Consultant for Development of Methodological Guide “State Support for Labor Migrants’ Initiatives”

Position Title: Consultant for the Development of the Methodological Guide “State Support for Labor Migrants’ Initiatives”

Duty Station: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (home-based)

Type of Appointment: Consultancy

Duration: October 20, 2025 – December 30, 2025 (up to 25 days)

Closing Date: 15 October 2025, 06:00 pm Bishkek time

Nature of the consultancy: The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is implementing a pilot of the 1+1 Matching Grants Programme in Kyrgyzstan, as part of the “Safe Migration for Seasonal Workers from Central Asia to the UK” project funded by the UK Government. This pilot aims to support entrepreneurship and local economic development in the Batken region. The nature of the required consulting services involves the development of a mechanism for providing funding for labor migrants’ initiatives based on the "1+1" co-financing principle (government + migrant/diaspora/local self-government/private partner). Such a mechanism should help ensure the sustainable economic and social reintegration of returning migrants and their families. The proposed financing mechanism should play an important role in building partnerships between government authorities and the most active segment of labor migrants. The consultants will work in close cooperation with the relevant departments of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic and the national project manager of IOM, under the overall supervision of the Head of the IOM Mission in Kyrgyzstan.

Project Context and Scope: The proposed project aims to support the safe participation of Central Asian migrants in the UK Seasonal Workers Scheme (SWS), promoting a positive migration experience within the United Kingdom (UK) and helping participating Central Asian countries to maximize its benefits to economic development. It aims to reduce the risks that Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan nationals face in the migration process under SWS. Project activities include support to (a) prospective migrants before their departure to the UK through Pre-Departure Orientation (online and/or offline depending on country), awareness raising campaigns (online and/or offline depending on country), Safe Migration hotline consultations, and English language courses; and (b) to selected migrants after their return to home countries through financial and business literacy trainings, consultations and seed grants. These efforts aim to ensure that migrants covered by the project are aware of their rights and responsibilities in the UK, as well as risks of misinformation, fraud, and exploitation, and thus they are better protected throughout their migration process.  
In the long term, the project aims to promote sustainable community development by empowering returnees and their families. Stakeholders engaged in the UK SWS, including farmers and growers,  will gain a deeper understanding of Central Asian migrants' needs and vulnerabilities, enabling proactive risk mitigation and providing improved workplace support. By promoting informed migration and fostering a supportive environment, the project seeks to enhance migrants' safety and well-being while contributing to broader socio-economic development within impacted communities.

Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing: Protection and Climate Mobility Unit, “Safe migration for seasonal workers from Central Asia to the UK” project, LM0612. 
 

Category B Consultants: Tangible and measurable outputs of the work assignment  

The Consultant in compliance with this ToR shall perform the tasks below: 
 

1. Analyze the existing legal and regulatory framework in the budgetary sphere, with a focus on methods and practices of financing local community and entrepreneurial initiatives. Particular attention should be given to the opportunities available through local budget funds, regional development funds, and incentive grants.
2. Analyze the implementation practices of public social procurement and social contracts, in order to assess the applicability of this experience to supporting labor migrant initiatives.
3. Based on the legal norms related to local budgets, regional development funds, and incentive grants, as well as practical case studies, develop a Methodological Guide titled “State Support for Labor Migrants’ Initiatives.”
4. The Guide should include: a.    Rules for financing labor migrants' initiatives b.    Updated and additional applicant selection criteria c.    Procedures for confirming co-financing d.    Terms of funding and reporting e.    Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) indicators and reporting templates, including a set of gender indicators (e.g.: % of women among grant recipients, % of jobs created for women, number of women-led businesses surviving 12/24 months, level of women’s participation in committees and program management) f.    Anti-corruption provisions g.    Gender-sensitive selection principles and equal access to funding h.    Priority access to financial resources for vulnerable groups, as well as for women and youth
5. The Methodological Guide must be approved by the Department for Regional Development Policy of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic.
6. The section of the Guide concerning the financing of initiatives through local budgets should include: a.    Templates for applications, contracts, and reports b.    A model decision by local self-government bodies (LSGBs) on launching projects initiated by labor migrants c.    A methodology for calculating the "1+1" co-financing scheme (including both monetary and in-kind contributions)
7. In the sections related to the acquisition of municipal property to support labor migrant initiatives, the Guide should outline the rules for leasing or transferring such property into private ownership, including preferential terms.
8. During the development of the Methodological Guide, consultations must be conducted with relevant stakeholders, and the document should be revised based on their feedback.
9. Additionally, an analytical brief should be developed and submitted regarding the potential for creating a future grant program for labor migrant initiatives funded by the state budget.

