CON 2026 -16 - International ICT Consultant – Digital Architecture and Remittance Systems Analysis

Introduction

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations and the leading UN agency in the field of migration. Working closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners, IOM promotes humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It saves lives and protects people on the move, drives solutions to displacement, and facilitates pathways for regular migration, while providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

IOM is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive and supportive workplace where all employees can thrive professionally and feel valued. By creating such an environment, IOM aims to better harness the full potential of migration and strengthen its support to people on the move.

IOM invites candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply and provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process when required. Learn more about IOM’s workplace culture at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration

Project Context and Scope

IOM is seeking an ICT Consultant to oversee the technical analysis of digital architecture options for the establishment of a Diaspora Investment Mechanism (DIM), with a particular focus on platform functionality, systems integration, and cybersecurity considerations. The assignment will support the analytical and technical groundwork required for DIM design by generating assessments and conceptual architecture options that can inform the development of a secure, interoperable, and user-centred digital mechanism for the UK–Albania corridor.

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide expert technical oversight and analysis in three core areas: (i) contribution to the comparative analysis of digital diaspora investment and remittance platforms, with a view to identifying relevant platform features, architecture models, and systems design considerations; (ii) assessment of the technical, operational, and cybersecurity aspects of UK–Albania remittance systems; and (iii) development of conceptual technical architecture options for the Diaspora Investment Mechanism, including consideration of gender-responsive UX/UI components to support accessibility, trust, and usability for diverse user groups.

- Oversee the technical analysis of digital architecture options for the establishment of the DIM, including platform functionality, systems integration, and cybersecurity considerations.
- Contribute to the comparative analysis of digital diaspora investment and remittance platforms, identifying technical features, delivery models, and lessons relevant to DIM design.
- Assess the technical, operational, and cybersecurity aspects of UK–Albania remittance systems and identify implications for the design and implementation of the DIM.
- Develop conceptual technical architecture options for the Diaspora Investment Mechanism, taking into consideration gender-responsive UX/UI components to support inclusive and accessible user engagement, as well as accessibility and trust considerations, language/usability assumptions, suggested user-testing considerations.

This consultancy will take place within the IOM Albania project, “Diaspora Investment Mechanism” funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Through a strategic partnership with the British Chamber of Commerce in Albania (BCCA), the initiative will develop a Diaspora Investment Mechanism (DIM) that draws on lessons learned from similar models in Albania, the wider region and beyond. The DIM is designed to address the needs, interests, and challenges of both remittance senders and receivers, thereby supporting the diaspora's economic contribution to Albania's sustainable development. The project will foster economic opportunities in Albania, particularly for communities in the northern regions, by supporting local development initiatives that will help address structural factors currently contributing to emigration.

Albania's diaspora, comprising over 1.2 million citizens-more than 44 per cent of the population, of whom 68,814 living in the United Kingdom, represents a vital economic asset and a key driver of sustainable development. In 2024, annual remittance inflows reached approximately EUR €1.045 billion (4.4% of GDP), making them a significant external financial source, though still below foreign direct investment (FDI) of EUR €1.58 billion. According to the World Bank in 2024, USD $205,314.88 were sent in personal remittances from the United Kingdom to Albania. Persistent barriers such as regulatory ambiguities, limited institutional support, insufficient incentives, and inadequate rural infrastructure hinder full diaspora engagement. Diaspora engagement is further constrained by structural, financial, and geographic factors. Bureaucratic complexity, lack of sector-specific incentives, and administrative burdens limit collaboration and investment, while restricted access to reliable market information impedes informed decision-making.

Additionally, 39 per cent of remittances are sent through informal channels, reducing transparency and the potential for formal economic development. Investment is heavily concentrated in Tirana, leaving rural areas underdeveloped and lacking essential infrastructure. In addition to this, Northern Albania has experienced sustained out-migration, including irregular movements to the United Kingdom. Many villages in the north face fragile local economies, heavily reliant on remittances, with some communities vulnerable to criminal networks. To address these issues, this project seeks to strengthen engagement between the UK-based Albanian diaspora and communities in Northern Albania, fostering sustainable development, creating legal alternatives to emigration, and opening pathways for investment, knowledge exchange, and collaboration that benefit both the diaspora and local populations.

This consultancy is limited to technical analysis, architecture concept development, and advisory recommendations. It does not include software development, system deployment, infrastructure implementation, or operational management of the DIM platform. Under the direct supervision of the Lead Consultant and overall supervision of the IOM Albania programme management, the ICT Consultant is expected to carry out the following tasks in support of the Scope of the Assignment:

- Provide technical oversight on digital architecture options for DIM establishment, including platform functionality, interoperability, systems integration requirements, and cybersecurity considerations.
- Contribute to the comparative review of digital diaspora investment and remittance platforms, identifying relevant technical features, user journeys, systems models, and implementation of lessons applicable to the DIM.
- Assess the technical, operational, and cybersecurity aspects of UK–Albania remittance systems, including architecture considerations, data flows, user access, operational risks, and digital safeguards relevant to the proposed mechanism.
- Develop conceptual technical architecture options for the Diaspora Investment Mechanism, outlining possible system components, integration pathways, functional modules, and digital delivery considerations.
- Ensure that proposed technical architecture options take into consideration gender-responsive UX/UI components, with attention to accessibility, inclusivity, trust, and ease of use for diverse user groups.
- Coordinate with IOM Albania, relevant consultants and partners to validate findings, incorporate feedback, and translate technical analysis into practical recommendations for DIM design and operationalisation.
- Provide technical input to the wider feasibility work on payment/remittance workflows, licensing and compliance implications, digital safeguards, high-level hosting and resilience considerations, and system requirements needed for sustainable platform operation.
- The assignment will include a desk review of relevant documents, targeted technical consultations with project stakeholders and, where feasible, engagement with relevant institutional or market actors to validate assumptions on remittance flows, compliance constraints, and system interoperability.

Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing

The consultancy engagement will contribute to the successful implementation of the project Diaspora Investment Mechanism, TK0113.

Responsibilities

Tasks to be performed under this contract

• First deliverable – Inception Note – An inception note, setting out the methodology, analytical framework, and technical approach for the assignment, including the proposed parameters for reviewing digital diaspora investment and remittance platforms and assessing UK–Albania remittance systems. (Deliverable by email potentially by 27 July 2026.)
• Second deliverable – Preliminary Findings Report – An interim output presenting the comparative analysis of digital diaspora investment and remittance platforms and the assessment of the technical, operational, and cybersecurity aspects of UK–Albania remittance systems, including key findings, risks, and considerations for DIM design. The Preliminary Findings Report should include: a. A comparative platform features matrix. b. UK–Albania remittance corridor technical flow summary. c. A risk register. d. Interoperability/integration considerations. e. Cybersecurity and data protection observations. f. Initial technical design implications for DIM. (Deliverable by email potentially by 07 August 2026.)
• Final deliverable – Conceptual DIM Technical Architecture Options – A final output presenting conceptual technical architecture options for the Diaspora Investment Mechanism, including proposed system components, integration considerations, core functionality, cybersecurity considerations, and gender-responsive UX/UI elements to support inclusive and user-centred platform design. Provision of a high-level technical requirements document covering core functional requirements, non-functional requirements, integration needs, security/privacy-by-design expectations, and assumptions for hosting, resilience, and user access management. The Final Architecture Output should include: a. Target user groups and user journeys. b. Functional modules. c. Non-functional requirements. d. Integration assumptions. e. Data categories and data flow diagram. f. Role-based access assumptions. g. Security/privacy controls at conceptual level. h. Hosting/resilience assumptions. i. Recommended architecture options with pros/cons. (Deliverable by email potentially by 16 August 2026.)