Programme Officer (Durable Solutions) (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, Cabo Verde, 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 International Organization for Migration (IOM) is the UN Migration Agency. With 175 member states, it is committed to the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits migrants and society. Established in 1951 and now active in over 400 field locations worldwide, IOM works with partners, governments, and civil society to: 1. Assist in meeting the operational challenges of migration and human mobility; 2. Advance understanding of migration issues; 3. Encourage social and economic development through migration; and 4. Uphold the human dignity and well-being of migrants and mobile populations.  

Burundi continues to experience complex displacement dynamics driven by returns of refugees, internal displacement, climate-related shocks, land pressures, and limited absorption capacity at community level. In this context, IOM supports government-led and community-based efforts to advance durable solutions for returnees, internally displaced persons, and host communities, with a strong focus on social cohesion, access to basic services, livelihoods, and local governance. IOM’s Durable Solutions portfolio in Burundi contributes to the humanitarian–development–peace nexus by strengthening local systems, supporting communal planning processes, and promoting inclusive recovery in displacement-affected areas.

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission (CoM) Burundi and direct supervision of the Programme Coordinator, and in close coordination with the Regional Thematic Specialist  (RTS) at the Regional Office (RO) for East, Horn and Southern Africa in Nairobi and relevant Divisions/Departments/Units at Headquarters (HQ), the Programme Officer (Durable Solutions) will support and coordinate the development,  implementation, monitoring and reporting activities of the Durable Solutions Programme in the Burundi Country Office (CO).

In this role, the Programme Officer (Durable Solutions) will provide technical leadership and operational oversight for the implementation of Durable Solutions activities, ensuring strategic coherence across livelihoods, social cohesion and community engagement components. The Programme Officer (Durable Solutions) will lead day-to-day programme coordination, guide and supervise programme and field-based teams, and support operational planning, quality assurance and risk management. The Programme Officer (Durable Solutions) will play a key role in steering engagement with government counterparts, implementing partners and community stakeholders, contributing to the adoption of inclusive, evidence-based and government-led approaches to durable solutions, while ensuring timely delivery of results in compliance with IOM standards and donor requirements.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Master’s degree in Law, International Relations, Political or Social Sciences, International Development, International Relations, 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 project development in the area of reintegration, durable solutions, livelihoods and/or cash-based interventions; 
• Proven experience in durable solutions and reintegration programming, including area‑based approaches, HDPN frameworks, and solutions‑oriented support to IDPs, returnees and host communities;
• Proven experience in community engagement and participatory approaches, including collaboration with local authorities, community structures, women and youth, and integration of community feedback into programming;
• Experience in livelihoods and economic recovery interventions in displacement‑affected contexts, such as income‑generation, cash‑based assistance, skills development and resilience‑building activities;
• Experience in coordination of various projects to ensure maximum outputs;
• Experience in liaising with government authorities and other national/international institutions;
• Experience in reintegration and durable solutions programming with in-depth knowledge of IOM/UN programme/project life cycles; 
• Experience with UN and International Agencies, international or local Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) preferred; and, 
• Work experience in the Region is an advantage.
   

Skills

• Demonstrated knowledge of UN and IOM regulations, policies and procedures, and the ability to apply them effectively throughout the project cycle in multi‑partner programmes;
• Proven skills in project budgeting and financial management, including budget preparation, monitoring, forecasting, and donor compliance;
• Working knowledge of IOM project management systems, particularly PRIMA, including workplan, budget, and reporting modules;
• Excellent writing, communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to produce high‑quality reports and engage effectively with government, donors and partners; and,
• Demonstrated organizational, analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the capacity to manage multiple priorities and contribute to adaptive programme planning and delivery.
   

Languages

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

Working knowledge of another official UN languages (Arabic, Chinese, 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.

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.

Managerial Competencies – behavioural indicators Level 2

• 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.

Appointment will be subject to all clearances, including medical and security, as well as accreditation, and 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.