CON 2026/37 - Local Consultant Technical Expert for UASC Center Operationalization
Organizational Context
IOM, a UN-related organization established in 1951, facilitates humane and orderly migration. In Albania, IOM and UNHCR implement the EU4Migration project, enhancing migration and asylum governance. This role supports improving reception and assistance for vulnerable migrants, specifically unaccompanied and separated children (UASC), by contributing to the operationalization of a dedicated UASC Center.
Job Purpose
This consultancy aims to develop a practical and comprehensive operational model for a new UASC Center in Albania, crucial for enhancing protection-sensitive reception and assistance for vulnerable migrants. The role involves defining legislative, financial, professional, and operational aspects necessary for the Center's effective functioning. It requires proposing realistic options for management, staffing, guardianship, service standards, and inter-institutional coordination. The developed model will be a key tool for discussions with national authorities, including the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MoHSW) and the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MoIA), to ensure the Center aligns with existing child protection, social care, migration, and asylum systems, promoting long-term sustainability and effective support for UASC.
Responsibilities
The consultant will develop a comprehensive operational model for the UASC Center, covering legislative, financial, professional, and operational dimensions. This includes preparing clear options for management, staffing, guardianship, and inter-institutional coordination. Key tasks involve reviewing relevant legal and policy documents, consulting with stakeholders such as MoIA, MoHSW, and child protection agencies, and mapping institutional roles. The consultant will identify necessary legal and administrative steps for operationalization, propose management models (state-led, delegated, mixed), and define the professional model including staffing, profiles, and service standards. Assessing guardianship options, developing a financial model with sustainability considerations, and preparing a final options paper and presentation for discussions with authorities are also core responsibilities. Deliverables include an inception note, mapping notes, draft operational model, guardianship options, financial model, and a final options paper.
Work Experience
A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience is required in child protection, social care, migration/asylum governance, public administration, or institutional reform. Experience in developing operational models, policy analysis, or financial modeling for social services is advantageous. Experience consulting with government institutions and international partners is also beneficial.
Skills
Analytical, drafting, facilitation, coordination, and communication skills. Ability to maintain accuracy, confidentiality, and child safeguarding standards. Strong interpersonal and intercultural skills with attention to detail. Fluency in Albanian and English.