Lead Grants Administration Consultant

Job Description

Note: This is a local consultancy opportunity; therefore, only nationals of the Kyrgyz Republic or individuals with legal residency in Kyrgyzstan are eligible to apply.

Position Title: Lead Grants Administration Consultant 
Duty Station: Bishkek, with regular coordination with field-based consultants in Osh, Jalal-Abad, and Batken oblasts; travel to project locations as required. 
Type of Appointment: Consultancy, Category B, deliverables based
Duration of Consultancy: 1 November 2026 – 28 February 2027 (four months)
Closing Date: 05 October 2026, 11:59 PM Bishkek time

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 International Organization for Migration (IOM), in cooperation with relevant government counterparts in Kyrgyzstan, is implementing the Central Asia Safe Migration project, funded by the UK Government. The project supports safe migration to the UK Seasonal Worker Scheme and the sustainable reintegration of returning migrants. 
Under the reintegration component, IOM implements the 1+1 Matching Grants Programme, which supports returning migrants and their families in investing their savings and remittances in sustainable livelihood opportunities. Under the mechanism, IOM co-finances eligible business investments of selected beneficiaries. Previous rounds supported businesses in agriculture, food production, manufacturing, and services. 
In the current phase, up to 23 grant recipients will be supported across the Osh, Jalal-Abad, and Batken oblasts. Following the selection of beneficiaries and the approval of their business plans, IOM will procure approved goods and services directly from vendors in accordance with IOM procedures.
The Consultant will support assigned beneficiaries throughout this process, from vendor identification and documentation collection to procurement, delivery and verification. The Consultant will work under the coordination of the Lead Grants Administration Consultant and in close cooperation with the IOM Project Team and RMU. 

Nature of the consultancy: Category B / delivery-based consultancy
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is seeking a Lead Grants Administration Consultant to coordinate and supervise a team of Local Grant Administration Consultants supporting the implementation of the 1+1 Matching Grants Programme in Kyrgyzstan under the Safe Migration Central Asia project. The team will support selected grantees in the administration of their approved grants, including the identifying potential vendors, preparing necessary documentation, collecting vendor information, and submitting all required documents in full compliance with IOM’s procurement and financial procedures. 
Payments for equipment and goods specified in each grantee’s business plan will be made directly by IOM to the vendors. The Lead Consultant will ensure timely coordination, review, and consolidation of procurement and grant administration documentation, and support compliance with IOM procurement and financial procedures as well as collection of all necessary reporting documents. 
The Lead Grants Administration Consultant will be based in Bishkek and will work closely with the three Local Grants Administration Consultants assigned to Osh, Jalal-Abad and Batken oblasts, as well as with IOM’s National Project Team and Resource Management Unit (RMU). The Consultant will operate under the overall supervision of the IOM Head of Office. 
The Consultant will not be involved in the selection of grant recipients or in the assessment of their business ideas or business plans. 
 

Responsibilities

Category B Consultants: Tangible and measurable outputs of the work assignment  

The Lead Grants Administration Consultant shall coordinate and oversee the work of the three Local Grants Administration Consultants and ensure the timely and complete administration of assigned grants in accordance with IOM procurement and financial requirements.

The Consultant will perform the following tasks:

1.    Coordination and Supervision of Local Consultants
a.    Coordinate and supervise the work of three Local Grants Administration Consultants assigned to Osh, Jalal-Abad, and Batken oblasts.
b.    Guide Local Consultants on procurement documentation, vendor engagement, beneficiary communication, and delivery verification.
c.    Maintain regular communication with Local Consultants and monitor the status of assigned grants and outstanding actions.

2.    Vendor Documentation Collection and Review
a.    Oversee the collection and initial review of required vendor documentation by Local Grants Administration Consultants. 
•    Signed Vendor Information Sheet (VIS);
•    Certificate of Registration / Private Entrepreneur (PE) Certificate;
•    Copy of ID, where applicable;
•    Signed UN Code of Conduct (CoC);
•    Bank account details with official bank stamp; and
•    Signed Declaration of Conformity.
b.    Review documentation submitted by Local Consultants for completeness and accuracy and request corrections or additional information where required.
c.    Ensure that complete documentation packages are submitted to the relevant IOM teams for further processing.
d.    Maintain an organized record of vendor documentation and follow up on outstanding documents.

