Programme Manager - Countering People Smuggling

Job Description

Open to Internal and External Candidates

Position Title                       :   Programme Manager - Countering People Smuggling                                   

Duty Station                        :   Bangkok, Thailand

Classification                     :     Consultancy, Category A

Type of Appointment        :      Consultancy Contract (until 30 June 2026)

Desired Start Date             :     As soon as possible

Closing Date                       :    17 December 2025

Reference Code                 :    CFA17817/2025

Established in 1951, IOM is the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of migration and works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

ORGANISATIONAL CONTEXT AND SCOPE: 

The Bali Process on People Smuggling, Trafficking in Persons and Related Transnational Crime (Bali Process) is a non-binding and state-driven process involving 49 members (countries and international agencies), including the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC), as well as a number of observer countries and international agencies who participate in this voluntary forum. More information about the Bali Process can be found at www.baliprocess.net.

The RSO was established in 2012 to facilitate the operationalisation of the Regional Cooperation Framework (RCF) to reduce irregular migration in the Asia and Pacific region. The RSO aims to support and strengthen practical cooperation on refugee protection and international migration, including human trafficking and people smuggling, and other components of migration management in the region. The RSO is co-managed by the Australian and Indonesian Governments. More information can be found at www.rso.baliprocess.net.

Responsibilities

Reporting to RSO Co-Managers and RSO Programme Coordinators, the Consultant is expected to perform the following tasks during the period covered under this contract.

Strategic Direction and Oversight

• Provide oversight to the RSO’s work on Countering People Smuggling, including working with relevant Bali Process Working Groups to improve the capability of Bali Process members to understand and implement effective border and migration practices.
• Spearhead the conceptualisation, implementation, and reporting of projects and ensure that all assistance provided to Bali Process members is technically sound and appropriate for the needs being addressed.
• Keep abreast of border and migration management trends, challenges, and related policy developments in the Bali Process region, to ensure the work programme is responsive to the identified needs and priorities of Member States.
• Facilitate the creation of policy frameworks and operational guidelines that support effective and humane border and migration management practices.
• Coordinate joint initiatives and collaborative projects that address the smuggling of migrants.
• Periodically develop ‘Needs Assessments’ for identified Bali Process Member States (BPMS) to determine the assistance the RSO could provide to support efforts to prevent and counter people smuggling activities.

Programme and Project Management

• Manage assigned RSO projects and activities, ensuring sequencing and alignment with the RSO Strategic Plan 2024-2026 and Annual Work Plan.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for the RSO with respect to countering people smuggling and lead on day-to-day implementation, technical guidance, monitoring, and oversight.
• Oversee the development and implementation of comprehensive training and capacity-building initiatives (virtual, face-to-face, or hybrid) enhancing the skills and institutional capabilities of border and immigration officials across Member States.
• Participate in pre-training briefings, assist in the development of training modules, curriculum designs, and return-to-work programmes, and prepare post-activity reports.
• Participate in RSO project evaluation activities including pre- and post-training assessments and participant follow-up evaluations.
• Support contract management of delivery partners and contractors by organising regular meetings, reviewing deliverables for quality assurance, and coordinating administrative and payment processes in a timely manner.
• Provide regular activity and project status updates, including financial and narrative reporting.

Partnerships and Coordination

• Engage with partners, including international organisations, government agencies, and civil society, to foster collaboration and strengthen the regional response to migration challenges.
• Support the Disruption of Criminal Networks Working Group (DWG) and the Taskforce on Planning and Preparedness to implement action items in their Forward Work Plan and annual meetings.
• Support other Bali Process Working Groups and Member States on an as-needed basis.
• Establish and maintain robust partnerships with key regional players, including border management and liaison networks, law enforcement agencies, policy bodies, academia, and non-governmental organisations.
• Build and maintain working relationships with thematic experts, research institutes, think-tanks, and partner organisations and ensure regular engagement with relevant entities.
• Work with the Programme Coordinator to allocate work and tasks to staff and consultants, monitor progress, provide performance feedback, and offer leadership, guidance, and training as relevant.
• Support the maintenance and engagement of the RSO Alumni Network on operational issues related to human trafficking, people smuggling, and related transnational crimes.
• Identify and cultivate relationships with potential donors, Member States, and stakeholders to attract project or core funding for the RSO, including the preparation of funding proposals.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL)

• Monitor and evaluate the impact of RSO activities, ensuring alignment with the Bali Process’s strategic objectives.
• Contribute to learning and evidence-based programming by documenting lessons learned and best practices from project implementation.

