CFA2025/ME10/004 - National Consultant

Job Description

Established in 1951, IOM is the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of migration and 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.

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IOM Montenegro is implementing the project “Strengthening Counter Trafficking in Persons Efforts in Montenegro” from March 2024 to March 2026, with the aim of contributing to an efficient, effective, and coordinated national response to combat human trafficking, with the financial support of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).  This two-year intervention will seek to enhance response and coordination among relevant stakeholders in the field by defining protocols on cooperation and identifying roles and responsibilities of parties in concern at policy level of the project. Furthermore, the project will work on strengthening capacities of different interlocutors at operational level, by a series of activities focused on identification of potential victims of trafficking (VoTs) and referral systems. Finally, awareness raising campaign about various forms of labor exploitation, common recruitment tactics, and red flags, aims at empowering citizens to recognize potential cases of trafficking in persons and report them, thereby preventing further exploitation. 

Labour exploitation has increasingly emerged as a complex form of human trafficking, particularly in light of the rising number of foreign workers, in Montenegro. While in previous years the majority of this workforce originated from the Western Balkans, recent trends indicate a notable shift, with growing presence of workers from Türkiye, Nepal, India, etc. This evolving demographic landscape has presented new challenges for institutional oversight and enforcement, especially for labour inspectors, whose operational capacities are being tested by the increased scope and diversity of work environments requiring monitoring.

Efforts have already been made to respond to this phenomenon, including intensive inspection activities aimed at detecting irregularities in the labour market, as well as engagement in regional cooperation to learn from relevant practices in neighboring countries. These initiatives have provided valuable insights, but systemic obstacles remain, particularly in terms of clear institutional coordination and the timely identification and referral of potential victims.

In this context, the identification and protection of individuals exposed to trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation requires a more structured and proactive institutional response. Current frameworks have shown limitations in ensuring effective cooperation between responsible authorities and the consistent application of existing measures.

Under the direct supervision of IOM Montenegro’s Protection Coordinator and the overall guidance of the Chief of Mission, and in close coordination with Regional Thematic Specialists in the IOM Regional Office in Vienna, the consultant will be tasked with developing a legally sound and operationally practical Protocol on handling, referring and reporting suspected cases of trafficking in human beings for the purpose of labour exploitation. The Protocol will be developed through an inclusive and consultative process with relevant institutions, at the first place among Prosecution, Ministry of Labor and Ministry of Interior/Police, and will serve as a formalized mechanism to facilitate systematic coordination, enhance early identification, improve case referral procedures, and strengthen the enforcement of anti-trafficking measures in the labour context.

The consultant’s work will build upon insights generated through a preceding rapid assessment of the labour exploitation environment in Montenegro and will align with national strategic priorities in combatting trafficking in human beings. The final product is expected to contribute to more efficient institutional collaboration and coordination, particularly between inspection services under the Ministry of Labor and law enforcement authorities, and lay the groundwork for improved victim identification,  protection and prosecution of trafficking offences.

Responsibilities

Tangible and measurable outputs of the work assignment:

Category B Consultant to be hired on a two-instalment payment basis.

