International Consultant – Development of Minimum Operational, Protection and Technical Standards and Tools for Temporary Holding Centres for Migrants

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

Project Context and Scope

The consultancy will be implemented within the framework of the NORAD-funded regional project “Enhancing Protection of Migrants from Violence, Exploitation and Abuse in Central Asia”, implemented by IOM in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
The project aims to strengthen protection systems for migrants in vulnerable situations through improved institutional capacities, access to protection services, regional cooperation and practical tools for identification, referral and response. Under Output 2.2, the project supports protection and essential service providers in accessing and applying practical tools, guidelines and procedures to effectively respond to the protection needs and rights of vulnerable migrants, including children and victims of trafficking.
In Uzbekistan, the need has been identified for practical standards and tools to support the organization, management and operation of temporary holding centres for migrants. Such facilities may accommodate migrants with different legal and operational statuses and therefore require both common minimum standards and, where relevant, differentiated procedures and safeguards appropriate to the circumstances of the individuals concerned.
The assignment will support the development of a comprehensive framework of minimum operational, protection and technical standards and practical tools for such facilities. The framework will address conditions and management of temporary holding, relevant operational procedures and differentiated regimes, while integrating mechanisms for early identification of vulnerabilities and specific protection needs, application of appropriate safeguards, and referral to existing protection and essential services.
Particular attention will be given to strengthening practical interfaces between the relevant authorities and existing protection and social service systems, including the National Agency for Social Protection, drawing where relevant on the findings of the national mapping of services and protection gaps for vulnerable migrants conducted under the project.
The standards and tools will be informed by applicable national requirements, relevant international standards and guidance, and comparative foreign good practices and operational models. The consultancy will further support their practical application through the development and pilot delivery of a competency-based training package and preparation of the finalized training content for subsequent conversion into a self-paced digital learning module.

Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing Migrants Assistance and Protection Unit, IOM Uzbekistan

