The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 191-member National Societies (NSs). The overall aim of IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by NSs with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.” IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.

The IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement), together with its member National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The work of IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality. The IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into four main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Coordination, (ii) Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization, (iii) Management and Accountability and (iv) People and Strategy.

The IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. IFRC also has country cluster delegations and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat. The IFRC has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment and other forms of harassment, abuse of authority, discrimination, and lack of integrity (including but not limited to financial misconduct). IFRC also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles

1. Project title: Strengthening institutional capacities for disaster and crisis preparedness for effective response in Central Asia (HIP 2025-2027)

2. Assignment title: National Consultant for a Joint Market and Cost-of-Living Assessment.

3. Duty station: Dushanbe, Tajikistan (with potential for field visits to RCST branches)

4. Duration of assignment: 40 working days (Tentatively: 23.02.2026 – 27.04.2026)

5. Management and reporting to: The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the DRR Advisor and HIP National Project Manager, RCST and in close coordination with the IFRC Disaster Management Coordinator and IFRC Senior Officer, Cash and Voucher. All deliverables will be reviewed and approved by the RCST–IFRC joint technical team.

6. Technical oversight: IFRC Country Delegation for Tajikistan

7. Background and context: In Tajikistan, the effectiveness and harmonization of humanitarian Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) are contingent upon a robust, evidence-based understanding of local market dynamics and the real cost of living for affected populations. The Inter-Agency Cash Working Group (I-ACWG), co-led by the Red Crescent Society of Tajikistan (RCST), serves as the primary coordination platform for CVA actors. A critical gap currently exists in the availability of a unified, up-to-date market and cost-of-living analysis to inform the calculation of transfer values, particularly for the Minimum Expenditure Basket (MEB) and sector-specific assistance. This assessment is a core activity under HIP Result 1, specifically contributing to the harmonization of cash transfer values. Its findings will provide the empirical foundation for the I-ACWG to review and potentially revise the MEB, ensuring that CVA programming in Tajikistan is adequate, equitable, and grounded in reliable data. In this context, RCST, in close coordination with CWG members, will conduct a joint market and cost of living assessment to generate a harmonized analytical product that will support MEB review and endorsement at national level.

8. Overall objective of the assignment: The primary objective is to produce a comprehensive, credible, and operationally useful Harmonized Market and Cost-of-Living Report for selected areas in Tajikistan. This report will be endorsed by the Red Crescent Society of Tajikistan I www.redcrescent.tj I-ACWG members and serve as the key reference document for reviewing and updating the MEB and sectoral transfer values

9. Scope of work and key tasks

The consultant/research team will be responsible for the following tasks:

Task 1: Inception, design, and tool development:

• Conduct a comprehensive desk review of existing market assessments, price monitoring data, socio-economic studies, and national statistics relevant to Tajikistan.
• In consultation with RCST and IFRC, finalize the geographic scope, methodology (mixed-methods recommended), sampling strategy, and data collection tools (e.g., structured market surveys, trader interviews, household expenditure surveys/KAP).
• Develop, translate, and pre-test all data collection tools (Kobo/ODK forms, interview guides)

Task 2: Primary data collection and fieldwork:

• In coordination with RCST, support the training and supervision of a team of volunteers/enumerators for quantitative and qualitative data collection. (Note: Volunteers/Enumerator recruitment will be managed by RCST, while the consultant is responsible for developing training materials, conducting training, and providing technical oversight during fieldwork)
• Conduct field data collection in selected locations, including:
  o Market Functionality Analysis: Assess availability, accessibility, and stability of key commodities and services.
• Price Monitoring: Collect detailed price data for items in a pre-defined MEB basket and sector-specific items (WASH, Shelter, Food, etc.).
• Household Economy Analysis: Gather data on household income sources, expenditure patterns, coping strategies, and financial vulnerabilities.

Task 3: Data analysis and report drafting:

• Clean, process, and analyze all quantitative and qualitative data using appropriate software (e.g., SPSS, R, NVivo).
• Calculate proposed market-based transfer values and analyze variations.
• Draft the comprehensive Harmonized Market and Cost-of-Living Report, including clear methodology, findings, limitations, and actionable recommendations for the I-ACWG. The report must include gender and age-disaggregated analysis where possible.

Task 4: Validation and finalization:

• Present preliminary findings in a dedicated session of the I-ACWG for feedback and validation.
• Incorporate feedback from I-ACWG members and the RCST/IFRC technical team.
• Submit the final report and all clean datasets.

Geographic coverage:
The assessment will cover 5 sites across Dushanbe city, GBAO, Sughd and Khatlon oblast, Rasht region. The selection will include both urban and rural settings to ensure representative coverage of diverse market contexts. Final specific geographic scope will be confirmed during the inception phase in consultation with IFRC/HIP RCST Team and I-ACWG members.

10. Key deliverables and outputs:

№ Deliverables Deadline (Indicative)

1. Inception Report: Detailed methodology, finalized tools, work plan, and sampling framework. 10 days after signing

2. First Draft of the Harmonized Market and Cost-of-Living Report for review. 10 days

3. Presentation of preliminary findings to the I-ACWG (virtual or in-person). 10 days

4. Final Report (in English and Tajik), incorporating all feedback, and complete clean datasets. 10 days

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master's level or equivalent) in Economics, Statistics, Social Sciences, Development Studies, or a related field.

Experience:

• Minimum of 7 years of proven professional experience in conducting market assessments, livelihood analyses, socio-economic research, or similar applied research in Tajikistan or a similar context.
• Demonstrated expertise in designing and implementing mixed-methods research, including strong quantitative data analysis skills.
• Prior experience working on Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) programming and familiarity with concepts like MEB, transfer value calculation, and market-based programming is a strong asset.
• Experience working with the UN, IFRC/RC/RC Movement, or international NGOs is highly desirable.

Knowledge and skills:

• In-depth knowledge of the socio-economic and market context of Tajikistan.
• Proficiency in data analysis software (e.g., SPSS, STATA, R) and mobile data collection tools (Kobo Toolbox, ODK).
• Excellent analytical, report-writing, and presentation skills.
• Fluency in Tajik and Russian is mandatory. Working proficiency in English is required for reporting.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to deliver quality outputs within tight deadlines.

13.    Ethical standards and safeguarding

The consultant must adhere to the highest ethical standards throughout the assessment process:

• All research activities must comply with the IFRC Code of Conduct and Protection, Gender and Inclusion (PGI) standards
• Informed consent must be obtained from all respondents prior to data collection
• Special attention must be given to the dignity, safety, and confidentiality of vulnerable groups, including women, children, elderly, and persons with disabilities
• Data collection tools and processes must be designed to prevent harm, discrimination, or re-traumatization of respondents
• The "do no harm" principle must be applied throughout all phases of the assessment
• Any safeguarding concerns identified during fieldwork must be immediately reported to RCST and IFRC

14. Ownership and confidentiality

All data, tools, and reports produced under this consultancy are the sole property of the Red Crescent Society of Tajikistan and IFRC. The consultant must adhere to strict data confidentiality and protection protocols, ensuring the anonymity of respondents and secure handling of all sensitive information.

15. Application procedures

The application must include:
 a) Detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) of lead consultant and team members.
 b) Technical proposal (max. 3 pages) demonstrating understanding of the TOR, proposed methodology, detailed work plan, and team composition.
 c) Financial proposal with a clear breakdown of costs (daily rate, number of days per task, anticipated travel/logistics costs, taxes).
 d) At least two samples of previous similar work (assessment reports).
 e) Contact information for two professional references.