Consultant for Development of IOM Serbia Country Strategy Document

Established in 1951, IOM is part of the United Nations System and stands as the leading intergovernmental organization in the field of migration.

With 175 member states, a further 8 states holding observer status and offices in 172 countries, IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing support to migrants across the world, developing effective responses to the shifting dynamics of migration and providing advice on migration policy and practice. 

The organization collaborates with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners to improve the resilience of people on the move, particularly those in situations of vulnerability. It also works closely with governments to manage all forms of mobility, and their impacts. This work includes operations in some of the most complex emergency settings in the world.

The IOM Constitution recognizes the link between migration and economic, social and cultural development, as well as to the right of freedom of movement.

IOM’s work is focused on the following three objectives:

        •              Saving lives and protecting people on the move: To fulfill this objective, IOM puts the safety, dignity and protection of people first in the most challenging crisis response contexts in the world.

        •              Driving solutions to displacement: In response to this aim, IOM endeavors to reduce the risks and impacts of climate change, environmental degradation, conflict and instability for communities affected by or at risk of displacement.

        •              Facilitating pathways for regular migration: To address this pursuit, IOM prioritizes whole-of-government, whole-of-society approaches to safely connect people, goods, services, knowledge and innovation.

The consultant will be assigned special tasks and deliverables in supporting the development of the IOM Country Strategy for Serbia 2026-2030. This strategy will build on the IOM Strategic Plan 2024–2028 and will highlight how IOM will work with partners throughout the country to meet migration challenges. By building on local capacities and knowledge, IOM aims to craft solutions that address the specific needs of country while promoting sustainable outcomes for migrants and communities alike. This reflects IOM’s vision of delivering on the promise of migration, enabling it to serve as a force for development and prosperity.

1. Provide expert advice to IOM Senior Management Team in Serbia for strategic engagement and programming in accordance with IOM Strategic Plan, notably in relation of IOM’s Regional Strategies, IOM-facilitated Skopje Declaration and related Action Plan, Global Compact for Migration (GCM), EU Pact on Migration and Asylum;
2. Provide expertise to IOM Serbia Senior Management and government officials on expressing national government priorities in the Country Strategy enabling IOM to contribute effectively to the country’s overall development objectives. 
3. Review of wider cooperation frameworks and analyses such as UNSDCF, Common Country Analysis (CCA) and other  strategic documents with the purpose of harmonizing IOM’s activities with the work of other UN agencies and development partners. 
4. Assist IOM in conducting a series of targeted stakeholder consultations, involving diverse entities but with a focus on government ministries and agencies, non-governmental organizations and international partners which may take the form of strategic high-level discussions with key government officials and ministerial representatives.

   Specific tasks related to delivering IOM Serbia Country Strategy: 

5. Conduct a comprehensive analysis of the policies, practices, institutional structures and legislation governing migration in Serbia;
6. Review the IOM strategic framework and documents providing guidance on the development of country strategies, enabling harmonization with all requirements embedded in them; 
7. Identify and understand the priorities, interests, influence, and expectations of relevant stakeholders in the context of migration, in order to develop and implement an effective, inclusive, and sustainable country strategy; 
8. Conduct and lead stakeholder consultations which should result inform the priorities of the development of the Country Strategy for the period 2026 – 2030. 

   Key deliverables (not limited to) and the timeline:  

9. Desk review and document analysis , presenting detailed activity  plan with the timeline to the Chief of Mission (COM) and  IOM Serbia  Senior Management Team, with informed suggestions re. data,  stakeholder consultations , UNCT, thematic reports, etc. 

          Performance indicators for the evaluation of results

Specific performance indicators related to the Country Strategy including analysis and launch, implementation, reporting and monitoring and evaluation of the Strategy implementation 

Successful participation in the consultative processes  to finalize the Country Strategy document.

Strategy Development Outputs

Stakeholder Engagement

Strategic Alignment and Relevance

Quality and Timeliness

Education

• Master’s degree in International Relations, Political or Social Sciences, Business or Public Administration, International Relations, Law or a related field from an accredited academic institution with two years of relevant professional experience; or, 

• University degree in the above fields with four years of relevant professional experience. 

Experience

• Experience in supporting results-based development of strategic documents and technical writing and editing, preferably in the international development/humanitarian sector and in the Western Balkan region; 

• Experience supporting project/strategy conceptualization, development, monitoring, reporting and evaluation in the Western Balkan region; 

• Experience in liaising with governmental and diplomatic authorities as well as with national and international institutions. 

Skills

• Proven writing and research skills; 

• Excellent communication and analytical skills; 

• High degree of judgment and initiative, ability to work with a high degree of independence within assigned areas; 

• Sound and proven understanding of internal and international migration issues in the country and in the Region; 

• In depth knowledge of the broad range of migration related subject areas dealt with by the Organization; and,

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish. For this consultancy, fluency in English and Serbian is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, and Spanish) is an advantage.

Travel required

Yes, travel set to a maximum of 5 days to Serbia during the consultancy.