Експерт/ка з питань міграційного та імміграційного права

Location: Kyiv, Ukraine
Contract Type: Consultant
Duration: Until 31 December 2027
Language Requirements: Ukrainian and English (full working proficiency)
Supported by: Enabel – the Belgian agency for international cooperation

Background

Ukraine is undertaking a comprehensive reform of its migration governance system to address demographic decline, labour shortages, and the country’s long-term economic recovery. As part of its European integration agenda, Ukraine is working to align its migration legislation and administrative procedures with EU standards and international best practices.

To support this process, the Government of Ukraine, together with international partners, is establishing the Migration Policy Expert Group — a multidisciplinary team that will provide legal, policy, analytical, and operational expertise to strengthen migration governance and support the development of a modern, transparent, and efficient migration system.

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Legal Expert (Migration & Immigration Law) to provide high-level legal expertise on migration and immigration legislation, regulatory reform, and harmonisation with the EU acquis.

The Legal Expert will play a key role in drafting and reviewing legislation, supporting legal reforms, and ensuring that Ukraine’s migration framework is aligned with European standards while responding to the country’s labour market and economic development needs.

Working closely with government institutions, legal professionals, policy experts, and international partners, the successful candidate will contribute to shaping a modern legal framework for migration governance.

Key Responsibilities

Legislative Drafting & Legal Analysis

• Draft, review, and analyse migration-related legislation, regulatory acts, and administrative procedures.
• Prepare legal opinions and recommendations to ensure consistency with Ukraine’s legal framework and international obligations.
• Assess proposed legal acts and identify opportunities for legislative improvement and simplification.
• Support the preparation of legal documentation throughout the legislative drafting process.

EU Approximation & Regulatory Harmonisation

• Assess compliance of migration legislation with the EU acquis, Council of Europe standards, and relevant international legal instruments.
• Develop recommendations for harmonising Ukrainian legislation with European legal frameworks.
• Conduct comparative legal analysis of migration legislation and best practices from EU Member States and other relevant jurisdictions.

Migration Policy Support

• Provide legal expertise on visa regimes, residence permits, work permits, migration status determination, and administrative appeals.
• Support the development of legal mechanisms for managed labour migration, talent attraction, and migrant integration.
• Review strategic policy documents and provide legal input to ensure regulatory feasibility.

Institutional Coordination

• Participate in inter-institutional working groups and consultations.
• Collaborate closely with government institutions, legal experts, policy specialists, and international partners.
• Contribute legal expertise to multidisciplinary policy development initiatives.
• Support reforms aimed at simplifying and digitalising migration procedures and public services.

Profile and Qualifications

Education

• Master’s degree in Law.
• Specialisation in migration law, administrative law, constitutional law, European Union law, international law, or another relevant legal field is considered a strong advantage.

Professional Experience

• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in migration law, immigration law, administrative law, or related legal fields.
• Proven experience drafting and reviewing legislation, regulations, by-laws, and administrative procedures.
• Experience supporting legislative reform processes and providing legal advice to government institutions, international organisations, or donor-funded projects.
• Demonstrated experience in harmonising national legislation with EU legislation and international legal standards.
• Practical experience working on legal aspects of visa policies, residence permits, work permits, migration procedures, or related regulatory frameworks.
• Experience participating in legislative working groups and multi-stakeholder consultations.
• Previous involvement in public administration reform, digital transformation, or administrative simplification initiatives will be considered an advantage.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong knowledge of Ukrainian migration, immigration, administrative, and constitutional legislation.
• In-depth understanding of EU migration legislation, international migration governance, and Council of Europe standards.
• Excellent legal drafting, research, and analytical skills.
• Ability to assess legal risks and prepare practical, evidence-based recommendations.
• Experience conducting comparative legal analysis and identifying international best practices.
• Understanding of legal aspects of digitalisation, e-governance, and administrative service reform.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to explain complex legal issues to both legal and non-legal audiences.
• Excellent written and spoken Ukrainian, including legal drafting.
• Excellent written and spoken English (minimum C1 level).

We offer:

• Opportunity to contribute to a high-impact national reform.
• Collaboration with Ukrainian and international experts.
• Participation in EU-supported initiatives.
• International professional environment.
• Competitive consultant remuneration.
• Contract until 31 December 2027.

To apply for the role, please send your CV to the following email address: [email protected]