International Consultant — Research on Strengthening Migration Data Governance in Mongolia Through Migrant-Centred Research

Introduction

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

 

IOM is committed to ensuring a workplace where all employees can thrive professionally, while working towards harnessing the full potential of migration. Read more about IOM's workplace culture at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration
 

Project Context and Scope

Mongolia faces a persistent gap in internal migration data that undermines the Government's ability to allocate resources, deliver services and develop evidence-based policies. Similar patterns are observed across nearly all provinces, when required data extraction from multiple sources are needed. Previous IOM research, including the Systematic Review of National Migration Data in Mongolia (IOM, 2023), identifies the main reason behind this inconsistency as incomplete migration registration, leading to underreporting of movement. While Mongolia has made considerable progress in digitalizing government services through the E-Mongolia platform, fundamental gaps in registration data persist due to the dynamics of the current legal and regulatory framework and migrant-side vulnerabilities. Furthermore, lack of accurate data and public service planning. Therefore, the National Statistics Office(NSO) plans to recommend solutions to the parliament on how to improve the registration, perhaps with incentives or stronger promotion of the benefit of the prompt registration.

Even though there was meaningful progress in strengthening migration statistics, Mongolia continues to face significant data challenges from unaligned systems that hinder evidence based policymaking and effective migration governance. Fragmented data systems, inconsistent methodologies, varying definitions and incomplete or inaccessible datasets complicate the ability to develop coherent migration policies. Coordination across institutions remains limited and administrative data sources, particularly for tracking migration flows and temporary mobility are underdeveloped. 

In response to this, IOM Mongolia is implementing this project to support NSO to advance its commitment to generate an evidence base reflecting migrants' perspectives on the registration process and to develop legal and regulatory recommendations to inform the Government's reform agenda. The project aims to enhance Mongolia’s capacity to strengthen migration governance by establishing a cohesive, efficient system for migration and temporary mobility data. 

The project's findings are timed to complement the NSO's interim Population and Housing Census results, which are scheduled to be presented in mid-2026, creating a unique window in which migrant-side evidence and legal-regulatory recommendations can be placed before lawmakers simultaneously with the data demonstrating the scale of the gap. This will involve supporting relevant State institutions, to adopt standardized methodologies aligned with  international best practices and standards.

The project is structured around three outputs: (1) a phone survey of approximately 300 households drawn from the NSO's census household contact list to capture migrant-side evidence on barriers to registration, which includes administrative, cost/incentive, access, trust and behavioural ; (2) a comparative legal and regulatory analysis reviewing Mongolia's framework against international systems, standards and case studies of other countries that have successfully reformed their registration processes; and (3) a consolidated report integrating the findings of Outputs 1.1 and 1.2 with validated recommendations and a methodology guideline for the NSO.

 Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing

Migration Data, Insight and Policy
 

Responsibilities and Tasks to be performed under this contract:

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission, IOM Mongolia, the direct supervision of the Programme Manager, and in close coordination with the National UN Volunteer Specialist and IOM Mongolia project staff, the International Consultant will perform the following tasks:

ADD DETAILS INCLUDING PROJECT NAME AND WBL Tasks to be performed under this contract

• Lead the research design for the phone survey (Output 1.1),
•  Conduct the comparative legal and regulatory analysis (Output 1.2), and 

• Provide expert input to the consolidated report (Output 1.3). The Consultant will also coordinate with the NSO and other key stakeholders as required, with overall stakeholder liaison led by IOM Mongolia.

   

 Performance indicators for the evaluation of results

• The successful candidate will be responsible for producing the following outputs in close coordination with IOM Mongolia and the National UN Volunteer Specialist:

• A research methodology note for the phone survey (Output 1.1) covering objectives, sampling approach, questionnaire design, data collection protocol, gender and disability inclusion considerations, data analysis plan, ethical considerations and risk mitigation. The note will be developed in consultation with the NSO and IOM Mongolia.

• A draft gender-sensitive comparative legal and regulatory analysis report (Output 1.2) reviewing Mongolia's existing legal, regulatory and administrative framework on internal migration registration and comparing it with approximately three (3) international cases of successful registration system reform. Comparator countries will be selected in consultation with IOM Mongolia and the NSO. The draft will identify specific provisions that create barriers to or fail to motivate registration, including provisions that may disproportionately affect women, and extract lessons applicable to Mongolia's context.

• Final input to the consolidated report (Output 1.3) integrating findings from Outputs 1.1 and 1.2, including a final version of the comparative legal and regulatory analysis chapter and contributions to the recommendations section.

• All outputs will be produced in English and will mainstream gender and disability considerations throughout. Research must comply with IOM Data Protection Principles.