Category B Consultant - Tasks to be performed under this contract – under the direct supervision of the National Project Officer (Protection) and overall coordination of the Chief of Mission (CoM)
The overall objective of this consultancy is to develop a comprehensive, practical and context-appropriate framework of minimum operational, protection and technical standards and tools for temporary holding centres for migrants in Uzbekistan, taking into account different legal and operational categories of migrants and applicable regimes of stay.
The framework will aim to support safe, humane and effective operation and management of such facilities, in line with applicable national requirements, international standards and relevant comparative foreign good practices, while strengthening mechanisms for the identification of migrants in vulnerable situations, application of appropriate safeguards, and referral to existing protection and essential services.
The consultancy will also develop and pilot a corresponding competency-based training package and prepare the finalized training content for subsequent conversion into a self-paced digital learning module.
To complete the assignment, the Consultant will carry out the following tasks:
Scope of Work
1. Review the applicable legal, institutional, international and comparative framework
• Review applicable national legislation, regulations and institutional arrangements governing the placement, temporary holding, return, removal, onward transfer and other relevant migration-related procedures in Uzbekistan.
• Review applicable international standards, principles and guidance concerning immigration detention and temporary holding, conditions of stay, facility management, procedural safeguards and protection of migrants in vulnerable situations.
• Review relevant comparative foreign good practices and operational models for the organization and management of temporary holding/detention facilities for migrants, including approaches to conditions of stay, differentiated regimes, vulnerability identification, referral and protection safeguards.
• Review available information on the existing and/or planned organization, management and operation of relevant facilities in Uzbekistan.
• Seek consultations, where feasible and subject to stakeholder availability, with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and other relevant institutions to clarify existing practices, operational needs and institutional responsibilities.
• Where consultations or relevant information are unavailable, use available documentation, information provided by IOM and other relevant sources and clearly identify resulting limitations.
• Take into account relevant findings of the national mapping of protection services and gaps for vulnerable migrants, where available.
2. Identify and structure applicable categories and regimes
• Identify the principal legal and operational categories of migrants who may be temporarily held in the relevant facilities, to the extent supported by applicable legislation, institutional arrangements and available information.
• Develop an operational framework distinguishing, as relevant:
o persons temporarily held pending execution of return, removal or deportation procedures from Uzbekistan;
o persons temporarily held pending onward transfer, return or another migration-related procedure;
o other relevant categories identified through the assessment.
• For each applicable category/regime, identify relevant procedures, institutional responsibilities, safeguards, documentation requirements and possible pathways/outcomes.
• Identify common requirements applicable irrespective of status and areas where differentiated procedures or safeguards are required.
3. Develop common minimum operational, protection and technical standards
Develop minimum standards applicable across the relevant regimes, covering, as appropriate:
• admission, registration and provision of information;
• dignity, non-discrimination and treatment;
• accommodation capacity and occupancy;
• minimum space and technical requirements;
• functional zoning and separation arrangements;
• sleeping and common areas;
• sanitation and hygiene;
• food, water and other basic needs;
• healthcare and emergency medical response;
• accessibility and reasonable accommodation;
• communication and contact arrangements;
• staffing, roles and responsibilities;
• internal management and workflows;
• safety, security and incident management;
• confidentiality and data protection;
• complaints and feedback;
• monitoring and quality assurance;
• transfer, release, removal and other relevant exit procedures.
The standards should draw on applicable national requirements, international standards and relevant comparative foreign good practices and be adapted to the institutional and operational context of Uzbekistan.
4. Develop a vulnerability identification and differentiated protection response framework
• Establish practical procedures for early identification of vulnerabilities and specific protection needs among persons admitted to the facilities.
• Provide for reassessment where protection needs or individual circumstances emerge or change during the person's stay.
• Define appropriate additional safeguards for relevant categories and circumstances, including children, victims of trafficking, persons affected by GBV, persons with disabilities, persons with urgent health or psychosocial needs and other migrants in vulnerable situations.
• Identify circumstances requiring specialized assessment, additional safeguards, intervention by another competent authority and/or referral to appropriate services.
• Ensure that protection needs are considered alongside, and where relevant modify, the operational regime applicable to the individual.
5. Develop inter-agency protection and referral pathways
• Use the national service mapping and other available information to identify existing services and protection mechanisms relevant to migrants held in the facilities.
• Develop practical referral pathways between the facilities and relevant protection and essential service providers.
• Give particular consideration to interfaces with the National Agency for Social Protection and existing specialized protection mechanisms.
• Define, to the extent possible, roles, referral steps, contact arrangements, information-sharing requirements, feedback mechanisms and procedures for urgent cases.
• Provide for referral to existing specialized services, including shelter and protection mechanisms, where appropriate and subject to applicable eligibility, legal and institutional arrangements.
• Validate proposed referral arrangements with relevant stakeholders where feasible and subject to their availability.
6. Develop practical operational tools
Develop a coherent set of practical tools required to operationalize the standards and differentiated pathways, as appropriate, which may include:
• admission and status-assessment tools;
• vulnerability screening tools/checklists;
• referral decision tree;
• standardized referral forms;
• emergency referral and incident-management tools;
• individual safeguard/checklists;
• transfer/removal/exit checklists;
• facility compliance/self-assessment tools;
• monitoring and quality-assurance tools;
• other templates and job aids identified as necessary.
7. Validate and revise the draft standards and tools
• Present the proposed standards, procedures and tools for technical review by IOM and, where feasible, relevant national stakeholders.
• Assess their legal, institutional and operational applicability.
• Document areas where information or institutional confirmation remains unavailable.
• Revise the package based on available feedback.
• Identify elements requiring practical testing during pilot training.
8. Develop a competency-based training package
Develop a practical training package enabling relevant personnel to apply the standards and tools, including:
• training curriculum and learning objectives;
• facilitator manual;
• participant materials;
• presentations and visual materials;
• cases and scenarios reflecting different operational regimes and protection situations;
• practical exercises and simulations;
• exercises on vulnerability identification and referral;
• practical application of developed tools;
• pre- and post-training assessments;
• materials and instructions enabling subsequent replication.
9. Pilot the standards, tools and training package
• Deliver one face-to-face pilot training for an agreed target group.
