Job Description

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 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 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 project will support the development of a situational analysis of health workforce migration and related policies in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan and other selected Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) countries . The analysis involves the in-migration and out-migration flows and exchanges of health workers (nurses and doctors) and any mutual recognition of skills of health workforce amongst selected countries. This analysis will help identify how health workforce mobility may affect health system capacity and preparedness, particularly in border and high-mobility areas where adequate health personnel are important for preventing, detecting and responding to public health threats.

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

Objectives

The overall objective of this assignment is to generate evidence on health workforce migration and related policies in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan and other selected CAREC countries.

Under the overall supervision of the Project Managers at IOM Uzbekistan and IOM Tajikistan the Consultant will perform the following tasks:

1. Develop an inception report and work plan outlining the scope (selection of countries by IOM and ADB), methodology, approach, and timeline for the assignment, in coordination with IOM Project Managers at IOM Uzbekistan and IOM Tajikistan.
2. Conduct a desk review of relevant literature, policies, legal frameworks, agreements, and existing studies related to health workforce migration, skills recognition in selected CAREC countries (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, China, Georgia, Azerbaijan).
3. Identify opportunities, challenges, and barriers related to health workforce mobility and skills recognition across selected CAREC countries.
4. Conduct online consultations and key informant interviews with relevant government institutions, professional associations, academic institutions, development partners, and other stakeholders, as required.
5. Develop practical recommendations for strengthening mutual recognition of skills, facilitating professional exchanges, improving regional cooperation, and supporting health workforce development across CAREC countries.
6. Prepare and submit a situational analysis report, in accordance with IOM House Style and IOM guidelines for research reports.
7. Prepare and deliver presentations of the key findings to IOM, government counterparts, WHO and relevant stakeholders, facilitate discussion of key findings and recommendations, and incorporate relevant feedback into the final assessment report.
8. Participate in coordination meetings and provide periodic progress updates throughout the assignment.

Performance indicators for the evaluation of results

• First deliverable: Draft Situational Analysis Report, including detailed methodology, analytical framework, stakeholder mapping, analysis of findings, identified gaps and bottlenecks, preliminary recommendations and priority actions. Deliverable by 10 February 2027.
• Second deliverable: Final Situational Analysis Report and Presentation, including incorporated feedback from IOM, executive summary and actionable recommendations for strengthening regional cooperation, mutual recognition mechanisms, and health workforce mobility within CAREC countries.
• Fixed payment – deliverable by 10 April 2026.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Public Health, Health Policy, Health Systems Management, Migration Studies or other related disciplines.
• Minimum 7 years of relevant professional experience in health research, migration policies, or related areas.

Experience

• Demonstrated experience conducting policy reviews, situational analyses, assessments, or research related to health workforce migration, health labour markets, or human resources for health.
• Experience analyzing health workforce migration trends, including the movement of doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals across countries
• Familiarity with regional cooperation mechanisms, mutual recognition arrangements, and labour mobility frameworks in Central Asia and/or the broader CAREC region.
• Experience working with international organizations, government institutions, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Experience working in cross-border, migration or mobility-related health contexts, including with migrant and mobile populations, is an asset.

Skills

• Strong analytical and report-writing skills, with demonstrated experience in preparing high-quality health-related assessment and analytical reports, including evidence-based recommendations.
• Demonstrated 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.

Languages

For this consultancy, excellent written and spoken English is required. Knowledge of Russian and/or a relevant national language of CAREC countries would be an asset.

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

Travel: No travel is envisioned within the assignment.

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.
• Short Concept Paper outlining the proposed approach to the assignment
• 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