CON 2026-21 - Local Legal Consultant – DIM Governance

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 a Legal Consultant (Local) to support in the development of the institutional and procedural foundations required to operationalize the proposed Diaspora Investment Mechanism (DIM). The assignment will focus on establishing the governance arrangements, operational roles, decision-making processes, and accountability tools needed to support transparent, effective, and sustainable implementation.

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide legal and institutional expertise in five core areas: (i) development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for DIM governance and operations; (ii) design of the DIM governance structure, including roles, responsibilities, and decision-making mechanisms; (iii) establishment of the Local Development Advisory Committee framework; (iv) development of Terms of Reference (TORs) for DIM operational entities; and (v) development of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and monitoring frameworks to assess DIM performance and impact.

- Develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for DIM governance and operations.
- Design the governance structure of the DIM, including roles, responsibilities, and decision-making mechanisms.
- Establish the Local Development Advisory Committee framework.
- Develop Terms of Reference (TORs) for DIM operational entities.
- Develop Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and monitoring frameworks for DIM performance and impact.

The Local Consultant will first contribute as part of a broader consultancy team led by the Lead Consultant towards the drafting of a comprehensive feasibility and diaspora study (30 working days). In this capacity, the consultant will be expected to coordinate closely with the other team members to ensure alignment on the design, implementation approach, analytical process, and final deliverables of the assignment. This will require regular communication and agreement on roles, methodologies, sequencing of tasks, and the consolidation of inputs into coherent final products. Following the completion of which, the Local Consultant will, for an additional 25 working days, support the Project Coordinator in developing the DIM based upon the DIM Roadmap established during the study phase.

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.

Under the direct supervision of the International Legal Consultant and overall supervision of the Consultancy Team Lead and IOM Albania programme management, the Legal Consultant (Local) for DIM Governance is expected to carry out the following tasks in support of the Scope of the Assignment:

- Develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for DIM governance and operations.
- Design the governance structure of the DIM, including roles, responsibilities, and decision-making mechanisms.
- Establish the Local Development Advisory Committee framework.
- Develop Terms of Reference (TORs) for DIM operational entities.
- Develop Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and monitoring frameworks for DIM performance and impact.

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 – DIM Governance and Operations SOPs – An output presenting Standard Operating Procedures for DIM governance and operations, setting out key processes, workflows, and accountability measures required for implementation. (Deliverable by email potentially by 07 August 2026.)
• Second deliverable – DIM Governance Structure and Advisory Committee Framework – An output outlining the DIM governance structure, including roles, responsibilities, decision-making mechanisms, and the framework for the Local Development Advisory Committee. (Deliverable by email potentially by 27 August 2026.)
• Final deliverable – TORs and Performance Monitoring Framework – A final output comprising Terms of Reference for DIM operational entities together with Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and a monitoring framework to assess DIM performance and impact. (Deliverable by email potentially by 12 September 2026.)