• Test application of the standards and operational tools through cases, scenarios and simulations.
• Collect structured participant and stakeholder feedback.
• Assess clarity, feasibility and practical applicability of the standards, procedures and tools.
• Identify modifications required before finalization.
10. Finalize the operational and face-to-face training package
• Incorporate relevant findings from technical review and pilot implementation.
• Resolve identified inconsistencies, ambiguities and implementation difficulties.
• Finalize the standards, differentiated procedures, referral pathways and operational tools.
• Finalize the face-to-face training package and assessment materials.
11. Develop a digital-ready self-paced learning package
Adapt the finalized training content for subsequent technical conversion into a self-paced digital learning module, including:
• digital course architecture and learning sequence;
• learning objectives for each unit;
• complete content/storyboard;
• final learner-facing content;
• cases and scenario-based activities;
• interactive exercises and knowledge checks;
• assessment questions, answer options and explanatory feedback;
• pre-/post- and final assessment content;
• completion/pass requirements;
• downloadable reference materials and job aids;
• specifications for diagrams, illustrations, video, audio, animation or other multimedia elements, where relevant;
• navigation and learner-interaction instructions.
The package shall contain all substantive content and instructional specifications necessary for subsequent technical production of the digital course without requiring substantive redevelopment or further input from the Consultant.
Methodological Approach and Guiding Principles
The assignment shall combine legal and institutional review, analysis of applicable international standards and guidance, comparative review of relevant foreign practices and operational models, and assessment of their applicability to the context of Uzbekistan. The methodology should be practical and implementation-oriented and should support the development of standards and tools that can be applied in the day-to-day organization and management of temporary holding centres.
The following principles shall guide the assignment:
1. National applicability and legal and institutional feasibility
The applicable national legal and institutional framework shall serve as the starting point for the analysis and development of the standards and tools. Recommendations shall take into account the mandates, responsibilities, procedures and operational capacities of relevant institutions in Uzbekistan. Where gaps, inconsistencies or areas requiring further clarification are identified between existing national arrangements and relevant international standards, these shall be clearly documented and, where appropriate, accompanied by feasible options or recommendations.
2. International standards as a normative benchmark
Applicable international human rights and protection standards, principles and guidance shall provide the normative benchmark for the development of the proposed framework, including in relation to conditions of temporary holding, dignity and humane treatment, procedural safeguards, non-discrimination, health and safety, protection of children, identification of vulnerabilities and access to appropriate protection and essential services.
The Consultant shall distinguish, where relevant, between binding national requirements, applicable international standards and recommended good practices.
3. Comparative and adaptable use of foreign good practices
Relevant foreign operational models and good practices shall be reviewed comparatively and selected on the basis of their relevance to the purpose, institutional setting and operational characteristics of the facilities concerned. Foreign approaches shall not be replicated mechanically. The Consultant shall identify elements that may reasonably be adapted to the context of Uzbekistan and explain their relevance and practical applicability.
4. Common minimum standards with differentiated procedures and safeguards
The framework shall be based on a common set of minimum operational, protection and technical standards applicable across the facilities and relevant categories of migrants. Within this common framework, procedures shall be differentiated where required by the legal or operational status of the person concerned.
Individual vulnerability or specific protection needs shall be treated as a cross-cutting consideration rather than as a separate operational regime. Identified vulnerabilities shall trigger, as appropriate, additional safeguards, differentiated treatment, further assessment and/or referral to relevant protection and essential services.
5. Protection mainstreaming and timely identification of vulnerabilities
Protection considerations shall be integrated throughout relevant stages of temporary holding, from admission and registration to transfer, removal, release or other exit from the facility. The methodology shall provide for early identification of vulnerabilities and specific protection needs and for reassessment where such needs emerge or circumstances change during the person's stay.
The framework shall support practical decision-making by personnel and clarify the actions and safeguards required when a protection concern is identified.
6. Use of existing protection and service systems
The assignment shall prioritize linkages with existing national protection, social, health and other essential service systems rather than proposing parallel structures or services within temporary holding centres where these are neither necessary nor appropriate.
Referral arrangements shall build, where possible, on existing institutional mandates and service mechanisms and shall take into account relevant findings of the national mapping of protection services and gaps for vulnerable migrants. Particular attention shall be given to practical coordination and referral interfaces between the relevant authorities, the National Agency for Social Protection and other competent service providers.
7. Operational usability
The standards and tools shall be designed for practical application rather than solely as normative or descriptive guidance. They should translate relevant requirements into clear operational procedures, responsibilities, decision points, safeguards, referral steps and practical tools that can be used by personnel responsible for the management and operation of the facilities.
The level of detail shall be sufficient to support consistent implementation while allowing for adaptation to the legal status, individual circumstances and operational context of each case.
8. Proportionality and functionality of technical requirements
Technical and facility-related requirements shall be developed to the level necessary to support safe, humane, dignified and protection-sensitive operation of temporary holding centres. This may include requirements relating to capacity and occupancy, minimum space, functional zoning, sanitation and hygiene, accessibility, healthcare and first-aid arrangements, safety and emergency preparedness, and other relevant functional requirements.
The assignment is not intended to constitute architectural or engineering design. Detailed construction specifications, structural calculations, bills of quantities or other engineering design products shall therefore fall outside the scope of the consultancy unless specifically agreed otherwise by IOM.
9. Evidence-based analysis and transparency of limitations
The Consultant shall use and triangulate, to the extent possible, relevant legislation and official documentation, international standards and guidance, comparative foreign practices, information provided by IOM, available research and data, and information obtained through stakeholder consultations where feasible.
The Consultant shall clearly distinguish between requirements established by applicable national legislation or official arrangements, international standards, comparative good practices and recommendations developed under the assignment. Where access to information, facilities or relevant stakeholders is limited, such limitations and their implications for the analysis or proposed standards shall be explicitly documented.
Lack of access to a particular stakeholder or source of information shall not in itself prevent completion of the assignment where the relevant analysis can reasonably be undertaken on the basis of other available and sufficiently reliable sources.

