Project Context and Scope
Tajikistan, a disaster-prone country located in a seismically active zone, is periodically affected by localized emergencies such as floods, avalanches, mudflows, landslides, and conflict-related displacement across all regions. These events-particularly floods and earthquakes-often result in internal displacement.
In addition, recent security developments in Afghanistan and subsequent large-scale population movement have rendered the Tajikistan-Afghanistan border increasingly fragile and at risk of mass influx. The Republic of Tajikistan already hosts the largest number of refugees in Central Asia, primarily from neighboring Afghanistan.ย The sudden drop in direct international development assistance in Afghanistan, growing unemployment, a weakening banking sector, continuing economic collapse is expected to drive more Afghans to seek better opportunities and safety abroad.ย ย
These events have led to recurrent temporary displacement of populations, often necessitating the establishment of informal or ad-hoc displacement sites. While national and local authorities, primarily the Committee of Emergency Situations and Civil Defense (CoES), are the designated lead agencies for emergency response, recent incidents have revealed critical gaps in preparedness, site coordination, and frontline response capacity.
IOM, through its engagement with the Government of Tajikistan and humanitarian partners, has noted the absence of a structured Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) framework embedded within national response systems. Although some elements of site management have been informally carried out by CoES and its local branches, there is a lack of institutionalized roles, dedicated tools, or training related to CCCM in temporary displacement contexts. This challenge was echoed during consultations with CoES, who expressed a desire to improve their internal capacity, clarify institutional roles, and develop practical tools for displacement site management.
Following the signing of a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between IOM and CoES in 2025, both entities agreed to jointly develop a tailored Capacity Building Strategy. To inform this, a baseline study will be conducted to assess the current legal, institutional, operational, and training systems related to displacement site management in Tajikistan. The study will also draw from lessons learned globally, such as nationalized cluster systems to identify effective entry points for integrating CCCM functions into Tajikistan's emergency response system.
Purpose and Objectives of the Assignment
Overall Purpose: To assess the institutional, legal, operational, and training readiness of CoES and related stakeholders in fulfilling CCCM responsibilities in temporary displacement scenarios, and to provide evidence-based recommendations for the development of a contextualized capacity-building strategy.
Specific Objectives:
To analyze the extent to which CCCM roles and principles are reflected in national emergency response frameworks, laws, and operational protocols.
To assess CoESโ functional capacity and institutional preparedness for site coordination and camp management.
To evaluate the scope and content of existing training content delivered by the CoES Training Center, with a focus on displacement-related preparedness.
To map current practices, coordination mechanisms, and informal arrangements used during recent temporary displacements.
To generate practical recommendations to support the localization of CCCM, including training modules, institutional frameworks, tools, and coordination models.Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing
Improving Migration Governance and Access to Services for Displaced Afghans in Pakistan and Central Asia Tasks to be performed under this contract
3.1 Desk Review:
Review national policies, disaster risk management plans, contingency frameworks, and emergency SOPs.
Analyze the legal mandates of CoES and other relevant entities regarding temporary displacement and site management.
Examine any existing associated temporary shelter/CCCM-related materials, checklists, guidelines, or sector-specific coordination protocols from partner agencies.
3.2 Institutional Functional Review:
Analyze the capacity, assess the organizational structure, mandates, and operational protocols of CoES at both national and sub-national levels.
Identify overlaps or gaps in CCCM roles and responsibilities across government and humanitarian actors.
Evaluate CoESโ coordination capacity with partners such as Rapid Emergency Assessment and Coordination Team (REACT), the Red Crescent Society, local authorities, and UN agencies.
3.3 Training and Capacity Assessment:
Conduct an in-depth review of the existing CoES Training Center's training curriculums,ย educational and methodological resources and delivery mechanisms, including staff development, mentoring and technical support.
Identify existing content relevant to CCCM (e.g., site planning, protection, WASH, shelter, GBV, community engagement).
Recommend specific CCCM modules for integration, with suggestions on delivery methods (simulations, workshops, online modules).
3.4 Stakeholder Consultations:
Conduct Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with CoES leadership and technical staff at national and regional levels.
Organize Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with local-level first responders and operational actors.
Engage with representatives from relevant ministries, NGOs, UN agencies, and community-based organizations.
3.5 Mapping of Practices and Lessons Learned:
Document how past displacement responses were managed (e.g., 2023 and 2024 flood/clash-related events).
Map coordination and site management roles performed informally or formally by different actors.
Identify gaps, challenges, and lessons learned from these events.
3.6 Gap Analysis and Recommendations:
Analyze the findings in relation to global CCCM standards and regional best practices.
Provide detailed and actionable recommendations for:
Institutionalization of CCCM roles within CoES
Capacity building plan outlining the development and delivery of CCCM training content
Development or adaptation of CCCM tools (site assessment forms, coordination templates, SOPs)
Strengthening inter-agency coordination and involvement of the local community and displaced persons' participation
Mainstreaming protection and gender considerations into site management functions
Methodology
The study will utilize a qualitative, participatory, and context-sensitive approach. The methodology will consist of:
Document review: analysis of national policy frameworks, SOPs, laws, and training materials.
Semi-structured interviews and FGDs: using thematic tools developed in the inception phase.
Comparative analysis: referencing localization approaches used in other settings (e.g., Indonesia, Nepal).
Field visits: to at least two regions affected by past displacement events, if security and access permit.
The consultant is expected to work closely with IOM Tajikistan and CoES, ensuring buy-in and validation throughout the assessment process.
Deliverables
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Deliverable
Description
Timeline
1
Desk Review
Review and analysis of relevant literature, national policies, legal and regulatory frameworks, project reports, statistical data, and other relevant studies.
Week 1
2
Inception Report
A detailed workplan describing the final methodology, research tools, stakeholder mapping, fieldwork plan, as well as the scope and limitations of the assessment.
Week 2
3
Data Collection Tools and Interview Protocols
Development and validation (with IOM) of tools for Key Informant Interviews (KII) and Focus Group Discussions (FGD).
Week 3