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.
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:
- Map and analyse the existing legal and policy instruments regulating migration and related areas, including institutions and coordination mechanisms with competences on migration management.
- Identify legal, institutional, and operational gaps, overlaps, and coordination challenges resulting from the current fragmented institutional approach to migration management
- Evaluate alignment of existing migration governance arrangements with the EU acquis, international standards, and good European practices.
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
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
- Excellent analytical skills.
- Excellent legal drafting and report-writing skills.
- Ability to conduct comparative legal analysis.
- Strong stakeholder consultation skills.
- Excellent presentation skills.
- 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 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.
No late applications will be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.