Call for Applications : Protection Research and Affective Cartographies Study

The International Organization for Migration (IOM), a leading UN agency established in 1951, is seeking a consultant to design and implement a comprehensive qualitative research study focused on protection risks and experiences among Afghan nationals and other migrants in Pakistan and selected cross-border areas. This research aims to explore protection concerns, psychosocial wellbeing, access to services, social cohesion, and cross-border dynamics affecting vulnerable populations such as women, men, adolescents, older persons, persons with disabilities, survivors of violence, and those at risk of trafficking or deportation. The findings will support evidence-based programming, policy development, advocacy, and community protection initiatives within IOM’s Protection Unit in Pakistan.

Key Responsibilities
- Develop and submit an inception report detailing literature review, methodology, sampling framework, research tools, ethical considerations, data protection measures, workplan, and stakeholder engagement strategy.
- Conduct qualitative data collection through Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), and In-Depth Interviews (IDIs) with diverse groups including migrants, government representatives, service providers, and protection specialists.
- Ensure participatory observation and case analysis, where appropriate, to triangulate findings with anonymized case management data.
- Prepare a draft research report covering methodology, protection risks, migratory grief, service access barriers, cross-border findings, community coping mechanisms, and preliminary recommendations.
- Facilitate a validation workshop to present findings, gather stakeholder feedback, and develop a concise policy brief.
- Deliver a final research report package including an executive summary, protection and service gap analysis, recommendations, and a visual analytical mapping framework (Affective Protection Cartography).
- Maintain compliance with ethical standards including Do No Harm, Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), child safeguarding, gender sensitivity, disability inclusion, informed consent, confidentiality, and data protection throughout the research process.
- Engage with communities in key geographic locations such as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, focusing on areas hosting large Afghan populations.
- Meet performance indicators related to timely delivery, quality of outputs, methodological rigor, stakeholder engagement, and responsiveness to feedback.

Required Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Social Sciences, Anthropology, Sociology, International Relations, Development Studies, Psychology, Migration Studies, Human Rights, or related protection disciplines. A PhD or advanced research credentials are an asset.
- Minimum seven years of relevant professional experience in conducting complex qualitative research, particularly in migration, displacement, and protection programming.
- Proven experience working with Afghan populations and conducting FGDs, KIIs, and participatory research methodologies.
- Strong analytical, report-writing, and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Previous experience with IOM, UN agencies, research institutions, or international NGOs is highly desirable.
- Knowledge of protection monitoring, community-based protection, gender-based violence (GBV), or legal protection programming is advantageous.
- Proficiency in English with strong writing skills; knowledge of Dari or Pashto is considered an asset and may be assessed during the selection process.

Preferred Qualifications and Benefits
- The consultant will benefit from IOM’s occupational accident and illness coverage under the Compensation Plan for the consultancy duration.
- The consultancy offers an opportunity to contribute to impactful protection research influencing policy and programming for vulnerable migrant populations.
- Candidates must provide proof of medical insurance for non-occupational health issues prior to engagement.
- IOM upholds a zero-tolerance policy for misconduct including sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment, and discrimination.
- Only applications submitted through the official IOM e-Recruitment system will be considered. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted, and no fees are charged at any recruitment stage.

This consultancy represents a critical role in advancing protection frameworks and support mechanisms for displaced and vulnerable communities in Pakistan and the region.