National Consultant B: Legal and Policy Mapping Consultancy - Migration, Environment, and Climate Change Nexus

Project Context and Scope
Uzbekistan, like many countries, is experiencing the impacts of climate change, particularly rising temperatures and more frequent heat waves. These climate-induced events can have significant health consequences, especially for vulnerable populations, including migrants and their families. The Third National Communication of Uzbekistan to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) reported that research has shown that the arid climate, particularly during long and hot summers, can exacerbate conditions like ischemic heart disease, hypertensive disease, and cerebrovascular disease, due to thermal discomfort and external hyperthermic hypoxia ([1] \"Uzbekistan. National Communication (NC). NC 3.,\" UNFCCC, Tashkent, 2017).  Moreover, there is compelling evidence linking warmer periods to an increase in food-borne and water-borne diseases in Uzbekistan. Acute intestinal infections have been found to correlate positively with higher air temperatures, with a noticeable rise in bacterial dysentery cases during the summer months compared to other seasons. Increased mortality rates due to extreme heat have also been observed, underscoring the urgent need for effective measures to address climate-related health risks in Uzbekistan (V. Novikov and C. Kelly, \"Climate Change and Security in Central Asia.,\" 2017. [Online]. Available: https://www.osce.org/secretariat/355471?download=true).

Migrants, who often live and work in precarious conditions with limited access to health care and public services, may be at an even greater risk from extreme heat events. However, specific research on the impacts of rising temperatures and heatwaves on migrants and their families in destination communities remains limited in Central Asia in general and Uzbekistan in particular. At the same time, the gendered dimensions of these impacts are often overlooked. Understanding the specific vulnerabilities of male and female migrants, as well as women from migrant families to rising temperatures and heatwaves is essential to develop targeted interventions that protect the health of migrant communities.

This project aims to improve the understanding of national stakeholders of the impacts of rising temperatures and heatwaves on migrants – both internal and international – and their families in destination communities in Uzbekistan. It will contribute to the Government of Uzbekistan's implementation of the National Adaptation Plan as part of its commitment to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, with a special focus on the Sectoral Adaptation Plan for the Health Sector.

Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing:  Migration Health/MECC unit 

“Supporting the implementation of the National Adaptation Plan and assessing the impacts of climate change-induced rising temperatures and heatwaves on the health of migrants” (NC0144) funded by IOM Development Fund. 

Objectives of the mapping and analysis  To contribute to an evidence base on the nexus between migration, environment, and climate change, including gender considerations.

Scope of the mapping and analysis:
1.    Legal and Policy Mapping: Mapping and analysing national laws, regulations, and strategies in Uzbekistan to create an inventory and assess the good practices and gaps relevant to addressing the migration, environment and climate change nexus.
2.    Gender Sensitivity: The mapping will use a gender-sensitive approach to understand gender roles, and access to resources.

Reporting and Coordination

The selected consultant will report to the Project Manager and work closely with the Project Steering Committee and other key stakeholders, including local government bodies, migrant support organizations, and health services. Regular updates on progress will be expected throughout the study.

Tasks to be performed under this contract

 The Service Provider agrees to provide to the IOM the following services (the “Services”):

Component 1 - Coordination: 
•     Finalize a work plan in coordination with the IOM Project Manager 
•     Participate in the working group meetings as required by the IOM Project Manager.

Component 2 – Policy Mapping and Analysis
·    Conduct a desk review based on the methodology shared by IOM of the laws, regulations, and strategies on, inter alia, environmental degradation, climate change, disaster risk reduction, sustainable development, agriculture, rural development, urban development, health, gender, and migration (e.g., disaster displacement, planned evacuation, labour migration, remittances, diaspora, pastoralism, planned relocation, etc.) to identify how these could better align to address migration in the context of climate change and environmental degradation in the context of the recommendations of the Executive Committee of the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage to the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Identify cross-cutting elements (inter alia, gender) among laws, regulations, and strategies to foster policy coherence on the migration, environment and climate change nexus in the national planning and reporting on the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, and Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration. IOM will share the research methodology and examples of policy mapping and analysis with the selected service provider. 
·    Develop a report using the policy mapping and analysis template provided by IOM, which includes, inter alia, Abbreviations, Executive Summary, the Context, Methodology for Policy Mapping, Policy Situation  (i.e., Environmental Degradation, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction Frameworks, National Sustainable Development Framework, Migration Laws, Policies and Strategies, and National Gender Framework), Policy Analysis – alignment with the recommendations of the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage to the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (i.e., integrating human mobility-related challenges and opportunities into national planning processes, mapping, understanding and managing human mobility related to the adverse impacts of climate change, averting, minimizing and addressing displaced related to the adverse impacts of climate change, reporting and communicating on integrating human mobility challenges and opportunities into national planning processes, protection of internally displaced persons, including those displaced as a result of the adverse effects of climate change and facilitating orderly, safe and responsible migration and mobility of people), the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, and Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration, Conclusion, References and Annex (maximum 12,000 words including figures, references, and footnotes written in compliance with the IOM House Style Manual and Spelling List). 
·    Develop a policy brief with clear, actionable recommendations to inform national policy dialogue and future programming 1200-1800 words including figures, references, and footnotes written in compliance with the IOM House Style Manual and Spelling List).

