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

Introduction

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations and the leading UN agency in the field of migration. Working closely with governmental, intergovernmental, and non-governmental partners, IOM promotes humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It saves lives and protects people on the move, drives solutions to displacement, and facilitates pathways for regular migration, while providing services and advice to governments and migrants. 

IOM is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive, and supportive workplace where all employees can thrive professionally and feel valued. By creating such an environment, IOM aims to better harness the full potential of migration and strengthen its support to people on the move.

IOM invites candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply and provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process when required. Learn 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 IOM Member States that are not represented among staff members in the Professional and higher categories: 

   Bahamas, Barbados, Comoros, Congo (the), Cook Islands, Dominica, Federated States of Micronesia, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Holy See, Iceland, Israel, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Namibia, Nauru, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Vanuatu
    

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

Organizational Context and Scope

The Regional Counter-Smuggling Programme (RCSP) is a three-year regional initiative led by IOM in partnership with the UK Home Office / Border Security Command, which aims to strengthen border management capacities at airports and enhance regional cooperation to tackle document fraud, migrant smuggling, and related Transnational Organised Crime (TOC) in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia. The programme addresses critical technical, operational, and institutional gaps at major international airports while promoting protection-sensitive approaches that safeguard migrant rights and dignity.

Under the overall supervision of the Deputy Regional Director for Operations and the direct supervision of the Senior Programme Manager (IBG), in close coordination with the Immigration and Border Governance (IBG) Regional Thematic Specialist  (RTS) at the Regional Office for EHSA in Nairobi, Kenya andrelevant Divisions/Units at Headquarters (HQ), the Programme Officer will support and coordinate the development, implementation of activities as described in the RCSP workplan, along with dedicated monitoring and reporting activities for RO EHSA. 

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Master’s degree in Law, International Relations, Political or Social Sciences, International Development,  or a related field from an accredited academic institution with two years of relevant professional experience; or,

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

Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.

Experience

• Experience in programme management, implementation, and reporting;

• Experience in the coordination of various activities under the programme to ensure maximum outputs;

• Experience in liaising with government authorities and other national/international institutions;

• Experience in programme delivery and in-depth knowledge of IOM/UN programme/project life cycles;

• Experience with UN and International Agencies, international or local NGOs preferred;

• Work experience in the Region is an advantage; and,

• Work experience in immigration and Border Governance (IBG) thematic areas is an advantage. 

Skills

• Knowledge of UN/IOM’s regulations, policies, and procedures;

• Knowledge of project budgeting and financial management;

• Knowledge and experience in working with WAVE and PRIMA is an advantage;

• Sound writing, communication, and negotiation skills; and, 

• Excellent organization skills, analytical, and creative thinking.

Languages

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written).

Working knowledge of another official UN languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish) is an advantage.

Proficiency in 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.

Notes

Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile. Please refer to this link for guidance on the IOM Job Category. 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.

Appointment will be subject to all clearances, including medical and security as well as accreditation, any residency or visa requirements. Vacancies close at 23:59 local time in 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, harassment, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and any forms of discrimination. IOM is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children.

IOM conducts reference checks and background verification, including through system-wide databases such as ClearCheck, to help ensure that candidates have no record of misconduct, including on sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse, or fraud. Candidates are expected to uphold these standards and principles at all times.

IOM does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process—whether for application, interview, processing, training, or otherwise—and does not request any information related to bank accounts.

IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM WAVE 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.