National Consultant for the Development of the Seasonal Worker Scheme Information Materials

Position details

• Vacancy type: Consultancy
• Recruiting type: Consultant
• Contract type: Consultancy (Up to 11 months)
• Initial contract duration: 3 months
• Office or unit: Country Office
• Location: Kazakhstan
• Application deadline: 2026-09-06T18:55:00+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) enables foreign nationals to undertake seasonal employment in the UK's agricultural sector for a period of 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 and preparedness of prospective seasonal workers. To effectively cascade this specialised knowledge to the grassroots level, the project requires the targeted engagement of an external subject-matter expert possessing deep, practical proficiency in the local labour mobility landscape, current recruitment fraud typologies, and UK SWS regulations to develop comprehensive SWS information materials.

2. Objective of the Consultancy

Based on previously developed PDO modules, develop a concise, practical, and comprehensive factsheet on the UK Seasonal Worker Scheme (SWS) that equips national public service providers and prospective migrant workers with accurate, up-to-date, and easily accessible information on key aspects of participation in the SWS, including recruitment pathways, visa procedures, official operators, tax refunds, and workers’ rights and responsibilities.

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 provide textual content development and training delivery.

1. SWS Factsheet Development (with Visa and Tax Refund Focus)

• Based on existing PDO modules draft a comprehensive, easy-to-understand SWS Factsheet providing general guidance on the scheme, safe migration practices, workers' rights, and responsibilities. The content should not be exceeding 10 (ten) A4 pages. The composition of the factsheet should be similar to the one developed by the project team in IOM Bishkek for Kyrgyzstan, available here.

• Include a dedicated, step-by-step section on the UK Visa application process, detailing the official timeline, required documentation, fee structures, and red flags to identify and avoid visa fraud or unverified intermediaries.

• Include a dedicated, practical section on UK Tax Refund procedures, outlining the legal process for claiming overpaid income tax through HMRC, explaining P45/P60 forms, and providing clear warnings against predatory tax-refund scam agencies.

2. Capacity Building for 1414 Operators

• Based on the developed materials, serve as the co-lead trainer and deliver an in-person 1.5-day refresher training for 1414 operators, tentatively scheduled for October-November 2026 in Astana. 

• Provide instruction on all training topics, guide participants through the training content, and support knowledge acquisition and practical understanding of the subject matter.

4. Deliverables

5. Performance Indicators

• Timely submission and high quality of agreed deliverables.

• Technical accuracy, clarity, and practical usability of the UK Visa and Tax Refund instructions.

• Successful delivery of the training workshop, evidenced by positive participant feedback and improved knowledge scores.

• Strict compliance with the IOM House Style Manual and UK English drafting standards.

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 legal consulting, migration management, or public service capacity building.

• Demonstrated experience in developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), referral mechanisms, guidance materials, or operational instructions for government institutions and frontline service providers. Experience working with E-gov and/or the 1414 Contact Centre is highly desirable.

• Demonstrated knowledge of safe migration principles, including the UK Seasonal Worker Scheme visa requirements and UK tax refund procedures.

• Demonstrated experience in designing and delivering targeted training programmes and capacity-building activities for adult professionals.

• Proven ability to develop practical guidance materials and training content for government officials and public service operators.

7. Languages

Required: English, Kazakh and Russian.

8. Competencies

• Strong analytical and drafting skills; the ability to translate complex legal/tax information into accessible language; 

• Excellent presentation and training delivery skills; ability to work independently and meet strict deadlines.

• Strong knowledge of labour migration, ethical recruitment, and migrant worker protection. 
• Sound understanding of the UK SWS and related regulatory frameworks. 
• Excellent training, facilitation, 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; 

• Brief description of the proposed approach to the development of information materials on the UK Seasonal Worker Scheme (SWS); 

• Summary of relevant experience in developing information, awareness-raising, communication, or educational materials; 

• Curriculum Vitae (CV) demonstrating relevant qualifications and experience.

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%).

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