National Consultant to evaluate achievements, challenges, and lessons learned from the implementation of the SDC-funded Labour Migration Programme in Kazakhstan

Project Context and Scope

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 government 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.

Since June 2022, IOM has been implementing the regional project “Programme for the Promotion of Managed Labour Migration in Central Asia” (Phase 1), funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), which aims to contribute to the improvement of labour migration management in order to use the human mobility impact on development in countries of origin, as well as in countries of destination. Project participating countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Through six key outcomes, the project aims to support the efforts of governments and other stakeholders in target countries to develop coordination mechanisms to identify problems and regularly adapt and improve labour migration policies and processes at the national and regional levels. 

The project has six following deliverables: 

I. Participating governments and other key stakeholders in labour migration management develop coordination mechanisms to jointly identify and address problems, and regularly adapt and improve labour migration policies and processes in the region; 

II. Public and private employment agencies and vocational training centers are improving their services to better meet the needs of the labour market, as well as potential migrant workers 

III. Employers in destination states consider ethical recruitment and organised recruitment standards 

IV. Potential migrant workers are better informed and prepared to assert their rights and protect themselves in recruitment and migration 

V. Migrants and their families have better access to inclusive financial services and products, which improves living standards 

VI. Improving the migration accounting system. 

Project activity will contribute to the Outcome 1 of the project: Governments and other key stakeholders in labour migration governance develop coordination mechanisms to mutually identify and address challenges, and regularly adapt and improve labour migration policy and processes in the region

In order to achieve the project objective and expected results, close collaboration across all the main stakeholders within the labour recruitment process, including governments, international organizations, recruiters, and the private sector, will be required. IOM anticipates working with partners to ensure a wide range of expertise are leveraged to address the challenges outlined and deliver a large-scale response. Such coordination will also be critical to ensure the sustainability of the project’s activities to encourage sustainable change among stakeholders.

The purpose of this initiative is to assess the effectiveness of project monitoring and regional implementation within the SDC Labour Migration Programme in Kazakhstan, and to generate evidence-based recommendations for future planning and policy adaptation.
 Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing
 

Labour Migration Department/ “Labour Migration – Central Asia” project funded by the Swiss Agency for Cooperation and Development (SDC)/LM.0479 Tasks to be performed under this contract
1.  First deliverable – Methodology and Work Plan (includes approach, tools, timeline, and stakeholder engagement strategy) submitted by 20 of February 2026; 

2.  Second deliverable – Findings Report, summarizing regional insights, monitoring effectiveness, survey analysis, and lessons learned - by 20 of March 2026; 

3.  Final deliverable - Final Reflection Report Consolidated report with strategic recommendations and presentation-ready summary before IOM and respective stakeholders - by 20 April 2026. Performance indicators for the evaluation of results
 

Conduct a reflection exercise across key regions of Kazakhstan (Akmola, Almaty, Turkistan, East Kazakhstan, Karaganda, Kostanay).

Review project monitoring tools - survey results, and regional implementation strategies.

Facilitate cascade reflection workshops with regional partners and project experts. 

Collect and synthesize feedback from stakeholders.

Develop a final report with strategic recommendations.

Identify potential private sector operators to interview

Make list of interviewees, translate, if appropriate, interview questions, make interview appointments (for either video interviews or in person), 

Manage implementation of the research agenda according to the methodology and workplan approved by IOM; 

Develop and submit for review/approval any products developed for the collection of data and information related to the research project including, inter alia, surveys, interview protocols and list of proposed interviewees;

As required, coordinate with IOM office to assist in coordinating necessary meetings and tele/videoconferences within the MTA business, or other stakeholders;

Perform fieldwork in Kazakhstan as outlined in the agreed methodology (this will include interviews, focus groups and so on);

Deliver a presentation highlighting the key findings of the research project as well as recommendations 

Consult with the IOM project team on appropriate and agreed approaches to the specified tasks before their completion;

The quality of and the timely completion of deliverables; 

Feedback from the IOM Project Management Team, Thematic Specialist and counterparts; 

Compliance with IOM House style Guidelines;

Compliance with IOM Data Protection Principles Education

Experience in statistical tools, reporting, qualitative and quantitative research is advantageous;

preferably within the international humanitarian field. 

Experience designing and conducting surveys, interviews, and other data collection methods to gather insights from relevant stakeholders;Proven ability to develop high-quality reports, including drafting findings, analysis, and policy recommendations;

Experience in working with international organizations and UN agencies, an advantage.Skills

Strong analytical, writing and communication skills particularly in the field of migration;

Good knowledge of the migration & evaluation concepts;

Familiarity with IOM’s mandate;Languages o    Good command of oral and written in English or Russian. Kazakh is an advantage.  IOM’s official languages are English, French and Spanish.Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments. Travel required