Expected Results and Deliverables

1. A developed and approved Methodological Guide titled "State Support for Labor Migrants’ Initiatives", agreed upon with the Department for Regional Development Policy of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic.
2. An analytical brief on the prospects for developing a grant program for labor migrant initiatives funded by the state budget.

Key Requirements for the Content of the Work

1. Compliance with the Budget Code, the Law “On State Social Procurement” No. 70, Resolution No. 554 “On Regional Development Funds”, and the Law “On Local Self-Government”. b.    Adherence to the principles of transparency, gender equality, and consideration of the interests of vulnerable groups of migrants. c.    Possibility of integrating donor co-financing (through a special Treasury account). d.    Applicability at both the national and local levels. e.    Provide mechanisms for the prevention, detection, and mitigation of corruption risks at all stages of the implementation of labor migrant initiative funding programs:
2. Transparency and Openness of Procedures i.    Mandatory public announcement of all grant competitions ii.    Publication of the list of grant recipients, including amounts and purposes, on an official portal (similar to the state grants portal) iii.    Requirement for digital tracking of applications and decisions made by selection committees within the framework of incentive grant financing b. Conflict of Interest iv.    Include a standard section in the competition rules explicitly prohibiting conflicts of interest v.    Introduce a requirement for declarations of independence from commission members and experts vi.    Establish procedures for disqualifying participants or experts in the event of a conflict of interest c.    Public and External Oversight vii.    Include representatives of civil society (NGOs) in grant selection committees viii.    Provide a mechanism for public monitoring and feedback through an online portal (including the option to submit complaints or inquiries) ix.    Integrate requirements for external audits (by the Chamber of Accounts, donor audits, or independent audits) d.    Compliance and Accountability x.    Include a dedicated section on “Anti-Corruption Measures” in the standard rules for grant selection and implementation xi.    Ensure regular public disclosure of program progress, monitoring results, and audit findings

Timeline
The overall deadline is up to 10 weeks from the date of contract signing. The Consultant is allotted up to 25 working days to complete this work.

Schedule for the Implementation of the Terms of Reference and Contract Payments

Tasks

Timeline

Payment

1. Analytical Brief: "Overview of the Legal and Regulatory Framework on Budgetary Issues Related to Financing Initiatives of Local Communities and Entrepreneurs"
2. Structure of the Methodological Guide

10 days after the contract is signed

20%

1. First Draft of the Methodological Guide "State Support for Labor Migrants’ Initiatives"
2. Analytical Brief on the Prospects of Grant Financing Using Local Budget Funds

30 days after the contract is signed

60%

1. The revised draft of the Methodological Guide following discussions with stakeholders.
2. Minutes of the approval of the Methodological Guide with the Department of Regional Development Policy of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic.
3. Brief Summary of the Methodological Guide (for Donors)

50 days after the contract is signed

20%

Performance indicators for the evaluation of results

• Timely submission of complete and accurate documentation.
• On-time completion of all tasks and delivery of final report.  

Education, Experience and/or skills required
 

• University degree in Public Administration, Law, Business Administration, Economics, Finance, or related field.
• Expertise in the fields of public policy, finance, the budget process, and normative legal acts (NLAs).
• Understanding of mechanisms for supporting migrants and financial instruments.
• Experience in interacting with government bodies (Ministry of Economy and Commerce, Ministry of Finance, Local Self-Government).
• Ability to prepare legally sound drafts of regulatory acts.
• Experience in incorporating anti-corruption and compliance tools into government programs.
• Experience in integrating gender aspects and the “gender mainstreaming” approach into economic development and labor migration programs.
• Fluency in Russian (spoken and written); basic understanding of Kyrgyz (oral).

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

• No

Required Competencies   IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.   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 Competencies – 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 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.

Notes

1. Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.

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