Hourly Contract Holder for Legal Counselling Services

Job Posting Organization:
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is a leading intergovernmental organization that provides services and advice concerning migration to governments and migrants alike. Established in 1951, IOM has grown to become a key player in the field of migration, with a mission to promote humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. The organization operates in over 100 countries and employs thousands of staff members dedicated to addressing the challenges and opportunities of migration. IOM's work encompasses a wide range of areas including migration health, migrant rights, and the integration of migrants into host communities, ensuring that migration is a positive experience for all involved.

Job Overview:
The Hourly Contract Holder will play a crucial role in providing specialized legal support to migrants in vulnerable situations within Kazakhstan. This position involves working on a case-by-case basis to ensure that affected migrants can access lawful migration pathways, comply with national migration legislation, and exercise their rights through appropriate administrative and legal procedures. The consultant will be responsible for delivering comprehensive legal case management services, which include reviewing individual migration histories, identifying legal barriers to regularization, advising on available legal options, and supporting beneficiaries throughout the administrative process. The role requires close coordination with various stakeholders, including migration authorities, public service centres, law enforcement agencies, and consular representatives, to facilitate timely and lawful solutions for each case. Additionally, the contract holder will assist with the preparation and submission of documentation related to migration status regularization, exit visas, and other permits, ensuring that all actions taken are in compliance with the legal framework governing migration in Kazakhstan.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Hourly Contract Holder include:

• Providing legal consultations to migrants on matters related to the migration legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
• Assessing the migration status and legal circumstances of each beneficiary.
• Advising beneficiaries on available options for regularizing their migration status and legally departing from the Republic of Kazakhstan.
• Preparing and facilitating the processing of documents required for obtaining exit visas and other relevant permits or documents.
• Accompanying and assisting beneficiaries when dealing with territorial migration service units, police authorities, Public Service Centres (PSCs), and other competent government authorities.
• Representing migrants in administrative court proceedings related to violations of the migration legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan, where agreed with IOM.
• Liaising with government authorities, consular offices, and other relevant stakeholders to address matters related to the regularization of beneficiaries’ migration status.
• Keeping IOM informed of the progress of each case and any identified legal or procedural risks.
• Preparing a brief written report for each completed case, indicating legal assistance provided, actions undertaken, outcomes of the legal support and representation, and decisions issued by relevant government authorities or courts. 1
• Ensuring confidentiality and protection of beneficiaries’ personal data. Performance indicators for the evaluation of results include the number of cases successfully supported, timely provision of legal assistance, quality and accuracy of legal documentation prepared, timely submission of case reports, and regularization of beneficiaries’ migration status in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for this position include a Bachelor’s degree in Law, at least five years of relevant professional experience in migration law in the Republic of Kazakhstan, and demonstrated practical experience in representing clients before administrative courts. Additionally, candidates should have experience working with migration service units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, knowledge of procedures related to exit visas and regularization of the migration status of foreign nationals and stateless persons, and previous experience working with international organizations is considered an advantage.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in Law, which provides the foundational knowledge necessary for understanding and navigating the complexities of migration legislation and legal processes in Kazakhstan.

Experience:
A minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in migration law is required for this position. This experience should include practical representation of clients before administrative courts and familiarity with the operations of migration service units within the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan. Candidates with previous experience working with international organizations will have an added advantage.

Languages:
Fluency in Kazakh and Russian is mandatory for this position, as these are the primary languages used in legal and administrative processes in Kazakhstan. Knowledge of English is considered an advantage, as it may facilitate communication with international stakeholders and enhance the consultant's ability to access a broader range of resources and information.

Additional Notes:
This position is offered on an hourly contract basis, which may imply a flexible work schedule depending on the caseload and specific needs of the migrants being assisted. The role is expected to be full-time, with the possibility of working with various stakeholders and government institutions. Compensation details and benefits will be discussed during the hiring process, and the organization is open to recruiting both nationally and internationally.