NATIONAL CONSULTANT TO CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS OF THE STATUS OF AGRICULTURAL COOPERATION DEVELOPMENT
Remote | Turkistan | Akmola
- Organization: IOM - International Organization for Migration
- Location: Remote | Turkistan | Akmola
- Grade: Consultancy - National Consultant - Locally recruited Contractors Agreement
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Occupational Groups:
- Development Cooperation and Sustainable Development Goals
- Agriculture and Forestry
- Closing Date: 2025-07-07
Job Description
Project Context and Scope:
Established in 1951, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is the leading intergovernmental organization in the field of migration and works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is committed to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. This is achieved through the provision of services and advice to governments and migrants.
As of April 2023, Kazakhstan's rural population was reported as 7.5 million people, or 38.2 per cent of total population of the country. As of January 2024, the rural population comprised 37.8% of the total population, signaling a strong urbanization trend in the country. A rapidly growing urban population may present serious challenges to domestic policies and local governments, leaving rural areas underdeveloped, local rural populations lacking basic social services and infrastructure, and making rural areas less attractive for investment interventions. Urbanization often results in the migration of youth and skilled workers to cities, leaving an aging population in rural areas, and a consequent decline in agricultural innovation and productivity. The agricultural sector, traditionally reliant on physical labor, suffers as the younger, more physically able workforce diminishes.
To ensure food security and support to local farmers and agribusiness in improving the supply chains, according to the Minister of Agriculture of Kazakhstan, there is a high demand in creating cooperatives, where small-scale farmers unite to amplify production and marketing efforts, streamlining the supply chain process. Agricultural cooperation can lead to optimization of production costs, produce large volumes of goods, increase profits for agricultural producers, find new markets, and improve supply chains.
The consultancy will be carried out within the framework of the IOM implementing project ‘Building resilience and empowering local communities through enhanced agricultural cooperation and urban-rural partnership in Kazakhstan’. The project aims to address the interlinked challenges of decreasing rural productivity, increasing unemployment, and climate change impacts on the agricultural sector in rural areas of in Kazakhstan, particularly for women. The project's objective is to contribute to supporting the Kazakh government in building the resilience of and empowering local communities in rural areas of Akmola and Turkistan regions of Kazakhstan through enhanced agricultural cooperation and urban-rural partnerships. The project interventions will cover areas such as how local farmers, agribusiness and agricultural cooperatives can expand into new urban markets, what smart farming technologies can be used to optimize sustainability and improve supply chains, and what measures should be taken to increase productivity and deliver high-quality and safe agri-foods for attractive pricing.
Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing: IOM Kazakhstan, Country Office with Coordinating Functions for Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
Responsibilities
| # | Deliverables | Deadlines |
| 1 | Detailed workplan with timeframe for the assignment developed consultatively and approved by IOM project team. | 1 week after signing the contract by 24 March 2025 |
| 2 | Methodology for conducting a comprehensive situational analysis of the status of agricultural cooperation development including legal framework and a gender-sensitive needs analysis guided by international standards, best practices and approaches developed and approved by IOM project team.
| 2-4 weeks of the consultancy
by 14 April 2025 |
| 3 | A comprehensive situational analysis of the status of agricultural cooperation development including legal framework and a gender-sensitive needs analysis guided by international standards, best practices and approaches conducted with the consultation and participation of rural communities, including farmers, youth, women, national and local authorities and other relevant stakeholders in target areas. The analysis will explore the level of women entrepreneurship factors for promoting women led agricultural businesses. The analysis will also include mapping of the services available for gender-based violence survivors in Akmola and Turkistan regions (medical, psychological, legal, crisis centres, and shelters). | 5-13 weeks of the consultancy
by 16 June 2025 |
| 4 | At least two technical consultations with national and local authorities, rural communities including farmers, youth and women, and other relevant stakeholders conducted to discuss and validate findings of the needs assessment, situational analysis and draft further recommendations. | 1st Consultation: 11 week of the consultancy, by 31 May 2025
2nd Consultation: 13 week of the consultancy, by 15 June 2025
|
| 5 | Roadmap with clear-cut recommendations on agricultural cooperation development with the specific focus on women and youth led agribusiness developed and finalized in consultation with relevant stakeholders. | 14-15 weeks of the consultancy
By 30 June 2025 |
| 6 | Final report on the results achieved is submitted by the Consultant and approved by IOM in Russian and English languages. | 16 week of the consultancy
by 7 July 2025 |
Performance indicators for the evaluation of results
The National Consultant will work under the direct supervision of the IOM National Project Officer/Project Manager and in close cooperation with the project team, other project consultants, partners and relevant stakeholders. All deliverables must be submitted within the specified timeline (please see section #6) and approved by IOM. Together with the IOM National Project Officer/Project Manager, National Consultant will agree on the scope of work, deadlines, and a detailed work plan for the assignment. The consultation will take place via online/home-based with field trips as necessary. The consultancy should meet the following performance evaluation indicators:
- All tasks and deliverables are completed within the agreed timeframe.
- The quality of developed methodology, situational analysis are thorough, accurate, gender-sensitive, and aligned with international standards, best practices and approaches. Roadmap with recommendations are actionable, context-specific, and well-received by stakeholders.
- Consultation processes are inclusive and effectively engage all relevant stakeholders, with significant representation from relevant rural communities including women and youth.
Regular, effective communication is maintained with the project team and stakeholders, feedback from the project team and stakeholders reflects strong collaboration and responsiveness.
Qualifications
- Minimum Bachelor’s degree in Law, Social Sciences (e.g., Agriculture, Economics, Sociology, Gender Studies, Development Studies), or other related fields from an accredited academic institution.
- At least five years of professional experience in conducting analysis of national legislation, policies, strategies and regulations (supporting materials or links to the site where supporting materials are available to learn about the candidate’s experience).
- Demonstrated professional experience on migration-related topics (supporting materials or links to the site where supporting materials are available to learn about the candidate’s experience).
- Demonstrated professional experience related to agriculture-related topics (supporting materials or links to the site where supporting materials are available to learn about the candidate’s experience).
- Demonstrated professional experience in conducting reviews, needs assessment, research and/or analysis in the area of gender equality and women empowerment (supporting materials or links to the site where supporting materials are available to learn about the candidate’s experience).
- Experience in providing technical assistance and liaising with government authorities, CSOs, UN agencies, international organizations as well as migration related stakeholders.
- Strong professional experience in field of legislation analysis, agriculture and women empowerment;
- Sound understanding of international, regional (Central Asia) and national policy processes on migration and social development.
- Excellent proven analytical and written and verbal communication skills, including presentation skills.
- Excellent organizational skills.
- Excellent writing and speaking skills in Russian. Knowledge of Kazakh language is an asset.
- Yes
- 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.
- Candidates with special needs, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
Required Skills
Job info
Contract Type: Consultancy (Up to 11 months)Initial Contract Duration: March - August 2025
Vacancy Type: Consultancy
Recruiting Type: Consultant
Grade: UG
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.