National Consultant on Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)

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

Background

The United Kingdom’s Seasonal Worker Scheme (SWS) enables foreign nationals to undertake temporary employment in the UK agricultural sector for up to six months within any 12-month period. Since 2024, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has supported the Government of Kazakhstan in strengthening the awareness, preparedness, and informed participation of prospective seasonal workers through a range of information, outreach, and capacity-building activities. To assess the effectiveness, relevance, and impact of project interventions, IOM seeks to engage an external consultant to monitor project implementation within Kazakhstan, assess progress against planned objectives and results, document lessons learned, and provide recommendations to inform future programming.

Objective of the Consultancy

To design, implement, and manage a highly detailed, adaptive Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) framework for the project implemented in Kazakhstan. The consultant will actively participate in and continuously monitor selected field events and capacity-building activities, and produce 2 (two) analytical programmatic reports as well as the final comprehensive report. All processes must strictly adhere to the IOM House Style, IOM Monitoring Policy, IOM monitoring and Evaluation Guidelines, and institutional RBM standards.

Responsibilities

1. Scope of Work

Under the overall supervision of IOM Kazakhstan and in close coordination with Regional project M&E Specialist, and all relevant project stakeholders, the consultant shall:

1. M&E Framework Development

• Conduct a review of all project documents, including the logical framework and, work plans, the donor agreements, and relevant national migration strategies in Kazakhstan.

• Develop a robust M&E framework aligned with the IOM Monitoring Policy and the project's regional approach. This must be based on the project’s Theory of Change (ToC), and include Indicator Tracking Matrix, defined data sources, collection frequencies, baselines, targets, and a risk mitigation strategy for data collection.

• Ensure the M&E framework mandates the collection of Sex and Age-Disaggregated Data (SADD) and integrates IOM’s cross-cutting themes: gender-responsiveness, a human rights-based approach, and the "Do No Harm" principle.

• Design, test, and finalize culturally contextualized quantitative and qualitative data collection tools (e.g., KoboToolbox/Qualtrics surveys if determined to be needed, Pre-departure Orientation Trainings’ (PDO) pre/post- assessments, key informant interview (KII) guides, and focus group discussion (FGD) protocols).

1. Field Monitoring

• Conduct targeted monitoring visits to selected project activities and events in Kazakhstan, including pre-departure orientation sessions, awareness-raising activities, and stakeholder engagement events, as agreed with IOM. 

• Assess the quality, relevance, and effectiveness of project interventions through field observations, participant consultations, and review of available project data. 

• Collect and analyze feedback from project beneficiaries and stakeholders to assess participant satisfaction, knowledge gained, and perceived usefulness of project activities. 

• Identify emerging challenges, lessons learned, and good practices, and provide practical recommendations to strengthen project implementation and maximise impact. 

• Submit concise monitoring notes and observations following each field visit, highlighting key findings, outcomes, and recommendations for corrective actions, where applicable. 

• Contribute to the assessment of the project's overall results and impact, including progress towards intended outcomes and benefits for prospective seasonal workers.

1. Programmatic Reporting

• Collect, clean, verify, and analyze all monitoring data to systematically track quantitative and qualitative progress against project outcomes, outputs and indicators (as per the M&E Framework)

• Draft and submit 2 (two) comprehensive quarterly programmatic monitoring reports and 1 (one) final report. These reports must go beyond activity logging to include: progress against indicators and impact, analysis of emerging migration trends, identification of implementation bottlenecks, and risk matrix updates.

• Ensure all deliverables, datasets, and programmatic reports are developed and submitted exclusively in English, ensuring strict compliance with the IOM House Style manual.

• Ensure all data collected and reported aligns seamlessly with IOM's institutional reporting standards, data protection principles, and specific donor requirements.

• Document concrete best practices, lessons learned, and at least three (3) compelling human-interest stories/case studies illustrating the project's impact on individual migrants or communities.

1. Deliverables

All written outputs, reports, methodologies, and briefs listed below must be submitted exclusively in English and written in accordance with the IOM House Style.

