International Consultant on Community-Driven Planning and Capacity Building, Tashkent

Project Context and Scope
The Sweden-funded project Sweden's 2024/5 Contribution to Support IOM'S Work on Prevention of Irregular Migration to Sweden and the EU seeks to reduce irregular migration by addressing its root causes at the community level. In regions with high emigration rates to Sweden and EU countries, IOM is working closely with local communities (mahallas), civil society organizations, and returnee migrants to identify key drivers of migration through inclusive consultations and social and behaviour change communication (SBCC) campaigns. These efforts aim to raise awareness about the risks of irregular migration, available alternatives, and safe, regular migration pathways.
Building on these awareness-raising activities, the project supports the development and implementation of community-driven action plans designed to respond directly to the needs identified by communities themselves. Through capacity-building workshops and ongoing technical support, NGOs and mahalla leaders are to be trained to guide communities in participatory planning processes. These action plans aim to address socio-economic, environmental, and informational migration drivers by proposing realistic, locally adapted solutions.
To ensure sustainability and local ownership, returnee and potential migrants are to be engaged not only in the planning stages but also in the implementation of tailored initiatives, including small business projects and livelihood activities. These initiatives will be supported by targeted business literacy training, micro-grants, and regular monitoring to assess their contribution to reducing irregular migration risks and enhancing resilience at the local level.
Ultimately, the project fosters a bottom-up, evidence-based approach to migration management by empowering communities to shape their own futures. Through community-driven action plans, strengthened coordination among stakeholders, and shared responsibility, the initiative contributes to long-term social cohesion, economic opportunity, and informed decision-making in regions vulnerable to irregular migration.
Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing
Migrants Assistance and Protection Unit, IOM Uzbekistan  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 to complete the following tasks: 
1. Design and conduct Community-Driven Planning and Capacity-Building Training for NGOs and Communities 
•     Develop a training agenda tailored for NGOs and mahalla committees and submit for approval of IOM. The training should cover at least community participatory planning, needs-based intervention design, resource mapping, and sustainability strategies thematic areas. 
•     Prepare training modules and materials, including presentations, handouts, case studies, practical exercises, and pre- and post-evaluation questionnaires and submit for the approval of IOM. 
•     The training materials are to be finalized at least two weeks prior to the training date ensuring the visibility of IOM and donors are included and update it as per the recommendations of IOM.  
•     Conduct a 3 day in-person training session for up to 30 participants in Uzbekistan. 
•     Facilitate interactive sessions with group work, role plays and community-based examples. 
•     Provide mentoring to participants during the training on developing draft community driven action plans. 
•     Submit a training report summarizing the process, participation, key discussions, and recommendations as well as pre and post testing materials and results within two weeks after the training conduction. 
•     Provide all training materials in editable format (PowerPoints, handouts, tools, etc.).
2. Facilitate Community-Based Consultations 
•     Guide and support implementing partner NGOs in organizing inclusive community consultations in collaboration with local communities (mahallas). 
•     Consult implementing partner NGOs to ensure effective engagement of returnee migrants, youth, women, and other key population groups in discussions on local development and business needs. 
•     Collect insights from consultations reports of implementing partner NGOs to inform community priorities.
3. Provide Technical Assistance for Action Plan Development 
•     Support implementing partner NGOs and communities in drafting community-driven action plans based on findings from consultations and SBCC campaigns. 
•     Offer remote feedback to ensure plans are realistic, context-specific, and aligned with identified migration drivers. 
•     Review and provide feedback on draft plans submitted by target mahallas.
4. Support Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) 
•     Develop simple M&E tools to measure the implementation and results of local business and livelihood initiatives within action plans. 
•     Conduct periodic remote check-ins with implementing partner NGOs to track implementation progress and identify good practices or emerging challenges. 
•     Draft and submit the final assessment report highlighting community ownership, impact of small grant activities, and recommendations for scale-up.   Performance indicators for the evaluation of results 

Submission of agenda, presentations, handouts, pre/post evaluation questionnaire and other training materials

20% of fee upon submission of all materials

Conduction of the training and submission of the training report

40% of fee upon submission of the training report

Submission of the final assessment report

40% of fee upon submission of the final assessment report

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

University degree in Social Sciences, Community Development, Migration Studies, or related field. Experience At least 3 years of experience in community mobilization, local development planning, and participatory approaches. In-depth understanding of public communication principles, tools, and techniques. Proven experience in training design and facilitation, especially with grassroots organizations and community groups. Ability to assess community needs, identify goals, and develop strategic plans accordingly. Capacity to work effectively with NGOs, local authorities, and community leaders to ensure inclusive and sustainable outcomes. Strong understanding of migration dynamics in Central Asia, especially return migration and reintegration challenges. Previous experience working with migrants, youth, women, or other vulnerable populations is an asset.  Excellent communication, facilitation, and intercultural skills. Languages Fluency in English; knowledge of Uzbek and/or Russian is a strong asset. 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 In-country transportation, accommodation and meals at the training location are covered by IOM. Other transportation costs and expenses related to the consultant's participation in the training are included into the consultant’s fee and are to be arranged by the consultant. DSA and terminals will NOT be paid.

All other 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