Job Description

"This vacancy is only open to Internal & Separated Staff"

Job Identification (Reference Number): EXPEDITED VN-US10-2026-024
Position Title: National Associate Movement Operations Officer (Field Support, Airport)
Duty Station City: Newark, New Jersey.
Duty Station Country: United States of America 
Grade & Salary: NO-A, Step 1 (USD 8,292.00 Monthly)
Contract Type: One Year Fixed Term
Vacancy Type: Vacancy Notice 
Initial duration: 12 Months 

The National Associate Movement Operations Officer (Field Support, Airport) oversees and coordinates IOM Port of Entry operations at assigned U.S. international airport(s), ensuring the safe, timely, and dignified reception, transit, and onward movement of refugees and migrants under USRAP. The role supervises field support staff, manages day-to-day airport assistance activities, and serves as the primary liaison with IOM Washington DC Operations, airport authorities, government counterparts, and service providers. The incumbent ensures compliance with IOM policies, SOPs, protection standards, and data integrity requirements while maintaining operational readiness, quality assurance, and staff accountability.

The United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) operates world-wide with a target of providing resettlement opportunities to tens of thousands of refugees each year. IOM’s multi-disciplinary staff members provide a range of assistance and support to the USRAP including, but not limited to, case processing, migration health assessments, cultural orientation training, organized transportation, and administration of a travel loan and collections program. The Department of Mobility Pathways and Inclusion, specifically the Resettlement and Movement Management Division (RMM), has the organizational responsibility to provide direction, oversight, and guidance to IOM’s global support to USRAP.

Under USRAP, the Ports of Entry (POEs) provide critical support and assistance for refugee resettlement to the United States. As part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between IOM and the US State Department Bureau for Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM), IOM manages POEs at seven international airports in the United States. POEs meet and assist refugees and migrants upon their arrival to the United States, accompanying them through immigration and customs procedures and ensuring they are connected by air and ground transportation to their final destination for handover to assured resettlement agency.

Under the general supervision of the ​Senior Operations Officer, Washington DC​, the direct supervision of ​the National Operations Coordinator (US Ports of Entry​), the ​National Associate Operations Officer​ ​CITY​, is responsible for the following duties and responsibilities.  

Responsibilities

1. Oversee the staff members who are undertaking field support activities primarily at the assigned airport(s).  Support staff development processes such as hiring, providing training, assigning duties and giving feedback to staff members on their performance on a regular basis to ensure high quality work and the accurate completion of activities. As needed, monitor the work schedule, validate hours and process relevant financial paperwork in coordination with the IOM finance department.

2. Oversee the efficient and effective management of airport assistance for arriving and departing individuals, including in relation to documentation, luggage, escorts and special services. Ensure staff deliver the highest quality assistance, interact appropriately with airport and government officials and handle urgent issues as they occur.  

3. Serve as the primary focal point with IOM Washington DC Operations regarding escorts, flight anomalies, statistics and strategic planning for the assigned airport(s). Provide assistance as needed to IOM Washington DC Operations and the IOM Washington DC Medical Department regarding escort bookings, flights and medical cases needing immediately assistance upon arrival; inform IOM Washington DC Operations of information received through counterparts affecting beneficiary arrivals, including program updates, new procedures and contact details of relevant airport and POE contacts; ensure the POE provides after-hours assistance to IOM Washington DC Operations, the DC Medical Department and partner resettlement agencies; and ensure all re-booking and ground transportation information is sent to DC Operations in a timely manner.

4. Manage assets and inventories, process financial paperwork, supervise quality control of vendors, and manage the transit center vehicles and related schedules, staff and paperwork, if relevant.  

5. Ensure interpretation services are coordinated for individuals at the airport(s), consolidation points and third-party facilities or during transport by air, ground or water, handling financial paperwork related to interpretation services as needed. 

6. Supervise the coordination of transportation from consolidation points, and third-party facilities,  ensuring service providers meet IOM standards.

