Call for Applications-Disability Inclusion Research Consultant

Project Context and Scope

IOM works to strengthen the protection environment in Pakistan, supporting both displaced Afghan nationals as well as other at-risk individuals and communities. Under the overall supervision of the Programme Coordinator (Protection) and Protection Officer, and the direct supervision of the National Protection Officer, the Disability Inclusion Consultant will be responsible for supporting the Protection Unit’s disability inclusion research efforts.

Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing:

The consultant will be contributing to IOM’s Protection Unit, under the broader Humanitarian, Recovery, and Resilience Division. In recent years, IOM Pakistan’s protection portfolio has expanded to cover activities related to protection case management, community-based protection, gender-based violence, legal aid and assistance, as well as protection monitoring and analysis. In addition, the Protection Unit is conducting protection mainstreaming, through the provision of capacity building, and training, as well as close coordination with other units and divisions across the mission
RESPONSIBILITIES
Tasks to be performed under this contract

The objective of this consultancy is to inform IOM’s protection programming by producing evidence-based analysis and actionable recommendations that enhance inclusion, accessibility, and protection outcomes for persons with disabilities across IOM’s areas of intervention.

Core Functions / Responsibilities

The Consultant will design and implement a research study assessing protection risks, access to essential services, and specific vulnerabilities of persons with disabilities in Pakistan.

Specifically, the Consultant is expected to:

• Design data collection tools, including Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs).

• Map participants and field locations across target provinces.

• Identify and, where required, coordinate with Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) or specialized facilitators/interpreters (e.g., sign language interpreters, mobility-support specialists, guides for blind participants) to ensure accessible and inclusive data collection.

• Prepare and submit an Inception Report, detailing methodology, sampling, tools, and workplan.

• Conduct and coordinate data collection activities. Data collection should prioritize diversity and accessibility, including the provision of reasonable accommodations (e.g., sign interpretation, transport, accessible venues).

• Produce a Data Collection Summary, documenting completed interviews/discussions, and emerging themes.

• Identify key protection risks, needs, and challenges faced by persons with disabilities among vulnerable communities in Pakistan

• Assess barriers and enablers related to access to protection and essential services, including healthcare, education, livelihoods, and legal assistance.

• Analyze protection risk profiles, highlighting how legal, social, and institutional frameworks influence their experiences.

• Develop and provide practical and programmatic recommendations for IOM and partners to strengthen disability inclusion within ongoing and future protection interventions.

• Produce a Report summarizing the findings and may also support dissemination through a presentation or internal workshop and the development of factsheets tailored for IOM’s thematic units.

Methodology:

The Consultant will adopt a mixed methods approach, combining desk research with field-based qualitative data collection.

• Desk Review:

• Qualitative Data Collection:

Review existing data, reports, and studies from IOM, UNHCR, WHO, NGOs, and other relevant actors focusing on disability inclusion, access to services, and protection risks for persons with disabilities in Pakistan.

Conduct Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and/or Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with:

• Persons with disabilities (adults above 18)
• Caregivers and family members
• Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs)
• Service providers and frontline actors
• Community representatives

Representation will be ensured across gender, age, and disability types (physical, sensory, intellectual, psychosocial).

• Geographic Scope:

Fieldwork may take place in:

• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP)
• Baluchistan
• Sindh
• Punjab

• Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT)
  

• Language:

Data collection may be conducted in Urdu and/or relevant local languages, with translation and technical support as required. However, all reports and transcripts should be submitted in English

Performance indicators for the evaluation of results
Expected Outputs:

The Consultant is expected to deliver the following outputs:

• Inception Report

• Detailing the methodology, sampling plan, data collection tools, and workplan.

• Submitted in English and revised following IOM’s feedback.

• Data Collection Summary

• Documentation of completed KIIs/FGDs and emerging themes.

• Draft Report

• Identifying key protection risks, needs, and challenges faced by persons with disabilities among vulnerable communities in Pakistan

• Final Report

• Data validation with Organizations of Persons with Disabilities.

• Incorporating feedback from IOM.

• Optional Outputs (as agreed with IOM):

• Presentation or internal workshop to disseminate findings.

• Factsheets summarizing key findings for different programmatic units.

QUALIFICATIONS
Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Political Science, International Development, Disability Studies, or a related field from an accredited academic institution.

• Master’s degree in a relevant field will be considered an advantage.

Experience

• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in research, protection, or disability inclusion within humanitarian or development contexts.

• Demonstrated experience in conducting qualitative research and analysis, particularly with marginalized or vulnerable populations.

Skills

• Knowledge of disability inclusion frameworks, protection principles, and accessibility standards.

• Previous experience working with IOM, UN agencies, or other international organizations is an advantage.

• Strong understanding of the sociopolitical context of Pakistan and familiarity with Afghan displacement dynamics.

• Commitment to ethical research principles, including “Do No Harm,” confidentiality, informed consent, and participation of persons with disabilities.

Languages

• Fluency in English and Urdu is required.
• Working knowledge of Pashto or other local languages is an advantage.

IOM’s official languages are English, French and Spanish Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments Travel required

• Yes

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 – behavioral 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

• 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, verification of residency, visa, and authorizations by the concerned Government, where applicable.

• 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.

• 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 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