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.
Project Context and Scope
Central Asian countries face complex migration dynamics that require stronger and more coordinated protection systems for all vulnerable migrants. While all five countries have adopted anti-trafficking legislation, broader categories of migrants in vulnerable situations, such as irregular migrants, stranded individuals, and migrant workers facing trafficking, violence, exploitation and abuse, often remain insufficiently covered in policy and practice.
Despite progress in legal frameworks and capacity-building, the identification and referral of vulnerable migrants remain inconsistent. Mechanisms such as National Referral Mechanisms exist across the region but are not fully operational, and implementation gaps continue to limit effective support. Institutional coordination also remains a challenge, with responsibilities spread across multiple agencies and often lacking clear procedures or accountability. This leads to fragmented responses, weak data collection, and reactive rather than strategic approaches. Similar gaps are evident in child protection systems, which are not always adequately adapted to the needs of children on the move. Service provision is uneven, with significant barriers to access for many vulnerable migrants due to legal, administrative, or geographic constraints. While some support services exist, their availability and accessibility vary, particularly in remote and border areas, limiting timely and comprehensive assistance.
Given these challenges, a rapid national mapping is required to identify the most relevant gaps between policy and practice in Tajikistan’s protection system. The mapping will review existing legislation, policies, procedures, tools, service information, referral pathways, and available assessments in order to produce practical and actionable recommendations.
It will examine key questions such as the adequacy of legal frameworks in covering all forms of vulnerability, the availability of clear guidance and capacity for frontline actors to identify and assist vulnerable migrants, the effectiveness of inter-agency coordination and referral processes, and the extent of geographic and thematic service coverage. By identifying bottlenecks and gaps, the mapping will generate an evidence-based foundation to strengthen protection systems and improve outcomes for vulnerable migrants at the national level.
This initiative is closely aligned with a parallel regional assessment covering Central Asia, which analyzes cross-cutting trends and shared challenges across countries. The regional study provides a comparative perspective, while the national mapping offers a more in-depth analysis of country-specific contexts and institutional realities.
The two efforts are mutually reinforcing: insights from the regional assessment, including common challenges and good practices, will inform the national analysis, while findings from the national mapping will contribute to a more nuanced regional understanding. Coordination mechanisms will be established to ensure complementarity, facilitate information sharing, and avoid duplication of efforts.
The mapping will identify priority actions required to strengthen existing frameworks and address operational gaps, including clearer referral steps, improved coordination, and practical guidance for frontline actors. It will inform the development of draft SOPs or guidance materials tailored to the national context, without requiring formal endorsement within the consultancy period.
In addition, the mapping will establish a baseline of existing capacities and gaps, enabling the measurement of progress over time. Overall, it will serve as a critical step toward translating policy commitments into effective, system-wide protection outcomes.
Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing
Migrant Protection and Assistance Unit, Enhancing Protection of Migrants from Violence, Exploitation and Abuse in Central Asia, PX0711.
Objectives and Scope of Mapping
The assignment will pursue the following objectives:
- Relevant national-level institutions, policies, procedures, referral mechanisms, and services related to migrant protection, child protection, and counter-trafficking in Tajikistan.
- Key sectors involved in identification, referral, assistance, and coordination, including migration, law enforcement, social protection, child protection, health, civil society, and relevant international partners.
- Available documentation and existing assessments, including anonymized case information where available and appropriate.
Methodology
The consultant will use a streamlined but participatory methodology combining: (a) desk-based review of available documents and data; (b) targeted stakeholder consultations with government, civil society, international organizations, service providers, and, where feasible, migrant community representatives or beneficiaries; (c) concise analysis of priority gaps; and (d) validation of findings and recommendations through selected consultations. The methodology will be practical and proportionate, while still ensuring that the perspectives of vulnerable migrants, trafficking survivors, children affected by migration or trafficking, and communities are reflected through ethically appropriate direct or indirect sources.
