Job Identification (Reference Number): 16571
Position Title: Programme Officer (COMPASS Migration Partnership Fund)
Duty Station City: Geneva
Duty Station Country: Switzerland
Grade: P-3
Contract Type: Special Short Term Graded (9 months with possibility of extension)
Recruiting Type: Professional
Vacancy Type: Vacancy Notice
Initial duration: 9 months with possibility of extension
Closing date: 2 October 2025
Introduction
Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.
IOM is committed to ensuring a workplace where all employees can thrive professionally, while working towards harnessing the full potential of migration. Read more about IOM's workplace culture at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration
For the purpose of this vacancy, the following are considered first-tier candidates:ย
ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย 1.ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Internal candidates
ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย 2.ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Candidates from the following non-represented member states:
Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Comoros, Congo (the), Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Guinea-Bissau, Holy See, Iceland, Kiribati, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Madagascar, Marshall Islands, Namibia, Nauru, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu.
Context
The Migrant Protection Unit (MPX) within Border Management, Return and Readmission Division, Department of Mobility, Pathways and Inclusion within IOMย works to ensure the upholding or restoration of the rights of individuals who are vulnerable to, or at risk of, violence, abuse, exploitation, neglect, discrimination and deliberate deprivation. IOMโs overarching goal on protection is to place the rights and well-being of migrants, regardless of their status, at the centre of its operations. This means ensuring the protection of migrants across the full spectrum of migration management and governance. MPXย has the following primary thematic areas of responsibility: alternatives to detention, assistance to vulnerable migrants, child protection, counter-trafficking, return and reintegration, gender-based violence supported by the Data &Information Management and Policy & advocacy teams and through the COMPASS initiative (Cooperation on Migration and Partnerships to Achieve Sustainable Solutions).ย
COMPASS programme, funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, is a global initiative, in partnership with 14 countries, aimed at strengthening migration governance, fostering multistakeholder cooperation, and providing services that facilitate safe, orderly, and regular migration. The 'COMPASS - Migration Partnership Fund' (MPF) is an add-on to the ongoing COMPASS partnership to enable the identification of demand-driven activities in priority countries.ย
Under the overall supervision of MPX Unit Head and direct supervision of the Senior Programme Manager (COMPASS), and in close coordination with COMPASS Core team, the Head ofย Assistance to Vulnerable Migrants & Counter-Trafficking and other thematic units within MPX and BMRR, as well as the relevant Regional Thematic Specialists, theย Programme Officer (MPF)will be responsible for coordination and technical oversight of the projects under the COMPASS โ MPFย to ensure their effective implementation and alignment with the donor priorities with the ultimate objective of sustaining and further developing migration partnerships between the Government of the Netherlands and the identified priority countries.ย
Provide overall coordination and day-to-day follow-up including backstopping the technical, financial, and operational aspects, providing advice, and ensuring alignment with global practices on the projects implemented under the COMPASS-MPF.ย Review relevant project concept notes, proposals, and other programmatic documents developed by country offices within COMPASS-MPF and ensure their alignment with relevant IOM standards and institutional guidelines, as well as with donor priorities.Coordinate and review country officesโ reports to ensure timely and quality project progress and implementation reports for submission to donors (in accordance with IOM and donor reporting procedures).ย Coordinate closely within COMPASS Core team to ensure complementarity of activities under the COMPASS-MPF with those under COMPASS.Organize, facilitate or participate in coordination and technical meetings with COs, ROs, donor and partners as needed and ensure follow-up on the meetings outcomes.Substantivelyย support theย Senior Programme Manager (COMPASS) withย donor liaison and coordination as needed.Provide technical thematic oversight and guidance to COs during the development and implementation of country projects and specific activities, in coordination with ROs and thematic experts within MPX and BMRR as required.Identify best practices, synergies and ensure experience and lessons learned exchange among the COMPASS-MPF countries.Provide technical input and support to various HQ/BMRR led global workstreams of relevance to COMPASS and COMPASS MPF.Undertake duty travels to participate in or facilitate the capacity development events, workshops, conferences, donor meetings etc.Supervise the work of consultants and staff as needed.Perform any other tasks that might be assigned.Education
Masterโs degree in Political or Social Science, International Relations, Law 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 theย UNESCO World Higher Education Database.
Experience
Demonstrated experience in the field of protection at both policy and programmatic level. Prior experience on other thematic areas such as border management, labour mobility, migration governance would be an asset;Experience in multi-country projects/programmes coordination.;Experience in liaising and coordination with various stakeholders, including UN, government and non-government actors, donors, including at the high level;Experience of working on programmes advancing bilateral or multilateral migration partnerships;Experience in policy and legal analysis; and,Experience in project development, implementation and reporting.Skills
Strong analytical and coordination skills;Advocacy skills compounded by strong communication and representation skills;Understanding of migration context in countries covered by COMPASS and COMPASS- MPF initiatives;Understanding of various IOM operational and cross-cutting areas and their interlinkages with protection;ย Knowledge of IOM project management cycle and tools is an advantage;Excellent writing skills as well as managerial & organizational skills; and,Advanced level of computer literacy.Languages
For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish) is an advantage.
IOMโs official languages are English, French and Spanish.ย All staff members are required to be fluent in one of the the three languages.
Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments
Required Competencies
IOMโs competency framework can be found at thisย linkย Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.
Valuesย - all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these 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.ย Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.Core Competenciesย โ behavioural indicators Level 2
ย Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.ย Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.ย Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.ย Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organizationโs priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.ย Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.ยNotes
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.ย 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.
Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, 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.
IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.
IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through theย IOM e-Recruitmentย systemย (for internal candidates linkย 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:ย IOM Careers and Job Vacancies