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. MMC’s 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 MMC’s 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, Pakistan’s 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 4Mi’s 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 MMC’s 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 4Mi’s 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 consultant’s work plan:
• Completion of a brief inception report, which outlines, with demonstration of feasibility: an agreed sampling strategy that suits the objectives of 4Mi in Pakistan, based on demographic characteristics in addition to pre-defined MMC sampling criteria; the suggested language/s of surveys; proposed survey locations; and key methodological features crucial for 4Mi implementation.
• Validation of the inception report by MMC and consultant’s integration of any feedback before finalising the methodology;
• Enumerator preparation and training: MMC will share existing training documentation, and SOPs on surveying. Trainings can be adapted to the specific context and sampling framework in a country. If errors or inconsistencies are spotted by the MMC team while conducting the cleaning and validation, the consultant is expected to provide this feedback to enumerators and conduct any relevant re-training; and
• 4Mi data collection (900 4Mi surveys and 20 semi-structured interviews) in Pakistan.
Duration
The total number of working days should not exceed seven (7) weeks for the hired consultant. The consultant shall be prepared to complete the assignment no later than December 15, 2025.
Estimated start date of consultancy: October 27, 2025
Estimated end date of consultancy: December 15, 2025
Payment
30% at the validation of the inception report.
30% at the submission of 50% of the surveys.
40% at the submission of the total number of surveys and interview transcripts.
8. Proposed Composition of Team
• Project Coordinator
• Project Officer
• Enumerators
9. Eligibility, qualification, and experience required.
Essential:
The consultancy is open to firms. The research team’s managers should have an advanced degree (Master’s or Ph.D.) in migration studies or in social sciences, with expertise in quantitative research methods.
At least five years of experience conducting primary data collection and managing research projects, with at least three years of these being within the field of migration and forced displacement.
Proven experience in designing and leading research on mixed migration.
Proven knowledge and understanding of mixed migration dynamics in Pakistan, as demonstrated through previous data collection, publications, or relevant research experience.
Familiarity with the Pakistan context and proven access to relevant stakeholders for securing data collection permits/authorization in Pakistan.
Familiarity with the MMC 4Mi methodology and experience implementing structured survey tools in migration research.
Proven experience conducting Key Informant Interviews (KIIs).
Applicant must be a business registered in Pakistan.
Excellent command of spoken and written English. Knowledge of Pashtu and Dari is an asset.
Desirable:
• Previous experience working with 4Mi methodology and data.
• Previous experience working with MMC.
• Experience using phones or tablets to collect data.
• Pakistan-based consultants, research groups, or organizations will be strongly preferred.
10. Technical supervision
The selected consultant will work under the supervision of the MMC Asia and the Pacific Regional Manager and MMC Regional Research and Data Specialist.
11. Location and support
Pakistan.
The Consultancy Company will provide its own equipment, i.e. computers and mobile telephones with an Android operating system for enumerators.
12. Travel
The consultant is expected to have a presence in the selected locations during the data collection phase in order to monitor data collection activities. The consultant will be, therefore, expected to arrange transportation, accommodation, insurance, and food and to make adequate provision for related expenses in the financial proposal.
13. Submission process
Refer to the RFP Invitation Letter.
14. Evaluation of bids
Refer to the RFP Invitation Letter.
How to apply
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) hereby requests you to submit price quotation(s) for the Consultancy: 4Mi Data Collection on Afghan migrants and refugees’ mixed migration to and through Pakistan with reference number RFP-RO05-00365805.
Please check attached Annex A.1 Terms of Reference for the details.
RFP Issuing Date : 08 October 2025
RFP Closing Date: 17 October 2025, 09:00 AM, UTC
17 October 2025, 13:00 PM, Tbilisi (GMT +4)
Complete Tender Documents can be found in this link.
RFP-RO05-00365805 Solicitation Docs_4Mi data collection in Pakistan.zip
Address for the submission of proposals:
Hard copies at: 2 # Titsian Tabidze Tbilisi, Georgia
Electronic copies at rfq.aero@drc.ngo
Important Note: All consultants shall be tax registered as a legal entity in the relevant country. The tax registration can be as a company, Public Limited Company (PLC), or any other incorporation that defines the contracted consultant as a legal entity responsible for paying taxes on the payment they receive for the contracted services and not as an individual person
We look forward to your response.
Yours Sincerely,
DRC Procurement Team