National Consultant on Financial Literacy, Business Development and Sustainable Reintegration

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

1. Background

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is implementing activities aimed at supporting the sustainable reintegration of returned Kazakhstani migrants participating in the UK Seasonal Worker Scheme (SWS). Reintegration remains a key challenge for returned migrants who often face limited economic opportunities, difficulties translating savings and skills acquired abroad into sustainable livelihoods, and insufficient access to structured reintegration services. The project therefore combines individual-level reintegration assistance with efforts to strengthen national reintegration systems and promote policy dialogue on sustainable reintegration. 

Building on previous project phases, IOM Kazakhstan will continue delivering financial literacy support to returned migrants, facilitate access to small business grants through business development assistance, and generate evidence on effective reintegration practices. The project will also support policy-level discussions aimed at institutionalizing reintegration within national migration governance frameworks through a National Dialogue on Sustainable Reintegration involving government stakeholders, financial institutions, private sector actors and development partners. 

To support these efforts, IOM seeks a qualified National Consultant to deliver financial literacy and business development support, facilitate the grant selection process, provide technical guidance to grant beneficiaries, develop analytical products on sustainable reintegration in Kazakhstan, and facilitate the National Dialogue on Sustainable Reintegration.

The consultant is expected to possess demonstrated hands-on experience in personally designing and delivering financial literacy training, entrepreneurship and business development support, grants-related technical assistance, reintegration programming, policy analysis, and stakeholder facilitation. IOM intends to engage a consultant who will directly undertake the substantive technical work envisaged under this assignment, rather than acting primarily as a coordinator, broker, intermediary, or manager of third-party service providers.

Responsibilities

The contract value will be determined based on the financial and technical proposal submitted by the selected consultant.

All travel-related costs, accommodation, local transportation, communications and any other expenses required for successful completion of the assignment shall be included within the consultant's proposed fee. No DSA will be paid separately by IOM.

2. Objective of the Consultancy

To strengthen the sustainable economic reintegration of returned migrants from the UK Seasonal Worker Scheme through:

• Delivery of financial literacy training;

• Business planning training and individualized coaching;

• Technical support to the grants selection and implementation process;

• Development of the analysis and evidence-based recommendations on sustainable reintegration practices in Kazakhstan;

• Facilitation of national-level policy dialogue on sustainable reintegration.

3. Scope of Work

The consultant shall personally lead and undertake the core technical tasks associated with this assignment, including training design and delivery, coaching and mentoring of grant applicants and beneficiaries, analytical research, report drafting, stakeholder consultations, facilitation of the National Dialogue, and preparation of all required outputs. Any external support utilized by the consultant shall be disclosed in advance and shall not replace the consultant's own substantive technical contribution or responsibility for deliverables.

Under the overall supervision of IOM Kazakhstan and in close coordination with relevant project staff and implementing partners, the consultant shall:

A. Financial Literacy Support

1. Review and adapt existing financial literacy materials developed under previous project phases.

2. Develop a proposed delivery plan and training schedule in consultation with IOM.

3. Deliver financial literacy sessions for returned migrants and grant candidates.

4. Integrate practical content on: 

   • budgeting and household finance;

   • savings and financial resilience;

   • debt management;

   • responsible use of remittances;

   • investment readiness;

   • entrepreneurship basics;

   • tax-related information and relevant SWS financial considerations.

5. Prepare participant materials and session documentation.

6. Submit training reports and recommendations following each training cycle.

B. Business Planning and Grants Support

1. Develop and deliver business planning training for returned migrants participating in the grants competition.

2. Coordinate closely with IOM and the implementing partner responsible for grants implementation.

3. Support beneficiaries in transforming business concepts into viable business plans.

4. Provide individual and group consultations to grant applicants.

5. Participate in screening and technical assessment of submitted applications.

6. Participate as a technical expert in the grants selection process.

7. Provide post-award coaching and handholding support to selected grantees.

8. Co-onitor progress of supported grantees and provide practical recommendations for business development and sustainability.

C. Sustainable Reintegration Analysis

The consultant shall develop an analytical report on sustainable reintegration practices in Kazakhstan.

