Development of a research paper on “Enhancing Circular Pathways in the GCC for Green Transition"

Job DescriptionProject Context and Scope: The consultant will develop a research paper on the design of a regional model that capitalizes on migrant human resources by facilitating circular pathways and skills development in CoO and CoD, while promoting a rights-based approach to labour migration. This research will be conducted within the context of the growing GCC demand for green skills driven by economic diversification and the need to address climate-influenced mobility from the Asia-GCC corridor – both for foreign workers as well as GCC nationals.The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries host a significant global migrant population, with over 70 per cent originating from Asian countries, including India, Bangladesh, and the Philippines. Driven by a quest to diversify their economies beyond oil, GCC nations are seeking a dynamic workforce to power new industries, including areas like renewable energies, e-government, and digitalization. This economic shift requires specific skill sets and "fresh and often foreign skills". The need for skilled workers in renewable energies directly links the GCC's labour demand to global climate mitigation strategies.The research focuses on two interlinked streams to facilitate the mobility, skilling, and protection of migrants while addressing labour market needs.Stream 1: Policy and Governance AnalysisThis Scoping Study Will Examine Existing Legislative, Regulatory, And Policy Frameworks And The Structural Reforms Needed For Effective Circular Mobility. The Analysis Will Be Expanded To Include Financial And Protection Mechanisms Related To Climate MobilityHarmonization of regional skills and qualification recognition frameworks will specifically assess the requirements and validation of green skills and qualifications for diversification sectors.Minimum common labour standards and conditions will be analyzed to ensure legislative frameworks provide adequate protection and flexibility for workers whose mobility may be influenced by climate-related environmental pressures.Stream 2: Global Mapping and Regional Platform ModelThis stream maps existing initiatives (like Singapore's Skills Future Initiative or the EU Talent Pool) to develop a model for an online regional circular pathways platform for job matching, skilling, and protection within the GCC.Mapping: The global mapping will include identifying successful models that link labour mobility and skills development with financial instruments and sustainable investment, seeking out initiatives that incorporate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards.Platform Design: The platform model, functioning as a "Green Talent Pool," will incorporate functionalities for tracking green skills and recommending relevant training modules for blue and white collar jobs for foreign workers and GCC nationals. Strategic Alignment: Beyond the national contexts, the Gulf region has been taking more prominence on the global development and geopolitical stage. This aligns with the Executive Bureau's strategic goal of increasing research and studies in labor and social policies. It also supports Pillars 2 and 3 of the GCC labor committees' strategy for 2025-2029.The Gulf countries’ participation in regional and global policy dialogues and processes that focus on migration and broader megatrends offers fertile grounds for IOM to strengthen its rapport with the GCC and facilitate the region’s growing engagement with migration.Global Compact for Migration (GCM): The engagement directly advances GCM Objective 5 (to enhance availability and flexibility of pathways for regular migration) as it fosters dialogue on best practices to implement the Global Compact for Migration (GCM)Abu Dhabi Dialogue (ADD): The research is strategically linked to the ADD Research Programme.Alignment On Green Transition And Financial MechanismGreen Skills Focus: The research paper will look into the regional skills harmonization process to specifically assess the requirements and validation of green skills and qualifications. Climate Mobility: The research explicitly links the Asia-GCC corridor to Theme 1: “Climate Change and Labor Mobility,” highlighting the need to analyze legislative frameworks to protect workers whose mobility is influenced by climate-related environmental pressures.