Job Description

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.

Project Context and Scope

Legal Identity is relevant to a broad range of IOM programmatic areas and constitutes a cross-cutting theme integrated into IOM’s mandate and programmes.

Launched in 2021, COMPASS is a multi-year, multi-region programme that contributes to strengthened migration governance systems and multistakeholder cooperation. It also supports services that facilitate safe, orderly, and regular migration while protecting and upholding the rights of migrants. Over the course of three years (2021–2023), COMPASS Phase I has evolved into a comprehensive platform for cooperation at national, regional, and global levels to improve migration governance, protect migrants, and support sustainable solutions through capacity building, knowledge sharing, and multi-sectoral partnerships.

Building on this foundation, COMPASS Phase II (2024–2027) aims to support its partners in achieving their priority objectives in pursuing improved migration governance and in finding the most efective and sustainable ways of assisting migrants and promoting their rights, dignity, and well-being. IOM and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs have identified three priority areas for the programme: i) Specialized Protection; ii) Localization; and iii) Legal Identity.

Since the launch of the IOM’s Legal Identity Institutional Strategy in 2021, structured around four strategic pillars that define IOM’s Global Vision and its role within the UN Legal Identity Agenda Task Force group. To support the implementation of the strategy, The Legal Identity Unit (LIU) developed over ten specialized capacity-building tools, aimed at strengthening both internal and external capacities on legal identity programming.

To continue and strengthen this work, IOM will developed the IOM Legal Identity and Civil Registration Toolbox, a structured, five-step framework that guides governments and institutions across the full lifecycle of civil registration and legal identity management – from the registration of vital events to the establishment, issuance, authentication, and ongoing management of identity credentials and travel documents. It will integrate the use of digital and biometric technologies to strengthen civil registration systems and facilitate safe, dignified, and efficient mobility. In doing so, the toolbox will promote inclusion and access to services, while underpinning broader objectives related to identity and migration management, border governance, and sustainable development in alignment with global frameworks such as SDG 16.9 (providing legal identity for all) and GCM Objectives 4, 7, 11, and 14.

Each step will build upon the previous one, ensuring a coherent approach that addresses the entire identity lifecycle — from registration and verification to document issuance, authentication, and mobility enablement. The toolbox will provide practical guidance and standardized tools covering key components of the identity ecosystem, including:

Civil Registration and Identity Creation
Identity and travel documents issuance
Biometrics and digital identity credentials (linked to CRVS)
Identity and document authentication systems
Travel and mobility facilitation

The toolbox will offer detailed guidelines, methodologies, and training materials to assist Member States in improving or establishing comprehensive and inclusive legal identity systems at every stage – from assessment to implementation.

Under the direct supervision of the Project Officer (IBG), the Consultant will be responsible of the following:

Category B Consultants: Tangible and measurable outputs of the work assignment

The entire scope of the Consultancy Contract will be fulfilled in 3 deliverables:

Deliverable 1: Detailed workplan outlining the framework for the development of the “IOM Legal Identity and Civil Registration Toolbox: Five-Step Framework for Strengthening Identity and Mobility Systems”. It should include: Scope of work and objectives; Proposed structure and Methodology; Timelines and process organization. Deadline 5 April 2026. 15% of total payment.
Deliverable 2: Draft version of the Toolbox, including details on each of the Steps, Core Systems, Core Tools and Training Modules, as well as relevant references for each of the five steps. Deadline 15 June 2026. 35% of total payment.
Deliverable 3: Delivery of the final version of the Toolbox, including presentation deck on the Framework and facilitator’s guide. Deadline 15 August 2026. 50% of total payment.

Performance indicators for the evaluation of results

The performance of the consultant will be evaluated based on the following indicators:

Development of a detailed workplan and methodology.
Development of a Draft version of the Toolbox and go through feedback sessions with IOM.
Delivery of a comprehensive IOM Legal Identity and Civil Registration Toolbox: Five-Step Framework for Strengthening Identity and Mobility Systems.

Education

Master's degree in International Relations, Identity Management, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience.
University degree in the above fields with seven years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

Proven experience in developing training materials and toolkits for consular or migration-related services;
Familiarity with ICAO standards, civil registration, and identity management;
Previous work experience with international organizations is an advantage;
Familiarity with IOM’s Legal Identity Strategy and Activities is an advantage; and,
Experience in developing guides and manuals.

Skills

Strong knowledge of civil registration, nationality law, and identity management systems.
Understanding of protection-sensitive and rights-based approaches.
Excellent drafting and facilitation experience.

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 is required (oral and written).

Working knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and 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.

Travel required

Travel may be required.

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 three 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

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

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.
Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, verification of residency, visa, and authorizations by the concerned Government, where applicable.
IOM covers Consultants against occupational accidents and illnesses under the Compensation Plan (CP), free of charge, for the duration of the consultancy. IOM does not provide evacuation or medical insurance for reasons related to non-occupational accidents and illnesses. Consultants are responsible for their own medical insurance for non-occupational accident or illness and will be required to provide written proof of such coverage before commencing work.
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 online recruitment system. The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.

For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies

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