National Consultant for Analysis of Migration Drivers and Strategic Messaging Design, Tashkent

Project Context and Scope
Within the framework of the Sweden-funded project Sweden's 2024/5 Contribution to Support IOM'S Work on Prevention of Irregular Migration to Sweden and the EU in Uzbekistan, IOM is undertaking a comprehensive process to identify and understand the drivers of migration in regions with high rates of emigration. This process begins with participatory needs assessments conducted by local NGOs in partnership with communities (mahallas), returnee and potential migrants. These assessments are designed to uncover harmful beliefs and attitudes surrounding irregular migration, as well as gaps in knowledge about safe and regular migration pathways, migration alternatives, and underlying community-level drivers such as lack of opportunity, social pressures, misinformation or others.
Building on these assessments, IOM supports the development of Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) campaigns tailored to the specific needs of each region. These campaigns aim to change community attitudes and behaviors related to migration, using pre-tested messages and materials developed in close collaboration with community members and authorities. A key part of this approach is the analysis of collected data to produce targeted reports with recommendations for effective messaging and intervention, ensuring that responses are evidence-based and locally grounded.
In parallel, IOM applies its Community-Based Planning (CBP) methodology to facilitate inclusive dialogues among returnees, potential migrants, community leaders, and local stakeholders. These discussions help communities identify the socio-economic and structural push and pull factors driving irregular migration and co-develop community-driven action plans (CDAPs) to address them. This participatory process ensures not only local ownership but also that proposed solutions — such as small business support, skills training, or youth empowerment initiatives — are aligned with actual community needs and priorities.
Ultimately, the project's goal in identifying migration drivers is to inform strategic, sustainable responses that reduce reliance on irregular migration to Sweden and EU countries by increasing access to viable local alternatives. By building the capacity of communities and stakeholders to recognize and address these drivers — whether economic, informational, or social — the project aims to foster resilience, enhance informed decision-making, and promote safe, regular, and rights-based migration.
A data analysis and migration drivers are essential to ensure that the project's awareness-raising and behavior change efforts are evidence-based and tailored to the specific realities of migrant-origin communities. By analyzing needs assessment data collected by NGOs, the consultant to be hired to identify key drivers of irregular migration and harmful beliefs that influence migration decisions. This analysis will support the development of targeted, context-specific messages addressing risks of irregular migration, safe migration pathways, and viable alternatives. This work will ensure that communication strategies are impactful, community-driven, and aligned with broader policy and program goals.
Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing   Migrants Assistance and Protection Unit, IOM Uzbekistan  Tasks to be performed under this contract
Category B Consultants: Tasks to be performed under this contract – under the direct supervision of the Senior Project Assistant and overall coordination from the Chief of Mission (CoM).

