International Consultancy on Needs and Risks of Uzbek Migrants in Sweden and Transit Countries

4. Project Context and Scope

Uzbekistan is a country of origin for a significant number of labour migrants, with Russia, Kazakhstan, and Turkey being traditional destinations. However, in recent years, new migration patterns have emerged, including movement towards Europe, with Sweden becoming a key destination for asylum-seekers and irregular migrants. Migrants often face vulnerabilities such as irregular status, trafficking, scams, labour exploitation, limited access to services, and reintegration challenges upon return.
Transit countries along the route to Sweden (e.g., Turkey, Poland, Baltic States) are also critical points where migrants encounter risks, including smuggling networks, legal status issues, and lack of protection.
IOM Uzbekistan is implementing the project SWEDEN’S CONTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT IOM’S WORK ON PREVENTING IRREGULAR MIGRATION TO SWEDEN AND THE EU. The project aims to reduce irregular migration to Sweden and other EU countries by conducting targeted information campaigns in local communities (mahallas) and non-governmental organizations on the risks of irregular migration, including smuggling of migrants and human trafficking; alternatives to irregular migration, including regular, safe, and orderly migration channels; as well as supporting the development of local communities (mahallas) to create better conditions for preventing irregular migration. The project also provides technical support to enhance the capacity of Uzbek border authorities in travel document verification.
The Government of Uzbekistan, with IOM support, is exploring the establishment of a centralized consular hotline and digital information services to better assist Uzbek citizens abroad. A comprehensive needs and risks assessment in Sweden and transit countries will provide the evidence base for designing hotline services, referral pathways, and cooperation with host governments.
To assess the needs of migrants from Uzbekistan and the risks they may face in Sweden and transit countries, IOM is hiring an International Consultant on Migrant Needs and Risk Assessment Abroad.

5. Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing Migrants Assistance and Protection Unit, IOM Uzbekistan  6. 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 assess the needs, risks, and service gaps faced by Uzbek migrants in Sweden and selected transit countries, and to generate actionable evidence that can be used to design a consular hotline and information kiosks model.

Specifically, The Consultant Will:

• Map the risks of irregular migration, exploitation, and scams among Uzbek migrants.
• Assess migrants’ information and support needs abroad, with a focus on what type of hotline services they would use.
• Examine the role of consular services and local partners in Sweden and transit countries in addressing these risks.
• Identify referral pathways and cooperation opportunities for a hotline model.
• Provide recommendations for structuring, staffing, and operating a virtual hotline system.

For these purposes the following tasks are to be completed:

1. Desk Review

• Review existing literature, statistics, and policy and legal documents on Uzbek migrants in Sweden and key transit countries.
• Analyze host-country migration and asylum policies relevant to Uzbek nationals.
• Collect information on existing hotline/helpline practices in destination/transit states.

2. Stakeholder Consultations

• Interview relevant Swedish (and transit-country if possible) institutions (migration agencies, NGOs, labour authorities).
• Engage with Uzbek consular staff in Stockholm and other missions.
• Consult with migrant associations, diaspora networks, and service providers.

1. 3. Migrant Needs & Communication Preferences
2. 5. Hotline Design Linkages

• Conduct surveys and/or focus groups with Uzbek migrants (regular/irregular) in Sweden (and selected transit countries where possible).
• Assess information needs: legal status, employment, health, scams, trafficking risks, return support.
• Identify preferred communication channels (phone, WhatsApp, Telegram, web platform, social media).

4. Risk Analysis

• Map risks of irregular migration and trafficking in Sweden and transit corridors.
• Examine vulnerabilities to smuggling, labour exploitation, scams, discrimination, and abuse.
• Identify what types of cases migrants would likely report to a hotline.
• Map existing referral pathways (local NGOs, IOM, state services) that could be integrated into hotline responses.
• Recommend language, accessibility, and confidentiality features for hotline services.

6. Recommendations

• Provide actionable recommendations for the Government of Uzbekistan and partners on:
• Priority functions of the hotline (emergency response, legal info, referral, psychosocial support, etc.).
• Institutional linkages between consulates, NGOs, and hotline operators.
• Possible extension of hotline services to cover multiple EU and transit countries.

7. Performance indicators for the evaluation of results Deliverable Content Deadline Payment % Inception Report Methodology, stakeholder list, data collection plan Week 1 20% Interim Findings Draft analysis of needs/risks, initial hotline implications Week 4 20%  Draft Report Full assessment including migrant voices, service gaps, hotline design inputs Week 6 30% Final Report Revised report with recommendations for hotline and consular service model Week 7 30%  8. Qualification Requirements:

• Advanced degree in migration studies, sociology, international law, or related field.
• At least 5 years of professional experience in migration research, protection, or consular service design.
• Demonstrated experience conducting field research with migrants, including irregular migrants.
• Knowledge of EU/Swedish migration and asylum systems and transit-country migration contexts.
• Familiarity with hotline/helpline operations is a strong asset.
• Fluency in English and Russian or Uzbek is required.

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

Languages

• Fluency in English and Russian or Uzbek is required.

9. Travel required

• All other work to be done on ‘home-based’ mode in close coordination with IOM. 
• No travel expenses will be covered by IOM.

10. Purpose of Assignment and Scope of the work

All work assignments under this contract shall take place home-based within Sweden and it will be assumed that the service provider is in Sweden 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. 

11. 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

1. Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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