Programme Officer Job Vacancy at IOM

Application Deadline: August, 10/2022

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) Special Liaison Office (SLO) to the African Union Commission (AUC) and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), has for the last two decades partnered with the AUC in addressing mutual priorities on migration in Africa. Both organizations advocate the role of migration in the continent’s development and integration agenda, and the subsequent need to enhance migration governance for safer, more orderly, and humane migration practices. In this regard, IOM works closely with various AUC departments, including Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development (HHS), Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS), Economic Development, Trade, Industry and Mining (ETIM) and Citizens and Diaspora, among others, for the evolution and advancement of migration discourse and strategic policy development and programming for the Continent.

Since 2016, IOM has been collaborating with the AUC on its continent-wide initiative to facilitate free movement of persons in Africa, particularly through the popularization of the Protocol to the Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community Relating to the Free Movement of Persons, Right of Residence - also known as the Free Movement of Persons Protocol (FMP).

The FMP was adopted in 2018 with 32 Member State signatories and is defined as “the right of nationals of a Member State to enter, move freely and reside in another Member State in accordance with the laws of the host Member State and to exit the host Member State in accordance with the laws and procedures for existing that Member State”. The Free Movement of Persons Protocol presents opportunities for socio-economic, cultural, and political integration, where borders foster connections and serve as bridges for development.

Similarly, the unveiling of the Agreement establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) - one of the Continent’s Flagship Projects - at the Kigali Summit in 2018 paves the way for African states to boost trade and drive the economic growth and development of the Continent. The AfCFTA, which is now in its implementation phase, creates an opportunity for Africa to bring together its 55 small and fragmented markets toward regional integration. The sustained success of the AfCFTA, wherein goods are services are moved by people, is intrinsically linked to the implementation of the Free Movement of person protocol.

Under the overall supervision of the Director for the IOM Special Liaison Office Addis Ababa and direct supervision of the IOM Migration Policy Officer (Project Support); the Programme Officer will support IOM in implementing projects supporting the promotion, ratification, and implementation of the FMP in Africa. Further they will be critical in helping foster the migration/mobility-trade nexus towards regional integration in support of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 aspirations 2 “An Integrated Continent Politically united and based on the ideals of Pan-Africanism and the vision of African Renaissance”; and aspiration 7 “An Africa whose development is people driven, relying on the potential offered by African People, especially its Women and Youth, and caring for Children”.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Propose synergies in line with ongoing trade and mobility initiatives, particularly the AfCFTA and other integration processes on the continent, to help increase evidence-based findings on the mutual positive link between the AFCFTA and FMP for Africa’s integration. This includes immigration-related engagements focused on admission and stay policies and the facilitation of cross-border mobility.

2. Undertake analytical evaluations on key trade policy areas of the AfCFTA Agreement and state of play and emerging issues as it relates to the FMP.

3. Liaise with trade-related institutions including the AfCFTA Secretariat and coordinate the continent-wide mobility-trade agenda and support the IOM Taskforce on Trade and piloting of the Migration-Trade Toolkit.

4. Follow up on developments and relevant processes on the implementation of the roadmap of the Protocol on Free Movement in close coordination with various departments at the AUC and IOM.

5. In close coordination with the supervisor, contribute to the development of new programme areas, project concepts and proposals and assist with donor liaison and resource mobilization efforts for sustained and targeted support towards the effective implementation of the FMP, its Road Map, as well as related continental frameworks and initiatives.

6. Implement activities as per the logical framework of existing projects related to the area of implementation and check compliance with IOM as well as donor requirements for financial and technical reporting.

7. Ensure coordination of activities with other units in the IOM Special Liaison Office and work towards complementarity and effective team dynamics, identify and propose synergies with other projects being implemented in the regional offices and Headquarters (HQ).

8. Participate in relevant meetings with the AUC, partners, and relevant stakeholders, and where necessary provide technical support towards conceptualizing and drafting the meeting agenda and relevant documents, and presentations and produce meeting reports.

9. Draft segments of policy briefs, concept notes, project proposals, talking points, opening/closing remarks, reports, and terms of reference as it relates to the area of implementation and that is dedicated to promoting migration policy and dialogue at different levels through the collection, analysis, and sharing of relevant information.

10. Monitor the work of consultants and assist with the expansion of partnership frameworks.

11. Draft project reports as well as communication material for the AUC and donors.

12. Assist with relevant documentation activities, including editing and formatting documents produced by the consultants to AU standards.

13. Participate in regular team meetings with IOM/SLO to help synergize activities being done at IOM and AUC levels.

14. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

Master’s degree in Social Sciences, Migration Studies, Development Studies, Political Science, Political Science, Law, International Relations, Conflict Studies, Economics, Development Studies, 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.

Experience

Experience working with youth and women groups;

Experience in organizing high-level meetings and engaging with AU Member states, donors, the international community, non-governmental organizations, and a diversity of stakeholders.

Skills

Proven knowledge of and experience with the AU Commission, Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and AU policy organs relevant to the project;

Proven knowledge of migration and cross-border mobility issues as it relates to regional integration, particularly on a policy level;

Demonstrated understanding of trade policies in the context of cross-border mobility and working experience on trade-related issues;

Demonstrate effective ability to work with a diverse team, teamwork, as well as the ability to work independently;

Proven project management skills including in project monitoring, evaluation, and reporting;

Excellent communicator both in written and verbal;

Strong skills in developing technical papers and report writing;

Attention to detail and highly organized, collaborative, and team-oriented;

High levels of proficiency with Microsoft Excel; proficiency with PowerPoint and Word;

Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and tasks efficiently;

Excellent analytical and organizational skills; ability to think critically and creatively.

Languages

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

External applicants for all positions in the Professional category are required to be proficient in English and have at least a working knowledge of one additional UN Language (French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian or Chinese).

For all applicants, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of French and/or Spanish and other AU languages (Arabic, Portuguese) is an advantage.

The proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Required Competencies:

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 wherever possible.

Integrity and transparency maintain high ethical standards and act in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.

Professionalism: demonstrates the ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.

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 action 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 potential.

• Empowering others & building trust: creates an atmosphere of trust and an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.

 • Strategic thinking and vision: works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link.

https://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/about-iom/iom_revised_competency_framework_external.p df

Competencies will be assessed during a competency-based interview.

Other:

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 cannot be considered eligible.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required for individuals hired on or after 15 November 2021. This will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.

Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.

How to apply

Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications via THISLINK PRISM using the below apply button, IOM e-Recruitment system, by 10 August 2022 at the latest, referring to this advertisement.

IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment system. The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their applications.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted

No Fees:

IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fees). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.