Expert in Immigration Law

Expert in Immigration Law

Location : Herent, Flemish Brabant

Contract : Freelance – 20% FTE

Start : ASAP!

Job Description

Are you a seasoned Immigration Law expert with a passion for supporting public sector organizations?

JPF Lawyers & Consultants is looking for an Expert in Immigration Law to provide temporary legal expertise and coaching to strengthen one of our government clients in their civil service delivery.

In this role, you will serve as a trusted legal advisor within the Civil Affairs department , acting as the go-to expert for all matters related to immigration legislation. Your core tasks will include :

Translating complex legal frameworks into clear, practical tools and internal procedures

Advising staff on complex immigration cases and ensuring legally sound decision-making

Coaching and guiding civil servants to apply the law in a consistent, transparent, and client-oriented way

Contributing to training materials and strengthening day-to-day legal operations through knowledge sharing and process improvement

We’re looking for someone with demonstrable experience in immigration law, combined with a track record in training, coaching, and project-based legal support.

Key Responsibilities & Deliverables

Serve as a subject-matter expert in immigration law within the Civil Affairs department, ensuring legal consistency across practices

Support and guide internal staff in the application of immigration legislation with both legal precision and a strong client-oriented approach

Provide coaching and on-the-job training , enhancing internal legal capacity and confidence in handling complex cases

Review existing processes and procedures , identifying risks and proposing targeted improvements to strengthen operational effectiveness

Act as a sounding board for complex files, legal questions, and nuanced interpretations of immigration legislation

Translate legal obligations into practical working tools , including step-by-step procedures, checklists, and user-friendly training materials

Why this assignment?

Make a real impact by helping a local government deliver legally sound and citizen-focused immigration services

Flexible freelance engagement with clearly defined goals, deliverables, and a limited but meaningful scope

A unique opportunity to share your legal expertise while contributing to the long-term development and self-reliance of internal teams

Are you the right fit?

We are seeking a seasoned legal expert who can operate independently, coach with confidence, and bring immediate value to our client’s Civil Affairs department. The ideal candidate meets the following requirements :

A Master’s degree in Law, Public Administration, or a related legal discipline

Minimum 10 years of relevant experience , including at least 5 years in immigration law within the Belgian legal and administrative framework

Demonstrated expertise in Belgian immigration legislation, naturalisation, residence procedures, and related administrative law

Experience acting as a legal reference point or subject-matter expert within public sector organisations, ideally at local government level

Proven ability to coach and upskill professionals , develop training materials, and lead knowledge sessions or legal briefings

Solid experience with legal project work , including process optimisation, stakeholder management, and results-driven delivery

Strong didactic, pedagogical, and communication skills , with the ability to explain complex legal concepts in plain language to various audiences

High level of professional autonomy , critical thinking, and sound legal judgment

Excellent proficiency in Dutch (CEFR level C2) , both written and spoken; working knowledge of French or English is a plus

A client-focused mindset with high standards of integrity, discretion, and accountability