1. Desk Review of Documents and Data: A comprehensive desk-based review will compile and examine all relevant existing documentation, including:
2. Key Informant Interviews (KIIs):
3. Focus Group Discussions and Community Consultations: To supplement KIIs and capture practical and user-oriented insights, the consultant may organize a limited number of focus group discussions or group consultations, subject to feasibility, time, resources, and ethical safeguards. One possible FGD may be held with frontline service providers, such as social workers, NGO case managers, shelter staff, or migrant resource centre staff, to collectively map current referral processes and identify points where procedures work well or break down. Another consultation could be held with beneficiaries or community members, such as returned migrants, family members of migrants, or members of communities heavily affected by migration, to understand how services are perceived, what barriers are experienced, and what support gaps remain. Where an NGO or trusted service provider can facilitate the process ethically, a carefully designed consultation with trafficking survivors may also be considered, provided that participants are willing and the discussion focuses on general experiences and service-related lessons rather than requiring disclosure of personal trauma. If formal beneficiary FGDs are not feasible due to sensitivity, confidentiality, protection risks, or logistical constraints, the consultant may instead conduct group interviews with migrant community leaders, diaspora representatives, NGO outreach workers, or other persons able to aggregate community views. All such discussions will be conducted in a safe and confidential setting, with informed consent, voluntary participation, and facilitation adapted to the group concerned, including gender-sensitive, child-sensitive, and trauma-informed approaches where relevant.
4. Collaboration with National Authorities and Regional Team: The consultant will coordinate closely with IOM and relevant national stakeholders throughout the assignment. Rather than establishing a formal reference group or task force, the consultant will consult selected counterparts as needed to verify information, obtain relevant documents, and review draft findings. Coordination with the regional assessment team, where relevant, will be maintained to ensure complementarity and avoid duplication of efforts.
5. Data Analysis: The consultant will analyze the collected information by comparing findings from different sources, including documents, stakeholder consultations, existing assessments, anonymized information, and, where feasible and ethically appropriate, beneficiary or community consultation inputs. The analysis will focus on identifying priority gaps, practical bottlenecks, and feasible recommendations for strengthening referral, assistance, coordination, confidentiality, and information-sharing practices. Particular attention will be paid to how affected persons and communities perceive service accessibility, quality, trust, confidentiality, and unmet needs, whether captured directly or through trusted intermediary sources. As a cross-cutting analytical criterion, the consultant shall assess the extent to which existing services and referral pathways are equipped to safely and appropriately respond to cases involving sexual exploitation, abuse, and sexual violence. The analysis shall identify services that have appropriate procedures and capacities in place, services with partial capacity, and services where significant gaps remain.
6. Validation and Feedback: After preparing the draft mapping findings and preliminary recommendations, the consultant will present or share the key findings with IOM and selected stakeholders for validation. This may be done through an online or in-person consultation meeting, written feedback, or a short validation discussion. Feedback received will be documented in a brief consultation summary and incorporated into the final report and draft guidance materials.
7. Developing SOPs/Guidance (Initial Drafting): Based on the mapping findings, the consultant will prepare draft SOPs or guidance materials on priority areas identified during the assignment. These materials will be practical, concise, and tailored to the Tajikistan context. They are not expected to be finalized or formally endorsed within the consultancy period, but should provide a clear basis for further review, adaptation, and possible adoption by relevant stakeholders.
8. Ethics and Confidentiality: The methodology will adhere to strict ethical and confidentiality standards. Any participation by vulnerable individuals, including vulnerable migrants, trafficking survivors, children affected by migration or trafficking, or family/community members, will be voluntary and based on informed consent. Consultations involving vulnerable individuals will only be undertaken where feasible, appropriate, and safe, and preferably in coordination with trusted service providers or civil society organizations. The consultant will avoid any approach that could retraumatize participants, expose them to stigma or retaliation, or create unrealistic expectations of assistance. Support or referral information should be available where sensitive issues are discussed. Identifiable personal stories will not be publicized without consent; findings will be aggregated or anonymized. If direct engagement with beneficiaries is not feasible or ethical, individual experiences and user perspectives will be reflected indirectly through service providers, anonymized case information, migrant community representatives, NGO outreach workers, and existing assessments.
By following this methodology, mapping is expected to yield a rich, well-validated set of findings. The approach ensures that both documentary evidence and ground realities are captured, and that stakeholders are engaged in the process (paving the way for smoother implementation of recommendations). It balances comprehensiveness with practicality – aiming to get the information that matters for making improvements. The combination of research and immediate follow-up drafting of SOPs means the project moves swiftly from analysis to action. All methods and tools used will be documented, and any limitations (like areas where data was not obtainable or stakeholders unreachable) will be transparently reported in the final report.
Tasks to be performed under this contract
The consultant will deliver the following key outputs within an estimated 12-week period. Each deliverable will be submitted in draft form for feedback from IOM and, where relevant, selected stakeholders, and finalized thereafter. The anticipated deliverables and schedule are:
DeliverableDescriptionIndicative Timing1. Brief Inception Note and WorkplanShort methodology, work plan, list of documents to be reviewed, proposed stakeholders for consultation, and draft interview or consultation guide.Week 12. Draft Rapid Mapping and Gap Analysis ReportConcise desk-based analysis of existing laws, policies, procedures, referral pathways, services, coordination arrangements, and priority operational gaps. The draft report will include preliminary recommendations and proposed areas for draft SOPs or guidance materials.Week 5–63. Validation / Consultation SummaryShort memo summarizing feedback received from IOM and selected national stakeholders through online or in-person consultations, written comments, or validation discussions.Week 6–74. Final Package: Mapping Report and Draft SOP/Guidance MaterialsFinal concise mapping and gap analysis report incorporating feedback, with practical recommendations, plus draft SOPs or guidance materials on priority areas such as identification, referral, assistance, coordination, confidentiality, and information-sharing. The final report shall include a service mapping matrix identifying available services, referral linkages, geographic coverage, and capacity to respond to SEA and sexual violence-related cases. Recommendations shall identify priority actions for government institutions, civil society organizations, international organizations, and service providers to address identified gaps and strengthen survivor-centred referral and assistance systems. These materials are draft tools for further review and adaptation, not final documents ready for official endorsement.Week 7-9
By the end of the assignment, IOM will have a concise evidence-based mapping report and practical draft SOPs or guidance materials that can serve as a basis for further stakeholder review, refinement, and possible future endorsement.
Performance indicators for the evaluation of results
The consultant will be responsible for implementing the rapid mapping and draft guidance assignment in line with this ToR. This includes preparing a brief methodology and workplan, conducting the desk review, organizing targeted stakeholder consultations, undertaking limited beneficiary or community consultations where feasible and ethically appropriate, analyzing findings, preparing the draft and final mapping report, and developing practical draft SOPs or guidance materials. Where direct beneficiary engagement is not feasible, the consultant will ensure that beneficiary perspectives are reflected indirectly through consultations with service providers, civil society organizations, migrant community representatives, anonymized case information, and existing assessments. The consultant will maintain regular communication with IOM, flag any challenges promptly, and ensure all outputs are clear, concise, practical, ethically sound, and delivered within the agreed timeframe.
Payment milestones will be tied to the acceptance of key deliverables. The core outputs signifying completion of the consultancy are the final mapping and gap analysis report and the accompanying draft SOPs or guidance materials.
Budget Considerations
The budget for this assignment will cover the consultant’s professional fees as well as necessary expenses related to the research activities. While specific figures are omitted here, proposals should provide a detailed breakdown of costs. Key considerations include:
The consultant is expected to implement the assignment cost-effectively, using existing documentation and virtual or local consultations where possible.
In summary, the budget should reflect a concise assignment focused on document review, targeted consultations, analysis, validation, and production of high-quality practical outputs. If beneficiary, community, or survivor consultations are included, the budget and workplan should also account for any necessary ethical safeguards, facilitation support, interpretation, safe meeting space, transport or accessibility considerations, and coordination with trusted service providers or civil society organizations.
Education
Experience
Skills
Languages
For this consultancy fluency in Tajik/Russian is required for conducting interviews and reading local documents. The ability to review materials and conduct discussions in these languages is crucial.
Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.
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.