National Consultant to Develop a Youth Peer Learning Interactive Module on Safe Migration

The UK’s Seasonal Workers Scheme (SWS) provides seasonal workers entry and employment in the UK for up to 6 months to fill seasonal gaps in agriculture. Since 2020, the number of Kazakh nationals receiving the UK’s Seasonal Worker visas has grown significantly, exceeding 5,000 people in 2024. It is imperative that the migrants’ migration experiences are as positive as possible - from the recruitment process, to employment, to return - to mitigate the risks and maximize the benefits of this migration for the livelihoods and quality of life of migrants and their families.   

In Kazakhstan, recruitment of migrant workers under the SWS is officially carried out by the UK-based SWS operators (private recruitment companies) and their sub-contractors (also private recruitment companies) licensed by the UK government. Misinformation and fraud have been rife as there has thus far been no legitimate and reliable information disseminated by the Government of Kazakhstan on the SWS and more specifically, recruitment.  

Since 2024, IOM has been supporting the Kazakh government’s engagement in the SWS at the country level to ensure that potential migrants receive accurate and reliable information about the SWS, reducing the risk of exploitation and trafficking. It also helps regulate labour migration flows, ensuring the protection of workers' rights and enhancing bilateral cooperation with the UK. 

In collaboration with regional Youth Policy Departments, IOM plans to implement youth engagement activities in Astana, Konaev, Atyrau, and Turkistan to raise awareness on SWS programme and safe migration. Activities will include training sessions and interactive outreach events with incentive-based participation mechanisms mainly targeted at youth (especially women). 

Young people are key actors in their communities but often face heightened risks related to unsafe migration due to limited access to reliable information. This initiative seeks to empower youth as peer educators and community mobilizers referred to IOM by the Kazakh government-run Labour Mobility Centres, contributing to informed decision-making and enhanced community awareness on safe and rights-based migration pathways, in line with IOM’s commitment to protection and capacity-building. 

Note: Youth educators will be selected out of government organisations, including career development centres and youth policy departments of Akimats.   

Category B Consultants: Tangible and measurable outputs of the work assignment: Develop an interactive training module that combines safe migration awareness, digital literacy, and peer education methodologies. All materials must be gender-sensitive and accessible online and offline. The training modules should use gamified approaches and be adaptable to peer-learning cascade training.  

Tangible and measurable outputs of the work assignment: 

Education, Experience and/or skills required  

• Degree in social sciences/education (Master’s preferred), with specialized knowledge in migration, youth engagement, and digital literacy; 

• Good knowledge of national and international legislation in the areas of migration and labour legislation, human rights protection, counter trafficking, family and criminal law; 

• At least 5 years of working experience in migration; Prior experience of conducting research on labour migration;  

• Extensive facilitation skills; 

• Extensive experience in communication with migrants and relevant government stakeholders;  

• Demonstrated knowledge of international data and migration statistics standards and practices and ability to apply this knowledge to a new context; 

• Knowledge of English, Kazakh and Russian. 

• Ability to communicate efficiently and concisely, strong organizational skills, attention to the details,  personal commitments, capacity to work effectively and harmoniously with colleagues from varied  cultures and professional backgrounds  

Travel required. Upon request.  

• 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.

• 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.