International Consultant - Development of Minimum Operational, Protection and Technical Standards and Tools for Temporary Holding Centres for Migrants, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

## International Consultant - Development of Minimum Operational, Protection and Technical Standards and Tools for Temporary Holding Centres for Migrants, Tashkent, Uzbekistan - Organization:IOM - International Organization for Migration - Office:IOM in Tashkent, Uzbekistan 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 consultancy will be implemented within the framework of the NORAD-funded regional project“Enhancing Protection of Migrants from Violence, Exploitation and Abuse in Central Asia”,implemented by IOM in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The project aims to strengthen protection systems for migrants in vulnerable situations through improved institutional capacities, access to protection services, regional cooperation and practical tools for identification, referral and response. UnderOutput 2.2,the project supports protection and essential service providers in accessing and applying practical tools, guidelines and procedures to effectively respond to the protection needs and rights of vulnerable migrants, including children and victims of trafficking. In Uzbekistan, the need has been identified for practical standards and tools to support the organization, management and operation of temporary holding centres for migrants. Such facilities may accommodate migrants with different legal and operational statuses and therefore require both common minimum standards and, where relevant, differentiated procedures and safeguards appropriate to the circumstances of the individuals concerned. The assignment will support the development of a comprehensive framework ofminimum operational, protection and technical standards and practical toolsfor such facilities. The framework will address conditions and management of temporary holding, relevant operational procedures and differentiated regimes, while integrating mechanisms for early identification of vulnerabilities and specific protection needs, application of appropriate safeguards, and referral to existing protection and essential services. Particular attention will be given to strengthening practical interfaces between the relevant authorities and existing protection and social service systems, including the National Agency for Social Protection, drawing where relevant on the findings of the national mapping of services and protection gaps for vulnerable migrants conducted under the project. The standards and tools will be informed by applicable national requirements, relevant international standards and guidance, and comparative foreign good practices and operational models. The consultancy will further support their practical application through the development and pilot delivery of a competency-based training package and preparation of the finalized training content for subsequent conversion into a self-paced digital learning module. Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributingMigrants Assistance and Protection Unit, IOM Uzbekistan Category B Consultant - Tasks to be performed under this contract- under the direct supervision of the National Project Officer (Protection) and overall coordination of the Chief of Mission (CoM)The overall objectiveof this consultancy is to develop a comprehensive, practical and context-appropriate framework of minimum operational, protection and technical standards and tools for temporary holding centres for migrants in Uzbekistan, taking into account different legal and operational categories of migrants and applicable regimes of stay. The framework will aim to support safe, humane and effective operation and management of such facilities, in line with applicable national requirements, international standards and relevant comparative foreign good practices, while strengthening mechanisms for the identification of migrants in vulnerable situations, application of appropriate safeguards, and referral to existing protection and essential services. The consultancy will also develop and pilot a corresponding competency-based training package and prepare the finalized training content for subsequent conversion into a self-paced digital learning module. To complete the assignment, the Consultant will carry outthe following tasks:Scope of Work1. Review the applicable legal, institutional, international and comparative framework - Review applicable national legislation, regulations and institutional arrangements governing the placement, temporary holding, return, removal, onward transfer and other relevant migration-related procedures in Uzbekistan. - Review applicable international standards, principles and guidance concerning immigration detention and temporary holding, conditions of stay, facility management, procedural safeguards and protection of migrants in vulnerable situations. - Reviewrelevant comparative foreign good practices and operational modelsfor the organization and management of temporary holding/detention facilities for migrants, including approaches to conditions of stay, differentiated regimes, vulnerability identification, referral and protection safeguards. - Review available information on the existing and/or planned organization, management and operation of relevant facilities in Uzbekistan. - Seek consultations,where feasible and subject to stakeholder availability,with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and other relevant institutions to clarify existing practices, operational needs and institutional responsibilities. - Where consultations or relevant information are unavailable, use available documentation, information provided by IOM and other relevant sources and clearly identify resulting limitations. - Take into account relevant findings of the national mapping of protection services and gaps for vulnerable migrants, where available.2. Identify and structure applicable categories and regimes - Identify the principal legal and operational categories of migrants who may be temporarily held in the relevant facilities, to the extent supported by applicable legislation, institutional arrangements and available information. - Develop an operational framework distinguishing, as relevant: o persons temporarily held pending execution of return, removal or deportation procedures from Uzbekistan; o persons temporarily held pending onward transfer, return or another migration-related procedure; o other relevant categories identified through the assessment. - For each applicable category/regime, identify relevant procedures, institutional responsibilities, safeguards, documentation requirements and possible pathways/outcomes. - Identify common requirements applicable irrespective of status and areas where differentiated procedures or safeguards are required.3. Develop common minimum operational, protection and technical standardsDevelop minimum standards applicable across the relevant regimes, covering, as appropriate: - admission, registration and provision of information; - dignity, non-discrimination and treatment; - a