Performance indicators for the evaluation of results and payment

Deliverable

Content

Payment %

Timeline / working weeks

Inception Report, Methodology and Workplan

Methodology and workplan; proposed national legal/institutional, international standards and comparative foreign good-practice reference framework; sources and consultation approach; proposed categorization of regimes; architecture of standards, tools and analytical approach

10%

Weeks 1-3

Assessment and Standards Framework

Review of national framework, international standards and relevant comparative foreign operational models/good practices; analysis of available national arrangements and needs; proposed categories/regimes; common and differentiated requirements; key operational/protection issues; proposed framework of minimum standards and protection/referral architecture

15%

Weeks 4-8

Draft Integrated Operational Package

Draft Minimum Operational, Protection and Technical Standards; differentiated procedures by applicable category/regime; vulnerability identification and protection response framework; proposed inter-agency referral pathways; complete draft set of operational tools and annexes

25%

Weeks 9-14

Validated Operational Package and Draft Training Package

Standards/tools revised following available technical review; documented outstanding limitations where validation was not possible; complete competency-based face-to-face training package; pilot plan; cases/simulations; pre-/post-assessment and feedback tools

20%

Weeks 15-18

Pilot and Revision Report

One face-to-face pilot training; training and assessment results; structured feedback; analysis of practical application of standards/tools; identified implementation issues; documented revisions required

10%

Weeks 19-21

Final Integrated Operational and Learning Package

Final standards + differentiated procedures + operational tools + referral package + final face-to-face training package + complete digital-ready self-paced learning package/storyboard + all underlying/source materials in editable format