To implement the above-mentioned IOM is hiring a consultant B will complete the following tasks:
1. Participate in needs assessment process, including but not limiting with:
•     Consult implementing partner (NGOs) in the key regions of intervention by providing feedback and recommendations to the methodologies of data collection for needs assessment ensuring appropriate engagement of community leaders, local authorities, and representatives of returnees and potential migrants to validate the findings and gain additional context needed for identification of key migration drivers in the locations.
2. Review and Synthesize Collected Data
•     Thoroughly review the needs assessment results gathered by NGOs as part of SBCC campaigns. This includes both quantitative and qualitative data on the perceptions, motivations, and information gaps of returnee migrants, potential migrants, and local communities.
Minimum Data Needed:
o    Disaggregated data by region, gender, age, and migration status,
o    Community-specific findings on believes and attitudes toward migration,
o    Documentation of identified drivers of irregular migration (economic, social, environmental, etc.),
o    Feedback from NGOs conducting fieldwork.
3. Analyze Migration Drivers and Belief Systems
•     Identify the main drivers of irregular migration in different regions with special focus on how these drivers intersect with existing beliefs, misinformation, and risky behavioral patterns.
4. Develop Targeted Messaging Recommendations
•     Based on the analysis, develop a set of regionally tailored messages aimed at:
o    Prevent irregular migration to Sweden and EU countries,
o    Promoting awareness of safe and legal migration channels,
o    Debunking myths and harmful narratives about irregular migration,
o    Highlighting viable alternatives to migration,
o    Encouraging community-based support for informed decision-making.
5. Synthesize Final Evaluation Findings from NGOs:
• Conduct a comparative and analytical review of final evaluation results submitted by implementing partner NGOs operating in selected target communities (mahallas), with a focus on:
o    Measuring the changes in harmful beliefs and attitudes of the target groups regarding safe and regular migration pathways, risks of irregular migration, migrant smuggling and trafficking in persons, and available alternatives to migration;
o    Unifying and standardizing evaluation results across NGOs to present aggregated findings on the effectiveness of SBCC interventions and community engagement efforts;
o    Highlighting best practices, challenges, and lessons learned in influencing behavioral change at the community level;
o    Providing actionable recommendations for strengthening future SBCC and awareness-raising activities based on field experiences and evaluation feedback.
6. Reporting:
•     Submit a report on migration drivers disaggregated by region, gender, age, and migration status, including, but not limiting with: 
o    An overview of the assessment approach, key findings, and recommendations.
o    A critical analysis of the data collection tools and processes used by NGOs, with reflections on community engagement and regional variations in data quality and context.
o    A synthesis of the disaggregated quantitative and qualitative data, identifying key drivers of irregular migration (e.g., unemployment, social pressure, lack of awareness, climate impacts), broken down by region, gender, age, and migration status.
o    An exploration of prevalent community narratives, misconceptions, and cultural or informational factors influencing migration decisions.
o    A set of regionally customized SBCC messaging recommendations to address harmful beliefs, promote safe migration pathways, and present viable alternatives to irregular migration.
o    Supporting data tables, feedback summaries from NGOs, and examples of tailored messages for different community profiles.
The report shall include clear, actionable messaging guidelines for use in future SBCC campaigns and community driven action plans development. The synthesized findings should be incorporated into the final report or submitted as a standalone annex. Performance indicators for the evaluation of results
1. Written feedback on the methodologies of data collection for needs assessment by NGOs - 50% of fee upon submission of written feedback  2. The report on migration drivers and changing of negative believes and attitudes within communities after conduction of SBCC campaigns - 50% of fee upon submission of the report Education

University degree in social sciences, migration studies, development studies, public policy, sociology, behavioral science, or a related field. Experience

•     Proven experience in migration research, behavioral analysis, or development programming, preferably with a focus on irregular migration, reintegration, or community-based approaches.
•     Demonstrated experience in designing and/or analyzing needs assessments, including both quantitative and qualitative data.
•     Experience working with international organizations, NGOs, or government agencies on migration-related issues, especially in Central Asia or similar contexts.
•     Proven ability to develop evidence-based messaging strategies or communication campaigns targeting behavioral change.
•     Strong analytical and data synthesis skills, including the ability to interpret disaggregated data and draw practical conclusions.
•     Familiarity with Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) methodologies is highly desirable.
•     Excellent writing and reporting skills in English, with the ability to produce clear, actionable reports and messaging guidance.
•     Proficiency in data analysis tools and qualitative research methods.
•     Excellent coordination, consultation, and facilitation skills, especially in multi-stakeholder settings.
•     Cultural sensitivity and ability to engage with local communities, authorities, and diverse populations (including migrants and vulnerable groups).

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

Languages

Fluency in English, Russian and Uzbek is required. IOM’s official languages are English, French and Spanish. Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.   Travel required All work to be done on ‘home-based’ mode in close coordination with IOM.

Purpose of Assignment and Scope of the work

All work assignments under this contract shall take place both home-based and within Uzbekistan, Central Asia and it will be assumed that the service provider is in Uzbekistan and holds the responsibility to ensure all permissions to work in the country. The material will be credited to IOM Uzbekistan. All original materials will be handed over to IOM Uzbekistan and will remain IOM Uzbekistan property. Each work assignment shall be discussed in advance and a specific contract (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 in IOM Uzbekistan country office. All copyrights of material produced in the performance of this contract is vested exclusively in IOM Uzbekistan. Any use of the material by the service provider, should be made with written prior consent of IOM Uzbekistan Chief of Mission.  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 three 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 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, verification of residency, visa, and authorizations by the concerned Government, where applicable. 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. 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 online recruitment system. The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application. For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies