Job title: International Consultant on developing and conducting health service availability and readiness assessment around the points of entry "Fotehobod" (Tajikistan) and "Oybek" (Uzbekistan)
Location: Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Employment schedule: Part time
Posting timestamp: 2026-10-14T11:24:00.000Z
Closing timestamp: 2026-10-25T18:55:00.000Z
Apply by: 25/10/2026
TERMS OF REFERENCE
Duty Station of the Consultancy: Home based
Duration of the Consultancy: 30 working days, October 2026 – July 2027
Nature of the Consultancy: Category B - International Consultant on developing and conducting health service availability and readiness assessment around the points of entry "Fotehobod" (Tajikistan) and "Oybek" (Uzbekistan)
SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION
Interested candidates are requested to submit the following no later than midnight 25 October 2026:
- A detailed and up-to-date CV.
- Short Concept Paper outlining the proposed approach to the assignment
- Samples of previous similar work
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
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:
1. Develop a work plan in coordination with IOM Project Manager outlining the data collection methodology summary, key activities, timeline, and deliverables.
2. Develop the mixed-method assessment methodology and data collection tools based on WHO assessment tools, including the assessment scope and indicators, sampling and facility selection approach, data collection framework, data quality assurance procedures, analytical methodology, structured questionnaires for health facilities and PoE, observation checklists, key informant interview guides, and referral pathway mapping tools, in cooperation with national consultants and in consultation with IOM and relevant stakeholders.
3. Coordinate and monitor the lead National Consultant – who in turn is overseeing the data collection conducted by the BTFG - during field implementation, including briefing on the assessment methodology; oversee the consistent application of the methodology and tools; monitor data quality and completeness; and address methodological and technical issues arising during data collection.
4. Review and validate collected data and review preliminary findings to ensure data completeness, consistency, accuracy and methodological rigor, identifying and addressing data gaps or inconsistencies in coordination with the national consultants.
5. Prepare a comprehensive health service availability and readiness assessment report in accordance with IOM House Style and relevant IOM editorial, branding, and reporting standards, presenting key findings, incorporated the findings of the mapping of existing cross-border data sharing systems and/or agreements on providing health services or diagnostics conducted by the national consultant, identified gaps and bottlenecks, and practical, prioritized recommendations and actions for strengthening health service readiness and referral mechanisms in the selected border areas and along mobility corridors.
6. Prepare and deliver presentations of the preliminary and final assessment findings to IOM, government counterparts and relevant stakeholders, facilitate discussion of key findings and recommendations, and incorporate relevant feedback into the final assessment report.
7. Review and provide written technical recommendations to the development of 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.
8. Review and provide written technical recommendations for the development of an operational roadmap on improving health service availability and readiness for vulnerable groups, migrants and mobile populations in border communities with multisectoral recommendations and of relevance to cross-border coordination.
9. Consolidate survey methodology, processes, tools, results, recommendations for strategy development and lessons learned into a package for potential use by other CAREC countries.
Performance indicators for the evaluation of results
- First deliverable: A concise Inception report, including the proposed approach to the assignment, detailed work plan, timeline and coordination arrangements, agreed with IOM. 5 days deliverable by 9 November 2026.
- Second deliverable: Finalized assessment methodology and tools package, including assessment scope and indicators, sampling and facility selection approach, data collection framework, data quality assurance procedures, analytical methodology, health facility and PoE assessment questionnaires, observation checklists, key informant interview guides, referral pathway mapping tools, and data collection tools configured in KoboToolbox. 8 days, deliverable by 30 November 2026.
- Third deliverable: A comprehensive draft health service availability and readiness assessment report, including analysis of findings, identified gaps and bottlenecks, preliminary recommendations and priority actions. - First instalment payment - 10 days, deliverable by 15 December 2026.
- Fourth deliverable: A finalized and edited health service availability and readiness assessment report, incorporating feedback from IOM and the Bilateral Task Force Group and including final recommendations and prioritized actions; and consolidated package of documents for use by other CAREC countries. - Second and final instalment payment 7 days, deliverable by 31 March 2027.
Required Qualifications and Experience
Education
- University degree in Health Sciences, including public health, epidemiology and other relevant disciplines
- Minimum 7 years of relevant professional experience in public health research, preferably on epidemiology, experience on communicable diseases, IHR and border health
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.
- Experience working in cross-border, migration or mobility-related health contexts, including with migrant and mobile populations, is an asset.
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.
- Excellent analytical, report-writing, communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
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
Interested candidates are requested to submit the following no later than midnight 25 October 2026:
- A detailed and up-to-date CV.
- Short Concept Paper outlining the proposed approach to the assignment
- Samples of previous similar work
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.
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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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