• The instalment is to be paid after the following deliverables are received, at the latest by 31th December 2025:
  • First Deliverable - Review of key national legal, policy and strategic documents relevant to the response to trafficking in human beings for the purpose of labour exploitation, including review of international best practices and existing examples/guidelines. The process includes examination of existing institutional procedures, the roles and responsibilities of key stakeholders, and findings from recent assessments. The outcome should be a structured and time-bound workplan that defines the overall approach, key steps, and milestones for drafting the Protocol; deliverable via email by 5 September 2025;  3 working days
  • Second Deliverable - Conducting targeted consultations with key institutions through interviews and technical meetings to gather relevant inputs for the development of the Protocol. This includes identifying existing practices, institutional responsibilities, and operational challenges in handling and reporting cases of trafficking in human beings for the purpose of labour exploitation. Findings from the consultations, along with a review of applicable legal, policy, and institutional frameworks, will inform the analysis and serve as a basis for preparing the initial draft of the Protocol; deliverable via email by 5 November 2025;  8 working days (payment of the first instalment - 11 working days of the consultancy fee).
  • Third Deliverable - Presentation of the draft Protocol during a consultative validation workshop with relevant institutional counterparts, aimed at reviewing and confirming the proposed structure, content, and responsibilities defined in the document. All inputs and recommendations collected during the workshop will be reflected in the revised version. The final output will consist of a comprehensive report including the finalized Protocol, clearly outlining institutional roles, procedures, and mechanisms for handling and reporting cases of trafficking in human beings for the purpose of labour exploitation (minimum 10 pages); deliverable via email by 15 December 2025; 4 working days (payment of the second instalment - 4 working days of the consultancy fee).

REMARK: Activities schedule will be agreed in coordination with the national stakeholders and will be organized in line with the best assessed logistics and time frame.

Performance indicators for the evaluation of results

• Structured workplan submitted, clearly defining key steps, timeline, and methodological approach for the drafting of the Protocol.
• Relevant legal, policy and strategic frameworks reviewed, with institutional roles identified and inputs from consultations with key stakeholders documented and reflected in the development process.
• Initial draft of the Protocol developed, outlining procedures, roles, and mechanisms for handling and reporting cases of labour exploitation.
• Feedback from the validation workshop documented and addressed, with clear revisions made to the draft Protocol.
• Final report submitted, including the finalized Protocol and a concise narrative explaining the consultation process, incorporated inputs, and final recommendations.

Qualifications

Education, Experience and/or skills required

• Master's degree in law (preferably obtained from a Faculty of Law), with at least five years of relevant professional experience, including in-depth understanding of labour and employment matters, relevant legal frameworks, policies, and international standards related to labour exploitation; or
• University degree in law (Faculty of Law) with a minimum of ten years of relevant professional experience, with demonstrated expertise in labour and employment issues, preferably in relation to legal and institutional responses to labour exploitation
• Proven experience in drafting institutional protocols, formal procedures, or inter-agency agreements, preferably in the context of labour rights, labour inspection, or anti-trafficking frameworks.
• In-depth knowledge of Montenegrin labor laws and regulations, including knowledge of National Referral Mechanism and counter trafficking in persons mechanisms in Montenegro;
• Familiarity with international standards and conventions related to labor exploitation and human rights.
• Excellent organizational skills, ability to organize one own’s work and ability to respect schedules and deadlines.
• Experience engaging with variety of stakeholders.
• Fluency in Montenegrin and English language (oral and written).

Travel required

If needed, travel to the venue of the consultative validation workshop with relevant institutional counterparts, Montenegro will be required for the purpose of this engagement. Travel costs and DSA to be covered by IOM.  

Competencies 

Values

1. Inclusion and respect for diversity: respects and promotes individual and cultural differences; encourages diversity and inclusion wherever possible.
2. Integrity and transparency: maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
3. Professionalism: demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
4. Courage: demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
5. Empathy: shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators

1. Teamwork: develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
2. Delivering results: produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner; is action-oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
3. Managing and sharing knowledge: continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
4. Accountability: takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own action and delegated work.
5. Communication: encourages and contributes to clear and open communication; explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Notes

1. Documents to submit as part of the application should include: Cover Letter; Updated CV; Name and information of 2 (two) referees, Diploma, and Financial proposal.
2. Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this Call for Applications is subject to funding confirmation.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. People with disabilities are encouraged to apply and reasonable accommodation is available throughout the recruitment, hiring and employment cycle, in accordance with IOM procedures.
7. This post is subject to local recruitment. Moreover, Montenegro nationals/citizens and persons holding a valid residence and work permit for Montenegro will be eligible for consideration.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. IOM reserves the right to contact shortlisted candidates only.

Required Skills

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