Vacancy: National Consultant/ Researcher to conduct an assessment of outflow of skilled workers and mechanisms to retain talented youth in Kazakhstan

Vacancy Announcement

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) office in Kazakhstan is seeking qualified professionals for the following consultancy.

Position Title

National Consultant/ Researcher to conduct an assessment of outflow of skilled workers and mechanisms to retain talented youth in Kazakhstan

Duty Station

Home-based;

Application Deadline

August 24, 2018

Remarks:

1. This vacancy announcement is a consultant contract type.

2. Interested candidates are invited to submit the following required documents:

• Application letter indicating motivation, relevant experience, availability and expected consultant fee;
• Current CV;
• Draft methodology plan based on the requirements outlined below in the TORs.

Download TORs

Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications toЭтот адрес электронной почты защищен от спам-ботов. У вас должен быть включен JavaScript для просмотра.by August 24, 2018, at the latest, referring to this advertisement in the subject line.

Only short‐listed candidates will be contacted.

1. 1.      Background information:

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 governement 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.

1. 2.      Introduction:

According to the Concept of Migraiton Policy of the Republic of Kazakhstan 2017-2021 the outflow of skilled workers from various professional fields and the lack of mechanisms for retaining "talented youth" is listed among the key problems in migration management of Kazakhstan. The outflow of skilled workers from Kazakhstan is intensifying, especially of representatives in technical fields, economics, and education.

The Concept of Migration states that over the past three years, 91.9 thousand people left Kazakhstan to live permanently abroad, 43.8% of these are young people aged 15 to 34. The majority migrate to the Russian Federation (78.2 thousand people) especially from the border regions.

In some border areas of the Republic of Kazakhstan, particularly in the Northern parts, negative factors such as stagnant or declining economic activity, deterioration of existing infrastructure, and limited public services lead to migration and depopulation of significant territories. Due to Russia’s proximity young professionals and high skilled workers tend to choose bigger and more developed cities for labour and education purposes, leaving behind less competitive in these terms cities in the North of Kazakhstan.

Consequently, the Government of Kazakhstan requires assistance to be able to understand the drivers of skilled and youth migration and consequently, implement policies and programmes that can stem skilled emigration and/or facilitate emigration in a way that provides economic development benefits to Kazakhstan.

1. 3.      Objective:

Therefore, the IOM Sub-Regional Office for Central Asia is launching an assessment as part of capacity building activities which will aim to further the understanding of the problem through analysis of the existing studies on the topic. It will also carry out policy analysis and map existing programmes and services to identify gaps in the policy and in the programmes intended to serve the needs of talented youth. By the end of the project, based on best practices and international standards, the assessment will provide relevant recommendations and suggestions on how to address the problem.

1. 4.      Tasks to be performed under this contract:

The assignment will contribute to the development of the Assessment of the outflow of skilled workers and mechanisms to retain talented youth, which will subsequently be shared with government and non-government counterparts.

The Consultant shall:

1. Design, develop and validate the research plan;
2. Conduct research on the scale and scope of skilled emigration from Kazakhstan as well as the main drivers for the emigration of skilled youth from Kazakhstan, resulting in a mapping of key needs/interests of skilled youth;
3. Conduct an analysis of policy, legislation and regulatory framework on national level from the perspective of drivers of youth emigration and identify the gaps with regards to the problem;
4. Ascertain international best practices aimed at retaining young skilled workers;
5. Devise recommendations concerning planning and implementing effective programmes, services and policy changes to meet the needs and interests of young skilled workers;
6. Produce the final report and related documents as outlined in the research plan

1. 5.      Tangible and measurable output of the work assignment:

-          Research plan, methodology and other instruments developed consultatively and finalized with IOM;

-          Conduct the research; undertake duty trips (if necessary) to selected localities;

-          Final version of the report including recommendations produced consultatively and finalized with IOM;

-          Presentation on the final findings at IOM workshops and Senior Official Meeting (if necessary).

1. 6.      Realistic delivery dates and details as to how the work must be delivered, and performance indicators:
   1. 1.      Research plan and methodology drafted and validated by IOM – September 1, 2018
   2. 2.      Draft report of the assessment – September 15, 2018
   3. 3.      Final version of research report – September 21, 2018

1. 7.      Technical and behavioural requirements:

-          Creates a respectful office environment free of harassment and retaliation, and promotes the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA);

-          Effectively interfaces with government officials of appropriate level on matters related to substantive migration issues and the work of IOM;

-          Effectively applies knowledge of migration issues within organizational context;

-          Correctly frames migration issues within their regional, global, and political context;

-          Willingness to travel within Kazakhstan and CA region (if needed).

1. 8.      Education, experience and competencies:

-          Advanced University Degree in a related area including, inter alia, Social Sciences, Public Policy, Migration Studies, Gender, and Development. PhD is an advantage.

-          At least four years of experience and record of accomplishment in research and development activities, with an emphasis on society, migration, gender, youth, economic development, or similar areas.  

-          Excellent proven analytical and presentation skills;

-          Excellent understanding of migration and youth issues and related challenges in Kazakhstan;

-          Experience in working at or with international organizations is an advantage;

-          Capacity for constructive teamwork and cooperation with all stakeholders;

-          Experience in liaising with government authorities and diplomatic missions, as well as with international institutions;

-          Experience of working with and/or familiarity with IOM and its project implementation principles is an asset.

1. 9.      Languages:

-          Russian – Professional proficiency

-          English – Professional proficiency is an advantage