Project Context and Scope
The International Organization for Migration (IOM), established in 1951, is the leading intergovernmental organization dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants in the frameworks of the IOM Strategic Plan 2024-2028โs three strategic objectives: Saving lives and protecting people on the move; Driving solutions to displacement; and Facilitating pathways for regular migration. ย Since 1994, the IOM Country Office in Albania has supported the government and partners in managing migration challenges such as irregular migration, human trafficking, and displacement. The office promotes safe and orderly migration and aligns with Albaniaโs migration governance and EU integration efforts. Since 2016, IOM Albania has prioritized strengthening diaspora relations as a key element of the countryโs socio-economic development strategy. This includes initiatives to harness the potential of the Albanian diaspora for national development, enhance their engagement, and support the revision and implementation of the first National Diaspora Strategy 2021-2025, through the following interventions:
- Engage the Albanian Diaspora to the Social and Economic Development of Albaniaย (2017โ2021) โ funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.ย
- Enhancing Migration Governance and Diaspora Engagement for Development in Albaniaย (2024โ2025) - funded by IOM Development Fund.
- Leveraging the Potential of Diaspora to Advance EU Accession and Labor Mobility in the Western Balkansย (2025โ2027) - funded by Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS).
The consultancy contributes to the successful realisation of the project โEnhancing Migration Governance and Diaspora Engagement for Development in Albaniaโ implemented by IOM Albania in cooperation with the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MoEFA), the State Minister and Chief Negotiator (SMCN) and the Ministry of Interior (MoI). The overall objective of the program is to support the Albanian Government in its efforts to effectively implement diaspora engagement strategies and schemes, recognizing the positive connection between migration and development. The project aims to ensure that the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MoEFA) and the National Agency for Diaspora (AKD) have improved resources, knowledge, and skills for implementing diaspora engagement policies, in line with the Global Compact on Safe, Regular and Orderly Migration (GCM), theย Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and its Goals/, as well as Albaniaโs national policies and priorities including theย EU accession process.
Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing
โEnhancing Migration Governance and Diaspora Engagement for Development in Albaniaโ (TK0041) Tasks to be performed under this contract
Under the overall supervision of the IOM Head of Office in Tirana, Albania and direct supervision of the National Programme Support & Development Officer, the local consultant will be responsible for supporting the Inter-Institutional Working Group with drafting the new National Strategy on Diaspora (NSD) 2026-2030. The consultant will work in a team, led by an international expert team leader, with another local expert/consultant (on costing/budgeting of the Action Plan) and in close cooperation with the IOM team.ย ย The local consultant will be responsible for:ย - Provide contextual insights and technical input on Albaniaโs institutional, legal, and policy frameworks to ensure alignment of the National Strategy with national priorities and local realities.
- Facilitate communication and coordination with relevant Albanian ministries, agencies, municipalities, and other stakeholders to ensure their effective engagement in the strategy development process.
- Support the identification, mapping, and engagement of key stakeholders, including diaspora communities, associations, UN agencies, civil society, academia, private sector, and government representatives at both central and local levels.
