CON 2026-17 - International Legal Consultant – Regulatory and Compliance Frameworks

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 seeking a Legal Consultant (International) to oversee the regulatory considerations related to the establishment of a Diaspora Investment Mechanism (DIM) and to provide strategic legal and compliance guidance to the Local Legal Consultants, who will take forward DIM design in relation to financial and corporate frameworks as well as governance. The assignment will contribute to the foundational analytical phase of the project by identifying the legal, regulatory, financial, and policy parameters that must inform the design of a legally sound, operationally feasible, and compliant DIM for the Albania–UK corridor.

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide expert legal and regulatory analysis to support DIM establishment, with a particular focus on: (i) legal, financial, and policy gaps affecting UK–Albania remittance flows; (ii) comparative international diaspora engagement models from a regulatory and compliance perspective; and (iii) AML/KYC, payment services regulation, and cross-border financial compliance frameworks relevant to diaspora investment systems. Based on this analysis, the Consultant will provide guidance and structured inputs that enable the Local Legal Consultants to develop the financial, corporate, governance, and compliance dimensions of the DIM.

-    Oversee the regulatory considerations associated with establishing the DIM and provide legal and compliance guidance to the Local Legal Consultants responsible for taking forward DIM design in relation to financial and corporate frameworks and governance arrangements.
-    Conduct a legal, financial, and policy gap analysis on UK–Albania remittance flows, including a review of existing migration- and mobility-related policy and regulatory frameworks and identification of opportunities for revision or development of new policy measures grounded in migration-related evidence and analysis.
-    Contribute to the comparative analysis of international diaspora engagement models from a regulatory and compliance perspective, with a view to identifying relevant considerations for the design of the DIM.
-    Assess AML/KYC requirements, payment services regulation, and cross-border financial compliance frameworks relevant to diaspora investment systems, and provide the analytical basis for the development of a compliance pack to be taken forward by the Local Legal Consultant as part of DIM establishment.
 

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.

Throughout the assignment, the 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 Consultant will contribute as part of a broader consultancy team led by the Lead Consultant towards the drafting of a comprehensive feasibility and diaspora study and support two local legal consultants. In this capacity, the consultant will be expected to coordinate closely with the Lead Consultant and other team members to ensure alignment on the design, implementation approach, analytical process, and final deliverables of the assignment. This will require regular communication and agreement on roles, methodologies, sequencing of tasks, and the consolidation of inputs into coherent final products. Under the direct supervision of the Lead Consultant and overall supervision of the IOM Albania programme management, the Legal Consultant (International) is expected to carry out the following tasks in support of the Scope of the Assignment:

-    Provide technical oversight on the regulatory dimensions of DIM establishment and advise the Local Legal Consultants on legal, financial, corporate, and governance considerations relevant to the proposed mechanism.
-    Review existing migration- and mobility-related policy and regulatory frameworks relevant to UK–Albania remittance flows and identify legal, financial, and policy gaps, as well as opportunities for revision or development of new policy measures informed by migration-related evidence and analysis.
-    Contribute legal and compliance analysis to the comparative review of international diaspora engagement models, identifying regulatory approaches, institutional arrangements, and safeguards that may inform DIM design.
-    Assess AML/KYC obligations, payment services regulation, and cross-border financial compliance requirements applicable to diaspora investment systems in the Albania–UK corridor.
-    Develop practical legal and compliance guidance, including recommended compliance components, risk considerations, and regulatory checkpoints, to support the Local Legal Consultant in preparing the compliance pack for DIM establishment.
-    Coordinate with IOM Albania and relevant consultants to validate findings, incorporate feedback, and ensure that all legal and regulatory inputs are translated into actionable recommendations for DIM design and operationalisation.
 

Responsibilities

Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in law, Financial Regulation, International Business Law, Public Policy, or a related field from an accredited academic institution.
• Specialized academic or professional training in financial regulation, anti-money laundering (AML/CFT), compliance, payment systems, or cross-border financial transactions is an advantage.
   

Experience

• At least 7 years of relevant professional experience in legal, regulatory, or compliance advisory work related to financial services, remittances, cross-border transactions, investment mechanisms, or institutional governance.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting legal and regulatory analyses, compliance assessments, or advisory assignments related to AML/CFT, KYC requirements, payment services regulation, and cross-border financial compliance frameworks.
• Experience supporting the design of regulatory or policy frameworks, preparing legal guidance or compliance inputs, and coordinating with multiple stakeholders in international development, migration, or diaspora engagement contexts 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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