Project Context and Scope
Kosovo is making steady progress in strengthening its legal and institutional framework, with a focus on implementing comprehensive reforms that promote good governance, transparency, and accountability. This process requires mobilizing expertise, enhancing institutional capacities, and engaging all sectors of society — including the diaspora — to support meaningful and sustainable development efforts towards EU Acquis harmonization process.
The diaspora represents a valuable pool of knowledge, experience, and professional networks gained abroad, which can significantly contribute to Kosovo’s reform agenda. Recognizing this potential, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), through its regional initiative, seeks to create enabling mechanisms for diaspora professionals to directly contribute to the harmonization of Kosovo’s legal and policy frameworks with EU standards.
The project "Leveraging the potential of Diaspora to advance EU accession and labour mobility in the Western Balkans” funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, aims to create conditions for Diaspora members to fully support the sustainable and economic development of four selected Western Balkan partners: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and North Macedonia.
This is expected to be achieved through two outcomes, the first of which aims to leverage Diaspora engagement towards harmonization with European standards. To do so, the project will facilitate knowledge and institutional and good-practice transfer between the WB4 and the EU, by strengthening the capacities of relevant institutional stakeholders for diaspora engagement and implementing fellowship schemes on priority topics defined by beneficiary institutions.
This Fellowship Programme offers a unique opportunity for highly qualified diaspora members to be embedded within key public institutions in Kosovo. Fellows will provide targeted expertise and support policy reform, institutional development, and knowledge transfer in alignment with national priorities and the harmonization process.
The fellows/experts will play an important role in facilitating the harmonization of important legislation. Working with Diaspora members within the framework of the fellowship scheme is needed in order to provide a different perspective and demonstrate the added value of Diaspora engagement. Their responsibilities involve meticulously translating the body of relevant EU legislation, directives, regulations and/or other relevant documents ensuring accuracy and consistency with the original texts as well as their effective harmonization with national laws and policies as well as any other request of the beneficiary institutions.
The Fellows/Experts will be engaged, depending on the needs identified by the government institutions. During this time, they will closely collaborate with beneficiary institutions to deliver specified products.
The fellows/experts will prepare and submit deliverables in close cooperation with the government beneficiary institution(s), and the final products will undergo review and acceptance by the respective institutions and IOM before completion.
Overall Objective of Assignment:
The consultancy will contribute to the successful realization of the project "Leveraging the potential of Diaspora to advance EU accession and labour mobility in the Western Balkans” funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation.
The overall objective of the assignment aims to support institutions through engagement and expertise exchanges with Diaspora members. The involvement of Kosovar diaspora experts ensures the transfer of knowledge and experience to specific/prioritized areas of the beneficiary institutions
Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing
Migration Management & Operations Unit
Responsibilities
Tasks to be performed under this contract
Under the overall supervision of the IOM Program Coordinator, under the guidance of the Senior Project Associate, the fellow / Expert will be responsible for supporting the beneficiary institutions in strengthening the public administration (as the main beneficiary) in the process of the legal approximation and harmonization with the EU Acquis.
The tasks of the fellows/experts include, but are not limited to:

Conducting a comprehensive review and legal assessment of the EU acquis and all relevant priority national legislation to identify gaps and inconsistencies between national laws and EU standards.
Providing expert advice and technical support to the relevant beneficiary institutions on the steps required for legal harmonization with the EU acquis.
Drafting the necessary legal framework (complete legal package), including primary and secondary legislation, in accordance with the Government's priorities and EU requirements.
Preparing gap analyses, alignment tables, and explanatory memoranda to support the legislative alignment process.
Contribute to the priority areas as specified by the beneficiary institutions.
Supporting the institutional coordination and inter-ministerial cooperation required for effective approximation of national legislation.
Participating in working groups, stakeholder consultations, and inter-institutional meetings to facilitate the adoption and implementation of aligned legislation.

Performance indicators for the evaluation of results

Timeliness
Responsibility
Iniative
Communication
Quality of products delivered
Satisfactory completion of Tasks indicated in this TOR
Quality of provided report.

Qualifications
Education

Applicants must have obtained an advanced university degree from an accredited academic institution related to EU Law, EU policy or EU studies, relevant to the assignment.
A PhD degree will be considered a strong advantage.

Experience and Skills

Minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience.
Proven experience in conducting research and legislative drafting.
Solid knowledge of EU-Kosovo relations and the Kosovar legal and institutional framework.
Demonstrated ability to analyze institutional processes and draft policy and strategic documents.
Experience in data collection, analysis, reporting, and delivering analytical presentations.
Prior experience with similar assignments, especially those involving EU institutions or government bodies of EU Member States, is an asset.
Experience engaging with diaspora communities and relevant stakeholders is an advantage.
In-depth knowledge of one or more areas of the acquis Communautaire is considered a strong asset.
Experience in guiding or coordinating research teams is desirable.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving ability, and teamwork.
High level of commitment, adaptability, and attention to detail.
Ability to maintain accuracy, discretion, and confidentiality.
Strong interpersonal and intercultural communication skills.

Languages
For all applicants, fluency in English and Albanian is required (oral and written).
IOM’s official languages are English, French and Spanish.
Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.
Travel required
Yes, depending on the assignment the possibility of working remotely. All official travel will be coordinated and approved by the IOM team in advance. IOM will cover the costs of transportation.
Other
Residency Requirement: Prospective applicants are required to be members of the Kosovar Diaspora in an EU country (residing abroad).
Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment.
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 three 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

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, verification of residency, visa, and authorizations by the concerned Government, where applicable.
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.
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 online recruitment system. The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.
In addition, the applicant should through online recruitment system should submit CV, Cover Letter, Financial Offer. In the Cover Letter are required to propose 3 priority Thematic sectors where they think will provide added value through this assignment

Follow these simple steps to apply and join our network of diaspora professionals: 

Register HERE.   
Confirm your email.  
Create your profile on this platform HERE.