Performance indicators for the evaluation of results

1. Timeline

   The timeline should include the following key milestones:

   Component 1 - Coordination: 

2. Finalize a work plan in coordination with the IOM Project Manager by 31 August 2025.
3. Participate in the working group meetings as required by the IOM Project Manager between 1 September 2025 and 31 January 2026.

   Component 2 – Policy Mapping and Analysis

4. Finalise the structure of the policy mapping and analysis report in coordination with IOM by 5 September 2025.
5. Develop and submit the first draft of the report using the policy mapping and analysis template provided by IOM, which includes Abbreviations, Executive Summary, the Context, Methodology for Policy Mapping, Policy Situation  (i.e., Environmental Degradation, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction Frameworks, National Sustainable Development Framework, Migration Laws, Policies and Strategies, and National Gender Framework), Policy Analysis – alignment with the recommendations of the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage to the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, and Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration, Conclusion, References and Annex (maximum 12,000 words including figures, references, and footnotes written in compliance with the IOM House Style Manual and Spelling List) by 30 October 2025. 
6. Develop and submit the final draft of the report using the policy mapping and analysis template provided by IOM, which includes Abbreviations, Executive Summary, the Context, Methodology for Policy Mapping, Policy Situation  (i.e., Environmental Degradation, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction Frameworks, National Sustainable Development Framework, Migration Laws, Policies and Strategies, and National Gender Framework), Policy Analysis – alignment with the recommendations of the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage to the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, and Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration, Conclusion, References and Annex (maximum 12,000 words including figures, references, and footnotes written in compliance with the IOM House Style Manual and Spelling List) by 20 December 2025.
7. Develop and submit the first draft of a policy brief (1200-1800 words including figures, references, and footnotes written in compliance with the IOM House Style Manual and Spelling List) that presents clear, actionable recommendations to inform national policy dialogue and future programming by 20 December 2025.
8. Develop and the final draft of a policy brief (1200-1800 words including figures, references, and footnotes written in compliance with the IOM House Style Manual and Spelling List) that presents clear, actionable recommendations to inform national policy dialogue and future programming by 11 January 2026. Expertise and Qualifications

   Qualification, capacity, and experience

9. Advanced university degree (e.g., PhD, LLM, MA, MSc) in Law, Public Policy, Environmental Studies, Political Science, International Relations, Migration Studies, or a relevant field.
10. Demonstrated expertise in conducting policy mapping and analysis in Uzbekistan.
11. Demonstrated expertise in conducting policy mapping related to migration, environment, and climate change nexus will be an advantage.
12. Demonstrated familiarity with the institutional landscape in Uzbekistan related to migration governance, environmental protection, climate action, and/or development planning.
13. Demonstrated expertise of addressing cross-cutting themes such as gender, human rights, and governance in policy analysis will be an asset.
14. Demonstrated experience of collaboration with relevant sectoral government entities in Uzbekistan related to migration governance, environmental protection, climate action, and/or development planning will be an advantage.
15. Demonstrated experience of publications in peer-reviewed journals and/or reports commissioned by the governments and/or international organizations relevant for this assignment (at least, 3 publications relevant to the assignment).
16. Strong communication and analytical skills, with demonstrated fluency in English; working knowledge of Uzbek and Russian is a strong asset.

    Proposed methodology, approach, and implementation plan

17. Demonstrated understanding of the assignment’s scope and objectives, with a clear approach to mapping and analysing relevant legal and strategic documents.
18. The proposal includes a sound and context-sensitive methodology for assessing legal coherence, institutional mandates, and cross-sectoral linkages.
19. Practical considerations for ensuring participatory validation (e.g., stakeholder interviews) are well integrated.
20. Ethical considerations and engagement with government and non-government stakeholders are adequately addressed.
21. A clear and feasible implementation plan is presented, with realistic timelines and deliverables. Languages
22. Language required for the position: Fluency in English, Russian, Uzbek (oral and written). 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
23. not required 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:
24. Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.