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

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 non-represented member states: 
   Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Comoros, Congo (the), Cook Islands, Dominica, Federated States of Micronesia, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Holy See, Iceland, Israel, Kiribati, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Madagascar, Marshall Islands, Namibia, Nauru, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu

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

Organizational Context and Scope

In December 2023 the Director General established the inter-departmental Regular Pathways Secretariat to assist with internal and external coordination on establishing, expanding, and enhancing regular pathways. This is rooted in the launch of the IOM Strategic Plan at the end of 2023 which has three Strategic Objectives: (1) Saving Lives and Protecting People on the Move; (2) Driving Solutions for Displacement; and (3) Facilitating Pathways for Regular Migration. 

In October 2025, the Pathways Secretariat evolved into a Regular Pathways Strategy and Operational Support Unit (RPSO), enhancing the focus on providing targeted operational support to priority regular pathways opportunities. The RPSO supports liaison and accelerates action on regular pathways across the Organization, ensuring Whole of Organization approaches and coherence, leveraging expertise across thematic areas and geographies, and builds on existing IOM structures to support the RPSO’s consolidated workplan. The RPSO is based in Headquarters and has a network of Regional Coordination Officers to support IOM’s Regional and Country Offices and provides overall institutional coherence on regular pathways. The RPSO is under the overall direction of the Director of the Department for Mobility Pathways and Inclusion and works in close cooperation with the Special Envoy on Regular Pathways.  

​Under direct supervision of the Deputy Regional Director for Operations at the Regional Office and with a secondary reporting line to the RPSO Coordinator in HQ, the Regional Coordination Officer (Regular Pathways Strategy and Operational Support) will work closely with Regional Thematic Specialists (RTS), the Regional Project Development Officer (RPDO), Regional Policy and Liaison Officer (RPLO) and the Special Envoy for Regular Pathways to support priority regular pathways initiatives.

1. Provide technical and operational support for the effective development and implementation of the activities and initiatives of the Regular Pathways Strategy and Operational Support Unit (hereafter “RPSO”) at the regional level.
2. Work closely with the RPSO Coordinator, the Regular Pathways Special Envoy and cross-thematically with RTSs, RPDOs, and RPLOs to establish, maintain and further expand whole of IOM approaches to regular pathways programming across thematic areas and regions.
3. Build strong relationships across the relevant Country Offices under the purview of the Regional Office and with external stakeholders, including international organizations, civil society, government and private sector in achieving the activities of the RPSO.
4. Engage in project development, resource mobilization, and partnership building to advance priority regular pathways initiatives.
5. Provide timely policy advice and guidance, based on data and research and a sound understanding of the drivers of human mobility within the regional context, to support informed decision making.
6. Provide oversight, content, report writing, meeting summaries (NFFs) and briefings for the RPSO for different audiences and contexts around regular pathways, including the tracking of action points from meetings.
7. Support knowledge management by identifying and sharing best practices on regular pathways from the Region and provide updates on relevant developments, program updates, and achievements on regular pathways across the Region to the Coordinator, Directors, and Special Envoy, and other relevant stakeholders as required.
8. Serve as a Focal Point and provide oversight, guidance and support for the implementation and reporting of regional projects and initiatives focused on regular pathways. Additionally, provide direct support for activities to be carried out at the RO Panama level in support activities initiated by the Regular Pathways Special Envoy and their team based in Washington D.C. (USA).
9. Coordinate with the Regional Media and Communications Division and other relevant units engaged in external communication and advocacy to oversee the production of relevant visibility/communications materials tailored to the regional context.
10. Develop and manage the regional planning for the RPSO inclusive of upcoming high-level events and action plans to ensure delivery of requirements and meeting commitments and deadlines.
11. Spearhead and/or participate in relevant thematic and policy related dialogues across the Region with a focus on Regular Pathways to enhance IOM’s contribution to shaping thematic and policy discussions.
12. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Master’s degree in Social Science, International Relations, Regional Studies 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 with developing and implementing regular pathways;
• Experience working with governments and inter-governmental mechanisms/regional authorities;
• Experience in coordination and liaising internally and externally to promote an institutional priority; and,
• Experience in report writing.

Skills

• Demonstrated proficiency with coordination and report writing;
• Sound knowledge of program implementation and familiarity with IOM’s regular pathways initiatives;
• Superior analytical and interpersonal communication skills; and,
• Excellent computer skills and proficiency in spreadsheet and database applications.

Languages

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

For this position, fluency in English and Spanish is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, and Russian) 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 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.

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 endorsed by the Appointments and Postings Board will remain eligible to be appointed in a similar position for a period of 24 months.

The list of NMS countries above includes all IOM Member States which are non-represented in the Professional Category of staff members. 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