National consultant to conduct a foresight analysis of Kazakhstan’s migration landscape in light of rapid technological advancements, including artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and robotisation and Skills Mobility Partnership
Remote | Nur-Sultan
- Organization: IOM - International Organization for Migration
- Location: Remote | Nur-Sultan
- Grade: Senior Executive level - Assistant Director - General level - Internationally recruited position
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Occupational Groups:
- Social Affairs
- Engineering
- Agriculture and Forestry
- Information Technology and Computer Science
- Technology, Electronics and Mechanics
- Labour Market Policy
- Security and Safety
- External Relations, Partnerships and Resource mobilization
- Migration
- Emergency Aid and Response
- Public, Private Partnership
- Innovations for Sustainable Development
- Closing Date:
Job Description
IOM Country Office for Coordination Function in Central Asia has been implementing the regional Labour Migration Project that aims to support the efforts of the Central Asian countries to enhance labour migration governance to better respond to the rapidly changing dynamics of labour migration and promote regular patways for labour migrants by leveraging the impacts of migration in countries of origin and destination.
The LM Project, launched in 2022 with support of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) has been supporting initiatives to enhance evidence-based governance of labour mobility in Central Asia, targeting both migrants and employers, and involving countries of origin such as Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Various approaches, including regional and national coordination mechanisms on labour migration governance, policy dialogue, capacity building, and research, are applied to implement activities of the project during the current phase.
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.
The LM Project currently is at its fourth year of implementation, focusing on strengthening regional and country coordination mechanisms, and promoting regular pathways through capacity development and research on ethical recruitment, migration diversification and financial inclusion, and support to related policy development, policy reform and dialogue.
The consultancy aims to conduct a forward-looking foresight analysis of Kazakhstan’s migration landscape in the context of accelerating technological change, including artificial intelligence, automation, and digital transformation. It will explore how these shifts are reshaping the labour market, influencing migration drivers, and altering the skills landscape. Additionally, the foresight shall overview which opportunities for Skills Mobility Partnership unveil in the medium-term. The consultant will assess potential scenarios for the future of work and mobility, identify vulnerable groups at risk of exclusion, and provide strategic policy recommendations to ensure that Kazakhstan’s migration governance remains adaptive, inclusive, and aligned with emerging global trends.
The consultancy will contribute to output 1.3 of the SDC project, focusing on implementing research projects to evaluate programming and propose solutions or improvements for labour migration governance.
Labour Migration Unit/LM.0479
Responsibilities
- First deliverable – Submission of an Inception Report – outlining methodology, timeline, and stakeholder engagement plan to IOM. First installment payment – 10 August 2025 (online);
- Second deliverable – Development and submission of foresight scenarios – 3–4 futures for migration and labour in Kazakhstan - second instalment payment – 20 September 2025 (online);
- Third deliverable - Stakeholder Workshop – to validate scenarios and co-create policy options - third instalment payment – 20 October 2025 (online);
- Fourth deliverable Final Report – including: executive summary, analytical framework, scenario narratives, policy recommendations, annexes (data sources, interview guides, etc.) - last instalment payment – 10 November 2025 (online);
- Final deliverable - Presentation to Stakeholders – including Government, IOM and civil society - last instalment payment – 10 December 2025 (online).
Analyze global and regional trends in technology and their implications for labour mobility.
- Assess Kazakhstan’s current migration and labour market policies in the context of digital transformation.
- Identify vulnerable groups (e.g., low-skilled migrants, women, youth) at risk of exclusion due to automation.
- Identify opportunities linked to the Skills Mobility Partnership and similar initiatives.
- Facilitate stakeholder consultations to validate findings and co-develop future scenarios.
- Draft a policy foresight report with actionable recommendations for government and development partners
Scope of work will include:
Macro Level: Global Trends
- Examine how digital platforms, robotization and algorithmic governance are reshaping migration globally.
- Assess the implications of global digital divides and data governance on migrant rights and access to services.
Meso Level: National Systems
- Review Kazakhstan’s labour market development strategies (e.g., 2024–2029 Concept) and migration policy frameworks (e.g., 2023–2027 Migration Policy Concept).
- Evaluate institutional readiness, digital infrastructure, and inter-agency coordination mechanisms.
- Assess Kazakhstan’s readiness to participate in the Skills Mobility Partnership and similar initiatives on exchange of knowledge.
Micro Level: Migrant Experiences
- Analyze how digitalization and artificial intelligence affects migrant job access, skill requirements, and exposure to automation.
- Identify gaps in digital literacy, reskilling opportunities, and access to AI-driven public services.
Qualifications
- University degree/Diploma in Migration Studies, Labour Economics, Public Policy, Foresight and Strategic Planning, Sociology, or a related discipline from an accredited academic institution with three years of relevant experience or High School Diploma in the above fields with five years of relevant working experience;
- At least 5 years of proven experience preferably in research and legal field, working with normative and legal acts;
- Proven experience conducting foresight or scenario planning exercises, particularly in the context of technological change, AI, or the future of work, is essential;
- Demonstrate understanding and knowledge of Kazakhstani system of migration management and legislative framework;
- Knowledge and understanding of the relationship between migration and development;
- Experience in statistical tools, reporting, liaising with government authorities advantageous; preferably within the international humanitarian field;
- Experience in working with international organizations and UN agencies, an advantage;
- Strong analytical, writing and communication skills particularly in the field of writing analytical memos, workshops, lectures, presentations;
- Good knowledge of the migration & development concept;
- Familiarity with IOM’s mandate;
- Good command of oral and written in Russian. Kazakh is an advantage
- English and Russian, Kazakh being an asset
- No
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Required Skills
Job info
Contract Type: Consultancy (Up to 11 months)Vacancy Type: Consultancy
Recruiting Type: Consultant
Grade: UG
Alternative Required Language 1: Russian
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.