JR2561184 NATIONAL CONSULTANT - STUDY ON INFORMAL AFGHAN BUSINESSES

Only applications received through the below mentioned UNHCR Career Portal will be accepted):

https://unhcr.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/External/job/Islamabad-Pakistan/National-consultant_JR2561184-1

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for a written test and/or oral interview. UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing or any other fees).

UNHCR strongly encourages qualified female applicants for this position and seeks to ensure that male and female employees are given equal career opportunities. UNHCR is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. UNHCR values inclusiveness, diversity and gender equity and will continue to strive to achieve full adhesion to these principles in its policies and organizational culture.

OBJECTIVES

The primary objectives of this study are:

1. To identify and categorize the types of informal businesses owned by Afghan refugees and youth entrepreneurs in Pakistan and also assess the scale of these businesses, including size, revenue, and employment generation.

2. To analyze the key challenges and barriers these businesses face, including regulatory, financial, social, and operational constraints, as well as challenges faced by the regulatory and operational actors concerned.

3. To provide recommendations for policy interventions and support mechanisms to enhance business sustainability and growth.

SCOPE OF WORK

Target groups

 Afghan refugee youth entrepreneurs (mainly supported by UNHCR in Quetta, Peshawar and Karachi),

who are operating informal businesses.

 Afghan refugee businessmen (including POR Card holders as well as Business Visa Holders).

Terms of Reference for Individual Contracts

 Other stakeholders involved in entrepreneurship/ SME/ business sector (UNDP, NAVTTC, SRSP, etc as relevant)

 Regulatory and operational stakeholders as relevant/feasible (based on an agreed list)

Field of expertise, competencies: as mentioned above

Required/mandatory:

 Research and analytical skills with ability to design and conduct qualitative and quantitative research.

 Data collection skills (interviews, surveys, focus groups).

 Awareness of legal and policy frameworks governing refugees and informal businesses in Pakistan, as well as the situation of refugees in country.

 Strong written and verbal communication skills for drafting clear, evidence-based reports and presenting findings.

 Business and Economic Literacy: Understanding of micro, small, and informal business operations, entrepreneurship, market systems, and livelihood strategies in displacement contexts.

Desirable:

 Knowledge about latest development in the livelihoods sector, including broader UN processes on the SDGs and the Global Compact on Refugees.

 Technical competencies in sub-sectors relevant to livelihoods programming e.g. financial inclusion, employment, entrepreneurship, private sector development, local economic development, poverty reduction, agriculture, livestock, vocational and technical education, and training, etc.

Expected Deliverables:

 Detailed Report incorporating feedback, including policy recommendations and Presentation of key findings.

 Conduct (jointly with SMEDA) a forum with key stakeholders and present the key findings and recommendations of the study with key advocacy messages.

Timeline:

The study is expected to be completed within 12 weeks (starting from the date of signing of agreement).

TOTAL POSITIONS

1

POSTED ON

November 7, 2025

EXPIRY DATE

November 17, 2025

BUSINESS

UNHCR

CATEGORY

Operations

JOB TYPE

Consultant

MINIMUM EDUCATION

Bachelors

CAREER LEVEL

Consultant

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE

5 Years