Tenders are invited for Consultancy: 4mi Data Collection on Afghan Migrants and Refugees Mixed Migration to and through Pakistan. Closing Date: 17 Oct 2025 Type: Consultancy Themes: Health/Protection and Human Rights 1. Who is the Danish Refugee Council? Founded in 1956, the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a leading international NGO and one of the few with a specific expertise in forced displacement. Active in 40 countries with 9,000 employees and supported by 7,500 volunteers, DRC protects, advocates, and builds sustainable futures for refugees and other displacement affected people and communities. DRC works during displacement at all stages: In the acute crisis, in displacement, when settling and integrating in a new place, or upon return. DRC provides protection and life-saving humanitarian assistance; supports displaced persons in becoming self-reliant and included into hosting societies; and works with civil society and responsible authorities to promote protection of rights and peaceful coexistence. About the Mixed Migration Centre The Mixed Migration Centre (MMC) is a global network engaged in data collection, research, analysis, and policy and programmatic development on mixed migration, with regional hubs in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe and Latin America, and a global team based across Copenhagen, Geneva and Brussels. MMC is a leading source for independent and high-quality data, research, analysis and expertise. MMC aims to increase understanding of mixed migration, to positively impact global and regional migration policies, to inform evidence-based mixed migration responses for people on the move and to stimulate forward thinking in public and policy debates on mixed migration. MMCs overarching focus is on human rights and protection for all people on the move. The three overall objectives of the MMC are: To contribute to a better, more nuanced and balanced understanding of mixed migration (knowledge) To contribute to evidence-based and better-informed migration policies and debates (policy) To contribute to effective evidence-based protection responses for people on the move (programming) The MMC is part of, and governed by, DRC. MMC regional hubs are hosted within DRC regional offices, but part of the global MMC network. While its institutional link to DRC ensures MMCs work is grounded in operational reality, it acts as an independent source of data, research, analysis and policy development on mixed migration for policymakers, practitioners, journalists, and the broader humanitarian sector. The position of the MMC does not necessarily reflect the position of DRC. For more information on MMC visit our website (https://mixedmigration.org/). Since 2014, MMC has been implementing 4Mi (please see our website for details) as its flagship primary data collection system which is an innovative approach that helps fill knowledge gaps, and inform policy and response regarding the nature of mixed migratory movements and the protection risks for refugees and migrants on the move. 4Mi has a unique network of field enumerators situated along frequently used mixed migration routes and in major migratory hubs. It aims to offer a regular, standardized, quantitative system of collecting primary data on mixed migration. In Asia and the Pacific, 4Mi has been active and implemented in Türkiye, Afghanistan, India, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia. 2. Purpose of the consultancy The Mixed Migration Centre (MMC) seeks proposals from a consultant to implement 4Mi data collection in Pakistan for the specified period mentioned below to collect data on mixed movements of Afghan migrants and refugees to and through Pakistan in selected locations. 3. Background Pakistan has hosted large Afghan populations for over four decades. Since the Taliban takeover in August 2021, Pakistan has played an increasingly critical role for Afghans seeking safety, access to consular services for third-country visas, or participation in relocation programs. Afghan migrants and refugees in Pakistan face protection risks related to legal status, movement restrictions, and access to services, while those in transit often encounter additional challenges along the migration route. Additionally, Pakistans recent deportation plan targeting undocumented Afghan nationals has significantly impacted Afghan refugees and migrants, increasing the urgency for humanitarian access, protection measures, and assistance for those affected by forced returns, legal uncertainties, and heightened vulnerabilities. MMC aims to document these complex Afghan migration dynamics to and through Pakistan through data collection and research with Afghans on the move. The objective is to improve understanding of who is migrating, why they migrate, the routes they take, and the conditions they experience, including the protection risks and needs of different migrant groups. 