Programme Officer (Protection (PXD) and Immigration and Border Governance (IBG)) (P)

Job Description

Job Identification (Reference Number): 17810
Position Title: Programme Officer (Protection (PXD) and Immigration and Border Governance (IBG)) (P)
Duty Station City: Kuala Lumpur
Duty Station Country: Malaysia
Grade: P-3
Contract Type: Fixed-term (1 year with possibility of extension)
Recruiting Type: Professional
Vacancy Type: Vacancy Notice
Initial duration: 1 year with possibility of extension
Closing date: 22 December 2025

Introduction

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, 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.

IOM is committed to ensuring a workplace where all employees can thrive professionally, while working towards harnessing the full potential of migration. Read more about IOM's workplace culture at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration.

Applications are welcome from first- and second-tier candidates, particularly qualified female candidates as well as applications from the non-represented member countries of IOM. For all IOM vacancies, applications from qualified and eligible first-tier candidates are considered before those of qualified and eligible second-tier candidates in the selection process. For the purpose of this vacancy, the following are considered first-tier candidates:

1. Internal candidates
2. Candidates from the following non-represented member states: 
   Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Comoros, Congo (the), Cook Islands, Dominica, Federated States of Micronesia, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Holy See, Iceland, Israel, Kiribati, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Madagascar, Marshall Islands, Namibia, Nauru, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:
All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM.

Organizational Context and Scope

Malaysia became an IOM Observer State in 2018. The country has an extensive history of migration and remains the largest migrant-receiving country in Southeast Asia, hosting an estimated 2.4 million documented migrants as of 2024, with unofficial estimates suggesting an additional 1.7 to 4 million migrants with irregular status. IOM Malaysia works closely with the Government of Malaysia, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), community-based organizations (CBOs), academia and other actors to develop and implement migrant protection strategic, policies and guidance, while also working with border authorities with a view to strengthening their institutional capacity and enhancing the integrated border management approach in Malaysia through targeted capacity building initiatives. Relevant priority programming areas for the mission include, but not limited to, migrant protection, counter trafficking, assisted voluntary return and reintegration (AVRR), immigration detention and alternatives to detention, integrated border management, border management information systems, readmission cooperation, legal identity, and counter migrant smuggling.

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission (COM) and in close coordination with the PXD/IBG Regional Thematic Specialists (RTS), the Programme Officer (PXD/IBG) will be responsible for managing, coordinating and overseeing the activities of the relevant PXD/IBG Programme of IOM Malaysia.

Responsibilities

1. Coordinate and manage the overall implementation of the PXD/IBG portfolio in an integrated manner, to ensure their impact, effectiveness, coherence and integrity, and their timely completion, in line with IOM’s policies, practices and the donor’s contractual requirements.
2. Serve as the PXD/IBG technical resource for the mission, including through reviewing existing national counter human trafficking and migrant smuggling frameworks and policies from both protection and law enforcement perspectives, providing recommendations for alignment with international standards (e.g., Palermo Protocol, ASEAN Conventions), supporting development of national action plans and/or strategic frameworks, and overseeing AVRR related programming.
3. Provide technical inputs for the development of immigration facilitation policies and operational resources in line with ICAO standards and international good practices in the areas of visa and admission schemes, border control, and return.
4. Provide guidance and substantive support to the mission, in coordination with PXD/IBG RTS, on emerging national and regional trends, donor priorities and resource mobilization for the development and execution of PXD/IBG projects.
5. Provide operational guidance and technical supervision on PXD/IBG projects, including managing and providing technical support to relevant programme staff, and capacity development initiatives.
6. Coordinate and conduct capacity-development activities and workshops in coordination with technical experts on PXD/IBG thematic areas in the IOM Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (ROAP) as part of the programme implementation. 
7. Establish and maintain close and effective working relationships with government counterparts, civil society organizations, and private sector actors, to guide PXD/IBG project implementation and the resolution of implementation related challenges, including organizing periodical meetings with relevant stakeholders. 
8. Oversee the elaboration of public information and training materials related to the implementation of PXD/IBG projects for internal and external use, in coordination with the Programme Support Unit (PSU), PXD/IBG Regional Thematic Specialists and other relevant Divisions.
9. Pursue the establishment of partnerships with UN Agencies, humanitarian organizations, government, and community interlocutors, and with a broad range of stakeholders towards the successful implementation of PXD/IBG programmes.
10. Contribute to advance PXD/IBG thematic areas within the respective UN Network on Migration (UNNM) and other initiatives related to institutional efforts to implement the Global Compact for Migration (GCM) and strengthen migration governance.
11. Undertake travel duty as required to strengthen, coordinate and/or support programme implementation.
12. Perform any such duties as may be assigned. 

Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Master’s degree in International Relations, Political Science, Humanitarian Affairs, Economic Development, Business or Public Administration, International Studies or a related field from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience; or,

• University degree in the above fields with seven years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• Experience in both PXD and IBG programme development and management;
• Experience in counter trafficking and assisted voluntary return and reintegration (AVRR);
• Experience in providing support to national efforts in training/capacity building, law enforcement, border security and/or management, security sector management, protection and counter-trafficking is desired;
• Previous experience in strategic/technical advisory and coordination is desired;
• Experience in programme conceptualisation, development, monitoring, reporting and evaluation; 
• Experience in programme development and capacity-development activities;
• Experience in liaising with governmental and diplomatic authorities as well as with national and international institutions;
• Familiarity with financial and business administration;
• Sound and proven understanding of internal and international migration issues in the country and in the Region; 
• Experience in organizing consultations, workshops and seminars with high level stakeholders;
• In depth knowledge of the broad range of migration related subject areas dealt with by the Organization; and, 
• Knowledge of UN and bilateral donor programming.

Skills

• Proven ability to establish and maintain strong working relations with relevant Government counterparts, international organizations and private sector entities; 

• Excellent leadership, coordination, and information management skills;

• Detailed knowledge of the UN System, NGOs and other international organizations/institutions;

• Knowledge of migration data, labour migration patterns in the relevant region   and ability to negotiate with government authorities; 

• Good knowledge of human and financial resources management; 

• Strong conceptualization, analytical and writing skills; 

• Strong communication, organizational and interpersonal relationship skills; 

• Ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure with minimum supervision; and, 

• Ability to establish and maintain partnerships with development partners, government counterparts, UN agencies, local authorities and other relevant stakeholders.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish. 

For this position, fluency in English language is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Spanish and French) is an advantage.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Required Competencies

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.

Values - all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these five 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 – behavioural indicators Level 2

• 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 actions and delegated work.

• Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Managerial Competencies – behavioural indicators Level 2

• Leadership: Provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example and demonstrates the ability to carry out the Organization’s vision. Assists others to realize and develop their leadership and professional potential.

• Empowering others: Creates an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.

• Building Trust: Promotes shared values and creates an atmosphere of trust and honesty.

• Strategic thinking and vision: Works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.

• Humility: Leads with humility and shows openness to acknowledging own shortcomings. 

Notes

Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile.

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

This selection process may be used to staff similar positions in various duty stations. Recommended candidates will remain eligible to be appointed in a similar position for a period of 24 months.

The list of NMS countries above includes all IOM Member States which are non-represented in the Professional Category of staff members. For this staff category, candidates who are nationals of the duty station’s country cannot be considered eligible.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, security clearances.

Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.

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 a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.

IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment system (for internal candidates link here). The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. 

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

Required Skills

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