Cultural Awareness Sessions for UK Farms/Growers Employing Central Asian Nationals under the Seasonal Worker Scheme
JOB DETAIL
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in the United Kingdom delivers a range of programming to support migrants, both in the UK and internationally, including projects focusing on labour migration, resettlement, migration and development, migrant protection, human trafficking and modern slavery, and community cohesion.
In the framework of the FCDO funded project, “Safe Migration of Seasonal Workers from Central Asia to the UK”, IOM plans to develop and provide cultural competency and information sessions to farms sourcing labour from Central Asia (specifically Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan) under the Seasonal Worker Scheme (SWS).
This activity has been proposed in recognition of some of the challenges faced by farms /growers in understanding cultural traditions and practices of Central Asian workers and how this, in turn, can impact the experience of these workers during their employment under the SWS.
This activity falls under project outcome 3: Risks and vulnerabilities of Central Asian migrants are reduced through improved systems and capacities of key stakeholders of the UK SWS, and specifically output 3.1: Key stakeholders engaged in UK SWS are aware of protection risks and migrants’ needs and vulnerabilities.
Cultural awareness sessions for UK farms will complement ongoing pre-departure orientation (PDO) sessions provided to prospective workers in Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan (and Kazakhstan from December 2024) before they come to the UK, in which they are provided with information about life in the UK, cultural and work practices, and gender norms. By combining these activities, both parties can increase their understanding of each other’s expectations, cultural differences, and practices, enabling better communication and improved integration of Central Asian nationals in the farm / grower workforce teams.
IOM seeks a consultant to deliver key activities to support the development of the cultural awareness sessions.
Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing
How to apply:
Interested candidates are invited to submit the following documents to: [email protected] by 3 January 2025:
1) A cover letter outlining relevant skills and experience and the proposed approach to completing the work
2) A CV outlining the required education, experience and skills required for the consultancy
3) Samples of previous relevant work (minimum one piece)
4) A financial proposal outlining the consultancy fee (all inclusive). This should not exceed £4,800.
Interviews (online or in person) will take place on 7th January 2025 with the work expected to commence as soon as possible thereafter.
Other:
The appointment 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, and background verification and security clearances
A. Support the development of the structure and contents of a 2-hour cultural awareness session for farms/growers employing seasonal workers from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. It is anticipated that the sessions will include an introduction to the importance of cultural awareness; information on the four project countries and likely profiles/ needs of workers from each country including information about religion, diet and social norms; an interactive element to ensure high levels of engagement.
B. Engage with IOM colleagues in UK and Central Asia and use their country-specific expertise to develop the cultural awareness session.
1. Inception report on the assignment.
2. A detailed session structure and outline for a 2-hour cultural awareness session, with relevant content included.
- Post graduate degree in social / political sciences or a related field.
• Demonstrated expertise and experience in the field of cultural awareness/ competency.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Central Asia, with country-specific knowledge of Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan preferred.
• Proven capacity and experience in providing consultancy services for other organisations.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Exceptional organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks effectively
- Fluency in English, written and oral is required.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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, verification of residency, visa, and authorizations by the concerned Government, where applicable. Vaccination against COVID-19 will be required for IOM personnel who are hired or otherwise engaged by IOM. As part of the mandatory medical entry on duty clearance, candidates may be requested to provide evidence of full vaccination. Consultants engaged to work on a home-based consultancy who do not need to travel do not need to provide vaccination records, regardless of the length of the consultancy contract.
- 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.
- 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 online recruitment system. The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.
