Diaspora Fellowships

Context

North Macedonia’s aspiration to join the European Union is a defining national priority, rooted in a decades-long commitment to political, economic, and institutional reform. The journey began in earnest with the signing of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) in 2001, and the formal application for EU membership in 2004. The country was granted candidate status in 2005. The First (Political) Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) in July 2022 formally launched accession negotiations, marking the beginning of the screening process, a rigorous, technical assessment of North Macedonia’s alignment with the EU Acquis. This process, completed by the end of 2023, evaluated the country’s legislative and administrative capacity across three areas (Functioning of Democratic Institutions, Economic Criteria, Reforms of Public Administration) and all 33 (35[1]) chapters of the Acquis, organized into six thematic clusters under the Enhanced Enlargement Methodology (2020). 

The human and social capital of the Diaspora is a critical resource to leverage in meeting the challenges that lie ahead. Members of the Diaspora are often highly educated and skilled individuals who show interest in engaging in expertise transfer and development initiatives to support their country of origin. Highly skilled Diaspora members with experience with EU institutions, rules, and laws can significantly accelerate North Macedonia's accession to the EU. Highly skilled Diaspora professionals hold key positions in European countries that have been supporting North Macedonia's accession to the EU, but greater mapping and documentation of this engagement and contribution, along with the design of gender-sensitive bilateral and institutional linkages, are needed to leverage this experience for the country's benefit. 

Through the project Leveraging the Potential of Diaspora to Advance EU Accession and Labour Mobility in the Western Balkans (2025–2027), IOM supports selected partners from the Western Balkans, including North Macedonia, in contributing to the creation of conditions that enable Diaspora members to strengthen the capacities of institutions on the path to EU accession. The initiative leverages Diaspora engagement to support progress toward EU accession by facilitating the transfer of knowledge and good institutional practices between the Western Balkans, including North Macedonia, while simultaneously strengthening institutional capacities and implementing Diaspora-based expert assistance programmes related to EU accession. In parallel, it advances skills development and mobility pathways by mobilizing the Diaspora to provide expertise and knowledge exchange, and by fostering cooperation between institutions and Diaspora actors to promote sustainable development and labour mobility.

In the context of North Macedonia’s EU accession process, the institutions can benefit from the involvement and contributions of interested Diaspora members willing to share knowledge, skills, and experience gained through direct or indirect work related to EU institutions, agencies, or governmental and non-governmental sectors of EU Member States connected to the broader EU context and policies. The objective is to utilize Diaspora expertise to support institutional reforms relevant to EU integration, legislative alignment, and capacity development in line with the EU acquis, while fostering the long-term strengthening of institutions in North Macedonia.

The call aims to systematically map available expertise within the Diaspora that has experience in adapting, implementing, and monitoring the adoption of relevant EU acquis across a wide range of sectors, including government, non-governmental organizations/civil society organizations, academia, think tanks, and business entities. In addition, experts of Macedonian origin from countries currently undergoing accession processes, as well as those with experience from countries that have recently joined the EU, are invited to share EU-related experiences within the context of screening and negotiation processes.

In line with identified institutional needs within the EU accession framework, Diaspora experts are expected to possess technical expertise related to one or more chapters of the EU acquis and related thematic areas. In addition, experts may transfer knowledge in other competencies relevant to EU accession, including strategic and policy planning, functioning of EU institutions and accession negotiations, legislative alignment, human rights and gender equality, migration management and Diaspora engagement, digitalization of public administration, as well as institutional coordination and capacity development.

Notes

1. Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this call for expression of interest is subject to funding confirmation.
2. The appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for the appointment.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. IOM does not charge any fees at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training, or otherwise). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.
6. 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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