Malaysia became an IOM Observer State in 2018. In recent years, IOM activities in Malaysia have focused on resettlement and technical cooperation with partners to promote effective migration management and migration for development. 

Malaysia 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. Migrant workers primarily come from Indonesia, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, and smaller numbers from other Asian countries. The UN’s Sustainable Development (SDG) Agenda recognizes migration as an important driver for development. Migrants are integrated into the global economy, primarily in destination countries, in various sectors such as agriculture, construction, food processing, manufacturing, services and hospitality.

The successful candidate is expected to carry out the duties in accordance with the strictest ethical standards and with due respect for gender and socio-cultural sensitivities.

 1. Policy and Strategy Support

• Review and assess existing national counter-trafficking frameworks and policies.
• Provide recommendations for alignment with international standards (e.g., Palermo Protocol, ASEAN Convention).
• Support development of national action plans or strategic frameworks.

2. Capacity Building

• Design and deliver training modules for law enforcement, immigration, social workers, and NGOs on Victim identification, trauma informed care and referral mechanisms.
• Facilitate workshops on victim identification, trauma-informed care, and referral mechanisms.

3. Stakeholder Engagement

• Coordinate with government agencies, civil society, international organizations, and private sector actors on assistance to VoTs, including shelter management and national referral mechanism.
• Support multi-sectoral task forces or working groups on TIP.

4. Research and Analysis

• Conduct situational analysis and mapping of trafficking trends, routes, and vulnerabilities.
• Prepare evidence-based reports and policy briefs.

5. Monitoring and Evaluation

• Develop M&E tools to assess program effectiveness.

6. Provide recommendations for program improvement and sustainability

7. Expand the mission’s Counter trafficking portfolio on 

8. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

EDUCATION

• Master’s degree in political, Social Science or Business Administration, International Relations, Law, Labor relations, 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 project/programme management with UN agencies or non or governmental organizations in migration management focusing on rights-based border governance, Security Sector Reform and other related fields, with supervisory responsibilities and demonstrated achievements.

• Experience in conducting Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E), with understanding of M&E tools and approaches.

• Demonstrated experience of finance, procurement, and human resource management in the context of a project or a programme.

• Experience in designing, planning, organizing, and delivering trainings.

• Experience of project development, including the associated budgets.

• Experience in programme strategy development.

• Experience in writing Projects, Concept notes, training plans, statements of works, standard operating procedures, and detailed instructions.

• Experience providing support to national efforts in training/capacity building, law enforcement, operations, border security and/or management, security sector management and counter-trafficking is desired.

• Previous experience in strategic/ technical advisory and coordination is desired.

• A technical understanding of Border Management Information System

Previous experience in gender mainstreaming for IBG interventions.

SKILLS

• Sound knowledge and understanding of migration issues, including the importance of promoting social cohesion and migrant inclusion.

• Strong liaison and networking skills with government agencies, donor, and INGOs/NGOs;

• A high level of personal commitment, efficiency, flexibility, drive for results, respects for diversity, creative thinking.

• Ability to establish priorities and undertake assigned tasks with minimum supervision and maintain composure under pressure.

• Ability to manage workload within general schedule of work, instructions, and standard practices.

• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team environment.

• Ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.

• Ability to prepare and present clear and concise technical reports in English in timely manner; and

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools like (word-processing, spreadsheet, database, e-mail).

Languages

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

REQUIRED

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