Job Description
Established in 1951, IOM, the UN Migration Agency, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM established its office in Kazakhstan in 1997. Since then, the Organization has been promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefits of all, providing services and advice to the government as well as to migrants. As the Country Office with Coordinating Functions for Central Asia, the IOM mission in Kazakhstan helps to address specific sub-regional migration issues and emerging trends in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, establishing priorities for project development in the country offices in the context of sub-regional strategies, policies and consultative processes.
Since June 2022, IOM has been implementing the regional project “Programme for the Promotion of Managed Labour Migration in Central Asia” (Phase 1), funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), which aims to contribute to the improvement of labour migration management in order to use the human mobility impact on development in countries of origin, as well as in countries of destination. Project participating countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Through six key outcomes, the project aims to support the efforts of governments and other stakeholders in target countries to develop coordination mechanisms to identify problems and regularly adapt and improve labour migration policies and processes at the national and regional levels.
The project has six following deliverables:
I. Participating governments and other key stakeholders in labour migration management develop coordination mechanisms to jointly identify and address problems, and regularly adapt and improve labour migration policies and processes in the region;
II. Public and private employment agencies and vocational training centers are improving their services to better meet the needs of the labour market, as well as potential migrant workers
III. Employers in destination states consider ethical recruitment and organised recruitment standards
IV. Potential migrant workers are better informed and prepared to assert their rights and protect themselves in recruitment and migration
V. Migrants and their families have better access to inclusive financial services and products, which improves living standards
VI. Improving the migration accounting system.
Project activity will contribute to the Outcome 1 of the project: Governments and other key stakeholders in labour migration governance develop coordination mechanisms to mutually identify and address challenges, and regularly adapt and improve labour migration policy and processes in the region
In order to achieve the project objective and expected results, close collaboration across all the main stakeholders within the labour recruitment process, including governments, international organizations, recruiters, and the private sector, will be required. IOM anticipates working with partners to ensure a wide range of expertise are leveraged to address the challenges outlined and deliver a large-scale response. Such coordination will also be critical to ensure the sustainability of the project’s activities to encourage sustainable change among stakeholders.
The purpose of this initiative is to assess the effectiveness of project monitoring and regional implementation within the SDC Labour Migration Programme in Kazakhstan, and to generate evidence-based recommendations for future planning and policy adaptation.
Labour Migration Department/ “Labour Migration – Central Asia” project funded by the Swiss Agency for Cooperation and Development (SDC)/LM.0479
Responsibilities
1. First deliverable – Methodology and Work Plan (includes approach, tools, timeline, and stakeholder engagement strategy) submitted by 20 of February 2026;
2. Second deliverable – Findings Report, summarizing regional insights, monitoring effectiveness, survey analysis, and lessons learned - by 20 of March 2026;
3. Final deliverable - Final Reflection Report Consolidated report with strategic recommendations and presentation-ready summary before IOM and respective stakeholders - by 20 April 2026.
Conduct a reflection exercise across key regions of Kazakhstan (Akmola, Almaty, Turkistan, East Kazakhstan, Karaganda, Kostanay).
Review project monitoring tools - survey results, and regional implementation strategies.
Facilitate cascade reflection workshops with regional partners and project experts.
Collect and synthesize feedback from stakeholders.
Develop a final report with strategic recommendations.
Identify potential private sector operators to interview
Make list of interviewees, translate, if appropriate, interview questions, make interview appointments (for either video interviews or in person),
Manage implementation of the research agenda according to the methodology and workplan approved by IOM;
Develop and submit for review/approval any products developed for the collection of data and information related to the research project including, inter alia, surveys, interview protocols and list of proposed interviewees;
As required, coordinate with IOM office to assist in coordinating necessary meetings and tele/videoconferences within the MTA business, or other stakeholders;
Perform fieldwork in Kazakhstan as outlined in the agreed methodology (this will include interviews, focus groups and so on);
Deliver a presentation highlighting the key findings of the research project as well as recommendations
Consult with the IOM project team on appropriate and agreed approaches to the specified tasks before their completion;
The quality of and the timely completion of deliverables;
Feedback from the IOM Project Management Team, Thematic Specialist and counterparts;
Compliance with IOM House style Guidelines;
Compliance with IOM Data Protection Principles
Qualifications
- University degree / Diploma in Humanitarian, Political or Social Science, Finance, Economics or a related field from an accredited academic institution with three years of relevant experience or High School Diploma in the above fields with two years of relevant working experience
Experience in statistical tools, reporting, qualitative and quantitative research is advantageous;
preferably within the international humanitarian field.
- In-depth understanding of migration theories, policies, and trends at national and international levels;
Experience designing and conducting surveys, interviews, and other data collection methods to gather insights from relevant stakeholders;
- Proven ability to develop high-quality reports, including drafting findings, analysis, and policy recommendations;
Experience in working with international organizations and UN agencies, an advantage.
Strong analytical, writing and communication skills particularly in the field of migration;
Good knowledge of the migration & evaluation concepts;
Familiarity with IOM’s mandate;
- Yes
- 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.
- Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.
- Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, verification of residency, visa, and authorizations by the concerned Government, where applicable.
- IOM covers Consultants against occupational accidents and illnesses under the Compensation Plan (CP), free of charge, for the duration of the consultancy. IOM does not provide evacuation or medical insurance for reasons related to non-occupational accidents and illnesses. Consultants are responsible for their own medical insurance for non-occupational accident or illness and will be required to provide written proof of such coverage before commencing work.
- IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities.
- IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.
- IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM online recruitment system. The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.
Required Skills
Job info
Contract Type: Consultancy (Up to 11 months)Initial Contract Duration: 3 months
Vacancy Type: Consultancy
Recruiting Type: Consultant
Grade: UG
Alternative Required Language 1: Kazakh