National Assessment of Protection and Reintegration Needs, Services and Gaps for Survivors of Trafficking in Persons in Uzbekistan

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The project “Strengthening Survivor-Centred Protection and Prevention of Trafficking in Persons in Uzbekistan”, funded by Sida and implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in cooperation with national partners, aims to strengthen the national response to trafficking in persons, with particular emphasis on the identification, protection and sustainable reintegration of trafficking survivors.

Under Outcome 2: Enhanced survivor-centred protection and sustainable reintegration support for survivors of trafficking, the project seeks to strengthen the quality, accessibility and sustainability of protection and reintegration services for trafficking survivors, as well as the capacities of governmental and non-governmental service providers.

To establish an evidence base for further strengthening the protection and reintegration system, IOM will conduct a comprehensive national assessment combining three interrelated components: an assessment of the needs of trafficking survivors; mapping of existing protection and reintegration services; and analysis of service gaps, barriers to access and limitations in existing referral pathways.

The assessment will compare identified and reasonably assumed needs of trafficking survivors with the existing response in Uzbekistan and determine the extent to which available services are accessible and capable of meeting the corresponding needs, while identifying significant gaps and limitations in the existing system.

The findings will be used by IOM and national partners, in particular the National Agency for Social Protection under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the National Commission on Combating Trafficking in Persons and Decent Work, as an analytical basis for identifying priority areas for further improvement of protection and reintegration services. Given the available resources and project timeframe, only some of the identified needs and gaps may be addressed through subsequent project interventions; the assessment should therefore also provide a broader evidence base for longer-term planning and further development of the national protection and reintegration system.

The Consultant shall propose a detailed methodology for IOM review and approval prior to commencing the substantive assessment. The methodology should be proportionate to the scope of the assignment and combine qualitative and quantitative information, where available and relevant, using appropriate methods which may include surveys, interviews, consultations and other suitable data collection approaches.

The assessment should be guided by the following principles:

The assessment should draw on relevant available information and consultations with key stakeholder categories, as appropriate to the methodology and subject to IOM approval, including:

• Advanced university degree in migration, social sciences, law, human rights, social protection, public policy, international development, or a related field.

• At least five years of progressively responsible professional experience in research, assessment, programme analysis or policy work related to trafficking in persons, migrant protection, social protection, human rights or related areas.

• Demonstrated experience in conducting needs assessments, service mapping, gap analysis or similar research involving vulnerable populations.

• Good knowledge of trafficking in persons, survivor protection and reintegration, including survivor-centred, rights-based, gender-responsive and child-sensitive approaches.

• Experience in applying qualitative and quantitative research methods, including desk review, stakeholder consultations, interviews and analysis of administrative or programme data.

• Experience engaging with government institutions, civil society organizations and service providers; experience working directly with vulnerable populations, including trafficking survivors, is a strong asset.

• Good understanding of the institutional and social protection context of Uzbekistan and relevant national protection and referral systems.

• Strong analytical, drafting and communication skills, including the ability to synthesize information from multiple sources and present complex findings in a clear and practical manner.

• Fluency in Russian and Uzbek is required for research, consultations and stakeholder engagement.

• Strong command of English is required for preparation of the final English-language report. 

Bidders are required to submit a separate financial proposal, including a detailed price schedule, as part of their application. 

Inception Report, Methodology and Workplan

• Detailed methodology and analytical framework
• Desk review and proposed data sources
• Proposed stakeholder categories and consultation approach
• Approach to survivor engagement and ethical safeguards
• Assessment criteria and applicable national and international reference standards for analysing needs, services, accessibility, adequacy and gaps
• Detailed workplan and timeline
• Proposed structure of the assessment report

Week 2

20%

Draft National Assessment Report

• Assessment of protection and reintegration needs of trafficking survivors
• Mapping of existing protection and reintegration services and providers
• Analysis of practical accessibility and adequacy of existing services, taking into account applicable national and international standards and guidance

• Analysis of referral pathways and institutional arrangements
• Identification and analysis of significant service gaps and access barriers
• Structured analysis of needs and gaps to support subsequent prioritization
• Preliminary recommendations for strengthening the protection and reintegration system

Week 12

45%

Final National Assessment Report

• Revised and finalized assessment incorporating IOM comments and, where required, additional validation or clarification of findings
• Final findings, conclusions and recommendations
• Clear distinction between evidence, identified gaps and areas requiring further assessment or action
• Executive summary and key findings for use with national partners
• Relevant tables, diagrams, charts and other visual representations of findings
• Final report and supporting materials submitted in editable format

Week 16

35%

For this consultancy, Fluency in Russian and Uzbek, Strong command of English are required.

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

The consultancy is home-based in Uzbekistan, and no travel is required by IOM under this assignment.
Should the Consultant consider travel within Uzbekistan necessary for the effective completion of the assignment, such travel shall be undertaken at the Consultant’s own expense. Any related costs shall be borne by the Consultant and, where applicable, reflected in the financial proposal. IOM will not provide separate reimbursement for travel, accommodation, daily subsistence allowance or other travel-related expenses.

All work assignments under this contract shall take place on a home-based basis in Uzbekistan, and it will be assumed that the service provider holds the responsibility to ensure all necessary permissions to work in the country.

The materials produced under this assignment will be credited to IOM Uzbekistan. The Consultant will ensure that all deliverables are prepared and submitted in accordance with the language requirements specified under Section 7 and provided in editable digital format. All original materials, data and supporting documentation produced or collected under the assignment will be handed over to IOM Uzbekistan and will remain the property of IOM Uzbekistan.

Each work assignment shall be discussed in advance and an individual Purchase Order describing the nature of the job request, timeframe and budget shall be issued. Assignments will be requested and managed by the Migrants Assistance and Protection Unit of the IOM Country Office in Uzbekistan.
All copyrights to materials produced in the performance of this contract shall be vested exclusively in IOM Uzbekistan. Any use of such materials by the service provider shall be subject to the prior written consent of the IOM Uzbekistan Chief of Mission.

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.

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.

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