International Legal Expert

Job Description

Introduction

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.
 

IOM is committed to ensuring a workplace where all employees can thrive professionally, while working towards harnessing the full potential of migration. Read more about IOM's workplace culture at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration

Project Context and Scope

The International Legal Expert will be engaged to conduct a comparative analysis of the national legal framework governing migration, specifically the Law on Foreigners, against the relevant legal and institutional frameworks of EU Member States. 

The assignment will support ongoing revisions of the Law on Foreigners by national working groups, ensuring alignment with EU standards while strengthening security-related provisions, procedures, and safeguards.

Responsibilities

Objectives of the Assignment

Conduct a comparative analysis of security provisions, procedures, and safeguards in migration legislation.

• Conduct a structured comparative analysis of security-related provisions within migration legislation

• Map and explain how key procedures are organised and implemented in practice, including:

• Entry, stay, and return procedures

• Security screening and risk assessment mechanisms

• Data exchange and inter-agency coordination

• Analyse how EU Member States operationalise EU standards in the area of migration management and internal security

• Identify good practices and implementation models that could inform ongoing legislative revisions in North Macedonia

• Highlight key gaps, inconsistencies, and areas of misalignment with EU standards, including at legal, procedural, and institutional levels

• Provide practical, context-sensitive recommendations to strengthen the coherence, effectiveness, and safeguards of the legal framework, in line with EU standards and fundamental rights

The entire initiative will be structured to ensure the effort does not exceed 12 days of engagement.

Tasks to be performed under this contract

Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Advanced degree in law, security studies, migration, or related field

Experience

• Minimum 7–10 years of experience in migration governance, border/security policy, or related areas
• Proven experience with EU acquis related to migration and security
• Experience in comparative legal analysis

Skills

• Strong analytical and comparative legal research skills
• In-depth understanding of migration governance and security frameworks
• Knowledge of EU migration and border management standards
• Ability to assess legal provisions against operational/security practices
• Capacity to formulate practical, policy-relevant recommendations
• Strong drafting and report-writing skills (policy-oriented outputs)
• Ability to work independently under tight deadlines
• Strong stakeholder awareness and ability to translate technical findings into actionable inputs

Languages

For this consultancy, fluency in the English language is mandatory. 

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 o,r 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 c,andidates 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

Required Skills

Job info