Lead National Consultant (National Assessment on Online Fraud and Fraudulent Recruitment Practices)

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

This consultancy contributes to the implementation of two IOM projects in Tajikistan: the “Central Asia Safe Migration” project funded by the UK Integrated Security Fund (ISF), which aims to reduce migrants’ vulnerability to exploitation, recruitment fraud, and unsafe migration while supporting sustainable reintegration for returning migrants across Central Asia; and “Tajikistan: Enhancing the Detection and Prevention of Online Recruitment Fraud and Digital Risks Targeting Migrants”, funded by the IOM Development Fund (IOMDF), which seeks to strengthen the detection and prevention of online labour recruitment fraud and related digital risks affecting migrants in Tajikistan.

The Lead National Consultant will be responsible for the overall coordination, analytical direction, and production of the National Assessment on Online Fraud and Fraudulent Recruitment Practices in Tajikistan. Working closely with the Secondary National Consultant and under the guidance of IOM National Project Officers, the Lead National Consultant will ensure that all research components are integrated into a coherent and evidence-based assessment that examines the risks of online fraud affecting prospective migrants and the effectiveness of existing prevention and response mechanisms.

The assessment will be structured around two complementary thematic pillars:

(1) Legal, Organisational, and Institutional Analysis, which will examine the legal, regulatory, and institutional environment responsible for labour migration, recruitment practices, digital platforms, online fraud, and victim protection in the Republic of Tajikistan. This component will assess the roles, responsibilities, capacities, and coordination mechanisms of relevant government institutions, law enforcement agencies, recruitment intermediaries, civil society organizations, and private-sector actors. It will also identify legislative, regulatory, and operational gaps that may enable fraudulent recruitment practices to persist.

(2) Individual Behavioural Analysis, which will explore the social, behavioural, and informational factors that influence migrants' vulnerability to fraudulent recruitment schemes and online scams. This component will examine how prospective migrants access recruitment opportunities and migration-related information, their perceptions of risk, decision-making processes, and the tactics commonly used by fraudsters to gain trust and exploit vulnerabilities.

The Lead National Consultant will take primary responsibility for the desk research and analysis under the first pillar and will provide technical oversight and analytical support to the Secondary National Consultant for the second pillar. The Lead National Consultant will also collaborate in the design of research tools, contribute to the analysis of qualitative interview data collected from prospective migrants and key informants, and ensure that primary research findings are systematically integrated into desk-based evidence.

Drawing on both pillars, the Lead National Consultant will lead on the delivery of a final assessment report and final mapping report, including the identification of prevalent fraud typologies, recruitment scam tactics, institutional response challenges, and emerging risk patterns. 

The findings of the report will be compiled and will provide practical and actionable recommendations to strengthen institutional capacities, improve inter-agency coordination, enhance information-sharing mechanisms and support more effective responses to online fraud targeting migrants. The report will inform subsequent capacity-development and technical assistance activities under the project and will be shared with relevant government counterparts, including the Interagency Task Force on Fraud Prevention established under IOM's UK Integrated Security Fund-funded migration programming. Recommendations will also address measures to strengthen the functioning of the Task Force, improve data-sharing arrangements and facilitate rapid and coordinated responses to emerging online fraud threats.

Responsibilities

The Lead National Consultant’s performance will be evaluated against the following criteria: timeliness, responsibility, initiative, communication and quality of the products delivered. 

Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Advanced degree (Master’s) in social sciences, legal studies, criminology or a related discipline.

• At least five years of experience in conducting research with a focus on institutional, organisational or legal analysis in the Republic of Tajikistan.

Experience

• Experience developing and validating research instruments, managing data collection processes, and ensuring data quality. 

• Adequate administrative and logistical support to handle any operational aspects of the research, including coordination of fieldwork, stakeholder engagement, and reporting.

• Knowledge of labour migration, recruitment and/or online fraudulent practices, cybersecurity governance, data protection and policies with specific reference to the Republic of Tajikistan.

• Experience managing direct reports in a research or consultancy setting. 

• Experience working with or in government institutions, preferably in relevant migration or internal affairs institutions

Languages

For this consultancy, fluency in English, Tajik and Russian (oral and written) is required.

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

Application Requirements:

• In addition to standard application documents, applicants are required to submit a brief proposed methodological approach (maximum 2–3 pages) outlining their understanding of the assignment, proposed research methods, data collection and analysis approaches, and key considerations for implementing the assessment. The proposed methodological approach will be considered as part of the technical evaluation of candidates. The selected consultants will be responsible for further developing and finalizing the detailed assessment methodology in consultation with IOM and relevant stakeholders following the commencement of the consultancy.

Please note: This project will be undertaken as a Joint Consultancy composed of a Lead National Consultant and Secondary National Consultant. If the Lead National Consultant and Secondary National Consultant are applying as a pair, this must be stipulated on both application forms. Prospective applicants may apply solely to the Lead National Consultant or Secondary National Consultant position. Successful candidates will then be paired as a Lead National Consultant or Secondary National Consultant. 

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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