Project Context and Scope
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The UKโs Seasonal Workers Scheme (SWS) provides seasonal workers entry and employment in the UK for up to 6 months to fill seasonal gaps in agriculture. Since 2020, the number of Kazakh nationals receiving the UKโs Seasonal Worker visas has grown significantly, exceeding 5,000 people in 2024. It is imperative that the migrantsโ migration experiences are as positive as possible - from the recruitment process, to employment, to return - to mitigate the risks and maximize the benefits of this migration for the livelihoods and quality of life of migrants and their families.ย ย
In Kazakhstan, recruitment of migrant workers under the SWS is officially carried out by the UK-based SWS operators (private recruitment companies) and their sub-contractors (also private recruitment companies) licensed by the UK government. Misinformation and fraud have been rife as there has thus far been no legitimate and reliable information disseminated by the Government of Kazakhstan on the SWS and more specifically, recruitment.ย ย
Since 2024, IOM has been supporting the Kazakh governmentโs engagement in the SWS at the country level to ensure that potential migrants receive accurate and reliable information about the SWS, reducing the risk of exploitation and trafficking. It also helps regulate labour migration flows, ensuring the protection of workers' rights and enhancing bilateral cooperation with the UK.ย
In collaboration with regional Youth Policy Departments, IOM plans to implement youth engagement activities in Astana, Konaev, Atyrau, and Turkistan to raise awareness on SWS programme and safe migration. Activities will include training sessions and interactive outreach events with incentive-based participation mechanisms mainly targeted at youth (especially women).ย
Young people are key actors in their communities but often face heightened risks related to unsafe migration due to limited access to reliable information. This initiative seeks to empower youth as peer educators and community mobilizers referred to IOM by the Kazakh government-run Labour Mobility Centres, contributing to informed decision-making and enhanced community awareness on safe and rights-based migration pathways, in line with IOMโs commitment to protection and capacity-building.ย
Note: Youth educators will be selected out of government organisations, including career development centres and youth policy departments of Akimats.ย ย ย
ย Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing
ย LMD, Safe Migration of Seasonal Workers from Central Asia to the UK/KG10P0554ย Tasks to be performed under this contract
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Category B Consultants: Tangible and measurable outputs of the work assignment: Develop an interactive training module that combines safe migration awareness, digital literacy, and peer education methodologies. All materials must be gender-sensitive and accessible online and offline. The training modules should use gamified approaches and be adaptable to peer-learning cascade training.ย ย Performance indicators for the evaluation of results
Tangible and measurable outputs of the work assignment:ย ย
1)Submit finalized interactive gamified training modules, available online and offline, targeted at youth and focused on safe migration and digital literacyย
Provide templates and facilitation guides for peer-to-peer sessionsย
December- 2025ย
2)Facilitate training of trainers and peer learning sessions in Astana, Konaev, Aktau and Turkistanย ย
January 2025ย
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Education, Experience and/or skills requiredย ย
Degree in social sciences/education (Masterโs preferred), with specialized knowledge in migration, youth engagement, and digital literacy;ย Good knowledge of national and international legislation in the areas of migration and labour legislation, human rights protection, counter trafficking, family and criminal law;ย At least 5 years of working experience in migration; Prior experience of conducting research on labour migration;ย ย Extensive facilitation skills;ย Extensive experience in communication with migrants and relevant government stakeholders;ย ย Demonstrated knowledge of international data and migration statistics standards and practices and ability to apply this knowledge to a new context;ย Knowledge of English, Kazakh and Russian.ย 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 ยTravel required. Upon request.ย ย 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. 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 Competenciesย 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. Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way. Notes 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, verification of residency, visa, and authorizations by the concerned Government, where applicable. 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. 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 online recruitment system. The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application. For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website:ย IOM Careers and Job Vacancies