Project Context and Scope
Kazakhstan is undergoing rapid digital transformation across its economy, public services, and financial systems. While this digitalization brings opportunities, it also exposes institutional gaps in the capacity of law enforcement bodies to respond to emerging cyber threats. The Presidentโs address of 8 September 2025 highlighted that, alongside the benefits, widespread digitalization has created serious risks โ with online fraud now among the most pressing threats to the financial security of citizens and the state.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) is on the frontline of this challenge. Its current operational procedures were largely designed for traditional crime contexts and have not fully adapted to the realities of a digital environment. Limited digital investigation skills, lack of real-time data systems, and fragmented inter-agency coordination constrain effective responses. These gaps are particularly visible in the area of online recruitment scams, which exploit growing demand for overseas work. Such scams, often transnational and technology-enabled, target citizens seeking employment in the UK and other destinations, leading to financial losses, indebtedness, irregular status abroad, and risks of trafficking and sexual exploitation โ especially among women and youth.
Within the framework of IOMโs โSafe Migration of Seasonal Workers from Central Asia to the UKโ project, MIA has expressed interest in building its institutional capacity to keep pace with digitalization, integrate cyber-competencies into its operational procedures, and better prevent, detect, and investigate online fraud schemes related to labour migration.
Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing
LMD, Safe Migration of Seasonal Workers from Central Asia to the UK/KG10P0554ย
Tasks to be performed under this contract
Develop a comprehensive training module for the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan that addresses capacity gaps in cybercrime prevention and digital investigationsโhighlighting weaknesses exposed by digitalization (such as limited digital forensics, data analytics, and fraud monitoring systems) and equipping staff with practical skills, tools, and case-based guidance to combat online recruitment scams and related cyber-enabled crimes. ย
Report: Analyse Capacity Gaps in the Context of Digitalization:
- Review MIAโs current operational procedures, infrastructure, and human capacity in cybercrime prevention and digital investigations.
- Identify institutional gaps created or amplified by digitalization (e.g. lack of digital forensics skills, insufficient data analytics systems, absence of centralized fraud databases, weak real-time information-sharing). October 2025 Develop comprehensive training curricula for the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan that address capacity gaps in cybercrime prevention and digital investigationsโhighlighting weaknesses exposed by digitalization (such as limited digital forensics, data analytics, and fraud monitoring systems) and equipping staff with practical skills, tools, and case-based guidance to combat online recruitment scams and related cyber-enabled crimes. November 2025 Incorporate feedback from MIA and IOM to produce a final training package in Russian, with an executive summary. November 2025 Submit to IOM final report material in Russian language November 2025 ย ย
ย ยRequirements
- A Masterโs degree in cybersecurity, digital forensics, computer science, information systems, criminology, or a related field, preferably combined with experience in instructional design and law enforcement capacity-building;
- Good knowledge of national and international legislation in the areas of migration and labour legislation, human rights protection, counter trafficking, family and criminal law;
- At least 5 years of working experience in migration and/or financial inclusion related fields; Prior experience of conducting research on labour migration; Prior experience in producing SOP;
- Extensive experience in communication with migrants and relevant government stakeholders;ย
- Demonstrated knowledge of international data and migration statistics standards and practices and ability to apply this knowledge to a new context;
- Knowledge of English, Kazakh and Russian.
- Ability to communicate efficiently and concisely, strong organizational skills, attention to the details,ย personal commitments, capacity to work effectively and harmoniously with colleagues from variedย cultures and professional backgroundsย ย Travel required
- Upon request Required Competencies ย IOMโs competency framework can be found atย this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process. ย Values - all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these three 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.