Project Context and Scope: 

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.

Capacity building and technical support for the Government of Kazakhstan to enhance labour migration governance and effectively implement its Migration Policy Concept are planned outcomes of the activity. As the main and increasingly important destination country in the region, Kazakhstan is under growing pressure to effectively manage labour migration in a way that aligns with its economic and labour market development goals, while also addressing the migration challenges it faces from poorer neighbouring countries.

A comprehensive evaluation of migration policies is essential to ensuring their continued effectiveness, adaptability, and alignment with the dynamic demands of the labour market and evolving regulatory frameworks. A strategically designed migration policy not only facilitates workforce mobility but also promotes equitable hiring practices and ensures adherence to both national and international legal standards. The report aims to examine existing migration policies, identify key gaps and challenges, and offer recommendations for improvement.

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”

Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing:

Labour Migration Department/ “Labour Migration – Central Asia” project funded by the Swiss Agency for Cooperation and Development (SDC)/LM.0479

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

 

First deliverable- Develop a methodology for evaluating Kazakhstan’s migration concept and contribute to the kick off meeting with national partners –Deliverable by 30 April 2025;

 

Second deliverable – Conduct interviews with the authorities and other actors responsible for implementing Migration Concept and provide legal overview of the migration concept documents – Deliverable by 14 July 2025;

 

Third deliverable– Develop draft of the report and monitoring implementation matrix on migration concept; present the findings and recommendations – Deliverable by 25 August 2025;

 

Fourth deliverable – Developed final report on evaluation of Migration Concept including policy recommendations –Deliverable by 30 September 2025;

 

Performance indicators for the evaluation of results

• Develop and submit the report on evaluation of Migration Concept (word document)
• Consult with the IOM project team on appropriate and agreed approaches to the specified tasks before their completion;
• Interviews and consultations with relevant authorities, experts, and other actors provide in-depth, valuable insights into the implementation and challenges of Kazakhstan’s migration concept;
• The policy recommendations proposed in the evaluation are feasible, aligned with national development goals, and likely to lead to tangible improvements in migration governance;
• All evaluation components, including data collection, report drafting, and final submission, are completed on time according to the established deadlines;
• Feedback from the IOM Project Management Team, Thematic Specialist and counterparts;
• Compliance with IOM House style Guidelines.
• Compliance with IOM Data Protection Principles.

 

• Education: – University degree / Diploma in Humanitarian, Political or Social Science, Data Management, Data Science, Statistics, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with three years of relevant experience or High School Diploma in the above fields with five years of relevant working experience;

• Experience:
  • In-depth understanding of migration theories, policies, and trends at national and international levels.
  • Experience conducting evaluation and monitoring analysis;
  • Experience in migration-related data collection methods, including qualitative and quantitative research techniques.
  • Ability to assess the effectiveness, efficiency, and impact of migration management policies.
  • Experience in identifying gaps and challenges in migration systems and proposing recommendations for improvement.
  • Experience in working with international organizations and UN agencies, an advantage;

• Competencies and Skills:
  • Strong analytical, writing and communication skills particularly in the field of migration;
  • Good knowledge of the migration & evaluation concepts;
  • Familiarity with IOM’s mandate;
  • Good command of oral and written in English or Russian. Kazakh is an advantage.

• Personal Qualities and other requirements:
  • Good interpersonal skills, solid judgment/decision making, initiative and creativity;
  • Cultural and gender sensitivity;

• Diversity:
  • Adheres to the core values of the United Nations; in particular, is respectful of differences of culture, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, language, age, etc.

1. Competencies

Values

• Inclusion and respect for diversity respects and promotes individual and cultural differences; encourages diversity and inclusion wherever possible.
• 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.

 

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 action and delegated work.
• Communication: encourages and contributes to clear and open communication; explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements