CON 2025-08 - Local Consultant to support Diber municipality to implement SOPs for internal migration, return and reintegration of migrants and diaspora engagement. Duty location: Diber Municipality

Job Description

Albanian citizens are likely to continue to emigrate for employment, which will have a major impact on the country's development. Therefore, it is important to provide valid alternatives of employment in the country, especially in those areas experiencing a considerable tourism inflow in the recent years.

In August 2024, IOM Albania started the implementation of the project “Strengthening Local Institutional Capacities on Migration in Albania” funded by the UK Government. The aim of this project is to contribute to enabling local governments to effectively manage migration and diaspora matters. This includes a focus on promoting employment for internal migrants, reintegrating returned migrants, and encouraging diaspora investments, while strengthening inter-institutional coordination and migration stakeholders' engagement, all the while reshaping the narrative on migration.

The project will support central and local institutions in Albania to develop, strengthen capacities, and pilot the legal, administrative, and operational procedures for internal migration, return and reintegration, and diaspora engagement aiming to increase employment opportunities for the Albanian workforce. This will be done in tandem with supporting the inter-institutional cooperation of local and central government agencies, both vertical and horizontal coordination. In addition, the project aims to change the narrative on migration targeting the public at large with a special focus on youth and their self-improvement/empowerment. 

This includes: 

• Consolidating the national regulatory framework by drafting new guidelines, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on internal migration, return and reintegration of Albanian emigrants, diaspora engagement in local development, and developing inter-agency cooperation protocols followed by trainings, and capacity building of public officials at local level to effectively apply, test and pilot the improved framework.
• Exploring and supporting cooperation opportunities and mechanisms between local government, business community representatives, local communities, and other stakeholders to encourage internal migration aiming to increase employment opportunities for Albanian workforce. Additionally strengthening the horizonal and vertical cooperation between the two governance levels and other related stakeholders, including a fully-fledged communication campaign targeting all segments of society, with a focus on youth and women. This will be achieved through designing and implementing Inter-Municipal Pacts for Employment (IMPEs) between Municipalities, business community representatives and the public employment/VET services. Selected Municipalities in North Albania (most affected by emigration) and South/coastal municipalities (most affected by considerable seasonal tourism) will participate in the design and piloting of the IMPEs.

The project will also ensure gender mainstreaming and inclusion of minority groups, promoting inclusivity and diversity in the relevant practices. In summary, the project will help Albania develop more effective and inclusive opportunities for its residents, with a focus on strengthening local capacities.

Law No. 38/2019 "ON SOME ADDITIONS AND CHANGES TO LAW NO. 139/2015 "FOR LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT", introduced amendments related to diaspora and migration within the framework of local self-governance. It mandates municipalities to establish a Diaspora and Migration Structure to (hereinafter MDS), encourage communication with the Albanian community abroad, provide assistance and information to potential migrants, return migrants, diaspora and foreigners residing in Albania, as well as coordinate with relevant ministries. 

The success of the project “Strengthening Local Institutional Capacities on Migration in Albania” supported by UK will rely on the cooperation of IOM Tirana with the national authorities -Municipalities of Albania, State Minister for Local Governance (SMLSG), the Agency for the Support of Local Self-Government (ASLG), Association for Local Autonomy of Albania (ALAA) and other related government institutions and other stakeholders.

The project will provide support for the formulation of legal, administrative, and operational procedures applicable in central and local level institutions tasked related to the functioning of the MDSs. This includes the consolidation of the central and local level regulatory framework, including drafting of new legal documents, related regulations, implementing guidelines, and Standard Operating Procedures (SoP's), and the establishment of inter-agency cooperation protocols. The SOPs will include services to the following target-groups: internal migrants, return migrants and diaspora. Additionally, public officials at both central and local levels will be enabled to effectively implement the improved framework through the validation of the legal and operational documents and other capacity building activities. Enhanced support will be provided for effectively offering the envisaged information and orientation services in 7 pilot Municipalities.

This assignment in relation to the Municipality of Diber (one of the pilot municipalities) will be achieved through the engagement from IOM of a Local Consultant in the Municipality of Diber. The engagement of the local consultant will take place for 11 months.

The IOM consultant will assist the Municipality of Diber in the use of guidance materials, manuals, and information guides, in the implementation of Standard Operational Procedures (SOP’s) and facilitate capacity-building endeavors.

Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing to the successful implementation of the project “Strengthening Local Institutional Capacities on Migration in Albania” AL10P0530 / CD.0113 

Responsibilities

The consultancy will take place in the period tentatively between 15 February 2025 until 14 January 2026 following the below tasks and responsibilities:   

Overall Objective of Assignment:

Under the overall supervision of the Head of Office and direct supervision of the IOM Project Coordinator and in close coordination with the Project Implementation Unit, the local consultant will be responsible for supporting the Diber Municipality to implement SOPs for internal migration, return and reintegration of migrants and diaspora engagement.

