LOCAL MIGRATION GOVERNANCE AND LEGAL EXPERT(S)

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

Within the framework of the regional project “Leveraging the Potential of Diaspora to Advance EU Accession and Labour Mobility in the Western Balkans (2025–2027)”, IOM is supporting the country’s EU accession process and legislative alignment with the EU acquis.

Migration governance in North Macedonia is currently regulated by several sectoral laws. While these laws regulate specific aspects of migration, there is currently no overarching legislative framework that strengthens coordination mechanisms and promotes a coherent whole-of-government approach to migration governance.

The assessment will also consider the Resolution on Migration Policy of the Republic of North Macedonia and related strategic documents that guide migration governance, as well as the existing institutional coordination mechanisms established to implement them.

Recognising the multi-institutional nature of migration governance and the country's obligations in the EU accession process, IOM will support the relevant national institutions through an independent feasibility assessment to determine whether developing a comprehensive Migration Management Law would add value to the existing legislative framework.

The consultancy will examine the current legal, strategic and institutional framework, identify overlaps, gaps and coordination challenges, analyse comparative experiences from EU Member States and accession countries, assess alignment with relevant EU acquis and international migration governance frameworks, and provide evidence-based recommendations regarding the feasibility, scope and possible structure of such legislation.

Objectives of the Assignment

Macedonian migration governance framework is dispersed across multiple laws, policies, and institutional mandates. Introducing a comprehensive Migration Management Law could help consolidate responsibilities and strengthen inter‑institutional coordination in migration management and policy implementation.

The overall objective is to assess the need to adopt a comprehensive Migration Management Law and to provide evidence-based recommendations for strengthening the coordinated approach in the area of migration governance and implementation of migration-related policies

Specific objectives include

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Map and analyse the existing legal and policy instruments regulating migration and related areas, including institutions and coordination mechanisms with competences on migration management.

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Identify legal, institutional, and operational gaps, overlaps, and coordination challenges resulting from the current fragmented institutional approach to migration management

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Evaluate alignment of existing migration governance arrangements with the EU acquis, international standards, and good European practices.

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Assess the feasibility, added value, and potential implications of introducing a comprehensive Migration Management Law to ensure a coherent and coordinated approach in the area of migration management and provide evidence‑based recommendations for enhancing coherent migration governance, including legislative, institutional, and coordination reforms where appropriate.

Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing

“Leveraging the Potential of Diaspora to Advance EU Accession and Labour Mobility in the Western Balkans (2025–2027)”, TK 0102

Tasks to be performed under this contract

The consultant is expected to deliver the following outputs

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• Inception Report outlining methodology, work plan, and analytical framework.
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• Legal, strategic and institutional mapping report of the existing migration governance framework.
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• Comparative analysis of migration governance legislation and institutional models from selected EU Member States and accession countries.
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• Draft Feasibility Assessment Report, including findings, analysis and recommendations.
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• Final Feasibility Assessment Report incorporating stakeholder comments and providing policy options for developing a comprehensive Migration Management Law.

Scope of Work

The consultant(s) shall

• Mapping and analysis of the existing migration governance framework
• Review existing national legislation, strategies, action plans and policy documents regulating migration and related areas.
• Map relevant institutions involved in migration management and their respective mandates, responsibilities and areas of competence.
• Prepare an overview of existing institutional coordination mechanisms, including mechanisms established under relevant migration policy documents.
• Facilitate meetings and discussions of the MSPDY-led Working Group established to expand the consultancy process and utilise meeting recommendations in the feasibility report findings.
• Identification of legal, institutional and operational gaps
• Analyse the coherence of the existing legal and policy framework governing migration management.
• Identify gaps, overlaps, inconsistencies and implementation challenges within the current migration governance system.
• Assess institutional capacities, coordination arrangements and information-sharing mechanisms relevant to migration policy implementation.
• Identify challenges arising from the current distribution of responsibilities among migration-related institutions.
• Alignment with EU acquis, international standards and comparative practices
• Review relevant EU acquis, international conventions, migration governance frameworks and standards applicable to migration management.
• Assess the alignment of existing migration governance arrangements with EU requirements, international standards and good European practices.
• Identify relevant good practices and lessons learned from countries that have established comprehensive migration governance frameworks.
• Feasibility assessment of a comprehensive Migration Management Law
• Assess the feasibility, added value and potential implications of introducing a Migration Management Law in North Macedonia.
• Examine possible legislative approaches, including the potential scope, guiding principles and institutional implications of such legislation.
• Assess the potential impact of introducing a Migration Management Law on institutional mandates, coordination mechanisms and migration policy implementation.
• Recommendations and validation
• Develop evidence-based recommendations and options for strengthening coherent migration governance.
• Provide recommendations on whether a comprehensive Migration Management Law is an appropriate solution, including possible legislative, institutional, and coordination reforms where relevant.
• Present preliminary findings and recommendations during stakeholder consultations and/or validation workshop.
• Finalise all deliverables based on stakeholder feedback.

Expected Methodology

The assessment should include

• Desk review
• Legal analysis
• Key informant interviews
• Institutional mapping
• Comparative analysis
• Stakeholder interviews
• Validation workshop
• Final report

• Performance indicators for the evaluation of results
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• Timely delivery of all agreed outputs.
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• Quality and comprehensiveness of legal and institutional analysis.
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• Evidence-based recommendations.
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• Alignment with EU acquis and international migration governance standards.
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• Practical applicability of recommendations.
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• Quality of stakeholder consultations.
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• Responsiveness throughout the consultancy.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Advanced university degree in law, public administration, migration studies, political science or related fields.

Experience

• Minimum 10 years of professional experience in migration governance, migration law, or legislative reform.
• Demonstrated experience conducting legal analyses, policy assessments or institutional reviews.
• Excellent knowledge of migration governance systems.
• Experience with EU migration acquis.
• Experience supporting EU accession reforms.
• Experience working with governments, EU institutions or international organisations.
• Previous experience preparing feasibility studies or legislative assessments.
• Strong knowledge of migration governance, migration law, border management, institutional governance, EU migration acquis, international migration frameworks.

Skills

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• Excellent analytical skills.
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• Excellent legal drafting and report-writing skills.
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• Ability to conduct comparative legal analysis.
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• Strong stakeholder consultation skills.
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• Excellent presentation skills.
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• Ability to work independently.

Languages

• For this consultancy, English and Macedonian are mandatory.
• 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 is available 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

This post is subject to local recruitment. Only those holding a valid residence or work permit for North Macedonia will be eligible for consideration.

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 accidents 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, and 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 fees). 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.

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