International Consultant for conducting a review of existing national legislative and operational frameworks and approaches to responding to increased migration at borders and development of an internal regulatory document

In 2025, IOM Belarus in cooperation with the State Border Committee (SBC) of Belarus launched an international technical assistance project “Strengthening the Capacity of the State Border Committee of the Republic of Belarus in Response to Increased Migration at Borders” to improve border management in Belarus, protect migrants’ rights, and strengthen the country’s capacity and preparedness for a potential increase in cross-border migration in line with international standards and best practices.  This will enhance SBC’s capabilities and operational efficiency, contribute to a more efficient and humane border management system, to ultimately save migrant lives at borders, while mainstreaming human rights-based, gender-responsive and child-sensitive approaches, and advancing commitment to facilitate safe, orderly and regular migration along with predictable human mobility.
It is expected that under the project, an internal regulatory document (standard operating procedures/recommendations/algorithm of action)  to steer effective inter-agency cooperation in responding to increased migration at borders, including the effective referral of migrants, will be developed by an external expert and then disseminated among the respective stakeholders following the desk review of the existing national legislative frameworks and practices with best related international practices and mechanism taken into consideration. The development of the internal regulatory document will be also supported by a working-level Technical Task Force (TTF) consisting of relevant national stakeholders involved in responding to increased migration at borders, including, but not limited to representatives of SBC, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Emergencies, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finance, regional executive committees, IOM and civil society organizations. This Output will play a crucial role in promoting cross-agency cooperation and communication by facilitating a shared understanding, informed decision-making, collaboration, role clarification, trust-building, and capacity strengthening. These efforts are essential for ensuring a coordinated and effective response to the challenges posed by increased migration at borders, as well as facilitating an unimpeded identification and access to support services for migrants in vulnerable situations.       
Against this background, IOM is launching a competitive recruitment process to engage an external expert to implement the above-mentioned activity in the period from late October 2025 to February 2026. 
 

• In close cooperation with IOM and SBC, other stakeholders as relevant, to conduct a comprehensive desk review of existing national legislative and operational frameworks and approaches to responding to increased migration at borders. This will also include international best practices in cross-agency cooperation and referral mechanisms in the context of increased arrivals of migrants, while also considering the identified needs of the Technical Task Force (TTF).
• To actively cooperate with and take part in the TTF meetings in order to identify and analyze needs and gaps in existing legal frameworks and cooperation inter-agency mechanisms in the area of responding to increased migration at borders that will inform the scope of the desk review and the internal regulatory document (standard operating procedures/recommendations/algorithm of action). 
• To present the findings of the conducted desk review/stocktaking exercise to the Technical Task Force and gather inputs for an internal regulatory document, which could take the form of standard operating procedures, recommendations or an algorithm of action. 
• In close cooperation with IOM, SBC, and the Technical Task Force, to develop a context-specific internal regulatory document, which could take the form of standard operating procedures, recommendations or an algorithm of action, to steer inter-agency cooperation in responding to increased migration at borders, including the effective referral of migrants, following the desk review of the existing national legislative frameworks and practices with best international practices and mechanism to be taken into consideration. 
• Ensure that gender, age, and vulnerability considerations are mainstreamed in all stages of the review and document development, in line with human rights-based and protection-sensitive approaches.

  To present the draft internal regulatory document to IOM, SBC, and the Technical Task Force and based on the TTF discussions and feedback, to revise and finalize the internal regulatory document for validation by the TTF members, ensuring that it is accompanied by a concise executive summary outlining key procedures, referral pathways, and institutional responsibilities to facilitate its dissemination and practical use by operational staff. The internal regulatory document should include entry points and specific recommendations to enhance the cross-agency border governance efforts of Belarus in crisis-affected settings, any gaps and changes necessary, map out the role of relevant national and international stakeholders in responding to increased arrivals of migrants, and define inter-agency referral pathways for migrants from the border area to support services.

  It is expected that the external expert will ensure the delivery of the following key outputs in the period from late October 2025 to February 28, 2026:
  1)    A desk review of national legislative and operational frameworks available in Belarus related to increased migration at borders is conducted, in close cooperation with IOM, SBC, and relevant stakeholders. The desk review also integrates international best practices and reflects needs and gaps in existing Belarusian legal frameworks and cooperation inter-agency mechanisms in the area of responding to increased migration at borders identified by the Technical Task Force (TTF).
  2)    A context-specific internal regulatory document to steer inter-agency cooperation in responding to increased migration at borders (e.g., in the form of standard operating procedures, recommendations, or an algorithm of action) is developed in cooperation with IOM, SBC, and the TTF. The internal regulatory document includes: 
  relevant international practices and lessons learned;
  identified gaps and necessary changes in the national frameworks;
  roles of national and international stakeholders;
  defined inter-agency referral pathways for migrants from the border to support services;
  recommendations to enhance inter-agency coordination in response to increased migration at borders. 
  3)    The draft internal regulatory document to steer inter-agency cooperation in responding to increased migration at borders is presented to the TTF, finalized based on their feedback and validated. The internal regulatory document includes an executive summary outlining key procedures, referral pathways, and institutional responsibilities to support effective implementation by operational staff.
  
   

  Education

• Advanced university degree in social sciences (Migration, Law or another related subject) from an accredited educational institution;

  Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of work experience in the field of migration and border governance, including practical engagement with inter-agency coordination; 

Skills

Languages:

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

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