More specifically the local consultant based at the Diber Municipality, will be responsible to:

• Support the Municipality of Diber to implement the new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on internal migration, return and reintegration of migrants and diaspora engagement in a gender and minority inclusive way, based on such principles as:
  • Accessibility and Inclusivity:
    • Equal opportunities for all potential migrants, returned emigrants and diaspora representatives, regardless of background, abilities, or circumstances.
    • Comprehensive guidelines and services in understandable languages and accessible formats, ensuring that the information provided about opportunities and rights is easily accessible and comprehensible.
    • Support for underrepresented groups such as women, persons with disabilities, and ethnic minorities, thereby creating an equal and supportive system for all.
  • Individualized Approach:
    • Support considers the unique circumstances of each migrant and their families.
    • Ensures that potential internal migrants, returned emigrants and diaspora representatives receive the necessary information and appropriate references for the migration process.
    • Assists internal migrants, returned migrants and diaspora representatives in making informed decisions and exploring the migration process with confidence and ease.
  • Equality and Non-Discrimination:
    • Equal opportunities to seek and secure employment for all individuals, regardless of race, gender, religion, or socio-economic status.
    • Fair treatment and equal access to resources, opportunities, and services for all migrants.
    • Promotion of a respectful environment where all migrants are treated fairly.
    • Ensures that all migrants have a fair chance to pursue their employment aspirations without prejudice or unequal treatment.
  • Principle of Subsidiarity:
    • Enables quicker responses tailored to the specific needs of migrants and local communities.
    • Migration policies and practices are adapted to the unique circumstances of each municipality.
    • Promotes better outcomes for internal migrants, returned migrants and diaspora representatives.
  • Standards to be followed:
    • Professional and Friendly Approach: exhibit a professional yet friendly demeanor, demonstrating attentiveness and sensitivity to each individual's circumstances.
    • Tailored Information and Services: Information and services must be customized to the specific situation and needs, utilizing clear and comprehensible language.
    • Building Trust: foster a trusting relationship with individuals by treating them with respect.
    • Effective Communication: engage actively in communication to fully understand the potential migrant’s situation, enabling the provision of appropriate alternatives and referrals to necessary services.
    • Continuous Improvement and Knowledge Sharing: continuously update their knowledge and practices based on lessons learned from previous experiences and share this knowledge with colleagues to ensure ongoing improvement.
    • Confidentiality and Data Protection: handle all collected information with confidentiality, obtaining prior approval from the potential migrant in compliance with data protection legislation.
    • Accurate Documentation: ensure the accurate preparation and completion of forms during the interviewing of potential internal migrants, returned migrants and diaspora representatives.
• Support the Municipality of Diber in the distribution of a set of Tailored Explanatory Guidance Materials of the legal and institutional frameworks for specific target groups, including migrants, women, and minorities, focusing on internal migrants, returned migrants and diaspora engagement. 
• Support in delivering services in several channels including: 'in-office' service provision, online service provision and through outreach and awareness raising activities in the territory of the municipality.
• Contribute to the organization of capacity-building activities, orientation sessions, on the job training, etc. for local government agencies and central government agencies at local level related to the internal migration, return and reintegration of migrants and diaspora engagement.
• Support the Municipality of Diber in promoting employment for internal migrants, reintegrating returned migrants, and encouraging diaspora investments, while strengthening interinstitutional coordination and migration stakeholders' engagement. 
• Data collection related to internal migration, return and reintegration of Albanian emigrants, diaspora engagement in local development at the Municipality of Diber.  

The consultant will prepare and submit monthly reports that describe activities, accomplishments as well as issues and concerns impeding the progress in fulfilling the tasks by the last working day of the corresponding month. 

The monthly reports should include periodical and cumulative information (quantitative data and qualitative analyses) on the below: 

• data on internal migrants, returned migrants and diaspora representatives and services requested,
• distribution of informative materials/brochures to inform migrants about available services at local level,
• distribution of the set of Tailored Explanatory Guidance Materials of the legal and institutional frameworks for specific target groups, including women, and minorities, focusing on potential migrants, 
• access on services delivered in several channels including: 'in-office' service provision, online service provision and through outreach and awareness raising activities in the territory of the municipality,
• highlight any success stories and testimonials from assisted migrants. 

The engagement of the local consultant will take place for 11 months Mon – Fri (Full Time), based at the Municipality of Diber in close cooperation with the municipality staff assigned on Migration and Diaspora issues. 

The sign in and sign out timesheet, as well as the monthly reports, will be applied by signature of consultant and verified by the responsible person at the Municipality of Diber. 

•             timeliness, 

•             responsibility,

•             initiative, 

•             communication, 

•             satisfactory completion of tasks indicated in this ToR; 

•             quality of products delivered.

Qualifications

Required Skills

Job info