Title: Researcher Consultant

Number of Consultants: 1

Country Program: IRC, Thailand

Proposed Dates: As soon as possible

Duration: 1 August - 30 September 2025

Application Deadline: 6 August 2025

Background of the project

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, IRC is at work in over 40 countries and 26 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. IRC has been operating in Thailand since 1975 and currently provides essential services to displaced persons in Tak, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi and Mae Hong Son provinces. Assistance programs encompass health, education, institutional capacity building, gender-based violence prevention, water and sanitation, income generation, advocacy, protection, legal assistance, and resettlement.

IRC Thailand has prioritized expanding its advocacy efforts to enhance the acceptance and integration of refugees within host communities. This initiative specifically targets local authorities and representatives of the business sector to promote refugees' access to employment opportunities, healthcare, and legal services. Thailand's advocacy includes advocate for national policy changes to grant refugees the right to work, integrate refugee services into national healthcare policy, and establish an administrative system for refugees and migrants.

This consultancy focuses on exploring the modalities and potential impacts of allowing refugees to safely access employment in the host country. The objective of the research is to assess the feasibility of refugee employment from an economic perspective and to propose a suitable employment model for camp-based refugees, in consultation with key stakeholders, including the National Security Council (NSC).

The outcome of this research will include a detailed analysis of:

• The current status of refugees’ income-generating activities,

• The local context in which refugees can contribute positively,

• The characteristics of an enabling environment that supports safe local economic growth for both refugees and host communities, and

• Potential advantages and disadvantages on host communities result from expanded refugee employment opportunities.

• Potential employment opportunities accepting refugees as the workforce

The research will also provide recommendations to the Thai government on how to develop and

Implement policies that benefit both refugees and host communities, with the intention of integrating these findings into national policy.

Main Research Question: “How does refugee employment contribute to the economy and strengthen labor market in Thailand

Other questions include:

• Employment feasibility: What are the current employment opportunities for camp-based refugees in Thailand? (What is demanded by the private sector and what is currently supplied by the workforce: economic sectors, occupational profiles, employer-offered benefits,)

• Qualification and skills of workforce: Currently, what are the occupations in which refugees can quickly seek employment.

• Law and regulations: How can the authorization of refugee employment be enacted by the Thai Government.

• Employment model for camp-based refugees: What is the employment model for camp-based refugees in Thailand? (the proposed sandbox of refugee employment, the criteria or requirements for work, the recruitment and employment system including job offer or quota for working positions, protection system, monitoring, remedy and complaints system, risk assessment).

• Risk mitigation of refugee employment: What are significant concerns or challenges occurred from the camp-based refugee employment in Thailand?

• Financial Access to Refugees: accessibility for refugees to financial institution in Thailand

Scope of work

Under the overall guidance of the Deputy Director of Programs, and direct supervision of National Advocacy Focal, the researcher will focus on the analysis of the feasibility of camp-based refugee employment in two camps namely Tham Hin camp in Ratchaburi province and Mae La in Tak Province. The consultant will be responsible for designing research methodologies, developing research toots for data collection, analysis, consultation with the research committee, key stakeholders and report presentation. Main findings of the research will be presented to the research committee before writing the final report.

Deliverables

1. Deliverable 1: Desk review, methodology and tools designs, implementation workplan, stakeholder mapping

   • Conduct desk review

   • Design research methodology and tools and workplan and stakeholder mapping

   • Submit a report on desk review, research methodology and tools, implementation workplan and stakeholder mapping

2. Deliverable 2: Consultation meeting with key stakeholders and field visit (if any)

   • Conduct consultation meeting with key stakeholders

   • Field visit (if any)

3. Deliverable 3: Draft Report and presentation to the research committee, the IRC and key stakeholders

   • Submit draft report to the research committee

   • Present preliminary findings, recommendations and the proposed employment model to the research committee, the IRC and key stakeholders and incorporate the feedback to the report

4. Deliverable 4: Final report and conference with the research committee, the IRC and key stakeholders

   • Submit final report in English

Payment Rate and Schedule

Deliverables

1. Desk review, methodology and tools designs, implementation workplan, stakeholder mapping

• Conduct desk review

• Design research methodology and tools and workplan and stakeholder mapping

• Submit a report on desk review, research methodology and tools, implementation workplan and stakeholder mapping
  Number of Dates: 5

2. Consultation meeting with key stakeholders and field visit

• Conduct consultation meeting with key stakeholders

• Field visit (if any)
  Number of Dates: 8

3. Draft Report and presentation to the research committee, the IRC and key stakeholders

• Submit draft report to the research committee

• Present preliminary findings, recommendations and the proposed employment model to the research committee, the IRC and key stakeholders and incorporate the feedback to the report
  Number of Dates: 6

4. Final report and conference with the research committee, the IRC and key stakeholders.

• Submit final report in English

• Organize the conference with the research committee and the key Stakeholders.
  Number of Dates: 6

Total 25 days

The consultant will manage the transportation and accommodation on their own, IRC will not cover transportation and accommodation.

The assignment shall commence and shall conclude no later than 30th September, after which this contract will expire.

The payment will be made as follows:

• 25% after submission and approval of the first deliverable.

• 25% after submission and approval of the second deliverable.

• 25% after submission and approval of the third deliverable.

• 25% after submission and approval of the fourth deliverable.

IRC may withhold for taxes 3% as required by law and shall provide withholding certificates to the contractor

Requirements:

Academic Qualifications/Education:

At least, master’s degree in economics, political science, social science or in other field of study relevant to this job. Advanced degrees in these fields are an advantage.

Experience:

• At least 5 years of relevant working experience in economic analysis, research, and policy advocacy, with a strong focus on conducting research on economic or social science in related topics

• Ability to engage with a wide rage of stakeholders including government officials, local government officials, NGOs, community groups

• Sound experience in liaising with governmental and non-governmental organizations

• Strong project management skills, ability to manage timelines, deliverables and resources effectively.

• Capacity to produce high-quality brief and reports in English

Skills:

• Excellent analytical skills and ability to write concisely and clearly.

• Excellent computer skills (MS Office applications) and ability to use other relevant information technologies

• Outstanding organizational skills and ability to work efficiently within short time frames

• Strong interpersonal skills

Languages Requirements:

Fluency in written and spoken English and Thai is required for this assignment.

Standard of Professional Conduct:

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding (including PSEAH, Adult Safeguarding and Child Safeguarding), Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

How to apply

If you are interested, please submit your resume to the below email address.

Contact : Thailand.HR@rescue.org