Under the overall supervision of the Regional Director and the direct supervision of the IOM Ghana (resident), Togo and Benin Chief of Mission and with direct technical support from the Regional Thematic Specialist for the Immigration and Border Management (IBM) as well as the IBM Team in HQ, the Programme Officer (Immigration and Border Governance (IBG)) will be accountable and responsible for the overall development, management, coordination and oversight of the IBM projects portfolio and strategy in the Gulf of Guinea Region to strengthen the capacity of border management agencies and reinforce the resilience of border communities to respond to emerging challenges in border management, contributing to stronger migration governance and border security in the region.
Responsibilities and Accountabilities
- Manage the IBM regional projects for the Gulf of Guinea (specifically in Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, and Mauritania) in an effective and timely manner, in line with IOM's policies and practices as well as donor requirements, including ensuring the integration of new modalities, practices, and methods for evaluation into the project formulation process, monitoring and assessing project implementation activities, and taking corrective or alternative action for improvement and success.
- Provide technical inputs for the development of policy and operational resources aimed at enhancing safe, orderly, and regular migration pathways through the implementation of immigration and border governance policies and tools.
- Provide guidance and substantive support to the Regional Office and Country Offices (COs), in coordination with the IBG Regional Thematic Specialist (RTS), on emerging national and regional trends, donor priorities, and resource mobilization for the development and execution of IBG projects.
- Provide operational guidance and technical supervision on IBG projects, including managing and providing technical support to relevant programme staff, and capacity development initiatives.
- Coordinate and conduct capacity-development activities in coordination with technical experts on IBG thematic areas including, but not limited to, document security, passport examination, legal identity, identity management, the responsible use of biometrics, readmission, cooperation, admission and stay pathways, and Advance Passenger Information, amongst others.
- Establish and maintain close and effective working relationships with government counterparts at the technical level, to guide project implementation and the resolution of implementation-related challenges, including organizing periodical meetings with relevant stakeholders.
- Oversee the elaboration of public information and training materials, including resources for customs, border and immigration authorities, visa officers, and other border governance stakeholders for internal and external use, in coordination with IBG Specialists and other relevant Divisions.
- Pursue the establishment of partnerships with UN Agencies, humanitarian organizations, government, and community interlocutors, and with a broad range of stakeholders towards the successful implementation of IBG programmes.
- Contribute to advance IBG thematic areas within the respective UN Network on Migration (UNNM) and other initiatives related to institutional efforts to implement the Global Compact for Migration (GCM) and strengthen migration governance.
- Undertake travel duty as required to strengthen, coordinate and/or support programme implementation.
- Perform any such duties as may be assigned.
Required Qualifications and Experience
Education
- Master’s degree in International Relations, Political Science, Humanitarian Affairs, Economic Development, Business or Public Administration, International Studies or a related field from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience; or,
- University 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-development activities;
- Experience in liaising with governmental and diplomatic authorities as well as with national and international institutions;
- Familiarity with financial and business administration;
- Sound and proven understanding of internal and international migration issues in the country and in the Region;
- Experience in organizing consultations, workshops and seminars with high-level stakeholders;
- In-depth knowledge of the broad range of migration-related subject areas dealt with by the Organization; and,
- Knowledge of UN and bilateral donor programming.
Skills
- Proven ability to establish and maintain strong working relations with relevant Government counterparts, international organizations and private sector entities;
- Excellent leadership, coordination, and information management skills;
- Detailed knowledge of the UN System, NGOs and other international organizations/institutions;
- Knowledge of migration data, labour migration patterns in the relevant region and ability to negotiate with government authorities;
- Good knowledge of human and financial resources management;
- Strong conceptualization, analytical and writing skills;
- Strong communication, organizational and interpersonal relationship skills;
- Ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure with minimum supervision; and,
- Ability to establish and maintain partnerships with development partners, government counterparts, UN agencies, local authorities and other relevant stakeholders.
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.