Job Description

Apply by: 25/10/2026

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Duty Station of the Consultancy: Uzbekistan, Home based 
Duration of the Consultancy:  20 working days, October 2026 – July 2027 
Nature of the Consultancy:  Category B - National Consultant on conducting health service availability and readiness assessment around border entry points "Fotehobod" (Tajikistan) and "Oybek" (Uzbekistan) and developing Standard Operating Procedures on cross-border information and data exchange on infectious and endemic diseases.

SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION
Interested candidates are requested to submit the following no later than 25 October 2026 (midnight):
•    A detailed and up-to-date CV.
•    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

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" in Tajikistan and "Oybek" PoE in Uzbekistan 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 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.). Based on this assessment, Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) on cross-border information and data exchange on infectious and endemic diseases (between countries and/or between PoE) will be developed and tested. SOPs will include topics such as case management and referrals, disease surveillance, infection prevention and control and coordination on local levels during outbreaks and/or public health events, by safeguarding confidentiality of patient information.

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.   
Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing: Migration Health/MECC unit

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the IOM Project Manager and the technical guidance of the International Consultant, and in coordination with the Bilateral Task Force Group and relevant national and local stakeholders, the National Consultant will undertake the following tasks:
1.    Review and support the contextualization of the assessment methodology, tools and data collection instruments developed by the International Consultant, in consultation with IOM and relevant stakeholders, including health facility and PoE assessment questionnaires, observation checklists, key informant interview guides, referral pathway mapping tools, and other relevant instruments. 
2.    Conduct mapping of existing cross-border data sharing systems, policies, and/or agreements on providing health services and/or diagnostics (if any) to cross-border migrant workers and mobile populations to lay the foundation for an electronic medical record system (including for chronic infectious diseases) and financial protection mechanism for migrants and mobile populations crossing borders to access medical services and diagnostics. 
3.    Conduct a desk review of relevant legislation, policies, protocols, bilateral agreements, surveillance systems, and existing SOPs related to border health and cross-border disease control.
4.    In consultation with the BTFG, consolidate a list of priority infectious and endemic diseases of cross-border relevance to guide the protocols on risk assessment, timeliness and scope of information to share between the two countries.
5.    Support the BTFG in planning and organization of field activities, including identification and coordination with selected health facilities, Points of Entry (PoEs), relevant authorities and other stakeholders in the selected border areas and along mobility corridors. 
6.    Conduct a field assessment with BTFG using the agreed methodology and tools, including KoboToolbox, and conduct interviews and consultations with relevant health, border and other stakeholders. 
7.    Clean, organize and validate quantitative and qualitative data collected through the assessment, identify data gaps or inconsistencies, and provide the validated data to the International Consultant for further analysis. 
8.    Prepare a field assessment report summarizing field activities, key observations, preliminary findings, challenges and country-specific issues identified during the assessment and provide inputs to the International Consultant for preparation of the overall assessment report. 
9.    Develop 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 in coordination with the BTFG.
10.    Develop SOPs covering, at minimum: cross-border disease notification and reporting; information and data exchange mechanisms; case management and referral procedures; disease surveillance and outbreak response; infection prevention and control measures; roles and responsibilities of participating institutions; confidentiality and data protection requirements; and communication and coordination during public health emergencies.
11.    Facilitate stakeholder consultations and validation workshops on the draft SOPs and facilitate a tabletop and/or simulation exercise.
Performance indicators for the evaluation of results
  • First deliverable: Completed field assessment report, summarizing field activities, key observations, preliminary findings, challenges and country-specific issues identified during the assessment and provide inputs to the International Consultant for preparation of the overall assessment report.  8 days, deliverable by 20 November 2026.   
  • Second deliverable: Draft health service availability and readiness assessment report, including analysis of findings, identified gaps and bottlenecks, preliminary recommendations and priority actions, prepared in coordination with the International Consultant; developed draft SOPs; Report on mapping of existing cross-border data sharing systems; list of priority infectious and endemic diseases of cross-border relevance - First instalment payment - 10 days, deliverable by 25 December 2026.
  • Third deliverable: Finalized health service availability and readiness assessment report, incorporating feedback from IOM and the Bilateral Task Force Group and including final recommendations and prioritized actions; finalized SOPs incorporating feedback from the BTFG and IOM; facilitated validation workshop/s and tabletop and/or simulation exercise. - Second and final instalment payment – 7 days, deliverable by 15 March 2027.
     

Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

  • University degree in Health Sciences, Social Sciences, including public health, epidemiology and other relevant disciplines. 

  • Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience in public health research, preferably on epidemiology, communicable diseases, IHR and border health.
     

Experience

  • Demonstrated experience in conducting or supporting health service availability and/or readiness 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. 

  • Demonstrated experience working in cross-border, migration or mobility-related health contexts, including with migrant and mobile populations, is an asset.
     

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. 

  • Strong analytical, report-writing, communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
     

Languages

For this consultancy, Fluency in written and spoken English, Uzbek/Tajik. Russian is an asset.

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

Travel 

Travel costs required to fulfil the tasks of this ToR shall be covered by IOM.

Submission of the application

Interested candidates are requested to submit the following no later than 25 October 2026 (midnight):
•    A detailed and up-to-date CV.
•    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.

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.

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.

For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies

Required Skills

Job info

Contract Type: Consultancy (Up to 11 months)
Initial Contract Duration: 20 working days
Org Type: Country Office
Vacancy Type: Consultancy
Recruiting Type: Consultant
Grade: UG
Is this S/VN based in an L3 office or in support to an L3 emergency response?: No
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