3.    Procurement and Payment Documentation
a.    Oversee the collection and submission of required procurement and payment documentation, including Electronic Invoices (ЭСФ), E-waybills (ЭТТН) for goods, and Acts of Acceptance for services between IOM and vendors.
b.    Coordinate with IOM RMU and the Project Team to ensure timely processing of complete documentation for procurement processing.
c.    Ensure that no advance payments are requested or processed. Payments will only be made after delivery of all goods and/or completion of services, in line with IOM’s policies.
d.    Follow up on outstanding documentation and procurement-related issues and promptly escalate delays or bottlenecks to the relevant IOM focal points.
e.    Maintain an overall tracker of procurement cases across the three oblasts.

4.    Grant Documentation and Compliance
a.    Review documentation submitted by Local Grants Administration Consultants to ensure completeness, accuracy, and consistency with IOM procurement and financial procedures.
b.    Submit verified payment packages to the IOM Project Assistant for processing. Ensure that grant and procurement documentation is properly organized and maintained for programme monitoring, reporting and audit purposes.

5.    Verification of 50% Personal Contribution by Grantees
a.    Oversee the collection and verification of supporting documentation confirming the 50% personal contribution of grantees, financial or in-kind, as stipulated in the grant agreement.
b.    Review Asset Inventory Forms and supporting documentation prepared by Local Grants Administration Consultants in accordance with IOM and FCDO requirements.
c.    Oversee the verification of delivery of procured goods and/or services to grant recipients.
d.    Review photographic evidence of delivery and use of assets, including a minimum of 2-3 photographs per grant recipient, where applicable.

6.    Reporting and Deliverables
a.    Provide bi-weekly consolidated updates to the IOM Project and RMU teams on the status of documentation collection, procurement, delivery, and outstanding issues across all three oblasts.
b.    Consolidate information and documentation submitted by the Local Grants Administration Consultants for programme monitoring and reporting.
c.    Promptly report significant procurement, documentation or delivery-related challenges and coordinate follow-up actions with the relevant IOM teams.
d.    Submit a final consultancy report summarizing the overall number of grants administered, procurement and delivery status, challenges faced, actions taken and recommendations.
 

The Consultant shall submit the following deliverables:
•    Deliverable 1 – First Progress Report:
A consolidated progress report covering the status of grant administration, procurement documentation, outstanding issues and actions taken during the initial implementation period.
•    Deliverable 2 – Final Consultancy Report:
A consolidated final report covering the overall administration of assigned grants, procurement and delivery status, documentation and compliance status, challenges encountered, actions taken and recommendations.
 

Payment will be made in two instalments, subject to the satisfactory review and acceptance of the respective deliverables by IOM:
•    First instalment: upon submission and satisfactory acceptance of the first progress report.
•    Second instalment: upon submission and satisfactory acceptance of the final consultancy report.
 

Performance indicators for the evaluation of results
 

• Timely submission of complete and accurate documentation.

• Compliance with IOM procurement and financial policies.

• Feedback from Local Grants Administration Consultants and IOM staff.

• On-time completion of all tasks and delivery of final  report.
   

Qualifications

Education, Experience and/or Skills Required

• University degree in Business Administration, Economics, Finance, Development Studies, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in project/grant administration, finance, and/or procurement, vendor management, or related functions. 
• Experience coordinating or supervising field-based staff or consultants.
• Experience with the IOM procurement policies and processes is highly desirable and considered a strong asset.
• Experience working with international organizations or donor-funded projects is an advantage.
• Experience working directly with small businesses, enterpreneurs, grantees or local suppliers is an advantage.
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills, with the ability to manage multiple activities and deadlines simultaneously.
• Fluency in Kyrgyz and Russian; knowledge of English 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
Travel to Osh, Jalal-Abad and Batken oblasts and relevant districts may be required for coordination, monitoring and delivery verification. 

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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