CON 2025/27 - Local Consultant to develop context-specific, operational Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Unaccompanied and Separated Children (UASC) protection, review current legislation, and draft legal acts on UASC.

Tirana

Organization: IOM - International Organization for Migration
Location: Tirana
Grade: Senior Executive level - Assistant Director - General level - Internationally recruited position
Occupational Groups:
- Operations and Administrations
- Legal - Broad
- Technology, Electronics and Mechanics
- Sustainable trade and development
- Children's rights (health and protection)
- Project and Programme Management
- Social Entrepreneurship
- Sustainable Business Development
Closing Date:

Job Description

Project Context and Scope

The “EU4Migration in Albania” project aims to support the implementation of effective, efficient, and EU-aligned border and migration management systems in Albania. The project is embedded in the strategic objective of the National Strategy on Migration (NSM) in achieving effective migration governance to address challenges and enhance migration’s positive impact on development for the benefit of migrants and society. It also supports the GoA's 2023 commitment to improve the quality of asylum decision-making and decentralize procedures at the local level.

Outcome 2 of the project, “Authorities in Albania have strengthened technical and operational capacities to manage migration and asylum in accordance with international and EU standards”, envisions direct contribution to the National Strategy of Migration objective 4.2 “Special protection for unaccompanied refugees and migrant children” by supporting major infrastructure, equipment, governance and operational improvements for the provision of protection-sensitive reception assistance to unaccompanied and separated children (UASC) in Albania as well as by establishing models of service provision to UASCs, including primary and secondary review of the current legislation (Output 2.4), preparation of legal acts on UASCs, and training of public authorities on UASCs issues, including but not limited, the new legal acts.

Under the overall supervision of the IOM Head of Office, the direct supervision of the EU4Migration in Albania Project Manager and in close coordination with the Ministry of Interior, the consultant will develop context-specific, operational Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for UASC protection and draft legislative recommendations aligned with the planned operationalization of the Reception Center for UASC in Tirana.

Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing

The consultancy engagement will contribute to the successful implementation of the project EU4Migration in Albania (PX0611)

Responsibilities

Tasks to be performed under this contract

The consultant will be responsible to:

Conduct a legal and institutional review of the existing UASC- related procedures and legislation in Albania.
Review previous assessments, reports, and guidance from key actors (MoI, IOM, UNHCR, UNICEF, ).
Recommend the EU standards (EUAA guidance) for applicability in Albania context.
Consult with relevant stakeholders: Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Health and Social Protection, Child Protection Units, local authorities, civil society.
Draft comprehensive SOPs covering:
Prepare a set of recommendations for amendments or additions to existing legal acts regulating UASC protection;
Identification and referral of UASCs; Age assessment procedures; Best Interest Determination (BID) and Best Interest Assessment (BIA), etc.
Temporary care and protection;
Case management and referral to services;
Family tracing and durable solutions;
Align outputs with the operational model of the upcoming UASC Reception Center in Tirana.

Deliverables

First Deliverable – Develop and submit an inception report including methodology, list of documents reviewed and work plan; to be revised and endorsed by IOM – [7 working days]. Deliverable due by email potentially by 12 September 2025 - First Instalment Payment

Second Deliverable – Develop and submit the draft legal recommendations in consultation with stakeholders – [5 working days]. Deliverable due by email potentially by 19 September 2025 - Second Instalment Payment

Third Deliverable – Develop and submit the draft SOPs for UASC in consultation with stakeholders – [10 working days]. Deliverable due by email potentially by 3 October 2025 - Third Instalment Payment

Fourth Deliverable – Submit the final versions of SOPs and Legal Recommendations incorporating feedback by IOM and all stakeholders – [5 working days] and Presentation of results to stakeholders – [3 working days]. Deliverable due by email potentially by 15 October 2025 - Fourth Instalment Payment

Performance indicators for the evaluation of results

Satisfactory completion of the tasks and deliverables indicated in this ToR,
Quality of deliverables submitted according to timelines outlined above,
Team working ability,
Communication,
Confidentiality,
Timeliness,
Responsibility,
Initiative.

Qualifications

Education

Completed advanced degree from an accredited academic institution in Law, Social Sciences, Children’s Rights or other related areas.

Experience

At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in child protection, migration and asylum, or public policy.
Demonstrated knowledge of national legal framework on children’s rights and protection.
Relevant experience drafting SOPs, strategies, or legal acts.

Skills

Ability to maintain accuracy & confidentiality in performing responsibilities.
Excellent communication and reporting-writing skills in Albanian and English.
Strong facilitation, interpersonal, and intercultural skills with attention to detail.

Languages

Fluency in Albanian and advanced level of English language is requested for this assignment

Travel required

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.
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

Job info

Contract Type: Consultancy (Up to 11 months)
Initial Contract Duration: Potentially from 1 September 2025 – 15 October 2025
Vacancy Type: Consultancy
Recruiting Type: Consultant
Grade: UG
Alternative Required Language 1: English
Alternative Required Language2: Albanian

We do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.

Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify.
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.

Apply