Expert Services (2 Consultants) to Develop the Gender-Sensitive Operational Handbook

Job Description

Introduction

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations and the leading UN agency in the field of migration. Working closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners, IOM promotes humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It saves lives and protects people on the move, drives solutions to displacement, and facilitates pathways for regular migration, while providing services and advice to governments and migrants. 

IOM is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive and supportive workplace where all employees can thrive professionally and feel valued. By creating such an environment, IOM aims to better harness the full potential of migration and strengthen its support to people on the move.

IOM invites candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply and provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process when required. Learn more about IOM’s workplace culture at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration

Project Context and Scope

The Creating an enabling environment for the establishment and enhancement of regular labour pathways from Kyrgyzstan to the European Union project funded by the IOM Development Fund is designed for 12 months (from October 2025 to September 2026) and aims to create enabling conditions for expanding labour mobility pathways for a safe and orderly migration from Kyrgyzstan to the European Union countries.

A practical, user-friendly, and gender-sensitive operational handbook will be developed for government practitioners and other stakeholders who interact with migrants. It will support evidence-informed decision-making and provide clear guidance for the operationalization of regular labour migration pathways to the selected EU Member State. Designed for government officials, migration practitioners, and relevant actors managing labour mobility, the handbook will serve as a structured tool to strengthen coordination and informed engagement across national and local levels.

The handbook will function as a comprehensive guidance resource, enabling stakeholders to access and verify reliable information, assess the trustworthiness of recruitment processes, identify risks related to irregular migration, guide migrants through regular pathways, and ensure appropriate referrals to services. It will offer clear, step-by-step guidance on legal frameworks, recruitment procedures, and migrant protection measures, while also supporting the practical implementation of labour mobility agreements. The content will be informed by the gender-sensitive Labour Mobility Roadmap prototype and findings from the study visit to the selected EU Member State. 

Responsibilities

Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree or similar degree in Immigration Law, European Law, International Relations, Political Science, Migration, Economic Development, Business or Public Administration, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with at least 10 years of relevant professional experience.  

Experience

• Experience in research in the field relevant to IOM’s mandate, labour mobility, EU immigration law, and experience in the operational handbook development, in particular.
• Experience in organizing and delivering consultations, workshops, and seminars with Government stakeholders and non-governmental sector.
• Experience in liaising with governmental and international organizations. 

Skills

• Proven understanding of internal and international migration issues in the country as well as in the key destination countries of the European Union.
• In depth knowledge of the broad range of migration related subject areas dealt with by the Organization.
• Proven ability to establish and maintain strong working relations with Government counterparts, international organizations and private sector entities.
• Good understanding of EU law.
• Good knowledge of the UN System, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and other international organizations/institutions.
• Knowledge of migration data, specifics of the labour migration in Kyrgyzstan.
• High level of academic writing (experience in publications in similar fields is desirable).
• Good communication, organizational and interpersonal relationship skills.
• Ability to maintain partnerships with development partners, government counterparts, UN agencies, local authorities, and other relevant stakeholders.

Languages

For this consultancy, excellent knowledge of the written and oral Russian language is required. Proficiency in English language is an advantage.  

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Travel required

During the development of the gender-sensitive operational handbook, travel within the country may be required. Travel costs will be covered by IOM. 

Required Competencies

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.

Values - all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these five values:

• 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.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators

• 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.

Notes

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. 

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, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, security clearances.

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 e-Recruitment system (for internal candidates link here). The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.

No late applications will be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies

Required Skills

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