CON 2026-15 - International Lead Consultant – Feasibility and Diaspora Perception Study

Job Description

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

IOM is implementing a foundational analytical phase to inform the design and establishment of a Diaspora Investment Mechanism (DIM) and is seeking a Lead Consultant to conduct a comprehensive study, including regulatory, legal, and technical feasibility for establishing the DIM. The Lead Consultant will ensure a consolidated evidence base is available and accessible to relevant stakeholders, which systematically informs the design of a structured and legally compliant.

The purpose of this consultancy is to lead, coordinate, consolidate, and author the comprehensive feasibility study for the DIM and to develop a technically and financially sound DIM roadmap, drawing on specialised inputs provided by the Consultancy Team. The Lead Consultant will oversee the products developed by the Consultancy Team, providing guidance and direction. Throughout the assignment, the Lead Consultant is expected to maintain regular communication with IOM Albania and the project’s implementing partner, including brief updates on progress, emerging findings, and any issues requiring attention to support coordination and alignment.

-    The Lead Consultant will conduct a comparative analysis of diaspora engagement models and mechanisms nationally and internationally to inform DIM design, sustainability and legal compliance.
-    The Lead Consultant will conduct an analysis of the gaps preventing diaspora investments from being directed toward local development projects that could potentially tackle the root causes of emigration.
-    The Lead Consultant will ensure that a) the mapping of Albanian Diaspora in the UK, b) the assessment of the local absorption capacity in Northern Albania, as well as the c) legal, financial, and policy gap analysis on UK-Albania remittance flows provided by the Consultancy Team are incorporated into the study and presented into a single, implementable DIM roadmap, including technical and financial perspectives, which the Lead Consultant will develop.
 

This consultancy will take place within the IOM Albania project, “Diaspora Investment Mechanism” funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Through a strategic partnership with the British Chamber of Commerce in Albania (BCCA), the initiative will develop a Diaspora Investment Mechanism (DIM) that draws on lessons learned from similar models in Albania, the wider region and beyond. The DIM is designed to address the needs, interests, and challenges of both remittance senders and receivers, thereby supporting the diaspora's economic contribution to Albania's sustainable development. The project will foster economic opportunities in Albania, particularly for communities in the northern regions, by supporting local development initiatives that will help address structural factors currently contributing to emigration.

Albania's diaspora, comprising over 1.2 million citizens-more than 44 per cent of the population, of whom 68,814 living in the United Kingdom, represents a vital economic asset and a key driver of sustainable development. In 2024, annual remittance inflows reached approximately EUR €1.045 billion (4.4% of GDP), making them a significant external financial source, though still below foreign direct investment (FDI) of EUR €1.58 billion.  According to the World Bank in 2024, USD $205,314.88 were sent in personal remittances from the United Kingdom to Albania.  Persistent barriers such as regulatory ambiguities, limited institutional support, insufficient incentives, and inadequate rural infrastructure hinder full diaspora engagement. Diaspora engagement is further constrained by structural, financial, and geographic factors. Bureaucratic complexity, lack of sector-specific incentives, and administrative burdens limit collaboration and investment, while restricted access to reliable market information impedes informed decision-making.

Additionally, 39 per cent of remittances are sent through informal channels, reducing transparency and the potential for formal economic development.  Investment is heavily concentrated in Tirana, leaving rural areas underdeveloped and lacking essential infrastructure. In addition to this, Northern Albania has experienced sustained out-migration, including irregular movements to the United Kingdom. Many villages in the north face fragile local economies, heavily reliant on remittances, with some communities vulnerable to criminal networks. To address these issues, this project seeks to strengthen engagement between the UK-based Albanian diaspora and communities in Northern Albania, fostering sustainable development, creating legal alternatives to emigration, and opening pathways for investment, knowledge exchange, and collaboration that benefit both the diaspora and local populations.

The Lead Consultant will be responsible for providing overall leadership to the consultancy team, ensuring effective coordination, coherence across inputs, and timely delivery of all agreed outputs. Under the supervision of IOM Albania program management, the Lead Consultant is expected to carry out the following tasks in support of the Scope of the Assignment:

-    Provide technical leadership and coordination by guiding methodological alignment with the consultancy team, validating and synthesising their findings.
-    Conduct a comparative analysis of diaspora engagement and investment models, focusing on governance and institutional arrangements, financial and investment instruments, sustainability models, legal and compliance considerations, as well as relevance and transferability to the Albania–UK corridor.
-    Analyse systemic gaps preventing diaspora investments from being channelled toward local development, including institutional, informational, financial, and coordination barriers.
-    Develop a consolidated, implementable DIM Roadmap which should include phased implementation logic, technical and institutional requirements.
-    Author the final feasibility study, integrating diaspora mapping and absorption capacity findings, legal, financial, and policy gap analysis, into a single, decision-ready document.
Present key findings and recommendations at a stakeholder dissemination meeting and based on feedback of key stakeholders, finalize the assessment report.   
 

Responsibilities

Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in economics, Finance/Banking/Investment, Public Policy/Administration, International Development, Migration Studies or related field from an accredited university.
• Master’s Degree or PhD in the above areas are considered an advantage.
   

Experience

• At least 7 years of relevant professional experience in Diaspora Engagement/Programming, Remittances, Development, Feasibility/Market Assessments, Policy/Regulatory Analysis. 
• Proven experience in conducting similar research and assessments with the ability to translate findings into practical recommendations and actions for both policy and programmatic action.
• Experience in delivering presentations, facilitating workshops and working groups, and engaging with public and private sector partners is an advantage. 
   

Skills

• Demonstrated analytical, research, reporting, communication, and presentation skills. 
• Excellent drafting/writing ability. 
• Computer literate with ability to operate Microsoft Applications.
• Demonstrated cultural and gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective and cultural differences into tasks and activities.
   

Languages

Fluency in English (oral and written) is required.

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 or 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 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.

For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies

Required Skills

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