Research study on secondary movements and mobility patterns within the European Union, focusing on Sweden as a destination

Duty Station of the Consultancy: **Home-based for RO Vienna, Austria**
Duration of the Consultancy: **July 1, 2026 - February 5, 2027**
Nature of the consultancy: **To conduct research on secondary movements and mobility patterns within the European Union, with a focus on Sweden as a destination. Category B Consultancy.**

**Project Scope and Context:**

Established in 1951, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is the leading intergovernmental organization in the field of migration and works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non governmental partners. IOM is committed to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. This is achieved through the provision of services and advice to governments and migrants.

Europe continues to experience evolving migration dynamics across interconnected routes, with increasing evidence of secondary movements within the European Union, including onward migration toward Nordic countries such as Sweden. While existing data provides insights into initial migration intentions, EU entry channels, and known migrant populations in Sweden, there remains limited understanding of how and why some migrants alter their intended destinations after departure, during transit or after residence in another EU country.

This research is situated within IOM’s Route-Based Approach (RBA), which emphasizes a comprehensive understanding of migration dynamics across origin, transit, and destination countries. Key corridors of interest include the Central Mediterranean route, the Eastern Mediterranean/Western Balkans route, and the Central Asia–Nordics corridor. Findings from previous research indicate that migration trajectories are often non-linear, with migrants frequently residing in or transiting through multiple countries before reaching their intended destination.

To address these knowledge gaps, IOM will conduct research on secondary movements within the EU, focusing on migration routes, key inflection points and shifts in intentions along the migration journey, decision-making processes, and the role of irregular migration networks in shaping onward movement to Sweden. The study will generate evidence to support policy development and operational programming.

To this end, IOM will hire a research consultant, who will assist IOM to conduct desk analysis and research design, collect and process primary data through key-informant interviews and interviews with migrants, and analyse findings in a final written report.

IOM will mainstream gender throughout the project design, implementation, and reporting. The collection, storing and handling of data will be done in full compliance with IOM's Data Protection Principles.

**Objective:**

Under the overall coordination of the IOM Regional Office (Data and Research Unit) in Vienna, Austria, and under the direct supervision of the relevant project manager, the consultant will lead the design and implementation of a mixed-methods research study on secondary movements to Sweden.

The consultant will generate evidence-based insights into migration trajectories, drivers, and factors associated with onward movements within the EU, with a particular focus on Sweden as a destination. The consultant will undertake the following main deliverables:

- Lead the research work and ensure timely deliverables of the indicated tasks and close coordination with IOM during the whole period of research.
- Using the IOM approved data collection tools, conduct desk-analysis, key informant-interviews with relevant stakeholders, and in-depth-interviews with migrants.
- Draft and finalize report based on obtained findings, including the result of desk-analysis and interviews.
- Develop the final report in line with IOM brand guidelines.