7. Monitor short- and long-term arrival schedules to ensure adequate staffing and resources are available to provide arrival, overnight and transit assistance at the POE. In this capacity, hire, train, evaluate and schedule staff according to projected arrivals, maintain work schedules, leave requests and time sheets of staff and submit attendance records and payroll hours to the relevant team in the Resource Management Unit by the established due dates, and ensure staff members have the operational capacity to work effectively, including the requisite language capacity, security and medical clearances and background checks. 

8. Supervise the handling of at-risk and sensitive cases in accordance with IOM’s policies, procedure and guidance in the Movement Management Manual (MMM), including assistance for unaccompanied refugee minors. Ensure IOM is adequately training relevant personnel on working with at-risk and sensitive cases and is mainstreaming prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA) through the awareness and training sessions for staff and service-providers.

9. Supervise quality assurance procedures, ensuring checks are being regularly undertaken by staff members and incident reports are being submitted to and responded to in an efficient manner. Prepare statistics and report regularly to the supervisor on relevant activities. Work to streamline how reports are prepared and presented in order to improve quality of work and ensure data on all procedures is compiled, summarized and presented in a timely manner.

10. Ensure POE-relevant data are managed through the relevant proprietary tools and systems, ensuring  the Senior Movement Operations Associate are overseeing regular quality assurance checks to ensure POE-related data is in line with SOPs. Report any anomalies or issues with POE-relevant data to the National Operations Coordinator and IOM Washington DC Resources Management Unit.

11.  Participate in meetings and conferences and ensure lines of communication are maintained by the Senior Operations Associate with the local POE federal authorities and partners to promote a positive working relationship.

12. Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of applicable SOPs, related systems and databases, and IOM Standards of Conduct. Maintain and ensure the confidentiality and integrity of all relevant information in line with SOPs, Standards of Conduct and relevant data protection rules. Alert management of any non-compliance to SOPs or codes of conduct by staff members or partners.

13. Undertake duty travel as needed to participate in POE-related meetings or training sessions. 

14. Uphold RMM Protection Mainstreaming Minimum Standards while carrying out all duties and responsibilities and demonstrate the ability to remain professional, impartial and unbiased during all interactions with migrants and colleagues per the IOM Standards of Conduct and instruction on the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA). Alert the supervisor or management of any non-compliance to SOPs, RMM Protection Mainstreaming Minimum Standards or IOM Standards of Conduct by IOM personnel or partners.

15. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

*NOTE: This position entails physical duties including standing, walking, bending, lifting, pushing, and pulling. Candidates must possess the physical capability to fulfil these tasks effectively and safely. The ability to meet these requirements is essential for successful performance in this role.

Qualifications

EDUCATION

• Master’s degree in Social Science, International Relations, Regional Studies or a related field from an accredited academic institution; or

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

EXPERIENCE

• Prior IOM Movement Operations, airport, transportation-related and/or management experience.
• Work experience in programs including movement operations component, particularly in resettlement programs.
• Experience with supervising multiple teams.
• Demonstrated proficiency in IOM proprietary tools and systems.
• Demonstrated knowledge with handling sensitive information and personal data.
• Experience with handling the issues in other countries in the region.
• Experience with handling complex cases and workflow.
• Experience with filling management level roles. 
• Knowledge of IOM's Movement Operations program implementation and administrative, financial and business rules and practices. 
• Familiarity with IOM policies, USRAP guidelines, and POE SOPs are strong advantage. 

SKILLS

• Self-motivated, objective-driven, and able to use own initiative and work under pressure with minimum supervision.

• Collaboration and problem-solving skills. 

• High emotional intelligence to address issues professionally and impartially.

• Computer/software literate with good knowledge in Microsoft Office.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

• Attention to detail and ability to organize.

Languages 

For all applicants, fluency in English is required (oral and written).

Competencies[1]

The incumbent is expected to demonstrate the following values and competencies:

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

1. Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.
2. 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.
3. National Professional Officers should be nationals of the country of their employment. NPOs perform work at the professional level and the same standards of recruitment qualifications and performance, required for International Professional staff.
4. Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, verification of residency, visa, and authorizations by the concerned Government, where applicable.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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

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