1. Performance Indicators

• Timely submission and institutional approval of all agreed deliverables according to the established workplan.

• Quality, analytical rigor, and practical relevance of the developed M&E framework and field data collection tools.

• Active and constructive participation in project events, demonstrated by prompt and insightful post-event monitoring briefs that lead to actionable project improvements.

• Strict adherence to the IOM House Style guidelines, including the mandatory use of English for all text and reports, demonstrating high-level drafting precision.

• Accuracy, reliability, and ethical collection of monitoring data in strict line with IOM.

• Full alignment with IOM reporting templates, RBM guidelines, and data protection policies.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

Education 

• Master’s degree from an accredited academic institution in Statistics, Economics, Public Policy, Social Sciences, Development Studies, International Relations, or a related field, with five years of relevant professional experience; or

• Bachelor’s degree in the above fields from an accredited academic institution, with seven years of relevant professional experience.

Required Experience

• Proven experience in monitoring and evaluation, including quantitative and qualitative research design, complex data analysis, and advanced programmatic reporting.

• Demonstrated experience in designing monitoring and evaluation frameworks, conducting field monitoring activities, leading participatory evaluations, and assessing capacity-building and training events.

• Experience working on projects related to labour migration, ethical recruitment, counter-trafficking, migrant protection, or related thematic areas is highly desirable.

• Experience collaborating with law enforcement institutions, government ministries, international organizations (preferably within the UN system), and/or donor-funded programmes.

• Demonstrated experience in designing and administering digital surveys (e.g., KoboToolbox or similar platforms), conducting focus group discussions and key informant interviews, and analysing qualitative and quantitative data.

• Proven experience in drafting high-quality donor and programme reports, including quarterly and final reports, in accordance with institutional reporting standards and guidelines.

Languages

• Required: English, Kazakh, Russian. (Note: While all written deliverables, reporting, and technical frameworks must be submitted in English, native or fluent proficiency in local languages is absolutely required for conducting effective field monitoring, focus groups, and key informant interviews).

Competencies

• Exceptional analytical, research, facilitation, and field monitoring skills. 

• The candidate must possess strong stakeholder engagement abilities and elite report-writing skills, with a demonstrated capacity to distill complex datasets into clear, actionable, donor-ready English prose. 

• Must be able to work independently, manage multiple deadlines, and maintain the highest level of professionalism and integrity.

• The consultant must possess the legal right to reside and perform remunerated work in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

• Active civil servants or government officials may only be contracted if they can demonstrably prove that the consultancy tasks do not overlap with or relate to their official state duties, ensuring a strict absence of any conflict of interest.

Intellectual Property and Data Protection

1. The selected consultant must perform all tasks, research, report writing, data analysis, and field collection independently. Subcontracting, delegating to third parties, or utilizing unauthorized external assistants (including translation agencies) for any part of this assignment is strictly prohibited.

2. All materials, monitoring frameworks, data sets, evaluation tools, reports, and other products developed under this consultancy shall become the exclusive property of IOM. The consultant shall not reproduce, distribute, or publish any products developed under this assignment without prior written authorization from IOM.

3. The consultant shall comply with IOM data protection principles and applicable data protection requirements, ensuring absolute confidentiality and appropriate, secure handling of any sensitive beneficiary information obtained during the implementation of this assignment.

   Evaluation Criteria 

Technical Proposal 

1. The technical proposal should include: CV: Highlighting specific, relevant M&E experience, technical skills (e.g., data analysis software), and advanced English drafting capabilities.

2. Previous Work: At least two (2) comprehensive samples of similar previous work (e.g., Final Evaluation reports or M&E frameworks authored solely by the applicant).

3. References: Contact details for at least three (2) professional references, and/or formal letters of feedback/recommendation from previous clients.

Financial Proposal 

The financial proposal shall provide: 

• A lump-sum consultancy fee in KZT; 

• Confirmation that all consultancy-related expenses are included in the proposed fee. 

Evaluation Criteria 

Evaluation Methodology

Technical Evaluation (70 Points)

Financial Evaluation (30 Points)

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

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

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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