National Consultant to Develop a Capacity-Building Training Module on Strengthening MIA Operations Amid Digitalization and Countering Online Employment Fraud

Description

Project Context and Scope

Kazakhstan is undergoing rapid digital transformation across its economy, public services, and financial systems. While this digitalization brings opportunities, it also exposes institutional gaps in the capacity of law enforcement bodies to respond to emerging cyber threats. The President's address of 8 September 2025 highlighted that, alongside the benefits, widespread digitalization has created serious risks — with online fraud now among the most pressing threats to the financial security of citizens and the state.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) is on the frontline of this challenge. Its current operational procedures were largely designed for traditional crime contexts and have not fully adapted to the realities of a digital environment. Limited digital investigation skills, lack of real-time data systems, and fragmented inter-agency coordination constrain effective responses. These gaps are particularly visible in the area of online recruitment scams, which exploit growing demand for overseas work. Such scams, often transnational and technology-enabled, target citizens seeking employment in the UK and other destinations, leading to financial losses, indebtedness, irregular status abroad, and risks of trafficking and sexual exploitation — especially among women and youth.

Within the framework of IOM's "Safe Migration of Seasonal Workers from Central Asia to the UK" project, MIA has expressed interest in building its institutional capacity to keep pace with digitalization, integrate cyber-competencies into its operational procedures, and better prevent, detect, and investigate online fraud schemes related to labour migration.

Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing

LMD, Safe Migration of Seasonal Workers from Central Asia to the UK/KG10P0554 

Responsibilities
Tasks to be performed under this contract
Develop a comprehensive training module for the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan that addresses capacity gaps in cybercrime prevention and digital investigations—highlighting weaknesses exposed by digitalization (such as limited digital forensics, data analytics, and fraud monitoring systems) and equipping staff with practical skills, tools, and case-based guidance to combat online recruitment scams and related cyber-enabled crimes.  

Report: Analyse Capacity Gaps in the Context of Digitalization:

• Review MIA's current operational procedures, infrastructure, and human capacity in cybercrime prevention and digital investigations.
• Identify institutional gaps created or amplified by digitalization (e.g. lack of digital forensics skills, insufficient data analytics systems, absence of centralized fraud databases, weak real-time information-sharing).

October 2025Develop comprehensive training curricula for the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan that address capacity gaps in cybercrime prevention and digital investigations—highlighting weaknesses exposed by digitalization (such as limited digital forensics, data analytics, and fraud monitoring systems) and equipping staff with practical skills, tools, and case-based guidance to combat online recruitment scams and related cyber-enabled crimes.November 2025Incorporate feedback from MIA and IOM to produce a final training package in Russian, with an executive summary.November 2025Submit to IOM final report material in Russian languageNovember

Qualifications

Requirements

• A Master's degree in cybersecurity, digital forensics, computer science, information systems, criminology, or a related field, preferably combined with experience in instructional design and law enforcement capacity-building;
• Good knowledge of national and international legislation in the areas of migration and labour legislation, human rights protection, counter trafficking, family and criminal law;
• At least 5 years of working experience in migration and/or financial inclusion related fields; Prior experience of conducting research on labour migration; Prior experience in producing SOP;
• Extensive experience in communication with migrants and relevant government stakeholders; 
• Demonstrated knowledge of international data and migration statistics standards and practices and ability to apply this knowledge to a new context;
• Knowledge of Kazakh and Russian.
• Ability to communicate efficiently and concisely, strong organizational skills, attention to the details,  personal commitments, capacity to work effectively and harmoniously with colleagues from varied  cultures and professional backgrounds 

  Travel required

• Upon request

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.

For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies    

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