- Support the international team leader in conducting a comprehensive desk review by collecting, translating (where necessary), and summarizing relevant national documents, policies, legal frameworks, and programmatic initiatives related to diaspora engagement, particularly:
- the ex-post evaluation of the existing National Strategy on Diaspora, including institutional framework, coordination mechanisms, diaspora-related initiatives, existing gaps, and recommendations; ย
- the roadmap for the new strategic Diaspora framework for Albania (2026-2030);ย
- existing policy and other relevant institutional frameworks to ensure the new strategy interlinks with Albaniaโs national priorities as well as international commitments including:ย
- Albaniaโs Smart Specialization Strategy (S3)
All data gathered throughout this project/task should respect Data Privacy measures inย accordance with the 'General Data Protection Regulation (EU 2016/679 \"GDPR\")
First deliverable โ Inception report, including desk review[1], methodology[2]ย and timeline. A stakeholder mapping[3]ย should be included as an annex - Deliverable potentially by email by 14 September 2025ย Second deliverableย - Desk review report (including Diaspora profile[4]ย + accompanying PowerPoint Presentation) - Deliverable potentially by email by 12 October 2025 Presentation of the Diaspora Profile possibly during the annual Albanian Diaspora Women Summit (currently scheduled for 17 October 2025 - TBC First instalment paymentย (14 working days) Third deliverable - First draft of the National Strategy on Diaspora 2026-2030 and Action Plan (including monitoring and reporting format, as well asย recommendations on the institutional set up for proper implementation) + accompanying PowerPoint Presentation - Deliverable by potentially email by 2 November 2025; Organization of a roundtable by 14 November 2025 to present the first draft of the new National Strategy on Diaspora 2026-2030 and Action Plan, including IOM inputs.Second instalment paymentย (8 working days) Fourth deliverableโSecond draft of the new National Strategy on Diaspora 2026-2030 and Action Plan incorporating findings of a round table and IOM inputs, + revised PowerPoint Presentation - Deliverable potentially by email by 23 November2025; Support with organization of aย validation workshop to present the second draft of the National Strategy on Diaspora 2026-2030 and Action Plan, including IOM inputs; validation workshop possibly to be convened as side event (if requested by MoEFA) during the Fourth National Diaspora Summit (currently scheduled for 26-27 November 2025 - TBC) Fifth deliverable โFinal draft of the new National Strategy on Diaspora 2026-2030 and Action Plan, incorporating findings of the validation workshop and IOM inputs, + final PowerPoint Presentation โDeliverable potentially by email by 14 December 2025; Support with organization of a final event to present the final version of the newย National Strategy on Diaspora 2026-2030 and Action Plan, including IOM inputs. Final event possibly to be convened in connection with National Diaspora Day by 18 December 2025 Sixth deliverable - Final report on the overall Strategy and Action Plan drafting process including annexes with all relevant information and connected electronic files - Deliverable potentially by email by 31 December 2025; Third and final instalment paymentย (8 working days)All deliverables shall be submitted in English language for assessment and validation by IOM.
[1]ย Desk Review of the existing policy, institutional framework, including coordination mechanisms, and diaspora dynamics in the host country, including interlinkages with ex-post evaluation and identified gaps and recommendations, including inputs from meeting with IOMย
[2]ย Methodology for the drafting of the National Strategy on Diaspora and its Action Plan based on the current Strategyโs ex-post evaluation and the roadmap for the new strategic framework
[3]ย Listing all stakeholders to be interviewed/consulted following a multi-stakeholder approach (diaspora members, associations, UN agencies, civil society, academia, private sector, and government (central and local)).
[4]ย including analysis of Diaspora contributions (economic, human, social, cultural), needs, interest and geographic distribution ย Performance indicators for the evaluation of results
Timeliness. Responsibility. Initiative. Communication. Satisfactory competition of tasks indicated in this ToR.ย Quality of the Products delivered.ย Education Completed Masterโs degree from an accredited academic institution in political science, international relations, international development, migration studies, legal studies, public administration, social sciences, economics or another relevant field. PHD in the relevant field is advantageous. Experience At least 5 years of relevant professional experience. Proven recent experience in the conduct of similar assignments.ย Knowledge and extensive experience in the field of Diaspora Engagement, data and statistics, research, particularly related to Diaspora engagement policies. Proven experience in institutional processes analysis, related policy documents, and strategic documents drafting, data collection, processing, analysis and reporting, presentations. Experience in drafting policy papers Previous work experience with Diaspora engagement in Albania or other Albanian-speaking regionsย Skills Confirmed excellence in production of analytical work, both written reports and brief presentations of research. Ability to communicate with a wide range of stakeholders (public authorities, migrants, private sector, civil society, academia, etc.) Proficiency in writing narrative reports and studies in English and Albanian Effective communicator, both orally and in writing.ย Languages Full professional proficiency in English and Albanian is required. Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments. ย Travel required Only when authorized by IOM Required Competencies ย IOMโs competency framework can be found atย this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process. ย 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 Competenciesย โ 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 Organizationโs 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:ย IOM Careers and Job Vacancies