Border Enforcement Expert (home-based)

Job Description

The Syrian Arab Republic is addressing evolving border management requirements within a complex operational and humanitarian environment, particularly at land borders and other key points of entry. In a number of locations, diverse cross-border movements, including mixed migration flows and increased mobility shaped by regional dynamics, underscore the need for clear and consistent procedures, stronger coordination, and enhanced operational capacities to ensure safe, orderly, and effective border operations.

In this context, targeted capacity development for border officers, together with technical support at ports of entry, is essential to strengthen coordination and overall operational performance. This includes reinforcing structured information exchange, improving internal communication, and establishing practical cooperation arrangements, supported where relevant by effective command-and-control systems.

These efforts also contribute to more efficient service delivery by streamlining processes, reducing bottlenecks, and improving readiness to manage fluctuating passenger and cargo volumes in line with internationally recognized standards. 

Capacity building in key areas, including strengthened screening and referral practices supported by interview techniques and body language analysis, will enable Syrian border authorities to enhance risk identification and operational response while strengthening their ability to address transnational organized crime. In addition, it will promote consistency in day-to-day operations through reinforced Standard Operating Procedures at Border Crossing Points, improved practical skills for inspections of cars, cargo, and trucks, and more systematic cross-border cooperation where appropriate.

Against this background, and to support the planning and implementation of IOM Syria’s border management portfolio, IOM seeks to engage a consultancy to design and deliver ten (10) border management training sessions and, where relevant, Training-of-Trainers elements.

The training package will aim to enhance officers’ knowledge and capacities and strengthen their understanding of internationally recognized standards and border management strategies to effectively operate at land border crossing points and other ports of entry. 

The curriculum will be delivered as an integrated sequence and will cover Integrated Border Management, command-and-control systems, countering transnational organized crime, interview techniques and body language, border inspections (cars, cargo, trucks), cross-border cooperation, and Standard Operating Procedures at Border Crossing Points.

Responsibilities

• Conduct the following ten (10) border management trainings according to internationally recognized best practices:

  • Integrated Border Management, and Command-and-Control Systems training (3 days) (2)

    • Cross border cooperation training (5 days) (2)

    • Interview techniques and body language training (4 days) (2)

    • Border inspection techniques training (vehicles, cargo) (4 days) (2)

    • Countering Transnational Organized Crime (3 days) (2

Deliverables: A total of ten (10) deliverables. Each training session will constitute one deliverable and will be supported by two preparatory working days to finalize materials and plan the implementation.

1. First Deliverable: Integrated Border Management training – Two (2)

   1. Integrated Border Management, and Command-and-Control Systems training

   2. Working days: Five (5)

   3. The instalment will be payable upon completion of the training. 

1. Second deliverable: Cross border cooperation training – Two (2)

   1. Cross-Border Cooperation training

   2. Working days: Seven (7) 

   3. The instalment will be payable upon completion of the training.

2. Third deliverable: Interview techniques and body language training – Two (2)

   1. Interview techniques and body language training

   2. Working days: Six (6)

   3. The instalment will be payable upon completion of the training.

1. Fourth deliverable: Border inspection techniques training (vehicles, cargo) – Two (2)

   1. Border inspection techniques training

   2. Working days: Six (6) 

   3. The instalment will be payable upon completion of the training.

2. Fifth deliverable: Countering Transnational Organized Crime – Two (2)

   1. Countering transnational organized crime training

   2. Working days: Five (5) 

Each deliverable will be evaluated by the Immigration and Border Governance Program Manager who will approve and endorse the submitted reports.

IOM Syria reserves the right to award all or part of the consultancy, depending on the qualifications and competencies of the proposed consultants and trainers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree/Master’s degree in international relations, social studies or in a relevant field to the terms of reference. 

• Demonstrated experience in planning and infrastructure development in cross-border trade.

• Demonstrated experience in conducting and/or developing training for security and border authorities.

• Demonstrated experience of working in the region.

• Minimum of 14 years of experience in border management.

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in law enforcement in the context of border management and operations

• Demonstrated experience in working with authorities involved in border management is desirable.

• Demonstrated understanding of the MENA region, including the Syrian context, with proven knowledge of law enforcement operational practices and relevant best practices drawn from comparable settings.

• Proven analytical, interpersonal, and organizational skills.

• Working experience on border management, both thematic and operational, is an asset.

• Prior work experience with an international organization and/or providing technical assistance to national authorities is an asset.

Required Skills

Job info