20%

Weeks 22-24

All materials produced under the assignment shall be submitted in fully editable formats and in a form allowing IOM to subsequently adapt, translate, reproduce, digitize and integrate them into digital learning platforms without requiring further authorization or substantive input from the Consultant.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, human rights, migration studies, public administration, social sciences, international relations or a related field with at least five years of relevant professional experience; or a university degree in the above fields with at least seven years of relevant professional experience.
• Demonstrated professional experience in migration management, migrant protection, human rights, return and removal procedures, immigration detention/temporary holding or other closely related areas.
• Demonstrated experience in analysing legal, institutional and operational frameworks and developing practical standards, procedures, guidelines, protocols or operational tools based on such analysis.
• Sound knowledge of applicable international human rights and migrant protection standards, including safeguards and protection considerations relating to migrants in vulnerable situations.
• Demonstrated ability to analyse relevant international and foreign practices and adapt applicable approaches to specific national and institutional contexts.
• Experience in developing practical training materials, including case studies, exercises, simulations and assessment tools.
• Experience related to immigration detention, temporary holding or reception facilities, inter-agency referral mechanisms and/or cooperation with law-enforcement, migration, social protection or other relevant public authorities would be a strong asset.
• Strong analytical, drafting and communication skills, including the ability to translate complex legal, institutional and protection requirements into practical and user-friendly operational solutions.
• Ability to work independently, manage a complex multi-stage assignment and engage professionally with government institutions and other relevant stakeholders.
• Fluency in written and spoken English and Russian is required; knowledge of Uzbek is an advantage.

Candidates are required to submit a separate financial proposal indicating the total professional fee for completion of the assignment.

Languages

For this consultancy, Fluency in written and spoken English and Russian is required; knowledge of Uzbek is an advantage.

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

Travel required

The consultancy will be home-based. The Consultant will be required to participate in person in the face-to-face pilot training in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

If the selected Consultant is based outside Uzbekistan, one mission to Tashkent will be required for the delivery of the pilot training. The timing and duration of the mission will be agreed in advance with IOM. Required travel will be arranged and covered separately by IOM in accordance with applicable IOM rules and procedures and should not be included in the Consultant's professional fee.

Other consultations, technical discussions and validation activities are expected to be conducted remotely or in person, as appropriate and subject to arrangements agreed with IOM.

Purpose of Assignment and Scope of the work

The consultancy will be performed primarily on a home-based basis, in close coordination with the Migrants Assistance and Protection Unit of IOM Uzbekistan. The Consultant will be required to participate in person in the face-to-face pilot training in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, as specified under Section 9 of these Terms of Reference.

The Consultant shall carry out the assignment in accordance with the agreed methodology and workplan and shall maintain regular coordination with IOM throughout the assignment. Any substantive adjustments to the agreed methodology, approach or scope arising during implementation shall be discussed and agreed with IOM in advance.

Working drafts and materials may be prepared in Russian and/or English, as appropriate for technical review and consultations with national stakeholders. Final deliverables shall be submitted in English and Russian, unless otherwise agreed with IOM. The language requirements for individual operational tools, training materials and digital-learning components will be agreed with IOM based on their intended use. Both language versions shall reflect the same finalized substantive content.

All deliverables and supporting materials shall be submitted electronically in editable formats. The Consultant shall ensure the accuracy, consistency and appropriate referencing of information used in the deliverables and shall maintain the confidentiality of any non-public information obtained in the course of the assignment. Information collected and processed under the consultancy shall be used solely for the purposes of the assignment and handled in accordance with applicable IOM requirements.

All original materials and outputs produced under the assignment shall be handed over to IOM and shall remain the property of IOM. All copyrights and other intellectual property rights in materials produced in the performance of this consultancy shall be vested exclusively in IOM. Any publication, reproduction or other use of such materials by the Consultant shall require the prior written consent of IOM.

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.

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