Log In
Sign Up
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:
Internal candidates
Candidates from the following IOM Member States that are not represented among staff members in the Professional and higher categories: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, 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, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu
Second tier candidates include:
All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM.
Organizational Context and Scope
The Joint Labour Migration Programme (JLMP) is a flagship African Union Commission (AUC) initiative that has, since 2018, advanced labour migration governance in Africa through strategic collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the International Labour Organization (ILO), development partners, social partners, civil society, and the private sector. Initially focused on intra-African migration, the JLMP has progressively adopted a corridor approach to address challenges faced by African workers migrating to Europe and the Arab States. JLMP is the instrument dedicated to the implementation of the 5th Key Priority Area of the Declaration and Plan of Action on Employment, Poverty Eradication and Inclusive Development which were adopted by the Assembly of Heads of States and Governments (AU/Assembly/AU/20(XXIV)/Annex 3, January 2015) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, January 2015 reaffirming the commitment of Heads of State to enhance cooperation with other regions while safeguarding migrant workers’ rights and ensuring mutual development benefits. JLMP’s strategy is focused on intra-African labour migration. It is in line with and supports achievement of the First 2023 Ten Year Plan of the AU Agenda 2063 and of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Under the overall supervision of the Director, SLO in Addis Ababa, the direct supervision of the Senior Liaison Officer (African Union) and UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and, in close cooperation with the JLMP Programme Coordinator at the African Union Commission, IOM Regional Offices for East and Southern Africa and West and Southern Africa the programme’s technical committee and relevant AUC colleagues, the Programme Officer (Migration Governance and Policy) – JLMP will be responsible for the day-to-day implementation of the JLMP in the IOM Special Liaison Office.
Responsibilities
1. Build and maintain strong professional relationships and liaise regularly with key stakeholders, including JLMP implementing partners – AUC, ILO and GIZ – Regional Economic Communities (RECs), Member States (MSs), and other agencies to ensure strong institutional relationships, effective programme implementation, follow-up on agreed actions and proactive response to partner requests.
2. Coordinate with AUC, ILO, GIZ, and other partners to ensure timely preparation of JLMP annual work plans, submission of periodic and ad hoc reports, and participation in regular briefings.
3. Work closely with the Resources Management Unit to ensure efficient financial management and timely submission of narrative and financial reports as stipulated in the agreement.
4. Analyze labour migration trends, policies, legal frameworks and institutional developments to identify gaps and opportunities for reform and support.
5. Provide policy and technical advice and inputs to AUC, RECs, MSs and other relevant institutions on labour migration in line with continental, regional and national priorities. This includes labour migration initiatives in Africa related to policy and legal frameworks, cooperation and dialogue; access to decent work and social protection; mutual recognition of skills and qualifications, skills mobility partnerships and labour migration data and statistics.
6. Draft segments of policy papers, background notes, talking points, information and briefing materials to help inform decision-making by IOM, AUC, RECs and Member States.
7. Develop and implement capacity-building initiatives on labour migration governance for government and non-government stakeholders, including training, technical workshops, and peer exchanges.
8. Ensure gender aspects are mainstreamed in the implementation programme and other cross-cutting issues are given appropriate attention.
9. Ensure effective coordination with IOM HQ, Regional and Country Offices in Africa and provide technical advice on labour migration to the focal persons in these offices.
10. Verify and channel all administrative, logistical and other support needed for the programme; and proactively report all incidents related to the programme which have the capacity to jeopardize the effectiveness and efficiency of programme implementation.
11. Participate in and ensure a transparent and competitive selection and recruitment of programme staff; supervise and mentor respective project staff as well as consultants.
12. Represent IOM in the programme technical committee which is responsible for the monitoring of the project implementation.
13. Support the design of projects and funding proposals focused on labour migration and institutional strengthening and participate in the resource mobilization efforts for those outputs and activities within the JLMP which do not have resources for their implementation.
14. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.
Required Qualifications and Experience
Education
Master’s degree in Programme Management, Labour Economics, International Development, Social Sciences, Law, Public Administration or a related field from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience; or,
Bachelor’s degree in the above fields with seven years of relevant professional experience.
Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.
Experience
Experience in programme conceptualisation, development, monitoring, reporting and evaluation;
Experience in programme development and capacity-building activities;
Experience in liaising with governmental and diplomatic authorities as well as with national and international institutions;
Experience in managing multi-stakeholder project and familiarity with financial and business administration;
Experience in organizing consultations, workshops and seminars with high level stakeholders; and,
Sound understanding of the working process of the AU and Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and have prior experience of working with the AUC and RECs.
Skills
Sound and proven understanding of internal international migration dynamics, labour migration and legal and policy frameworks in Africa including challenges and opportunities;
Knowledge of UN and bilateral donor programming;
Familiarity with the AU-ILO-IOM-GIZ Joint Programme on Labour Migration Governance for Development and Integration in Africa (JLMP) is an added advantage;
Proven ability to establish and maintain strong working relations with relevant Government counterparts, international organizations, UN Agencies, private sector entities and other relevant stakeholders;
Excellent leadership, coordination, and information management skills;
Detailed knowledge of the UN System, NGOs and other international organizations/institutions;
Knowledge of labour migration governance in Africa;
Good knowledge of human and financial resources management;
Strong conceptualization, analytical and writing skills;
Strong communication, organizational and interpersonal relationship skills; and,
Ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure with minimum supervision.
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 either Arabic, French, Kiswahili and/or Portuguese (AU official languages) 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.
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 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
How to apply
Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications HERE by 08 March 2026 at the latest, referring to this advertisement.