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.  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.

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:

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

Fieldwork may take place in:

Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) 

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:

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

Submitted in English and revised following IOM’s feedback.

Documentation of completed KIIs/FGDs and emerging themes.

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

Data validation with Organizations of Persons with Disabilities.

Incorporating feedback from IOM.

Presentation or internal workshop to disseminate findings.

Factsheets summarizing key findings for different programmatic units.   Education

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.