4. Objectives of the consultancy The primary objectives of this consultancy will be to understand: 1. Who is undertaking mixed migration journeys? What are the socio-demographic profiles of Afghan refugees and migrants in Pakistan? 2. What do refugees and migrants journeys look like? What are the routes, duration, conditions, financing, and forms of assistance received during migration? 3. What is motivating refugees and migrants to make the journey? What are the drivers influencing Afghan migration to and through Pakistan, including economic conditions, conflict, family dynamics, and deportation risks? 4. What dangers do refugees and migrants face on their journey, and where? What are the most common protection risks, including detention, extortion, trafficking, and family separation? 5. How vulnerable are migrants on their journey, and what determines their vulnerability? How do factors such as age, gender, legal status, and travel conditions impact the risks they face? 6. How prevalent is smuggling, and how does it manifest itself? How are Afghan migrants and refugees using smuggling networks, and what risks does this pose? 7. How are decisions made regarding migration and the migration journey, and what influences those decisions? What role do legal uncertainties and deportation policies play in these choices? 8. What access do Afghan refugees and migrants have to protection and services? What are the barriers to legal documentation, asylum, and humanitarian assistance? How accessible are education, healthcare, and protection services for Afghan refugees and migrants? 5. Scope of work and Methodology The consultant is expected to use both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods to gather insights into the migration experiences, protection risks, and assistance needs of Afghans in Pakistan. Phase 1. Desk review to inform data collection sites. On the basis of a brief desk review, which will feature in the inception report, the consultant will: Refine sampling locations to ensure alignment with 4Mis global sampling frame and the objectives of the study. Propose up to five (5) locations, specifying whether they are settlement areas, transit points, or crossing locations into Pakistan. Phase 2. Data collection In this phase, the consultant will oversee the enumerator training, survey administration, and qualitative interviews, ensuring the collection of high-quality, ethically sound data. For the enumerator training and piloting: With support from MMC, the consultant will facilitate training for enumerators, ensuring the use of 4Mi training materials and survey SOPs. Pilot surveys and interviews will be conducted and shared with MMC for review before full-scale data collection begins. For survey data collection, the consultant will conduct a total of 900 surveys, distributed as follows: 900 surveys with Afghan refugees and migrants Data collection will take place face-to-face using a mobile-based application, with real-time uploads to MMCs regional server for data validation and quality control. For key informant interviews (KIIs), the consultant will conduct 20 semi-structured interviews with key informants, including: humanitarian actors and NGOs, government officials, and community leaders. Interviews will be recorded, transcribed, and translated into English before submission to MMC. The consultant will be responsible for ensuring that enumerators have smartphones with Android operating system and other equipment to conduct 4Mi surveys and interviews. The MMC 4Mi team will liaise with the consultant to provide feedback on data quality to enumerators. The consultant will provide day-to-day support and supervision to enumerators throughout data collection. It is anticipated that the consultant will be in regular contact with a primary contact point from the MMC team to keep up with the timeline that will be finalized during the inception phase. The MMC contact point will take responsibility for ensuring timely responses to drafts and inputs to the consultant. 6. Deliverables The consultant will submit the following deliverables: Phase 1/ Desk review/ Presentation of desk review and inception report (1-week); 1. Conduct a brief desk review to refine sampling locations and ensure alignment with 4Mis global sampling frame 2. Submit an inception report (3-4 pages) outlining: Scope of the study Sampling criteria and locations for data collection Survey implementation work schedule Ethical considerations Potential challenges and mitigation strategies Project team composition Phase 2 / Data collection 900 surveys, 20 semi-structured interviews (6 weeks) Training of enumerators Field visits Collect 900 surveys with Afghan migrants and refugees. Conduct 20 semi-structured interviews. Submit data on a weekly basis and respond to validation queries 7. Duration, timeline, and payment Timeline The following key activities and steps will be included in the consultants work plan Tender Link : https://reliefweb.int/job/4180041/consultancy-4mi-data-collection-afghan-migrants-and-refugees-mixed-migration-and-through-pakistan
