Project Context and Scope
Serbia is a signatory to key international agreements, including the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, as well as other human rights treaties. Domestically, the 2018 Law on Asylum and Temporary Protection and the Serbian Constitution provide a legal framework for the rights and protection of asylum-seekers and refugees. These are supported by broader legal structures, including the Law on Foreigners, the Law on Border Control, and the Law on Migration Management.
The project, “Strengthening Migration Governance and Asylum Systems in Serbia: Enhancing Policies, Protecting Rights”, funded under the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) of the Government of Switzerland, seeks to enhance the capacities of Serbian national and local authorities to manage migration effectively while safeguarding the rights of refugees, asylum seekers, and other vulnerable migrants, such as victims of trafficking and unaccompanied children. Guided by rights-based and route-based approaches, it aims to ensure protection and assistance for those most at risk and to promote safe, regular, and orderly migration pathways.
Project will target multiple levels of beneficiaries. On institutional level project includes stakeholders on both national and local level. At national level, the two main institutions in charge for migration management and asylum will benefit from the project activities: MoI (multiple departments) and SCRM. Additionally planned interinstitutional cooperation will include the judiciary, Center for Protection of Victims of Human Trafficking, and other institutions with relevant mandate considering it’s competences in relation to the planned project activities where needed.
At local level project will target local self-government and their competences regarding migration (obligation of establishments of local migration councils and local action plans). Besides state and local institutions, the project stakeholders include national and local NGOs.
The Serbian Commissariat for Refugees and Migration (SCRM) is the national authority responsible for the reception, integration, and coordination of activities related to migrants and asylum seekers in cooperation with other institutions and local authorities. SCRM’s mandate encompasses monitoring, reporting, and ensuring compliance with applicable international and EU standards in the management of migration and asylum-related activities.
In this context, Output 2.2 will focus on strengthening SCRM’s institutional capacities to fulfil commitments under the EU accession process. Planned activities include the preparation of an analysis of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum with recommendations for implementation in the Serbian context, organization of two national events within the European Migration Network (EMN), and support for SCRM participation in EMN events abroad.
The EMN focal point will play a key role in supporting SCRM’s participation in EMN activities, including the organization of national events and engagement in relevant international forums. Through this engagement, the focal point will directly contribute to Output 2.2 by facilitating SCRM’s implementation of recommendations from the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum and strengthening its institutional capacities under the EU accession process
Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing
“Strengthening Migration Governance and Asylum Systems in Serbia: Enhancing Policies, Protecting Rights”
Tasks to be performed under this contract:
Under the direct supervision of IOM Program Coordinator, National Protection Coordinator and overall supervision of the Chief of Mission, and in close coordination with the national EMN coordinator at the Commissariat for Refugees and Migration, the incumbent will be responsible for the following tasks:
- Maintain close collaboration and regular communication with members of the National Migration Network, including both core and extended members.
- Prepare contributions and supporting materials for the organization of National Migration Network meetings.
- Organization of National Migration Network meetings.
- Collaborate actively with EMN technical assistance teams.
- Monitoring EMN Serbia’s activities within the European Migration Network.
- Preparation of contributions for various EMN outputs (ad-hoc queries, information notes, and studies).
- Drafting comments on consolidated EMN outputs (ad-hoc queries, information notes, and studies) in which EMN Serbia participated.
- Preparation of contributions for the Annual Review on Asylum and Migration (AMO).
- Collection, dissemination, and analysis of statistical data for the preparation of the Statistical Annex for observer countries.
- Participation in the work of Working and Expert Groups within the European Migration Network.
- Engage in other relevant EMN Serbia activities within the European Migration Network.
- Prepare and submit work reports in line with assigned roles and responsibilities, ensuring timely information exchange.
- Participation in the preparation of tasks assigned by the coordinator.
Performance indicators for the evaluation of results
- Contributions prepared for various EMN outputs, including ad-hoc queries, information notes, and studies.
- Contributions prepared for the Annual Review on Asylum and Migration (AMO).
- Contributions prepared for the Statistical Annex for observer countries
Education
- University degree in social sciences, migration studies, international relations, law, public administration, statistics, or related fields, or at least 3 years of relevant professional experience in migration management
Experience
- Experience in research, policy analysis, or project implementation in the fields of migration, asylum, human rights, or protection
- Proven experience in drafting reports, policy briefs, or analytical papers
- Experience in organizing meetings, workshops, or stakeholder consultations
- Previous work with international organizations, government institutions, or academic/research bodies on migration-related issues is an asset
- Familiarity with European Union institutions, policies, and migration frameworks, particularly the European Migration Network (EMN), is desirable.
Languages
- Fluency in English and Serbian
IOM’s official languages are English, French and Spanish.
Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.
Travel required
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 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 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
- 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.
This position is no longer open.
