Legal Consultant
Nicosia
- Organization: IOM - International Organization for Migration
- Location: Nicosia
- Grade: Senior Executive level - Assistant Director - General level - Internationally recruited position
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Occupational Groups:
- Legal - Broad
- Closing Date:
Job Description
Established in 1951, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is the leading intergovernmental organization in the field of migration and works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is committed to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. This is achieved through the provision of services and advice to governments and migrants.
Labour migration to Cyprus involves a significant population of third-country nationals (TCNs), especially from countries like the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, who often fill domestic, agriculture, care, and construction roles. While these migrants are crucial to the Cypriot economy, a recent Council of Europe report highlighted alarming levels of exploitation, including sub-minimum wages, excessive work hours, and poor legal protections.
The Cyprus National Migrant Integration Strategy and the National Action Plan are structured around a number of strategic goals that are closely interlinked and interdependent and include economic and social integration, healthcare and training underpinned by legal and policy alignment. The purpose of the study is to support the Deputy Ministry of Migration and International Protection with the baseline information which will contribute towards the implementation of the National Migrant Integration Strategy (2025 – 2029) and the National Action Plan. Based on this initiative, the Deputy Ministry and its partners will be able to identify priority areas for the reform of national legislation and procedures, the purpose of which would be the effective design and eventual implementation of regular migration pathways and effective integration of migrants in the Republic of Cyprus; adding ultimately to a comprehensive protection-centered migration governance framework.
To this end, IOM will hire a national consultant, to carry out a research study analyzing legal frameworks and procedures related to the admission and stay of migrants in regular situation in Cyprus, covering their access to various integration services such as VET training, education, language courses, health care, sociocultural integration, housing, employment. IOM will mainstream gender throughout the research design, implementation, and reporting. The collection, storing and handling of data will be done in full compliance with IOM's Data Protection Principles.
Under the overall coordination of IOM Cyprus and the Regional Coordination Officer on Regular Pathways in Regional Office in Vienna (Regular Pathways), the Consultant will provide expert support to IOM.
- Primary objective: Analyse the current status of the national legal framework regulating labour migration, including recruitment, admission, employment, integration, return, protection, and dispute resolution.
- Secondary objective: Assess stakeholders' needs and challenges - migrant workers (regular/irregular), employers, recruiters, government entities, trade unions, and civil society – in order to identify priority areas for the reform of national legislation and procedures.
Responsibilities
The consultant will undertake the following main deliverables:
- Lead the research work and ensure timely deliverables of indicated tasks and close coordination with IOM during the whole period of research.
- Using the IOM approved instruments, conduct desk-analysis, key informant-interviews with government agencies both in the CoO and CoD and conduct online survey among migrants in Cyprus.
- Draft and finalize final report based on obtained findings, including the results of desk-analysis, interviews and surveys.
- Develop a publishable version of the final report in line with IOM brand guidelines.
The Consultant may work individually or in cooperation with a team. IOM will sign a consultancy agreement with the leading Consultant.
| Deliverable | TASKS | DELIVERY DATES |
| 1 | Develop legal research methodology in line with IOM's standards and the guidance from IOM for online survey and key informant interviews. | 15 October 2025 |
| 2 | Plan and conduct desk-analysis on the national legal framework regulating labour migration, including recruitment, admission, employment, integration, return, protection, and dispute resolutionin line with IOM's standards and the guidance from IOM Cyprus. | 30 October 2025 |
| 3 | Plan and conduct key informant-interviews with relevant stakeholders. | 30 November 2025 |
| 4 | Conduct online survey among migrants in Cyprus in line with the developed tool and methodology. | 30 November 2025 |
| 5 |
Outline and preliminary findings draft report Finalize full report on the findings in line with the review and endorsement of IOM. |
5 December 2025 21 December 2025 |
Qualifications
- Postgraduate degree, preferably in Research, Migration Studies, Law, Diaspora Studies, Social Sciences, Sociology, or other related fields from an accredited academic institution with at least five years of relevant professional experience; or
- Undergraduate degree preferably in Research, Migration Studies, Law, Diaspora Studies, Social Sciences, Sociology, or other related fields from an accredited academic institution, with seven years of relevant professional experience.
- Experience in planning and conducting research, studies and other evidence-generating activities is a must.
- Experience in designing and delivering sessions (presentations) at workshops and other meetings is a must.
- Demonstrated professional experience on migration-related topics, human rights, law, and/or governance is highly desirable.
- Demonstrated professional experience related to migration studies is highly desirable.
- Experience in liaising with government institutions, diaspora organizations, academia, civil society organizations, UN agencies and/or other international organizations as well as migration-related stakeholders is an asset.
- Sound understanding of research and desk-review analysis.
- Excellent proven analytical and communication skills, including presentation skills.
- Excellent organizational and creative thinking skills.
- Excellent time-management skills and ability to meet deadlines.
- Demonstrated proficiency with Ms Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Fluency in Greek and English required.
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- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Required Skills
Job info
Contract Type: Consultancy (Up to 11 months)Vacancy Type: Consultancy
Recruiting Type: Consultant
Grade: UG
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.