The analysis should examine:

• Existing reintegration support mechanisms available to returnees;

• Institutional roles and responsibilities;

• Employment and entrepreneurship pathways for returnees;

• Financial inclusion and financial literacy opportunities;

• Existing barriers to sustainable reintegration;

• International and IOM reintegration frameworks and their applicability to Kazakhstan;

• Opportunities to strengthen government ownership and institutionalization of reintegration support;

• Linkages between labour migration, local development and economic inclusion;

• Potential models for coordinated reintegration service delivery.

The consultant shall prepare:

• Report outline;

• Draft analytical report;

• Final report incorporating IOM comments.

The final report shall include practical and actionable recommendations for strengthening sustainable reintegration systems in Kazakhstan.

D. National Dialogue on Sustainable Reintegration

1. Support IOM in designing the modality and content of the National Dialogue.

2. Support development of the event agenda and guiding questions.

3. Facilitate a one- or two-day National Dialogue event.

4. Moderate discussions and stakeholder consultations.

5. Present findings from the reintegration analysis.

6. Prepare a comprehensive event report.

7. Develop a final recommendations package for IOM and national stakeholders.

4. Deliverables:

5. Performance Indicators

• Timely completion of agreed deliverables.

• Quality and relevance of financial literacy and business planning sessions.

• Quality of support provided to grant applicants and beneficiaries.

• Quality and practical applicability of reintegration analysis and recommendations.

• Successful facilitation of the National Dialogue.

• Quality of reporting and documentation using IOM house style and guidelines.
   

Qualifications

6. Education and Experience

Education: Master’s degree from an accredited academic institution in Economics, Finance, Business Administration, Public Policy, Development Studies, Migration Studies, Social Sciences, or a related field.

Experience: At least five years of relevant professional experience in financial literacy, entrepreneurship development, business consulting, reintegration programming, economic inclusion, or related fields, including experience in adult learning, SME and entrepreneurship support, grants evaluation, research and policy analysis, and facilitation of multi-stakeholder consultations, workshops, and policy dialogues; previous experience with IOM, UN agencies, development organizations, or donor-funded projects is an advantage, while knowledge of migration and reintegration issues in Kazakhstan is highly desirable.

The consultant will be selected based on meeting the following criteria:

• At least two examples of training materials, analytical reports, policy papers, business development tools, coaching materials, or similar products personally developed by the consultant;

• A portfolio demonstrating direct authorship or lead technical responsibility for comparable assignments;

• References, completion certificates, or examples of previous consultancy assignments where available.

• Demonstrated experience personally designing and delivering financial literacy, business development, entrepreneurship, economic inclusion, or livelihood support programmes.

7. Languages

Required: Kazakh and Russian; English is an advantage.

8. Competencies: Strong facilitation, presentation, analytical, report-writing, stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with the ability to work independently, meet deadlines, and maintain a high level of professionalism and integrity.

10. Evaluation Criteria

Interested candidates shall submit:

Technical Proposal

The technical proposal should include:

• Understanding of the assignment and proposed methodology;

• Proposed approach for financial literacy training delivery;

• Proposed approach to business plan development and grants support;

• Proposed methodology for conducting the sustainable reintegration analysis;

• Proposed approach to facilitating the National Dialogue on Sustainable Reintegration;

• Workplan and indicative timeline (up to 85 working days);

• CV demonstrating relevant qualifications and experience.

Financial Proposal

The financial proposal shall provide:

• A lump-sum consultancy fee in KZT or USD;

• Confirmation that all costs related to travel, accommodation, communications, local transportation, taxes and other consultancy-related expenses are included in the proposed fee.

No DSA or reimbursement of travel costs will be provided separately by IOM. All costs associated with the assignment must be reflected in the consultant's financial proposal.

Evaluation Methodology

The selection will be based on a combined technical and financial evaluation.

Technical Evaluation (70 Points)

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points out of 70 (70%) in the technical evaluation will be considered for financial evaluation.

Financial Evaluation (30 Points)

The financial proposal of technically qualified candidates will be evaluated according to the following formula:

Financial Score = (Lowest evaluated financial proposal / Candidate's financial proposal) × 30

Maximum score: 30 points

Final Ranking

The final score shall be calculated as:

Final Score = Technical Score (70%) + Financial Score (30%)

The candidate receiving the highest combined score will be recommended for contract award, subject to successful reference checks and confirmation of eligibility requirements.

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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