National Consultant for the Delivery of the Targeted Capacity-Building on the Seasonal Worker Scheme Regulations and Ethical Recruitment

Position details

• Vacancy type: Consultancy
• Recruiting type: Consultant
• Contract type: Consultancy (Up to 11 months)
• Initial contract duration: 1 month
• Office or unit: Country Office
• Location: Kazakhstan
• Application deadline: 2026-09-03T18:55:00+00:00

Context

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 United Kingdom’s Seasonal Worker Scheme (SWS) provides an opportunity for foreign nationals to undertake seasonal employment in the UK agricultural sector for a period of up to six months within any 12-month timeframe. Since 2024, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has been supporting the Government of Kazakhstan in strengthening the preparedness, awareness, and informed decision-making of prospective seasonal workers. To ensure the effective localization and delivery of this specialized intervention, IOM seeks to engage an external expert with demonstrated expertise in labour mobility, ethical recruitment, migration governance, and the UK SWS. The expert will lead the implementation of targeted capacity-building sessions, drawing on a comprehensive understanding of local labour migration trends, recruitment-related risks, and the relevant regulatory and compliance requirements governing seasonal employment in the United Kingdom.

2. Objective of the Consultancy

To review and strengthen existing IOM training materials by incorporating updated information on the UK SWS, including current scheme regulations and tax refund procedures for seasonal workers, and to deliver three capacity-building workshops in Almaty, Astana, and Shymkent

Responsibilities

3. Scope of Work

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission in Kazakhstan and the direct supervision of the Project Manager, the consultant shall:

A. Preparation (1 Working Day)

• Review existing IOM training materials on the UK SWS and integrate updated information on tax refund procedures applicable to seasonal workers in the United Kingdom. Prior to the workshops, the Consultant shall submit a brief training implementation plan outlining the proposed delivery approach, participant engagement methods, practical exercises, delivery schedule, and knowledge assessment tools, including pre- and post-training questions designed to evaluate participants’ understanding of key topics and measure learning outcomes.

B. Training Delivery (6 Working Days)

• In coordination with IOM serve as the lead subject-matter expert and trainer for the implementation of three PDO workshops in Astana, Almaty, and Shymkent. The Consultant shall lead the delivery of the workshop curriculum in accordance with the IOM-approved agenda, provide specialized instruction on the UK SWS, facilitate practical and interactive learning activities, and strengthen the knowledge and delivery capacities of PDO trainers to enable the sustainable delivery of future orientation sessions.

Any external support or specialized inputs must be disclosed to IOM in advance and may complement, but not substitute, the consultant’s own substantive technical contribution and overall responsibility for the quality, accuracy, and completeness of all deliverables.

4. Deliverables

All written outputs must adhere to IOM House Style.

5. Performance Indicators

• Timely submission of all agreed deliverables. 

• Strict adherence to IOM House Style guidelines, data protection policies, and ethical guidelines.

• Training materials reviewed and updated with information on UK SWS regulations and tax refund procedures. 

• Three PDO workshops successfully delivered in Astana, Almaty, and Shymkent in accordance with the agenda.

• Participants’ knowledge increased, as evidenced through pre- and post-training assessments.

Qualifications

6. Education and Experience

Education and Experience:

• Master's degree from an accredited academic institution in Law, Public Administration, Economics, Migration Studies, Social Sciences, 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:

• Demonstrated experience in labour migration, labour mobility, ethical recruitment, migrant worker protection, or related fields.

• Demonstrated knowledge of the UK SWS, including recruitment processes, employment conditions, and relevant regulatory requirements.

• Proven experience in delivering training, capacity-building, pre-departure orientation, or awareness-raising programmes for migrant workers and related target groups.

• Strong understanding of safe migration principles and migrant worker rights throughout the migration cycle.

7. Languages

Required: English, Kazakh and Russian.

8. Competencies

• Strong knowledge of labour migration, ethical recruitment, and migrant worker protection. 
• Sound understanding of the UK SWS and related regulatory frameworks. 
• Excellent training, delivery, and presentation skills.
• Proven ability to apply participatory and adult-learning methodologies. 
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences. 
• Ability to explain complex information in a clear, practical, and accessible manner. 
• Strong organizational, analytical, and reporting skills. 

• Ability to work independently and deliver high-quality outputs within established deadlines. 

   

9. Intellectual Property and Data Protection

All materials, training modules, scenarios, scripts, participant materials, facilitator manuals, reports and other products developed under this consultancy shall become the exclusive property of IOM. 

The consultant shall not reproduce, distribute or use any products developed under this assignment without prior written authorization from IOM.

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

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.

10. Evaluation Criteria 

Technical Proposal 

The technical proposal should include:

• Cover letter outlining the understanding of the assignment and the consultant’s suitability for the role; 

• Summary of relevant experience in delivering PDO programmes, trainings, workshops, or other capacity-building activities; 

• Curriculum Vitae (CV) demonstrating expertise in labour migration, the UK SWS, and training delivery.

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. 

Financial Evaluation (30 Points)

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

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

Travel required: Yes, within Kazakhstan (Almaty, Astana and Shymkent)

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