN Habitat review and inputs Four weeks from approval of draft outline
9. Final case study and recommendations Four weeks from receipt of inputs on draft issue brief (no later than 8 December 2025) Education
10. Master’s degree in a relevant subject (political or social sciences, international relations, migration, environment, law, or a related field) with 5 years of relevant professional experience.  Experience
11. Experience in the design and implementation of research projects, evaluations or other institutional reviews; 
12. Knowledge of thematic issues including migration and climate change, or planned relocation an advantage; 
13. Familiarity and experience with UN system / IOM an advantage.  Skills
14. Excellent research, analytical, coordination and liaison skills, including experience with literature/desk reviews; 
15. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.  Languages
16. Fluency in English language is required.  IOM’s official languages are English, French and Spanish. Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.   Travel required
17. Travel is not required. Required Competencies   IOM’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 three values:
18. Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.