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 governement 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.ย
The regional project โImproving Migration Governance and Access to Services for Displaced Afghans in Pakistan and Central Asiaโ funded by Canadian Ministry of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canda (IRCC) focuses on supporting regional institutions and communities to address immediate protection and humanitarian needs of Afghan nationals and local communities, mitigate the mid-term impact of the crisis on societies in the region, and support recovery and resilience for longer-term sustainable development.
IOM Kazakhstan will conduct research on the Afghan diaspora in the country as well as the impact of the economic ย contribution to Kazakhstani economy and social contribution of all migrants in Kazakhstan, guided by the IOM Diaspora Mapping Toolkit. This research will be conducted jointly with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bureau on National Statistics, Ministry of Culture and Information. The findings of this research will be used to support the government to further strengthen its migration governance, through implementation of mobility-sensitive and inclusive strategies, and legal frameworks, coupled with advocacy efforts to promote these frameworks
Proposed researchย will contribut to the project Activity KZ.3.2.5. Conduct thematic research on the economic and social contribution of migrants in Kazakhstan.ย
Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing:LMD / IS.0220
Category B Consultants:ย Tangible and measurable outputs of the work assignment:The primary objective is to conduct a research that explores and documents the economic and social contributions of migrants in Kazakhstan.
Specific objectives include:
Identify the sectors and regions where migrants are economically active and estimate their impact. Examine migrantsโ role in addressing labor shortages and contributing to innovation, skills development, and entrepreneurship. Assess the social contributions of migrants, including in education, healthcare, culture, volunteerism, and community life. Analyze public perception and narrative around migrants and how this affects their integration and visibility. Provide evidence-based recommendations for policies that support the inclusion and protection of migrants while maximizing their development potential.ย Scope of Work
The consultant/team will:
Conduct a desk review of national statistics, laws, migration policies, labor market reports, academic studies, and relevant international literature. Map key migrant groups, disaggregated by nationality, gender, status (regular/irregular), and type of migration (labor, student, returnees, etc.). Analyze the economic contribution of migrants, including: Participation in formal and informal labor markets Remittances, consumption, and investment patterns Contributions to GDP, tax revenue, and entrepreneurship Explore social contributions, including: Participation in education and training Community involvement, volunteering, and cultural exchange Migrantsโ roles in sustaining rural and aging communities Conduct key informant interviews and/or focus group discussions with: Migrants (varied by background) Employers and business associations Civil society organizations and trade unions Local authorities and government agencies Identify enablers and barriers to migrant contribution (e.g., legal status, social protection, discrimination, language access). Develop policy recommendations for enhancing the positive contributions of migrants and addressing existing constraints.Deliverables:ย
Inception Report with methodology and workplan โ 1st deliverable submission no later the end of July 2025; Preliminary findings of the ย ย field work- ย ย 2nd deliverable submission no later the end of September 2025; Stakeholder consultation report and draft thematic research report with preliminary recommendations ย โ 3d deliverable submission no later the end of January 2026; Final report with executive summary, findings, and policy recommendations and Presentation of key findings to stakeholders - 4thdeliverable submission no later the end of April 2026;Deliverablesย should be paid upon reporting on executed tasks according schedule mentioned above and stipulated in consultancy contract B;
Methodology
The research will employ a mixed-methods approach, including:
Quantitative analysis of official statistics (employment, income, taxes, remittances) Qualitative data collection through interviews and focus groups Case studies to highlight individual/community contributions Gender-sensitive and rights-based lens to ensure inclusivityย
Performance indicators for the evaluation of results Timely submission of deliverablesย Number of regulations reviewed Number of stakeholder consultations conducted Economic and social-disaggregated stakeholder participation Alignment with planned methodology Education, Experience and/or skills requiredEducation
Master's University degree in Economics, Migration studies, Political or Social Science, Business Administration, International Relations, Law, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with three years of relevant professional experience.ย Bachelor's University degree in the above fields with six years of relevant professional experience.Experience
Experience in consultancy on human rights/ legal questions;ย Experience in report writing.ย Experience in liaison on human rights with government, UN, and NGO stakeholders.ย
Skills
Strong and demonstrable interest in migration, and human rights.ย Excellent writing, communication, and analytical skills. Ability to prepare clear and concise reports. Litigation and dispute resolution Communication and negotiation skills Critical thinking and problem-solving Time management and organization Attention to detail Adaptability and staying current with legal trendsย
Travel requiredย No
CompetenciesValues
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:ย demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance. Empathy:ย shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.ย
Core Competencies โ 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 Organizationโs priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.ย Communication: encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.