National/International Legal Consultant - MIDAS Legal Assessment
Organizational Context
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is a UN agency dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration. In Lesotho, IOM supports the government in modernizing border and migration management systems through the deployment of the Migration Information and Data Analysis System (MIDAS). This project aims to strengthen border governance, enhance national security, and improve migration data analysis for evidence-based decision-making.
Job Purpose
This consultancy involves conducting a comprehensive legal assessment of Lesotho's legislative, regulatory, policy, and institutional framework governing border and migration management. The role is crucial for ensuring the lawful deployment and operation of the MIDAS system, which collects, processes, and shares traveller and biometric data. The assessment will evaluate compliance with national laws, including the Data Protection Act, as well as international human rights and data protection standards. The objective is to identify legal, regulatory, and institutional gaps and provide practical recommendations and a roadmap for strengthening the framework, ensuring effective data governance and sustainable system implementation.
Responsibilities
The consultant will conduct a detailed review of Lesotho's legal and regulatory framework related to border management, migration, data protection, and privacy. This includes assessing the adequacy of existing laws for collecting, processing, storing, sharing, and protecting border management data, particularly within the MIDAS system. The role involves stakeholder consultations with relevant government and non-governmental entities to map mandates, identify practices, and assess coordination mechanisms. Furthermore, the consultant will analyze institutional arrangements, data governance, and information-sharing protocols, paying close attention to interoperability and cross-border data exchange. Finally, the consultant will develop recommendations and an action plan to address identified gaps and strengthen the overall legal and institutional framework for border management data governance.
Work Experience
A minimum of 7 years of professional experience in legal and regulatory analysis is required. Experience conducting legal assessments for government institutions, knowledge of migration governance and border management, and expertise in data protection, privacy, or ICT regulation are essential. Experience with international organizations is also required. Experience in the Southern Africa or SADC region is highly desirable.
Skills
Strong legal drafting, analytical ability, policy analysis expertise, research skills, knowledge of data protection principles, and familiarity with migration governance frameworks.