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:
Internal candidates
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
Under the overall supervision of the Regional Director and the direct supervision of the Deputy Regional Director for Operations (DRD-O), and in close coordination with the Department of Mobility, Pathways and Inclusion (DMPI) at Headquarters (HQ), the Regional Policy and Liaison Officer (RPLO), the Regional Project Development Officer (RPDO), Regional Thematic Specialists (RTSs), and Country Offices (COs) along the region’s priority migration routes, the Regional Programme Coordinator (Route-Based Approach (RteBA)) will be responsible and accountable for leading, at the technical level, the regional operationalisation and implementation of the IOM’s Route-Based Approach (RteBA) and providing strategic and programmatic advice on its implementation across the region.
The Regional Programme Coordinator (Route-Based Approach (RteBA)) will ensure alignment with IOM’s global approach, lead regional and inter-agency coordination at the technical and operational levels, and oversee the application of Route-Based Approach (RteBA) tools and instruments within and across countries and along migration routes.
Responsibilities
Provide technical and operational leadership for the regional and inter-regional operationalisation of IOM’s RteBA, in line with its institutional framework, and in coordination with relevant COs, Regional Offices (ROs), HQ divisions and global RteBA coordination structures; lead the development and implementation of multi-country, multi-partner operational plans for relevant routes; and ensure coherence with IOM’s institutional priorities, relevant regional strategies, and country-level operational realities.
Oversee the region’s RteBA Flexible Funding Mechanism allocation and other assigned RteBA projects, ensuring timely, high-quality delivery against approved results frameworks, workplans, budgets, indicators and donor requirements; monitor overall implementation and take or recommend corrective action to address delivery, quality and resource issues.
Serve as the RO’s RteBA focal point and lead the region’s engagement and participation in the global RteBA Task Force and, together with specific RTSs, its workstreams. Ensure that regional needs and priorities are reflected in global instruments, deliver agreed regional inputs on schedule, and lead the testing of operational guidance in the region.
In close coordination with RPLOs and relevant COs, lead government engagement on the RteBA to anchor route-based action in the priorities of States along relevant migration routes and reflect those priorities in regional cooperation processes. Provide route-level analysis, strategic advice and positioning to regional consultative processes, cross-regional discussions, and intergovernmental dialogues.
Support the Policy and Liaison Unit in providing substantive and coordination support to the Regional United Nations Network on Migration (RUNNM), including developing activities, promoting complementarity, and facilitating information exchange among regional RUNNM structures, the UNNM at the global level, IOM’s internal route-based coordination arrangements, and other relevant regional and inter-regional mechanisms.
In coordination with the Regional Director and Deputy Regional Director, lead the development and maintenance of strategic partnerships in support of the RteBA with United Nations (UN) agencies, international and national Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), civil society, migrant- and community-led organisations, academia, the private sector and other relevant actors. Provide substantive advice on partnership opportunities and approaches in support of regional RteBA priorities.
In close coordination with RPDOs and relevant RTSs, lead the coordination of coherent and integrated RteBA programming across global, regional and country levels, ensuring alignment of programme concepts, proposals and funding approaches through effective coordination with relevant technical and operational teams. Participate in the development of funding strategies and resource mobilisation initiatives, including through engagement with donors and strategic partners, and provide substantive inputs on regional funding priorities and opportunities.
In coordination with the relevant RTSs and the RPLOs, lead the translation of route-level analysis and operational experience into regional and inter-regional policy advice, practical guidance, capacity building priorities and coordinated support for Member States, UN Country Teams (UNCT) and country networks.
Lead efforts to strengthen institutional capacity and organisational learning for route-based programming by supporting the development, adaptation and institutionalisation of RteBA tools, guidance, methodologies, standard operating procedures, knowledge products and good practices within IOM.
Establish and maintain route-level coordination mechanisms among IOM COs and, where relevant, other ROs along migration routes; convene regular route coordination meetings; provide route-level guidance; and oversee the implementation of agreed multi-country, multi-partner operational plans.
In coordination with RPDOs and Regional Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Officers (RPMEOs), coordinate the development and dissemination of route-level evidence, knowledge management products, diagnostic assessments, lessons learned and analytical outputs to support a shared understanding of priority migration routes, and formulate recommendations to inform regional programming and decision-making.
Contribute to institutional learning, results-based monitoring, donor engagement and strategic decision-making by leading the consolidation and communication of regional and route-level insights and providing substantive recommendations to inform programme priorities, implementation and policy development.
Perform such other relevant duties as may be assigned.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications and Experience
Education
Master’s degree in Political Science, Social Sciences, International Relations, Migration Studies, Development Studies, Law or a related field from an accredited academic institution with seven years of relevant professional experience; or,
University degree in the above fields with nine years of relevant professional experience.
Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.
Experience
Experience in migration policy and programme implementation coordination across multiple countries, preferably within IOM or the UN system;
Experience in coordinating multi-stakeholder processes without line authority, including with governments, UN agencies, regional organisations and civil society;
Experience in the design or application of analytical products (assessments, mobility or service mapping, diagnostics) in a migration context;
Experience in donor engagement, resource mobilisation, proposal development and results-based project management; and,
Experience in engagement with regional economic communities, regional consultative processes, intergovernmental dialogue or the United Nations Network on Migration is an advantage.
Skills
Knowledge of IOM’s Route-Based Approach (RteBA) and its institutional framing, and of IOM’s strategic and planning instruments, including the Strategic Results Framework and regional strategies;
Knowledge of migration governance frameworks, including the Migration Governance Indicators (MGI) and the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration;
Knowledge of migration dynamics, actors and coordination structures along the region’s priority migration routes;
Strong analytical, drafting and facilitation skills, with demonstrated ability to synthesise multi-country inputs into coherent products; and,
Ability to work across reporting lines and to reconcile regional and Headquarters priorities.
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 3
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 3
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
IInternationally 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, any residency or visa requirements. 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, 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 processwhether for application, interview, processing, training, or otherwiseand does not request any information related to bank accounts.
IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through theIOM WAVE system(for internal candidates linkhere). 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.