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.
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:
All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM.
Context
The African Union (AU)-International Labour Organization (ILO)-International Organization for Migration (IOM)- German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ), Joint Programme on Labour Migration Governance for Development and Integration (better known as the Joint Labour Migration Programme (JLMP) in Africa is a long term joint undertaking between the four organizations, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It 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 was 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. Its strategy is focused on intra-African labour migration. It is in line with and supports the achievement of the First 2023 Ten-Year Plan of the AU Agenda 2063 and of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The JLMP objective is implemented through several interventions led by the AU in partnership with IOM, ILO, and GIZ, notably: the JLMP Priority (2018-2021), the JLMP Action (2021-2024), the JLMP Lead (2022 – 2025), and the JLMP Propel (2025 – 2029) projects. In 2020, after five years of the implementation of the JLMP, the AU, in collaboration with JLMP Implementing Partners (ILO and IOM), adopted the JLMP Strategic Framework and Monitoring and Evaluation Plan for the JLMP (2020-2030). The JLMP Strategic Framework provides a 10-year strategic vision while consolidating results of the implementation of the first five-year period of the JLMP. Its implementation strategy continues to focus on intra-African labour migration management, while addressing emerging issues related to African migrant workers in other regions to ultimately support African migrant workers and their families to live satisfied and dignified lives and contribute to Africa’s development. The sustainability of JLMP interventions hinges on close collaboration among the AU, ILO, IOM, and GIZ, in cooperation with Regional Economic Communities (RECs), AU Member States, and relevant stakeholders, to support activities at the national level aiming to enhance the adoption and implementation of gender responsive legal instruments and promote binding commitments to ongoing actions. The AUC hosts the JLMP Programme Support Unit (PSU) within the Health, Humanitarian Affairs, and Social Development. The PSU is the JLMP’s Secretariat to support programmatic and technical coordination and coherence, and quality assurance of the JLMP, under the leadership of the Senior Programme Officer (Joint Labour Migration Programme (African Union)).
Responsibilities and Accountabilities
Oversee and supervise the joint implementation processes between African Union Commission (AUC)-ILO-IOM and GIZ by clearly defining roles and responsibilities through joint operational arrangements.
Recruit experts for specific project activities and staff as needed for the Programme Support Unit at AUC by preparing Post Descriptions ensuring linkage with other ongoing related AUC’s initiatives. Also, familiarize new staff/consultants with AUC partners /donors to maintain existing good partnerships.
Organize and lead training programmes on Labour Migration for the new staff at the project support unit and other staff from other AUC Departments and participate as a resource person in training seminars and workshops.
Participate in advisory missions, including providing expert support, guidance and advice to Labour Migration Advisory Committee to identify and document good practices, lessons learned and relevant experiences for sharing through all relevant means for coordination and coherence with AUC policy frameworks.
Provide strategic and technical advice and guidance in designing, monitoring, evaluation and reporting of programme activities at national and regional levels and prepare periodic and ad hoc reports on the status of programme implementation, participating in regular briefings with relevant parties.
Represent the AUC, prepare and present reports to AUC and AU policy organs, and provide technical elements for AUC documents.
Develop terms of reference and supervise external collaborators and service providers and provide expert advice and guidance to key stakeholders at all levels on JLMP towards regional and continental policy and operations coherence.
Identify areas for collaboration, and facilitation of cooperation on specific initiatives with other regions in the world, with Europe and Gulf Cooperation Council to promote information exchange and capacity building.
Support AU Member States and RECs in providing expert advice and support on multilateral or bilateral (where relevant) Labour migration and mobility agreements which can be implemented by the Member States and RECs.
Conduct advocacy activities towards Member States for ratification of key international instruments regulating Labour migration management.
Promote Labour migration knowledge through the Intra-African Technical Cooperation Platform in alignment with the AUC approach.
Coordinate with the AUC relevant directorates, Policy Organs, services, and Research Institutions for thematic contribution and resource mobilization as required for the implementation of the project and of the JLMP.
Liaise closely with JLMP implementing partners to identify entry points for and facilitate their comprehensive support to (i.e. over and beyond their engagement through the JLMP), improving labour migration governance for development and integration in Africa in general and the operationalization of the JLMP Strategic Framework and Monitoring and Evaluation Plan for the JLMP (2020-2030) in particular.
Lead the organization of and participate and represent AUC in continental and interregional meetings on Labour migration, including tripartite meetings, in close collaboration with Member States, RECs, and continental and regional social partners’ organizations such as Business Africa, Organisation of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU) and International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) Africa, the diaspora.
Perform such other relevant duties as may be assigned.
Education
Master’s Degree in Labour Economics, Law, Management, Social Sciences, or in Public Administration, Project Management, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with seven years of relevant professional experience; or
Experience
Proven experience in Labour migration, employment, and social protection policies at the continental level, coordinating with the AU RECs, coordinating continental policy frameworks, monitoring, and evaluation.
Skills
Knowledge of, and ability to perform a variety of conceptual analyses in the field of the project.
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 Portuguese and Kiswahili is an advantage.
Proficiency in language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.
Required Competencies
Notes
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 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.