Regional Expert to Strengthen Safe Migration Hotline Services

Position Title: Regional Expert to Strengthen Safe Migration Hotline Services Duty Station: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan (hybrid mode based on the needs) Type of Appointment: Consultancy, Category B, deliverables based Duration of Consultancy: September 2026 – January 2027 (5 months) Closing Date: 03 September 2026, 11:59 PM Bishkek time Introduction Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations and the leading UN agency in the field of migration. Working closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners, IOM promotes humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It saves lives and protects people on the move, drives solutions to displacement, and facilitates pathways for regular migration, while providing services and advice to governments and migrants. IOM is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive and supportive workplace where all employees can thrive professionally and feel valued. By creating such an environment, IOM aims to better harness the full potential of migration and strengthen its support to people on the move. IOM invites candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply and provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process when required. Learn more about IOM’s workplace culture at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration . Project Context and Scope The ‘Central Asia Safe Migration’ project aims to reduce migrants’ vulnerability to exploitation, recruitment fraud, and unsafe migration, while supporting sustainable reintegration for returning migrants across Central Asia. It adopts a comprehensive, rights-based approach across the migration cycle, working with governments, service providers, and stakeholders. The project aims to address the challenges faced by nationals from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan engaged in labour migration to the United Kingdom under the UK Seasonal Workers Scheme (SWS). These include migrant workers preparing to travel under the SWS; migrants currently engaged in seasonal work, and returning migrants receiving reintegration support. Project beneficiaries will gain improved access to accurate, timely, and gender-sensitive information on safe migration, recruitment practices, rights and obligations, and available support services. Returning migrants will additionally benefit from financial literacy training, business development support, and small grants to support sustainable livelihoods. Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing The Consultant will support IOM’s programmatic activities in Kyrgyzstan within the framework of ‘Central Asia Safe Migration’ project, LM0667. Nature of Consultancy Under this ToR, the Regional Expert is expected to work under direct supervision of the Subregional Project Manager, closely collaborate with project team, and other relevant stakeholders from government partners. Tangible and measurable outputs of the work assignment The Regional Expert will provide technical expertise to strengthen hotline services supporting labour migrants across Central Asia and conduct refresher trainings on prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA) and gender-based violence (GBV) . The Consultant will review existing hotline practices, develop standardized and gender-responsive scripts and communication tools, and build the capacity of hotline operators to provide accurate, consistent, gender-sensitive and protection-sensitive information and referrals to prospective and returning migrants. The Regional Expert will strengthen the hotline operators’ capacity across the region to identify and communicate risks related to exploitation, fraudulent recruitment practices, and unsafe migration pathways, while promoting survivor-centered guidance and referral options. The Consultant will conduct refresher trainings on PSEA and GBV, using the training manual developed by IOM Kyrgyzstan in the previous phase of the project as the primary reference and adapting the training content, as necessary, based on lessons learned and participants’ needs. Key responsibilities for the Consultant include: Assessment and Review Review existing hotline practices and any relevant materials. Identify gaps and opportunities to improve the quality, consistency, and accessibility of hotline services. Development of Hotline Scripts Develop standardized and gender-responsive scripts covering key migration topics throughout the migration cycle that reflect up-to-date information on SWS conditions, anti-fraud messaging, and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) considerations. The scripts will include the guide to avoid recruitment scams / Checklist for migrant job seekers (developed in collaboration with the SWS Task Force). Integrate gender-sensitive, protection-oriented, and survivor-centered communication approaches in all scripts across the region. Outline protocols and develop practical guidelines for identifying and responding to callers in vulnerable situations, including potential victims of fraud, exploitation or gender-based violence, ensuring appropriate referrals where needed. Map out precise referral pathways, detailing exactly which government agencies, law enforcement bodies, or NGOs (including existing IOM resources) the hotline operators should redirect specific queries to. Prepare practical guidance and decision trees for hotline operators to ensure accurate and consistent responses specific to the UK Seasonal Worker Scheme. Conducting Training on GBV and PSEA for various stakeholders Review the existing PSEA and GBV Handbook, available relevant feedback and lessons learned from previous trainings, where available, and identify areas that should be reinforced during the refresher trainings. Develop/adapt the refresher training programme and materials based on the existing PSEA and GBV Handbook with a focus to address identified knowledge gaps and practical challenges. Prepare a detailed training agenda and learning objectives. Deliver refresher trainings on PSEA and GBV - two in Kyrgyzstan and two in Kazakhstan - using participatory and practical training methodologies, including case studies, scenario-based discussions, exercises. Ensure that training reinforce a survivor-centered, gender-sensitive and do-no-harm approach, including appropriate identification, communication, and referral principles. Develop pre- and post-training test questions to measure knowledge and skills improvement. Quality Assurance Develop recommendations for quality assurance and regular review of hotline scripts. Recommend indicators and mechanisms to monitor effectiveness and consistency of hotline responses. Conduct analyses of draft video and printing materials for gender sensitivity and responsiveness, if needed (Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan). Submit an analytical report on knowledge and skills improvement among training participants based on the results of per and post-training tests. Prepare a final report summarizing key activities, recommendations, and next steps. Provide technical review of relevant project documents and communications materials, as requested by IOM, to ensure gender sensitivity and the appropriate integration of gender considerations, and provide recommendations for improvement where necessary. Deliverables The Consultant will provide: Work Plan. Assessment report on existing hotline services and recommendations. Standardized package of hotline scripts and operator guidance. Gender-responsive and survivor-centered communication protocols integrated into hotline scripts. Regional training package (training module, agenda, presentations, facilitator guide, practical exercises). Four regional training sessions for hotline operators in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Report on pilot testing and refinement of hotline scripts. Final consultancy report with lessons learned, recom