National Consultant on conducting a health needs assessment of vulnerable groups and mobile populations (including migrant workers) in border communities

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.

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).

Project Context and Scope

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.

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 international consultant, the National 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 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.

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.

Languages

For this consultancy, Fluency in written and oral English, Uzbek/Tajik, and Russian.

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

Travel

Local travel costs required to fulfil the tasks of this ToR shall be covered by IOM (transportation and DSA, subject to budget availability).

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.