Project Context and Scope
Since June 2022, the International Organization for Migration (IOM)/United Nations Agency for Migration has been implementing the regional project “Labour Migration in Central Asia” (Phase 1), funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), which contributes to the management of labour migration for maximizing the impact of human mobility on development in both countries of origin and countries of destination.
The consultancy involves conducting comprehensive research on the financial inclusion and service needs of migrants and remittance recipients. This includes reviewing existing literature, designing and implementing pre-departure and post-return surveys, collecting quantitative and qualitative data through surveys, interviews, and focus group discussions, analyzing the data to identify gaps and needs in financial inclusion and saving options, preparing a comprehensive report detailing findings, conclusions, and recommendations, and presenting the findings to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and relevant stakeholders. The goal is to provide actionable insights and recommendations to improve financial inclusion and services for migrants and remittance recipients.
Project activity will contribute to the Outcome 5 of the project: “Migrants and their families achieve greater financial inclusion and uptake of financial services to sustainably improve their livelihoods”.
In order to achieve the project objective and expected results, close collaboration across all the main stakeholders within the labour recruitment process, including governments, international organizations, recruiters, and the private sector, will be required. IOM anticipates working with partners to ensure a wide range of expertise are leveraged to address the challenges outlined and deliver a large-scale response. Such coordination will also be critical to ensure the sustainability of the project’s activities to encourage sustainable change among stakeholders.
The purpose of this initiative is to develop research methodology, co-ordinate research activities including conducting interviews, develop report structure and deliver report on remittances and financial literacy policies and practices in Kazakhstan and develop an information campaign.
Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing
Labour Migration Department/ “Labour Migration – Central Asia” project funded by the Swiss Agency for Cooperation and Development (SDC)/LM.0479 Tasks to be performed under this contract
The program must be able to perform the functions described below:
1.Develop research methodology that assesses:
2. The structure and ecosystem of the MTA industry within the target countries including digital remittance transfer options and additional financial services that may be provided by banks and MTAs to migrants and remittance recipients
3. MTA perceptions of regulatory or market challenges that may limit the growth of digital services or uptake of additional financial services by remittance recipients, particularly pertaining to savings;
4. Identified obstacles to the delivery and use/uptake of digital remittances or additional financial services from a client perspective;
5. Finalize research methodology and workplan;
6. Lead implementation of the research agenda according to the methodology and workplan approved by IOM;
7. Develop and submit for review/approval any products developed for the collection of data and information related to the research project including, inter alia, surveys, interview protocols and list of proposed interviewees;
8. As required, coordinate with IOM office to assist in coordinating necessary meetings and tele/videoconferences with government officials and private sector actors within the MTA business, or other stakeholders;
9. Perform fieldwork as outlined in the agreed methodology (interviews, FGDs, etc.);
10. Contribute in the scheduled research team meetings, providing updates on research and providing insights and connections to the research being conducted on the Demand Side by other members of the research team;
11. Submit a draft of the of the research to the IOM by end of September 2025;
12. Coordinate any necessary revisions for a finalized version to be completed by beginning of September 2025.
13. Deliver a presentation highlighting the key findings of the research project as well as recommendations to promote digitization of remittances focusing primarily on financial offerings that promote financial inclusion and savings among migrants and remittance recipients
14. Consult with the IOM project team on appropriate and agreed approaches to the specified tasks before their completion;
15. The quality of and the timely completion of deliverables;
16. Feedback from the IOM Project Management Team, Thematic Specialist and counterparts;
17. Compliance with IOM House style Guidelines;
18. Compliance with IOM Data Protection Principles.
Knowledge of development of the marketing and information campaigns, promotion of new products and services
Experience conducting qualitative and quantitative research. Experience with tools for creating interactive learning materials