Representation and Communication

• Represent the RSO in bilateral, regional, and intergovernmental meetings, including preparation and delivery of presentations, background materials, and reports.
• Represent the RSO and actively participate in forums such as roundtables, conferences, webinars, and capacity-building activities.
• Support RSO communications and outreach through the development of web articles, social media content, and proactive engagement with Bali Process Member States.
• Represent the RSO in regional and international forums, advocating for and promoting the adoption of best practices in border and migration management.
• Contribute to or lead in drafting RSO briefings, minutes, corporate documents, and other reports as required.

Other Responsibilities

• Perform any other tasks as assigned by the RSO Co-Managers and Programme Coordinators consistent with the overall objectives of the RSO.

Qualifications

Education:

• University degree in International Relations, Law, Political Science, Public Administration, or related fields, with at least five years of relevant professional experience in migration management, border security, or equivalent areas.
•  Advanced degrees (Master’s or above) in these fields may be considered an asset, reflecting the complex and strategic nature of the role.

Experience:

• Experience in the field of countering people smuggling/smuggling of migrants in any capacity.
• Experience in the field of protection and migration management, specifically related to assistance to vulnerable migrants and persons affected by displacement, and/or counter-trafficking, including project management.
• Experience working with or in Government or an International organization and/or with Bali Process Member States in the areas of people smuggling, trafficking in persons, protection of migrants and persons affected by crisis in a related field (desirable).
• Demonstrated expertise in project cycle management, including project development, management, monitoring, reporting, and evaluation.
• Experience in developing training curriculum and methodologies and delivering training to a wide range of stakeholders.
• Experience in drafting or leading group efforts to draft publications, such as handbooks, technical guidance, research reports, etc. is an asset.
• Demonstrated experienced in engaging appropriately with stakeholders across a range of fields (Government, IO, NGO, Private Sector), including with senior level stakeholders and establishing and nurturing professional relationships.
• Demonstrated experience in achieving outcomes in a cross-cultural environment.
• Experience developing, supervising and mentoring staff.

Skills:

• Ability to work collaboratively and build partnerships and networks.
• Ability to engage with, listen to and mobilize teams to successfully accommodate challenges and achieve beneficial outcomes.
• Ability to work under limited direction.
• Intellectual ability and personal resilience to positively challenge conventional ways of doing things. Has the judgment and integrity to engage constructively with risk.
• Ability to achieve RSO outcomes to a high degree. Ability to work to tight deadlines and ensure RSO outcomes are delivered to agreed requirements.
• Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds. Ability to lead, mentor and develop a team to deliver RSO outcomes.
• Strong ability to effectively communicate with influence in oral and written English

DESIRABLE COMPENTENCIES

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 

• 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 action and delegated work. 
• Communication: encourages and contributes to clear and open communication; explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way. 

Other

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation. 

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment and verification of residency, visa and authorizations by the concerned Government, where applicable. 

How to apply:

Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications via IOM e-Recruitment system within the above said deadline referring to this advertisement. Please attach the following documents in your application. 

• a curriculum vitae; 
• a duly completed IOM Personal History Form which can be downloaded from https://thailand.iom.int/sites/g/files/tmzbdl1371/files/Vacancies/Form/iom-personal-history-form-270122.xls.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. 

Salary and conditions information:

• The successful candidate will be engaged under an IOM contract working for the Regional Support Office and their conditions of service will be governed by their contract. The contract will include annual and sick leave only.  The successful candidate is responsible for determining their taxation liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. The successful candidate is responsible for determining their own pension fund arrangements. 
• The position duty station is Bangkok, Thailand. Relocation assistance and working visa assistance will be provided by the IOM for the successful candidate, if required. 
• The position requires a minimum 3 days per week office-based work *subject to change*. 
• The starting salary of USD $4,776 will be paid monthly. Salary increases occur in line with the ‘RSO Personnel – Classification and Salary’ Guidelines.

Required Skills

Job info