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International Organization for Migration

Migrant Return Centre (MRC) Officer (P)

Bangui, Central African RepublicGrade P-3Fixed-term (1 year with possibility of extension)IOM
13 days leftPosted Jun 19, 2026

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, 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, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, 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

Since 2012, the Central African Republic (CAR) has faced protracted conflict, resulting in mass displacement (500,000+ IDPs and 700,000+ refugees). Intercommunal violence, often tied to ethnic or religious identities, has led to widespread human rights abuse, with 2.8 million people, half the population, requiring humanitarian assistance.


While 2025 saw progress, including ceasefires and Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) efforts and landmark elections, persistent insecurity in and underfunding of critical institutions continues to undermine. The humanitarian crisis remains acute, with 2.3 million people facing food insecurity and shrinking aid access.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has been operational in the CAR since 2006, working in close collaboration with the Government of CAR (GoCAR), United Nations agencies, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and international partners to address the complex migration, humanitarian, and development challenges exacerbated by decades of conflict, displacement, and instability.


IOM in CAR is expanding its operational scope to meet growing challenges with a comprehensive, multi-sectoral response, including:
  • Humanitarian Assistance and Protection: Delivering lifesaving aid (shelter, Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), health, Non-Food Items (NFIs)) and protection services to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), returnees, refugees, and vulnerable migrants, including Gender-Based Violence (GBV) prevention, child protection, and anti-trafficking support.
  • Displacement Tracking and Data Management: Deploying the Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) to provide real-time mobility and needs assessments, informing humanitarian response and policy decisions.
  • Migration Governance and Policy Support: Strengthening GoCAR’s capacity to manage migration through legal frameworks, border management, and regional cooperation, while advocating for rights-based migration policies.
  • Community Stabilization and Resilience: Implementing quick-impact projects (infrastructure, livelihoods, social cohesion) to reduce tensions and foster inclusive recovery in displacement-affected areas.
  • Reintegration and Recovery: Supporting sustainable return and reintegration of displaced populations through socio-economic programs, psychosocial support, and HLP rights advocacy.
  • Migration Resource Centre (MRC) Assistance: Providing direct support to Migrant’ and vulnerable migrants through reception, protection, and integration services in dedicated MRCs. These centers serve as hubs for case management, legal assistance, and referral pathways, ensuring dignified and rights-based support in alignment with IOM’s standards.
Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission (CoM) and the direct supervision of the Head of Migrant Assistance Unit, the Migrant Return Centre (MRC) Officer will oversee the operational management of the MRC and provide technical oversight of migrant assistance and protection interventions in CAR, ensuring high-quality, rights-based assistance, protection, and sustainable solutions for migrants, including Third-Country Nationals (TCNs). The incumbent will ensure compliance with IOM’s standards, donor requirements, and the organization’s standards and contribute to programme planning, quality assurance, and coordination with relevant stakeholders.
  • Oversee the day-to-day operations of the IOM MRC in CAR, ensuring humanitarian, health, protection, privacy, and security standards are upheld in line with IOM’s Migration Crisis Operational Framework (MCOF) and GoCAR agreements, while adhering to IOM’s red lines (legal status, freedom of movement, informed consent).
  • Supervise and mentor MRC staff, enhancing their capacity to respond to migrant influxes, including TCNs and vulnerable groups, and ensuring their understanding of IOM’s protection principles, cross-cutting themes (PSEA, AAP, gender sensitivity), and CAR-specific challenges.
  • Coordinate with IOM CAR, regional offices, and GoCAR authorities (e.g., Migration and Governor’s Offices) to manage reception, transit, and onward transportation of migrants, including evacuation missions from high-risk areas and referral pathways for complex cases.
  • Ensure the provision of adequate reception, shelter, feeding, WASH, and health services for migrants hosted at the MRC, in collaboration with IOM’s logistics, health, and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) units, as well as implementing partners and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).
  • Supervise and monitor a sustainable migrant registration and data management system, compatible with IOM’s online databases (e.g., Migrant Management Operational Systems Application (MiMOSA)), and ensure regular reporting to the Information Management (IM) Unit and relevant stakeholders.
  • Establish, maintain, and strengthen partnerships with UN agencies (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), World Food Programme (WFP), World Health Organization (WHO), NGOs, and donors to enhance service delivery, support resource mobilization efforts, and visibility for the MRC, while representing IOM in inter-agency forums and government-led coordination mechanisms.
  • Improve health and protection programming in and around the MRC, including psychosocial support for vulnerable migrants (in coordination with IOM’s MHPSS Unit) and emergency response mechanisms (e.g., ambulance patrols, GBV prevention/response).
  • Oversee financial and administrative management of the MRC, including budget monitoring, procurement, and asset maintenance, in line with IOM’s financial regulations and donor requirements.
  • Monitor and evaluate MRC activities against performance indicators and IOM’s protection standards, and prepare regular analytical reports for the CoM, Senior Migrant Protection Coordinator, and donors, including recommendations to improve programme quality and operational effectiveness.
  • Ensure compliance with IOM’s security protocols (DSS standards) and report significant security incidents to the local security assistant and CoM, while fostering a safe and secure environment for migrants and staff.

Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Education

  • Master’s degree in Social Sciences, International Relations/Affairs, Research, Law 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

  • Minimum five years of relevant professional experience in migration management, protection, camp coordination, or humanitarian response, with at least two years in a managerial role.
  • Experience working in complex emergencies, post-conflict settings, or migration crises, preferably in Africa.
Familiarity with IOM’s mandates, standards (e.g., MCOF, MiMOSA), and protection principles.

Skills

  • Leadership and strategic planning in multi-stakeholder environments.
  • Strong coordination and negotiation skills with governments, UN agencies, and NGOs.
  • Proficiency in data management, monitoring, and reporting (e.g., DTM, PRiME).
  • Ability to deliver assistance in challenging conditions; adaptability and good judgment.
  • Good written and verbal communication skills; ability to prepare case notes and reports.
Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel), tools used for case management.

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 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, if with direct reports
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, 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 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.

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