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

• Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this call for expression of interest is subject to funding confirmation.
• The appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for the appointment.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies

[1] Acquis is divided into 35 chapters; however, the Negotiation Framework for North Macedonia, Albania, Ukraine, and Moldova covers only 33 chapters, while chapters 34 (EU Institutions& language) and 35 (All other issues) will be dealt with separately

Engagement Modalities:

The nature of potential future assignments will be defined by a multilateral agreement among IOM, the host institution, and the expert and may include, but is not limited to, the following forms of engagement:

• Short-term expert visits to North Macedonia for the purpose of:
  • Delivering lectures, seminars, and thematic presentations on EU institutions to Macedonian institutions on EU accession-related policies and processes.
  • Participating in expert or study visits, including on-the-job training and mentoring of civil servants in relevant institutions.
• Advisory support, provided in person or online, aimed at transferring knowledge and guidance on EU integration processes, legislative alignment, and institutional reforms.
• Remote expert engagement, including online consultations, advisory sessions, and participation in working groups or expert panels.

Inclusion in the expert database does not guarantee engagement. Following the selection process, Macedonian institutions reserve the right to engage experts based on their needs, in line with institutional priorities and the specific requirements of the assignment.

Eligibility Criteria:

For the purpose of this call, a Diaspora member is a person of origin from North Macedonia who has temporary or permanent residence outside North Macedonia, regardless of citizenship status.

To be eligible, Diaspora applicants must meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Relevant professional experience: Experience gained in institutions, bodies, or agencies of the European Union; public administrations of EU Member States at national, regional, or local levels; academic institutions, universities, or research centers; think tanks and policy institutes; and/or civil society organizations with a proven focus on EU-related policies, governance, or public administration; and/or
• Academic background and qualifications: Relevant academic experience and professional qualifications aligned with the thematic areas and EU acquis chapters covered by this call; and/or
• EU accession-related experience: Practical experience in supporting EU accession processes, including but not limited to the preparation and drafting of analyses and policies; development of action plans, strategies, or reform roadmaps; and contributions to progress reports, assessments, screening activities, or alignment with the EU acquis.

Skills:

1. Core Technical & EU Accession Skills

• Strong knowledge of the EU acquis
  • One or more chapters (e.g., Rule of Law, Public Administration Reform, Environment, Justice & Home Affairs, Internal Market, Social Policy, etc.)
• Hands-on experience with EU institutions or EU Member State administrations
  • European Commission, EU agencies, ministries, regulatory bodies, or EU-funded programmes
• Understanding of the EU accession process
  • Screening, negotiations, benchmarks, action plans, progress reports
• Legislative alignment & policy transposition
  • Translating EU directives/regulations into national legislation
  • Gap analysis, compliance assessments, implementation monitoring
• Institutional reform experience
  • Strengthening administrative capacity, coordination mechanisms, and governance systems

2. Policy & Strategic Skills

• Policy analysis and drafting
  • Laws, by-laws, strategies, action plans, reform roadmaps
• Strategic planning
  • Medium- and long-term reform planning aligned with EU benchmarks
• Monitoring & evaluation
  • Indicators, progress tracking, reporting (including EU-style reporting)
• Public administration reform (PAR)
  • Civil service systems, accountability, efficiency, and digitalization

3. Cross-Cutting EU Values & Thematic Competencies

• Rule of law, fundamental rights & governance
• Human rights and gender equality
  • Gender mainstreaming, non-discrimination, inclusion
• Migration management & mobility
  • Labour mobility, return and reintegration, Diaspora engagement
• Digital transformation
  • E-government, digital public services, interoperability
• Institutional coordination
  • Inter-ministerial cooperation, stakeholder engagement

4. Knowledge Transfer & Capacity-Building Skills

• Ability to transfer knowledge, not just expertise
  • Explaining complex EU systems in practical, accessible ways
• Training & mentoring skills
  • Lectures, workshops, and on-the-job training for civil servants
• Advisory & coaching skills
  • Supporting institutions through reform processes
• Experience working in multicultural environments

5. Soft Skills

• Excellent communication skills
  • Clear, structured, audience-adapted
• Cultural sensitivity
  • Understanding both the EU institutional culture and local realities in North Macedonia
• Problem-solving and adaptability
• Professional integrity and independence
• Ability to work remotely if needed, and in short-term missions

They need to be technically strong EU professionals who understand the mechanics of accession, can translate EU rules into workable national reforms, and can mentor institutions in a practical, culturally aware way.