1. In the context of ongoing efforts to strengthen migration governance, border security, and legislation on foreigners, the Government is undertaking a comprehensive review of the Law on Foreigners and the Law on Work and Employment of Foreigners. The objective is to assess their coherence, implementation effectiveness, and alignment with the EU acquis

   The assignment will be carried out in close coordination with a National EU Labour Law Expert, ensuring consistency between security requirements and labour market objectives.

   Objectives of the Assignment

   The overall objective of the assignment is to provide an expert security assessment of the legal and institutional framework governing foreigners’ entry, stay, and employment, and to propose actionable recommendations for improvement.

   Specific objectives include:

   Assessing the coherence between the Law on Foreigners and the Law on Work and Employment of Foreigners from a security perspective.

   Identifying legal, procedural, and institutional gaps affecting risk management and compliance with the EU acquis.

   Evaluating the effectiveness of checks related to entry, residence, and work authorization.

   Providing concrete recommendations to strengthen security safeguards while facilitating lawful migration.

   Include a gender dimension to ensure opportunities to strengthen the laws to better reflect the risks and challenges faced by women. 

   The entire initiative will be structured to ensure the effort does not exceed 20 days of engagement. 

A structured Security Gap Analysis Report identifying: 

• Legal gaps and inconsistencies

• Implementation and operational gaps

• Risks affecting national security and EU compliance 

A set of actionable recommendations, categorised as:

• Short-term (procedural/operational)

• Medium-term (legal amendments)

• Long-term (institutional/systemic reforms)

All outputs should be evidence-based, clearly referenced, and suitable for use in legislative and policy reform processes.

Scope of Work

The expert shall undertake the following tasks: 

• Legal and policy analysis
• Assessment of implementation and risk management
• Institutional coordination
• Recommendations 

Deliverables & Timeline

Performance indicators for the evaluation of results

• Timely delivery of all outputs in accordance with the agreed timeline.

• Analytical quality and depth of the gap analysis.

• Practical relevance and feasibility of recommendations.

• Clarity, structure, and usability of reports for policymakers.

• Effective coordination with the National Labour Expert and relevant stakeholders.

• Advanced degree in law, security studies, international relations, criminology, public administration, or related field.

• Minimum 7-10 years of professional experience in national security, migration management, border security, or a related field.

• Proven experience in legal and policy analysis related to migration, foreigners, or security legislation. 

• Demonstrated experience working with the EU acquis, particularly in areas related to migration. 

• Experience working with public institutions and/or international organizations. 

• Strong analytical and report writing skills.

• Fluency in English and Macedonian.

Skills:

• Strong analytical and drafting skills.

• In-depth knowledge of national security risk management frameworks.

• Familiarity with inter-institutional coordination mechanisms.

• Ability to translate complex security issues into clear policy recommendations.

• Ability to work independently and meet tight deadlines.

Notes

1. Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.
2. The appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment and verification of residency.
3. This post is subject to local recruitment. Only those holding a valid residence or work permit for North Macedonia will be eligible for consideration.
4. 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 non-occupational accidents or illnesses. Consultants are responsible for their own medical insurance for non-occupational accidents or illness and will be required to provide written proof of such coverage before commencing work.
5. 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.
6. IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training, or other fees). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.
7. 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.

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