Introduction

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations and the leading UN agency in the field of migration. Working closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners, IOM promotes humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It saves lives and protects people on the move, drives solutions to displacement, and facilitates pathways for regular migration, while providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

IOM is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive and supportive workplace where all employees can thrive professionally and feel valued. By creating such an environment, IOM aims to better harness the full potential of migration and strengthen its support to people on the move.

IOM invites candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply and provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process when required. Learn more about IOM’s workplace culture at IOM workplace culture.

Project Context and Scope

The International Organization for Migration (IOM), in cooperation with Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the governments of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, is implementing the project “Cross-border Health Security Partnership between the Republic of Tajikistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan”, launched in September 2026 under the ADB Technical Assistance entitled: Addressing Health Threats in Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Countries and the Caucasus. The project responds to persistent public health risks, including insufficient coordination between countries, gaps in disease surveillance and data exchange, and limited understanding of the health vulnerabilities of migrants and mobile populations. The proposed project foresees activities along the economic corridor Khujand-Tashkent, more specifically in the area of the Points of Entry "Fotehobod", district Mastchoh (Tajikistan) and "Oybek", district Bekabad (Uzbekistan).

Under the project, the health needs assessment of vulnerable groups and mobile populations (including migrant workers) in border communities near these Points of Entry is envisioned. Topics to cover are health profiles (including self-reported morbidity in particular chronic diseases) and socioeconomic status including mobility, barriers to receiving health services, health needs, the impact of infectious disease (chronic and/or outbreaks) on livelihoods and human mobility dimensions of communicable disease, and sex-differentiated effects of chronic infectious disease and/or outbreaks. The assessment will generate evidence on the health needs, vulnerabilities, barriers to access, and service gaps affecting vulnerable groups and mobile populations, including migrant workers, in border communities. The findings will help identify priority areas for intervention and inform practical measures to strengthen mobility-sensitive and migrant-inclusive primary health care services, improve community-based communicable disease prevention and response, and enhance access to appropriate health services for migrants, mobile populations, and host communities.

Objective

The overall objective of this assignment is to conduct a mixed-method (qualitative and quantitative) needs assessment of vulnerable groups and mobile populations, including migrant workers, in selected border communities of Tajikistan / Uzbekistan in order to generate evidence on their health needs, vulnerabilities, health-related risks, barriers to accessing health services, and priority concerns.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Tasks to be performed under this contract

Under the overall supervision of IOM Uzbekistan and IOM Tajikistan and in coordination with the international consultant, the National Consultant will perform the following tasks:

• Review, support the contextualization and translation (to Uzbek/Tajik/Russian) of the mixed-method assessment methodology and data collection tools, including the assessment scope and indicators, sampling approach, data collection framework, data quality assurance procedures, analytical methodology, structured questionnaires for border communities and mobile populations, in cooperation with international consultant and in consultation with IOM and relevant stakeholders.
• In cooperation with the Bilateral Task Force Group (BTFG), conduct stock-taking and desk review of border health and cross-border assessments, and map and identify key border communities and key vulnerable groups along the mobility corridor between the Points of Entry "Fotehobod" and "Oybek".
• Conduct a capacity development exercise on the data collection tools and the use of KoboToolbox for the BTFG;
• Support the planning and organization of field activities, including identification of selected border communities, consultation and coordination with relevant authorities such as primary health care, customs, border, veterinary or phytosanitary authorities, local NGOs, community leaders, in the selected border areas and along mobility corridors.
• Conduct an assessment using the agreed methodology and tools, including KoboToolbox, comprising of interviews, focus group discussions and consultations with relevant authorities, vulnerable and mobile populations in selected border communities and along mobility corridors.
• Clean, organize and validate quantitative and qualitative data collected through the assessment, identify data gaps or inconsistencies, and provide validated data to the International Consultant for further analysis.
• Prepare a field assessment report summarizing field activities, key observations, preliminary findings, challenges and country-specific issues identified during the assessment and provide inputs to the International Consultant for preparation of the overall assessment report.
• Participate in coordination and technical meetings with IOM, the International Consultant, government counterparts and other relevant stakeholders, and provide periodic progress updates throughout the assignment and present preliminary and final assessment findings, recommendations and priority actions as required.
• Develop a joint strategy on reducing health risks among the most vulnerable populations in border areas (women, older persons, children, persons with disability, and migrant and mobile populations) from chronic diseases and/or infectious disease outbreaks and incorporate inputs of the BTFG and international consultant.

Deliverables

• First deliverable: Completed field assessment report, summarizing field activities, key observations, preliminary findings, challenges and country-specific issues identified during the assessment and provide inputs to the International Consultant for preparation of the overall assessment report. 10 days, deliverable by 20 November 2026.
• Second deliverable: Draft health needs assessment report, including analysis of findings, identified gaps and bottlenecks, preliminary recommendations and priority actions, prepared in coordination with the International Consultant - First instalment payment - 5 days, deliverable by 25 December 2026.
• Third deliverable: Finalized health needs assessment report, prepared in coordination with the International Consultant, including final recommendations and prioritized actions and a joint strategy on reducing health risks among the most vulnerable populations in border areas. - Second and final instalment payment - 5 days, deliverable by 15 March 2027.

Submission of application

Interested candidates are requested to submit the following:

• A detailed and up-to-date CV.
• Samples of previous similar work.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• University degree in Health Sciences, including public health, epidemiology and other relevant disciplines.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience in public health research, preferably on epidemiology, communicable diseases, IHR and border health.

Experience

• Demonstrated experience in conducting or supporting needs assessments, health facility assessments, or similar public health assessments.
• Demonstrated experience in communicable disease prevention and control, International Health Regulations (IHR 2005), public health emergency preparedness, infection prevention and control (IPC), and/or border health is an asset.
• Knowledge of and experience with relevant WHO health facility assessment tools and methodologies, including tools for assessing health service availability and readiness.
• Experience in adapting and applying assessment methodologies, questionnaires and other data collection tools, and in collecting and analysing quantitative and qualitative health data.
• Experience in data collection and management using KoboToolbox or similar digital data collection platforms is an asset.
• Good analytical and report-writing skills, with experience in contributing to health-related assessment and analytical reports.
• Demonstrated experience working with international organizations, government institutions and other relevant stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience working in cross-border, migration or mobility-related health contexts, including with migrant and mobile populations, is an asset.

Skills

• Proficiency in quantitative and qualitative research methods, data collection, data management and analysis.
• Ability to engage and coordinate effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders, including public health authorities, border authorities, health service providers, international organizations, and migrant and mobile populations.
• Strong analytical, report-writing, communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.

Languages

For this consultancy, fluency in written and oral English, Uzbek/Tajik and Russian is required.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Required Competencies

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.

Values

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
• Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
• Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
• Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

Core Competencies

• Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
• Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Notes

IOM covers Consultants against occupational accidents and illnesses under the Compensation Plan (CP), free of charge, for the duration of the consultancy. IOM does not provide evacuation or medical insurance for reasons related to non-occupational accidents and illnesses. Consultants are responsible for their own medical insurance for non-occupational accident or illness and will be required to provide written proof of such coverage before commencing work.

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, security clearances.

IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities.

IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.

IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment system (for internal candidates link here). The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.

No late applications will be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies.