Job Description

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 and UNHCR in Albania are implementing the EU4Migration in Albania project, which supports the Government of Albania in strengthening effective, efficient and EU-aligned migration and asylum governance systems. Under the project, IOM supports national authorities in improving protection-sensitive reception and assistance arrangements for migrants in vulnerable situations, with a specific focus on unaccompanied and separated children (UASC).

As part of this project, IOM is supporting the establishment and the operationalization of a dedicated center for UASC. This includes technical support related to infrastructure, equipment, protection-sensitive reception standards, standard operating procedures, referral pathways, case management, guardianship procedures, and coordination among relevant institutions. At this stage, additional technical work is needed to help translate these preparations into a clear and workable model for how the UASC Center will be managed, staffed, financed and linked to existing child protection, social care, migration and asylum systems.

The consultancy will therefore be requested to develop a practical model for the operationalization of the Center. The model will look at the legislative, financial, professional and operational aspects that need to be in place for the Center to function effectively. It will also set out realistic options for its management, staff and professional profiles required, guardianship arrangements, including the possible use of professional guardians, service standards, institutional responsibilities, coordination mechanisms and longer-term sustainability. The technical model and options will be discussed with MoHSW and other relevant child protection and social care authorities.

Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing

The consultancy will contribute to the successful implementation of EU4Migration in Albania project, particularly its support to protection-sensitive reception and assistance for UASC, and to IOM Albania’s continued cooperation with MoIA, the MoHSW and other relevant institutions on the operationalization of the UASC Center.

Tasks to be performed under this contract

• Objective of the Consultancy
• • Develop a comprehensive and practical model for the operationalization of the Center for UASC, covering legislative, financial, professional and operational dimensions.
• • Prepare clear options for UASC Center management, staffing, guardianship arrangements and inter-institutional coordination, to support structured discussions with MoIA and MoHSW.
• The local consultant / technical expert will be responsible to:
• • Review the main legal, policy and procedural documents related to child protection, social care services, migration and asylum governance, UASC protection, guardianship, reception arrangements, licensing, service standards and institutional mandates.
• • Carry out consultations with relevant central institutions and stakeholders, including the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MoIA), the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MoHSW), the State Agency for Child Rights and Protection (SACRP), social care and child protection structures, and other relevant actors, as agreed with IOM.
• • Map institutional roles and responsibilities: Clarify the roles and responsibilities of the institutions and service providers that would be involved in the establishment and day-to-day functioning of the UASC Center, including MoIA, MoHSP, SACRP, State Social Service, municipalities, Child Protection Units and possible non-public or civil society providers.
• • Identify the legal and administrative steps needed for the UASC Center to become operational, including possible amendments, secondary legislation, ministerial orders, cooperation agreements, internal regulations, licensing requirements, referral procedures or operational guidance.
• • Develop practical options for the UASC Center’s management model, including state-led, delegated, mixed or partnership-based arrangements, with a clear explanation of their feasibility, advantages, limitations, accountability lines and sustainability implications.
• • Propose the professional model needed for the UASC Center, including the staffing structure, required profiles, qualifications, roles and responsibilities, minimum service standards, safeguarding requirements, case management functions, training needs and supervision arrangements.
• • Assess guardianship options for UASC, including professional guardians, legal representation, safeguards, and the roles of Child Protection Units, SACRP and other competent authorities, in line with Law No. 92/2025, relevant bylaws and the child protection, migration and asylum framework, and the best interests of the child.
• • Prepare a realistic financial model for the UASC Center’s functioning, including key recurrent cost categories, staffing and service costs, maintenance and running costs, possible state budget implications, temporary project-supported costs and sustainability considerations.
• • Consult relevant institutions and stakeholders to test the proposed options, confirm what is feasible in practice and collect technical input for the final model.
• • Prepare a document with technical options and a presentation package that can be used to guide discussions with MoIA, MoHSW and other relevant stakeholders.
• • Revise and finalize the model based on counterparts’ feedback, making sure the final product is practical, coherent and ready to be shared with MoIA.
• Key deliverables (indicative):
• No.Deliverable
• Estimated working days
• 1
• Inception note, methodology and workplan, including document list, stakeholder mapping and consultation approach.
• 5 working days
• 2
• Legal and institutional mapping notes identify the main legislative, administrative and procedural requirements for UASC Center operationalization.
• 8 working days
• 3
• Draft operational model covering UASC Center management options, staffing structure, professional profiles, service standards, case management, referral and coordination arrangements.
• 12 working days
• 4
• Guardianship options note, including analysis of professional guardianship, institutional responsibilities, legal representation, safeguards and links with child protection structures.
• 7 working days
• 5
• Financial model and sustainability note, including recurrent cost categories, staffing and service costs, operational costs and possible budgetary implications.
• 6 working days
• 6
• Final technical options paper and presentation package for discussion with MoIA.
• 7 working daysTotal
• 45 working days
• Payment of Instalment:
• 1. First instalment, upon delivery and IOM acceptance of deliverables 1 and 2 by email, indicatively by 20 November 2026
• 2. Second instalment, upon delivery and IOM acceptance of deliverable 3 by email, indicatively by 11 December 2026
• 3. Third and final instalment, upon delivery and IOM acceptance of deliverables 4, 5 and 6 by email, indicatively by 15 January 2027

Performance indicators for the evaluation of results

• Deliverables are completed within the agreed timeframe and meet the quality standards expected by IOM.
• The proposed model is practical, coherent and grounded in Albania’s legal, institutional, child protection, social care and migration/asylum governance context.
• Management, staffing, guardianship and financial options are clearly presented, feasible and supported by sound analysis.
• Consultations are conducted in a professional, inclusive and well-documented manner, and stakeholder input is accurately reflected.
• The final options paper provides a useful platform for discussion with MoIA and MoHSW and relevant stakeholders.
• Written outputs are analytical, concise, technically sound and suitable for institutional review.
• Confidentiality, child safeguarding and protection-sensitive standards are respected throughout the assignment.
• Team working ability, communication, timeliness, responsibility and initiative are demonstrated throughout the consultancy.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Advanced university degree from an accredited institution in law, economics, social policy, social work, public administration, child protection, human rights, migration/asylum studies, public finance, management or another relevant field.

Experience

• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in child protection, social care services, migration/asylum governance, public administration, institutional reform, service modelling, public finance or related areas.
• Experience in developing operational models, policy or legal analysis, institutional arrangements, costing or sustainability options for public or social services will be considered an advantage.
• Experience conducting consultations with government institutions, local authorities, civil society, service providers and international partners.
• Excellent analytical, drafting, facilitation, coordination and communication skills in Albanian and English.
• Previous experience working with UN agencies, international organizations, EU-funded projects or Albanian public institutions is an asset.
• Strong knowledge of Albania’s child protection and social care framework, including institutional mandates, service standards, case management, guardianship and municipal child protection responsibilities, as well as migration and asylum governance, UASC protection, referral pathways, reception arrangements and relevant international and EU standards, will be considered an advantage.
• Skills
• Ability to maintain accuracy, confidentiality and child safeguarding standards in performing responsibilities.
• Strong interpersonal and intercultural skills with attention to detail.

Languages

For this consultancy, • Fluency in Albanian and English is requested for this assignment.

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 five 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

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.

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, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, security clearances.

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 e-Recruitment system (for internal candidates link here). The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.

No late applications will be accepted. 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