The posting
Job Description
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 | International Organization for Migration
Project Context and Scope
This consultancy contributes to the implementation of the “Central Asia Safe Migration” project funded by the UK Integrated Security Fund (ISF), which aims to reduce migrants’ vulnerability to exploitation, recruitment fraud, and unsafe migration while supporting sustainable reintegration for returning migrants across Central Asia. In the context of this consultancy, reintegration refers to the sustainable re-establishment of returning migrants in their communities through economic, social and psychosocial support measures that enable them to resume productive lives and contribute to national development. Effective reintegration extends beyond return itself and encompasses access to employment and livelihoods, recognition and utilization of skills acquired abroad, financial inclusion, social inclusion, and appropriate health and psychosocial support. As migration and return dynamics continue to evolve in Tajikistan, there is a growing need for evidence-based policies and coordinated programmes that address the diverse needs of returning migrants. IOM supports this objective through research, assessments, direct assistance, skills development and recognition, employment support, financial inclusion initiatives, and mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS). It also promotes a positive narrative around migration, recognising the valuable skills, experience and networks that migrants bring back to Tajikistan.
In this context, the National Consultant will provide a comprehensive assessment of existing frameworks, institutional arrangements, stakeholder roles, service delivery capacities and gaps in support, while identifying opportunities to strengthen sustainable reintegration outcomes through enhanced coordination and engagement with public institutions, civil society and the private sector. As a minimum, the assessment should cover:
- Relevant national institutions, policies, strategies, programmes, coordination mechanisms, and service delivery frameworks related to migrant return and reintegration in Tajikistan.
- Key government and non-government stakeholders involved in reintegration planning and service provision, including institutions responsible for labour migration, employment, social protection, vocational education and training, local government, financial inclusion, health services, civil society, private sector engagement and international development partners.
- Existing reintegration programmes, referral pathways and support services available to returning migrants, including employment assistance, skills recognition and certification, entrepreneurship support, social assistance, psychosocial support and community-based reintegration initiatives, with particular attention to their accessibility, eligibility requirements, institutional coverage, available capacities, implementation experience and evidence of results.
- A review of available research, policy documents, programme evaluations, administrative data and other relevant evidence related to migrant return, reintegration outcomes and the needs of returnees.
- An assessment of institutional capacities, coordination mechanisms and service delivery systems to identify strengths, gaps, overlaps and opportunities for strengthening sustainable reintegration support at national and local levels, including potential institutional arrangements for coordinating, implementing and monitoring the future National Reintegration Plan, building on existing government structures and interministerial coordination mechanisms.
- Consultations with relevant government agencies, development partners, civil society organisations, private sector representatives, training institutions and migrant associations.
- Analysis of the economic, social and psychosocial needs of returning migrants as conveyed by stakeholder perspectives, including barriers to labour market reintegration, access to services, skills utilization, financial inclusion and social inclusion, as well as opportunities to strengthen employment facilitation, recognition of skills acquired abroad, entrepreneurship support, access to financial services and engagement with private-sector employers and service providers, with consideration of the specific needs of women, youth and other vulnerable groups.
In summary, the assessment is intended to provide a comprehensive overview of Tajikistan’s reintegration ecosystem, identifying existing capacities, service delivery gaps and priority areas for intervention which will then help to inform the development of an evidence-based, coordinated, and sustainable National Reintegration Plan.
Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing
Migration Solutions Unit
Responsibilities
Tasks to be performed under this contract
The outputs will be delivered on a two-instalment payment basis.
Deliverable
Key Tasks
# of working days
Instalment
Deliverable 1: Inception Report and Assessment Framework
- Conduct an inception meeting with IOM and relevant stakeholders to agree on the scope, methodology and timeline of the assessment.
- Review relevant project documents (internal and external), national policies, strategies, legislation and existing studies related to migrant return and reintegration, including the Migration Governance Assessment and available findings from the National Protection Mapping. Identify areas already sufficiently covered by existing evidence and specify the remaining gaps to be addressed through additional desk research and stakeholder consultations.
- Develop an analytical framework for assessing reintegration systems, stakeholder roles, service provision and returnee needs with particular attention to institutional and policy gaps, the accessibility and effectiveness of existing support mechanisms, and strategic priorities for the future National Reintegration Plan.
- Prepare a stakeholder mapping and consultation plan, identifying key government and non-government actors.
- Submit an Inception Report outlining the methodology, workplan, analytical framework and stakeholder engagement approach.
5 days
80%
Deliverable 2: Reintegration Landscape Assessment, Stakeholder Analysis, and Draft Report
- Conduct a comprehensive desk review of national policies, programmes, institutional frameworks and coordination mechanisms related to migrant return and reintegration.
- Map key stakeholders involved in reintegration, including government institutions, local authorities, civil society organizations, development partners, financial institutions, training providers and private-sector actors.
- Conduct key informant interviews with relevant institutional stakeholders to assess mandates, coordination mechanisms, capacities, and roles in supporting returnee reintegration.
- Assess existing reintegration services, referral pathways and support mechanisms available to returning migrants.
- Analyse institutional strengths, service delivery gaps, coordination challenges and opportunities for strengthening reintegration support systems, distinguishing between gaps already identified in previous assessments, remaining implementation challenges, and new issues requiring policy or operational responses.
- Identify barriers to sustainable reintegration, and gaps within the existing policy and service delivery framework.
- Submit a Draft Assessment Report incorporating findings from the desk review, stakeholder mapping, institutional interviews, and service gap analysis.
15 days
Deliverable 3:
Final Assessment Report and National Reintegration Plan Roadmap
- Develop a PowerPoint presentation summarising key findings, conclusions and recommendations
- Design and facilitate a workshop to present and validate the preliminary findings with relevant stakeholders
- Revise and refine recommendations based on inputs received from IOM and other relevant stakeholders.
- Submit the Final Assessment Report.
5 days
20%
Performance indicators for the evaluation of results
The National Consultant's performance will be evaluated against the following criteria: timeliness, responsibility, initiative, communication, and quality of the products delivered.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications and Experience
Education
- Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Public Policy, Social Sciences, Migration Studies, Economics, Sociology, International Development, or a related field.
Experience
- At least 5 years of relevant professional experience providing strategic advisory services, policy analysis, or technical assistance to government institutions, preferably in the areas of labour migration, social protection and other relevant areas.
- Demonstrated experience conducting policy analysis, institutional assessments, stakeholder mapping, and qualitative research.
- Experience engaging with government institutions, development partners, civil society organizations and other relevant stakeholders through interviews, consultations and workshops.
Desirable:
- Knowledge of migration governance, labour migration, return and reintegration processes in Tajikistan or Central Asia.
- Experience supporting the development pf policy frameworks and/or institutional assessments.
- Familiarity with key migration, employment, and social protection stakeholders in the Republic of Tajikistan.
Skills
- Excellent analytical, drafting and report-writing skills.
Application Requirements:
- In addition to standard application documents, applicants are required to submit a brief proposed methodological approach (maximum 2–3 pages) outlining their understanding of the assignment, proposed research methods, data collection and analysis approaches, and key considerations for implementing the assessment. The proposed methodological approach will be considered as part of the technical evaluation of candidates. The selected consultant will be responsible for further developing and finalizing the detailed assessment methodology in consultation with IOM and relevant stakeholders following the commencement of the consultancy.
Languages
For this consultancy, professional proficiency in Tajik and Russian is required. Knowledge of English is an asset.
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 - all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these five 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 – behavioural indicators
- 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.
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