Call for Applications : Protection Research and Affective Cartographies Study

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) works to strengthen the protection environment for displaced populations, migrants, returnees, and vulnerable communities in Pakistan. Within the context of increased movements of Afghan nationals between Pakistan and Afghanistan, evolving protection risks, return dynamics, legal and documentation challenges, and heightened vulnerabilities among different population groups, IOM seeks to commission a comprehensive qualitative and participatory research study.

The study will replicate and adapt the methodology used in the regional "Affective Cartographies" study while expanding its focus beyond women and girls to include:

• Adolescents• Adult women• Adult men• Older persons• Persons with disabilities• Female-headed households• Survivors of violence• Persons at risk of trafficking, exploitation, detention, or deportation• Valid VISA holders, documented (former) and undocumented Afghan nationals

The research will examine the experiences of Afghan nationals and other migrants with protection concerns through protection lens exploring:1. Individual Sphere2. Family and Community Sphere3. Institutional Sphere4. Cross-Border Sphere

The consultancy will generate evidence to support protection programming, policy engagement, advocacy, protection mainstreaming, community-based protection initiatives, legal assistance interventions, MHPSS programming, durable solutions planning, and future strategic investments by IOM and partners.

The consultant will contribute to the Protection Unit, Humanitarian, Recovery and Resilience Division (HRRD), IOM Pakistan. The Protection Unit implements activities related to protection case management, gender-based violence, child protection, legal assistance, community engagement, protection mainstreaming, and evidence-based protection analysis through protection monitoring.

bjective of the ConsultancyTo design and implement a comprehensive protection research study that maps:• Protection risks• Psychosocial wellbeing and migratory grief• Access to services• Protection barriers• Coping mechanisms• Community support systems• Social cohesion dynamics• Documentation and legal challenges• Protection priorities and recommendations

Among Afghan nationals and other migrants with protection concerns in Pakistan and selected cross-border contexts relating to Afghanistan.

Scope of Research

The consultant shall examine:

Protection Risks• Gender-based violence• Family separation• Human trafficking risks• Smuggling vulnerabilities• Exploitation and abuse• Arbitrary detention• Deportation risks• Child protection concerns• Child labour

• Child marriage

Psychosocial Wellbeing• Identity and belonging• Fear and uncertainty• Migratory grief• Trauma• Mental health and psychosocial wellbeing• Resilience and coping strategies

Access to Services• Documentation and legal identity• Legal assistance• Social protection• Health services• MHPSS• Livelihoods• Shelter and housing• Education

Cross-Border Dynamics• Return experiences• Circular migration•  Family reunification• Border management impacts• Reintegration challenges

Social Cohesion• Community support structures• Relations with host communities• Inclusion and participation• Perceptions of discrimination• Xenophobia

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

First Deliverable The consultant shall submit an Inception Report including:

• Literature review

• Detailed methodology• Sampling framework• Research tools• Ethical framework• Data protection measures•  Workplan•  Stakeholder engagement plan

Second Deliverable 

Data Collection Completion Package

The Submission will include:• Completed FGDs• Completed KIIs• Completed IDIs• Fieldwork summary• Quality assurance documentation• Preliminary emerging findings presentation

Third Deliverable 

Draft Research Report

This would include Comprehensive draft report covering:• Methodology• Protection risks• Migratory grief analysis• Service access barriers• Cross-border findings• Protection risk mapping•  Community coping mechanisms

• Preliminary recommendations

Fourth deliverable 

Validation Workshop and Policy Brief

The consultant shall:• Facilitate one validation workshop• Present preliminary findings• Document stakeholder feedback• Develop a concise policy brief (10-15 pages)

Final deliverable 

 Final Report Package

The Submission of Final Research Report will include• Executive Summary• Methodology• Findings•  Protection Analysis• Service Gap Analysis•  Recommendations

Affective Protection Cartography FrameworkDevelop visual analytical mapping of:• Protection risks• Protection pathways• Migratory grief trajectories• Community support systems• Institutional barriers

Research Dataset• Clean interview records• Coding framework (where applicable)• Research tools• Presentation deck

Methodology:The consultant shall utilize a mixed-methods approach combining desk research, participatory qualitative research, and stakeholder validation.

a) Desk Review:Review of existing materials including:• IOM publications• Government policies• UN reports• Academic research• Protection assessments• Refugee and migration frameworks• Relevant legislation and legal frameworks

b) Qualitative Data Collection:The consultant shall design and implement:

Focus Group Discussions (FGDs)Separate FGDs with:• Adult women• Adult men• Adolescent girls• Adolescent boys• Older persons• Persons with disabilities• Returnees• Migrant/refugees• Undocumented Afghan nationals

Key Informant Interviews (KIIs)With:• Government representatives• Service providers• UN agencies• NGOs• Community leaders• Legal experts• Academics• Health professionals• Protection specialists

In-Depth Interviews (IDIs)With persons presenting specific vulnerabilities, including:• Survivors of violence• Persons facing deportation concerns• Female-headed households• Persons with disabilities• Persons with complex protection concerns

Participatory Observation and Case AnalysisWhere appropriate and approved by IOM, the consultant may review anonymized case management trends and protection monitoring findings to support triangulation of results.

Research PrinciplesThe consultant shall comply with:

• Do No Harm principles• Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA)• Child Safeguarding Standard• Gender-sensitive approaches• Disability-inclusive research practices• Informed consent procedures• Data protection protocols• Confidentiality and ethical research standards

These elements will be integrated throughout all stages of research.

c) Geographic Scope:Fieldwork may be conducted in selected locations including:Pakistan• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa• Balochistan

Particular attention should be given to communities hosting large populations of Afghan nationals.

The Consultant is expected to deliver the following outputs:• Inception Report• Data Collection Tools• FGD Guides• KII Guides• IDI Guides• Data Collection Summary• Draft Research Report• Validation Workshop• Policy Brief• Final Research Report• Executive Summary• Protection Cartography Framework• PowerPoint Presentation• Final Research Package

The consultant's performance will be evaluated based on:• Timely completion of deliverables.• Quality and comprehensiveness of outputs.• Methodological rigor.• Compliance with ethical standards.• Quality of stakeholder engagement.• Quality of analysis and recommendations.• Responsiveness to feedback.• Utility of findings for programming and policy development.