Job Description

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 International Organization for Migration (IOM) is implementing the UK International Development-funded project “Central Asia Safe Migration,” which aims to promote safe, orderly, and regular labour migration from Central Asia to the United Kingdom within the framework of the UK Seasonal Worker Scheme (UK SWS). The project supports prospective and returning migrants by improving access to accurate, timely, and practical information throughout the migration cycle, enabling informed decision-making and contributing to safe, regular, and dignified migration.

As part of the project, IOM will provide business development grants to selected returning migrants to support their economic reintegration and sustainable livelihood opportunities. To ensure effective implementation of this activity and provide tailored support to grant recipients, IOM Uzbekistan seeks to engage a qualified Consultant to provide mentoring and business development support to selected grantees.

The grant support may include in-kind assets and equipment for a range of livelihood and income-generating activities, including agriculture, livestock, sewing and tailoring, small-scale production, and other micro-enterprises. Given the diverse nature of the supported activities and the varying levels of business and financial management experience among grant recipients, tailored mentoring and practical financial literacy support will be provided to help grantees manage the assets and resources effectively, maintain viable income-generating activities, and strengthen the sustainability of their livelihoods.

The mentoring will place particular emphasis on responsible financial management, business continuity, and the proper use and maintenance of grant-supported assets, with the aim of reducing the risk of business failure and misuse of in-kind grant assets.

The assignment aims to strengthen the effective design, implementation of the grant schemes, ensuring that they respond to beneficiaries’ needs while fully meeting donor requirements and accountability standards. The Consultant will provide hands-on mentoring, training, and technical support to grantees.

Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing

• Labour Mobility Division, IOM Uzbekistan

The Consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Head of Labour Mobility Division and in close coordination with the relevant IOM project staff.

WBL: LM0667

Tasks to be performed under this contract

• Conduct an initial assessment of the financial literacy, business management capacity, and specific mentoring needs of each selected grant recipient.
• Conduct one practical financial literacy and basic business management training session for selected grant recipients, covering topics such as household and business budgeting, cash-flow management, income and expenditure tracking, calculation of costs and profit, pricing, savings, managing unexpected expenses, reinvestment, debt management and responsible use of grant-supported assets. The training should use practical examples relevant to the types of businesses and livelihood activities supported under the grant scheme.
• Provide individual and/or small-group mentoring to grant recipients on practical financial and business management, taking into account the nature of their income-generating activity, including agriculture, livestock, sewing/tailoring, small-scale production and other micro-enterprises.
• Advise grantees on basic financial planning, budgeting, cash-flow management, income and expenditure tracking, savings, debt management, pricing and profit calculation, as relevant to their business activity.
• Provide tailored advice to grantees on the effective use, maintenance and preservation of in-kind grant assets and equipment, with particular attention to ensuring that grant-supported assets continue to contribute to income generation.
• Advise grantees on business continuity and risk management, including how to respond to seasonal fluctuations, unexpected expenses, changes in market demand, livestock/agricultural risks and other challenges relevant to their activities.
• Where risks are identified, provide practical corrective recommendations to help grantees address financial or operational challenges and avoid business failure.
• Provide guidance to grantees on compliance with applicable grant conditions and reporting requirements and flag potential compliance risks to IOM
• Provide IOM with periodic updates on common challenges, risks, progress and good practices identified through the mentoring process and recommend measures to strengthen the sustainability of the grant scheme.

Deliverables:

• Inception Report and Mentoring Workplan - Brief methodology, mentoring approach, proposed schedule, financial literacy training approach and tools for tracking grantee progress and risks. - Within 2 weeks of contract start
• Initial Grantee Assessment - Assessment of the financial literacy, business management capacity, financial risks and mentoring needs of each selected grantee, taking into account the type of livelihood/business supported. - Within 3 weeks of contract start
• Financial Literacy Training - Conduct one practical training session covering budgeting, cash-flow management, income/expenditure tracking, profit calculation, savings, reinvestment, risk management and responsible management of grant-supported assets. - November 2026
• Individual Mentoring and Follow-up - Provide tailored mentoring to grantees and document key advice, risks identified, progress and recommended follow-up actions. - Throughout consultancy
• Final Mentorship Report - Summary of mentoring provided, grantee progress, key financial/business risks, sustainability concerns, actions recommended, lessons learned and recommendations for future grant schemes. - January 2027

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in financial literacy, business development, entrepreneurship support, livelihood assistance, mentoring or coaching of micro- and small-scale businesses.
• Demonstrated experience providing practical financial and business advice to individuals engaged in income-generating activities or micro-enterprises.
• Experience working with businesses or livelihoods in areas such as agriculture, livestock, sewing/tailoring, small-scale production, trade or services is an advantage.
• Experience working with returning migrants, vulnerable groups or grant beneficiaries is highly desirable.
• Experience in delivering practical, participatory financial literacy training to adults with different levels of financial/business literacy.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to explain financial and business concepts in a simple, practical, and accessible manner.

Languages

For this consultancy, Fluency in Uzbek and Russian; knowledge of English is an advantage.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

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 five 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

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.

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, security clearances.

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.

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.

IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment system (for internal candidates link here). The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.

No late applications will be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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