Chief Legal Expert (Consultant)

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

Ukraine’s strategic objective of European Union membership has significantly intensified the need to harmonize national legislation, administrative practices and institutional frameworks with the EU acquis, particularly in the fields of migration governance, integrated border management, return policy, legal status of foreigners and stateless persons, residence and work permits, data governance, and inter-agency cooperation.

Following the granting of EU candidate status and the continued implementation of Ukraine’s EU integration commitments, the Government of Ukraine has advanced an ambitious reform agenda aimed at legal approximation, institutional modernization and the adoption of European standards in migration and border governance.

In support of this process, IOM Ukraine is implementing the EU-funded project “EU Support to Strengthening IBM in Ukraine (EU for Solidarity Lanes and IBM)”, which seeks, among other key initiatives, to enhance national capacities for EU-aligned migration policy development and border governance. Within this framework, Component 2.2 “Migration Policy Development and EU Alignment Support” provides legal, policy and technical assistance to key state stakeholders, including the State Migration Service of Ukraine, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and other relevant authorities.

During the previous period of implementation, substantial progress was achieved in supporting legal approximation in the area of migration acquis, including legal analysis and drafting support related to the legal status of foreigners and stateless persons, the Single Permit framework, EU Blue Card, family reunification, long-term residence, and mobility of researchers, students, trainees and volunteers.

As part of the broader EU alignment process , Ukraine has initiated   the development of a coordinated national Schengen governance system. In line with the recommendations of the European Commission, Ukraine is developing a national Schengen strategy and an action plan.  Ukraine is expected to conduct screening of the Schengen acquis, identify legislation that is to be adopted or amended to be in line with the Schengen acquis, establish a systematic planning framework across relevant sectors, and develop the institutional architecture necessary for further alignment with Schengen requirements.

The Consultant will serve as the Chief Legal Expert responsible for delivering high-level legal expertise, contributing to legislative and policy development, supporting Ukraine’s EU and Schengen approximation agenda. It includes leading migration-related EU alignment efforts, advising state authorities on implementing the Rule of Law Roadmap and the National Programme on Adaptation, and contributing to the review and preparation of legal drafts. The work also covers screening Ukrainian legislation against the Schengen acquis, preparing recommendations on legislative amendments or new legal acts, interpreting relevant Schengen provisions on border management, border checks, visa policy, and information exchange, and advising on institutional and legislative measures required for alignment with Schengen standards.

Responsibilities

Qualifications

Education, Experience and/or skills required

• Advanced Degree in Law, International Law, Migration Law or other related fields with at least fifteen years of experience.

• Proven experience in the legal drafting of migration-related legal acts.

• Extensive experience in policy and legislative analysis, including assessment of national legislation against EU law, international standards and institutional reform requirements.

• Demonstrated experience in providing high-level legal advice to government institutions, international organizations, or public authorities involved in migration, border management, EU integration or related governance reforms.

• Strong knowledge of Ukrainian legislation in the fields of migration, legal status of foreigners and stateless persons, border management, administrative procedure, inter-agency cooperation and data governance.

• Knowledge of EU migration acquis, Schengen acquis and EU institutional requirements would be a strong advantage.

• Experience in drafting or reviewing legal acts supporting ICT solutions, digitalization, information exchange, personal data processing or biometric data governance would be an asset.

• Strong analytical, research and drafting skills, with the ability to translate complex legal and institutional issues into practical recommendations.

• Excellent communication and coordination skills, including ability to engage with senior officials, technical experts and inter-agency coordination platforms.

• Work experience in government institutions, research organizations, international organizations, or migration and border governance authorities.

• Fluency in Ukrainian, knowledge of English would be an advantage. 

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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