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.
BACKGROUND
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 (PoE) "Fotehobod", district Mastchoh (Tajikistan) and "Oybek", district Bekabad (Uzbekistan).
Under the project, the assessment on health service availability and readiness in selected border regions and along mobility corridors surrounding the "Fotehobod" and "Oybek" points of entry is envisioned. The findings of the health service availability assessment will be used to develop responses in relation to community health risk reduction and improved service availability in selected border regions. This evidence generated will further contribute to cross-border cooperation and communication between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan by identifying critical issues and gaps which can guide the priorities of the Project Bilateral Task Force Group (BTFG) to: (a) develop surveillance and control measures for health security, including timely recognition, reporting, referral and management of suspected cases; and (b) establishing cross-border communication and coordination protocols or mechanisms for providing timely and urgent cross-border data sharing on the local level (through bilateral committees etc.)
Project Context and Scope
The overall objective of this assignment is to support the Government of Tajikistan and the Government of Uzbekistan in generating evidence on the capacity of health systems in border areas to respond to the needs of migrants, mobile populations, and host communities, particularly in the context of communicable disease prevention, detection, referral, and response. The International Consultant will design and lead a mixed-method (qualitative and quantitative) assessment of health availability and readiness in selected border regions /along mobility corridors around the Points of Entry "Fotehobod" and "Oybek" in cooperation with the BTFG and other relevant stakeholders.
Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing Migration Health/MECC unit
Under the overall supervision of IOM Uzbekistan and IOM Tajikistan and in coordination with the national consultants, the Consultant will perform the following tasks:
Education
- University degree in Health Sciences, including public health, epidemiology and other relevant disciplines
Experience
- Demonstrated experience in conducting health service availability and/or readiness assessments, health facility assessments, or similar public health assessments
- 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.
- Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with relevant WHO health facility assessment tools and methodologies, including tools for assessing health service availability and readiness.
- Demonstrated experience in developing assessment methodologies, questionnaires and other data collection tools, and analysing quantitative and qualitative health data.
- Experience in data collection and management using KoboToolbox or similar digital data collection platforms is an asset.
- Strong analytical and report-writing skills, with demonstrated experience in preparing high-quality health-related assessment and analytical reports, including evidence-based recommendations.
- Experience working with international organizations, government institutions and other relevant stakeholders.
Skills
- Demonstrated proficiency in quantitative and qualitative research methods, data collection, data management and analysis.
- Demonstrated 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.
Languages
For this consultancy, Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Knowledge of Russian, Uzbek and/or Tajik is an advantage.
Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.
Travel
No travel is envisioned within the assignment.
Submission of the Application
• A detailed and up-to-date CV.
• Short Concept Paper outlining the proposed approach to the assignment
• Samples of previous similar work
Required Competencies
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.
No late applications will be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.