Background
The KAS Regional Programme Gulf States in cooperation with the Gulf Labour Markets, Migration, and Population (GLMM) Programme at the Gulf Research Center (GRC) are implementing the second phase of their joint research project titled, “Stepwise and Return Migration between the Gulf, Europe, and North America.” This measure follows the first phase focused on “Highly Skilled Migration to the Gulf States: How Do GCC Countries Fare in the Global Competition for Talent?” This measure aims to investigate the evolving transnational migration patterns of non-Gulf highly skilled professionals who relocate from countries within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to Europe (Germany, France, and the United Kingdom) and North America (the United States and Canada). In a number of cases, these professionals subsequently return to the Gulf, either permanently or as part of cyclical or onward migration processes. The project will comprehensively explore the diversity of migration experiences by analysing various forms of mobility, including repeated migration, secondary migration, serial migration, onward movement, and stepwise migration. In addition, it will examine the structure and direction of these movements through an assessment of different migration trajectories: linear, circular, lateral, and hierarchical. By mapping these patterns and trajectories, the project seeks to generate deeper insights into the motivations, strategies, and outcomes associated with highly skilled migration between the Gulf, Europe, and North America, while also contributing to evidence-based policy discussions on talent mobility, return migration, and labour market dynamics across these regions.
1. Tasks
The contractor will be responsible for the following:
- Collect and organise statistics, legal and policy material, and other relevant information from the authors’ papers and external sources (as suggested by the project’s directors).
- Prepare relevant legal material for uploading into the GLMM database.
- Assist in the construction of statistical tables (if relevant).
- Updating and expanding the bibliography compiled during the first phase of the project in (2024), incorporating references from project authors' papers as well as relevant external sources.
2. Deliverables
- A compiled and regularly updated bibliography, including references and hyperlinks to all relevant sources (project papers and external materials)
- A curated collection of organised legal and policy documents
- A set of curated statistical sources and materials, organised by country and theme
- Draft statistical tables or data summaries, if applicable, based on inputs from project authors and sourced datasets
3. Timeline
• The contractor will provide monthly updates to KAS and the GLMM starting from 1 June 2025 and continuing until 1 November 2025.
4. Contract and Renumeration
• The selected contractor will sign a contract with KAS Regional Programme Gulf States. This contract does not constitute employment with the programme but is for the purpose outlined in these ToRs only.
• Contractors should submit a quote for delivery of the bibliography.
5. Qualifications
• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree (BA) in a relevant discipline; a Master’s degree (MA) is preferred
• Proven knowledge of labour markets and migration in the Gulf
• Preferably, knowledge of onward migration from the Gulf
• Preferably, familiarity with (highly skilled) migration to France, Germany, the UK, Canada, and the United States
• Fluency in English, both written and spoken
• Preferably, good command of Arabic
• Experience with Microsoft Excel
• Preferably based in the Gulf region
6. Applications
• Applications should include a CV and at least one relevant writing sample (e.g., a previously published policy brief or/and research paper) and a quote for the delivery of the bibliography.
• Applications should be submitted to: gulf@kas.de
• Deadline for receiving applications: 06 May 2025
