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

This Vacancy Notice is part of IOM’s competitive mobility exercise, open for applications from internal and internal-equivalent candidates only.

Organizational Context and Scope

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Regional Director (DRD) for Operations, the overall supervision of the Regional Director (RD), and the guidance of the Immigration and Border Governance Division (IBG) in the Department of Mobility Pathways and Inclusion (DMPI) in Headquarters (HQ), the Regional Thematic Specialist on Immigration and Border Governance (IBG RTS) provides advice and supports to the implementation of institutional policies from HQ in Country Offices (COs) across the Region. Specifically, Regional Thematic Specialist on Immigration and Border Governance provides oversight, quality control, and thematic support to promote consistent, cohesive, and quality evidence-based programming. As the lead of the IBG Regional Thematic Unit (IBG RTU) and together with other RTUs, the IBG RTS contributes to thought leadership on saving lives and protecting individuals on the move, driving solutions to displacement, and facilitating regular pathways for migration. The Unit, led by the IBG RTS, also identifies regional opportunities and risks, fosters knowledge sharing, encourages policy and research development, and supports cross-thematic collaboration internally. Externally, it offers advocacy, policy, and technical programme recommendations to regional entities, Member States, and relevant migration fora, spearheaded by IOM’s Regional Office (RO) and COs leadership. For both IOM teams and partners in the Region, the IBG RTS is the go-to source for immigration and border governance expertise and guidance.

Leadership, Advocacy, and Representation:

1. Strategic Direction: Lead and manage the IBG RTU in the delivery of regular thematic guidance and technical support to COs in the contextualization of the strategic plan.

2. Advocacy and Representation: Assist and provide substantive inputs to the DRD for Operations by articulating IOM's strategic plan to external stakeholders or in fora, discussions, and platforms, based on HQ and Global Offices' (GO) guidance.

Technical Support and Capacity Building:

3. Technical Assistance: Lead the IBG RTU‘s delivery of technical assistance on thematic and cross-cutting priorities based on identified or requested needs in collaboration with HQ functional homes and COs. Ensure synergies and coordination across regional units, relevant COs, and HQ for crisis responses, focusing on protection, life-saving actions, and recovery.

4. Training and Capacity Development: In coordination with HQ functional homes and Staff Development and Learning Unit, provide thematic training and capacity building to CO and RO staff as well as external partners as requested.

Partnerships and Resource Mobilization:

5. Strategic Partnerships: Develop and maintain partnerships with a diverse range of regional actors, including donors, regional political and economic bodies, UN, private sector, non-government institutions, academic institutions, community-based organizations, international financial institutions, international organizations, and Member States, to promote IOM’s Strategic Plan.

6. Resource Mobilization: In coordination with HQ, GOs, Country Offices for Partnership and Advocacy (COPAs), COs, and the Regional Project Development Officer (RPDO), advocate programmatic priorities with new and traditional donors, including the private sector.

Quality Control and Oversight:

7. Project Development and Reporting: In coordination with the RPDOs, facilitate the project development and reporting process through technical inputs, review, approval, and endorsement in line with IOM’s Project Handbook.

8. Monitoring and Evaluation: In coordination with the Regional Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation Officer (RPMEO), hold regular bilateral discussions with CO thematic focal points to assess challenges, opportunities, and trends. Flag issues and opportunities to senior regional and HQ staff, and guide CO adjustments. Actively support COs integrate audit, evaluation and donor feedback.

9. Risk Management: In coordination with the Risk and Compliance Officer, provide oversight and support to COs on the identification, management, and treatment of risks pertaining to IBG programming, in line with IOM's Risk Management Framework and Policy (IN/213 Rev.1).

Knowledge Management, Policy, and Research:

10. Knowledge Management and Innovation: In coordination with the RPDO, contribute to and facilitate the use of knowledge sharing platforms, and disseminate innovative and best practices related to IBG.

11. Policy: In coordination with the Regional Policy and Liaison Officer (RPLO), provide thematic support and recommendations on regional and country level policies and frameworks to COs, donors, and key partners.

12. Data, Research, and Foresight: In coordination with HQ, Global Data Institute (GDI), and the Regional Data Hub (RDH), analyse and disseminate thematic data to inform evidence-based strategic planning, resource mobilization, policymaking, and programming.

Communication and Coordination:

13. Thematic Community of Practice: Convene and maintain a community of practice in the region for thematic focal points in COs, with involvement of HQ functional homes as relevant, to promote sharing of new practices, innovative approaches, partnerships, training opportunities, and other areas of regional thematic interest.

14. Coordination: Lead engagement in inter-regional, continental, and multi-country initiatives, programmes, and strategies with corresponding RTS, Global Thematic Specialists (GTS), and COs focal points; where necessary, coordinate the involvement of HQ functional homes.

Cross Cutting Priorities:

15. Mainstreaming: In line with the IOM Strategic Plan and corresponding custodianship outlined in the Regional Office Terms of Reference, promote, integrate, and mainstream cross-cutting priorities in all areas of IBG’s work in the Region.

IBG Regional Thematic Unit Management:

16. Manage the IBG Regional Thematic Unit, including overseeing and managing the delivery of the Unit’s specific responsibilities in their entirety as outlined in the IBG RTU Terms of Reference.

17. Perform any other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Master’s degree in International Relations, Political Science, Social Science, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with at least seven years of relevant professional experience; or,
• University degree in the above fields with at least nine years of relevant professional experience.

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

Experience

• Demonstrated experience in immigration and border management and governance, and related areas relevant to project development and management, thematic capacity building, and liaison;
• Minimum five years' experience working in non-OECD countries managing immigration and border management projects;
• Experience in liaison, resource mobilization, and advocacy with governmental and diplomatic officials, national and international institutions and organizations, civil society, and private sector actors;
• Experience working in an international, inter-governmental, or non-governmental organization, United Nations, or government; and,
• Experience in the design and implementation of capacity building on immigration and border management.

Skills

• Ability to understand complex contexts and fast-changing migration and displacement dynamics and ability to frame them in their regional, global, and political contexts;
• Proven track record of successful engagement with donors, developing projects, and mobilizing resources for IOM priority areas;
• Demonstrated ability to effectively lead and manage a diverse teams of specialists;
• Strong analytical skills combined with the ability to effectively summarize, present, and communicate findings;
• Demonstrated knowledge and expertise of relevant international standards and classifications relevant to immigration and border management; and,
• Proven agent of change or willingness to foster a culture of learning and knowledge management.

Languages

All IOM staff members in all categories are required to be fluent in one of the IOM's official languages (English, French, Spanish). 

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

Working knowledge of Portuguese and/or Spanish 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 3

• 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 3

• 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. Please refer to this link for guidance on 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.

For this staff category, candidates who are nationals of the duty station’s country and who do not have prior experience outside the duty station’s country as staff member in the Professional category 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