•  

• DeliverableDelivery DateDelivery MethodPayment1. Research methodology note for the phone survey (Output 1.1), including questionnaire and sampling protocol.Within 1 month from commencement of the consultancyVia e-mail10%2. Draft a preliminary findings brief based on the findings of the phone survey (Output 1.1).Within  3 month from commencement of the consultancyVia e-mail20%2. Draft gender-sensitive comparative legal and regulatory analysis brief (Output 1.2), covering Mongolia and approximately three comparator countries.Within  3 months from commencement of the consultancyVia e-mail20%3. Final input to the consolidated report (Output 1.3), including the final comparative legal and regulatory analysis chapter and contribution to the recommendations section.Within 7 months from commencement of the consultancyVia e-mail50%

• All delivery dates will be confirmed during the contracting process.

• Methodological Framework

  The research will combine mixed survey methodology (Output 1.1) with qualitative legal, regulatory and administrative analysis (Output 1.2). Output 1.1 will employ a structured phone survey of approximately 300 households drawn from the government’s support on household contact list. Survey administration will be conducted by NSO staff under the methodological guidance of the International Consultant, with support from the National UN Volunteer Specialist. The questionnaire will be designed to capture sex- and age-disaggregated data and gender-differentiated barriers to registration. Output 1.2 will be conducted through a desk review of Mongolian primary legislation and implementing regulations governing migration registration, complemented by a structured comparison of approximately three international cases. Both outputs will mainstream gender and disability considerations into research design, analysis, policy implications and reporting. 

• Performance indicators for the evaluation of results

  The Consultant Evaluation will be carried out based on the following indicators: 

  a.

• Understanding of the scope of the assignment. 
• Professional competence and mastery of the subject matter of the consultancy. 
• Written and verbal communication skills, including report writing. 
• Delivering results consistent with the agreed Terms of Reference. 
• Accurately judging the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task. 

• Upholding and demonstrating IOM values and core competencies in the daily consultancy activities. 

   

   

  b.

• Deliverables submitted according to the timelines outlined .
• Quality of the deliverables according to the tasks outlined above.
• Final version of the deliverables reflects inputs of parties consulted, including the NSO, IOM Mongolia and other key stakeholders.
• Adherence to IOM Data Protection Principles throughout the research process.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Postgraduate degree (Master's or PhD) in Law, Social Sciences, Public Policy, Statistics, Migration Studies, Development Studies, or a related field.

Experience

• At least 5 years of professional experience in research, with demonstrated expertise in mixed methods or quantitative survey-based research or in the area of development of national policies and legal acts.

• Demonstrated experience conducting research on civil registration, population registers, residency permits, or internal migration registration systems, preferably producing policy reform recommendations.

• Demonstrated experience in designing or supporting phone surveys, household surveys, or migrant-centred research methodologies.
• Previous  experience in in development of legal framework assessment and comparative analysis , particularly those related to international standards on migration, civil registration, population data, or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience in producing research reports validated by multiple stakeholders, including government counterparts, UN agencies and other international partners.

• Experience in liaising and coordinating with multi-stakeholder groups, including national governments, UN agencies, and other international organizations is an advantage.

• Experience working in Mongolia, Northeast Asia or Central Asia is preferable.

• At least 5 years of proven experience 

• Experience in working with public administrations, NGOs, local authorities and institutions/organizations working on areas of migration and temporary mobility data collection and protection at the national and/or international level.

Skills

• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to synthesize quantitative and qualitative evidence into actionable recommendations.

• Strong legal analysis skills, with the ability to review primary legislation and regulatory frameworks.

• Strong data analysis skills, including familiarity with quantitative survey data cleaning and analysis.

• Demonstrated ability to mainstream gender and disability considerations in research design and analysis.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, with proven ability to produce concise policy-relevant outputs.

Languages

For this consultancy, fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of Mongolian is an asset.

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

Travel required

Travel to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia is required on two occasions: (i) the project inception meeting with the NSO and key stakeholders at the start of the consultancy; and (ii) the final validation workshop with the NSO, GASR and other stakeholders towards the end of the consultancy. All other work will be conducted on a homebased teleworking basis. The travel costs and Daily Subsistence Allowance on these occasions will be covered by IOM Mongolia.

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.

 

How to apply:

Interested candidates are invited to submit the following documents by 3 May 2026: 

• CV

• One-page Cover letter

• Financial proposal outlining the consultancy fee (Costs for travel and Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) for forementioned travels will be covered by IOM Mongolia) 

• Sample of previous relevant work (research report or comparable output – if applicable)

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interview.

 

13. Other

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

• All intellectual property and other proprietary rights resulting from this consultancy shall be vested in IOM, including the rights to use, reproduce, adapt, publish and distribute any item or part thereof.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted 

 

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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