National Consultant for Conducting English Language Course for Seasonal Migrants Participating in the SWS Program at the PDO Office in Atyrau

Job Description

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 and Uzbekistan, establishing priorities for project development in the country offices in the context of sub-regional strategies, policies and consultative processes. 

Since January 2024, IOM has been implementing the regional project “Supporting Safe and Orderly Migration from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan to the UK”, funded by Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), 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.

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. Since 2020, the number of Kazakh nationals receiving the UK’s Seasonal Worker visas has grown significantly, exceeding 5,000 people in 2024. It is imperative that the migrants’ 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.

The formal engagement of the Government of Kazakhstan in the implementation of the Seasonal Worker Scheme (SWS) has recently commenced with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening coordination and transparency in the recruitment process. Prior to this, recruitment of seasonal workers was largely ad hoc and carried out by various private recruitment agencies. In the absence of officially endorsed and reliable information from the Government on the SWS—particularly regarding recruitment procedures, misinformation has been widespread, increasing the risk of exploitation and abuse among prospective migrants.

IOM will support governmental engagement in the seasonal worker scheme at the national level, ensuring that potential migrants receive accurate and reliable information about legal migration pathways, thereby reducing the risk of exploitation and trafficking. This initiative also helps regulate labor migration flows, protect workers' rights, and strengthen bilateral cooperation with the host country. Furthermore, an English language course for adults will be offered at the pre-departure training office in Atyrau for seasonal workers preparing for seasonal migration.

Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing: LMD, Safe Migration of seasonal workers from Central Asia to the UK/KG10P0554

Responsibilities

• Design and deliver a 6-week English language course for seasonal workers under the UK’s Seasonal Worker Scheme (SWS), structured into weekly modules and suitable for both in-person and online formats. The course should include accessible learning materials (PDFs, presentations, mobile-friendly formats), visual aids, and practical tools such as an agriculture-specific glossary, themed assignments, in-class activities, and audio resources to support learners with varying English proficiency. Adult learning methods—task-based learning, role-plays, simulations, and group work—should be used to strengthen real-life communication skills.
• Deliver the course at the PDO Centre in LMC Atyrau, Kazakhstan, and conduct pre- and post-training assessments to evaluate progress in listening, speaking, and writing skills and record the complete course for future virtual use.
• Submit a final report in English summarizing the course design, delivery, assessment results, participant feedback and recommendations for integration into enbek.kz.

 Timeline:

• First deliverable: design a curriculum, education materials for English courses and submit to IOM – by 10 June.
• Second deliverable: deliver the course in-person according to the established schedule, including lesson recordings - by 25 July 

Qualifications

• A degree in Education, Linguistics. Additional certifications in TESOL, TEFL, or equivalent English language teaching qualifications would be an advantage.
• At least 3 years of experience in developing and delivering English language courses for adults.
• Experience in designing and facilitating both online and offline training programs for adults.
• Proven ability to assess language proficiency and track progress through evaluations and feedback.
• Good command of oral and written in English and Kazakh
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and motivate learners.
• Familiarity with the challenges faced by seasonal migrants, particularly in terms of language barriers and cultural adaptation.
• Proficiency in using digital tools and platforms for online course delivery.

Travel required: No

Required Skills

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