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Nairobi · KenyaFree to read
Social Sciences

Migration Policy Analyst

Analyses migration trends and develops policy recommendations for governments and international organisations. Researches labour migration, refugee protection, diaspora engagement and the economic impacts of migration. Designs policy frameworks and advises on migration governance.

AI exposure
37 of 100, low exposure
Hiring trend
Rising
Hiring rate
38%

The role

What the work is, what it pays, and what it costs you.

At a glance

Remote friendly
Yes
Freelance potential
High
Time to senior
8 years
Adaptation level
Moderate

A day in the role

Analyses remittance flow data from the Central Bank, reviews a draft migration policy, interviews returning migrants about reintegration challenges, and briefs government officials on diaspora engagement.

What it pays

Kenyan market, per month
Entry
KES 85,000-125,000
Mid
KES 160,000-270,000
Senior
KES 320,000-550,000

Exposure

How much of this a machine can already do, and how that was worked out.

Where this rating sits

1,516 rated careers
37
lowmoderatehigh
020406080100

Rated above 40% of the 1,516 careers in the catalogue, which averages 43. Inside social sciences the mean is 41, across 88 careers.

What the rating is made of

Share of recorded tasks
Machine does it
8%Software can already complete this work end to end.
Machine assists
28%A person still decides, but the drafting is done for them.
Person does it
64%Judgement, relationships and accountability that do not transfer.

Named task by task

Already automated

  • Analysing migration flow data and demographic patterns
  • Generating policy brief drafts and situation reports
  • Producing demographic projections and data visualisations
  • Detecting migration trend patterns from large datasets

Still human

  • Conducting migration policy research and analysis
  • Advising governments on migration governance and legal frameworks
  • Designing labour migration programmes and refugee protection policies
  • Engaging with diaspora communities and migrant associations
  • Writing policy recommendations and strategic advocacy messages
  • Coordinating with AU, RECs, IOM, UNHCR and national governments
  • Producing high-quality analytical reports for technical and non-technical audiences

Getting in

The routes into the role and what each one asks for.

What to study

8 courses

How people get in

  • International relations or sociology degree

    4 yearsHigh cost

    BA from UoN, USIU or UoN Institute of Diplomacy

  • Migration studies postgrad

    1-2 yearsHigh cost

    MA Migration Studies or equivalent

Who hires

  • IOM Kenya
  • UNHCR Kenya
  • AMADPOC
  • Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  • KNBS

Common misconceptions

  • Migration policy is about border control

    It covers labour migration, refugee protection, diaspora engagement, return and reintegration, and the development potential of migration.

  • Migration is a problem to solve

    Migration is a normal human phenomenon — good policy maximises benefits and reduces risks.

What happens next

How the role changes from here, and where it leads.

Supply and demand

Demand
38
Supply pressure
8
Balance
High demand

What to learn

  • Migration data analysis
  • Policy brief writing
  • Refugee protection frameworks

Kenyan market notes

IOM Programme Officer (Migration Governance): $52,000-$72,000/year. IOM Protection Analyst: $52,000-$72,000/year. IOM consultancy roles: $47,000-$77,000/year. Kenya hosts 700,000+ refugees from Somalia, South Sudan and DRC. IOM and UNHCR have regional offices in Nairobi. AMADPOC is a key migration research centre at UoN. Masters degree preferred with 2-5 years experience. Key skills: migration policy analysis, data collection tools, quantitative/qualitative analysis, advocacy messaging, stakeholder engagement. AU-ILO-IOM-GIZ Joint Labour Migration Programme (JLMP) operates across Africa. Diaspora remittances contribute ~4% of Kenyas GDP.

Further reading

Keep this

This role is rated 37 out of 100 today. Save it and the app keeps that number, then tells you by how much it has moved when the record is next reviewed.