Programme Manager (Immigration and Border Governance, Migration Governance, and Labour Mobility) (P)

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:

1. Internal candidates
2. 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.

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission (CoM) in Abuja and the direct supervision of the Head of Migration Management Unit, the Programme Manager (Immigration and Border Governance, Migration Governance, and Labour Mobility) will be responsible and accountable for managing and providing professional technical and programme support to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Nigeria’s work on immigration and border governance, migration governance, and labour mobility.

The Programme Manager will contribute to the development and implementation of programmes, policy engagement, stakeholder coordination, research and capacity-building activities within the assigned areas. The Programme Manager will work closely with relevant IOM units, field offices, the Regional Office (RO) and Headquarters (HQ), as well as Government counterparts, United Nations (UN) agencies, donors, development partners, civil society, private sector and other stakeholders.

The Programme Manager will also contribute to ensuring that relevant interventions are aligned with IOM policies and strategies, national priorities, and applicable regional and global frameworks.

1. Contribute in advancing the implementation, monitoring, and reporting of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM), through engagement with Government, United Nations (UN) entities, and development partners.

2. Manage the activities of the UN Migration Network in IOM Nigeria and facilitate inter-agency collaboration, joint planning, and information-sharing that aligns collective action on migration governance priorities.

3. Develop, review, and monitor migration governance frameworks, policies, strategies, and action plans at national and sub-national levels and provide technical advice that improves their coherence and implementation.

4. Contribute to the integration of migration considerations into national development frameworks and UN processes, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Common Country Analysis (CCA), and United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) to position migration as a cross-cutting development priority.

5. Provide technical inputs to policy dialogue, advocacy initiatives, institutional strengthening efforts, and migration governance programming to shape stakeholder positions and inform decisions of senior counterparts.

6. Develop and implement programmes and initiatives promoting safe, regular and well-managed labour migration and mobility to deliver results aligned with national priorities and donor expectations.

7. Provide technical guidance on labour migration governance, skills mobility, ethical recruitment, and protection of migrant workers to strengthen institutional approaches and safeguards.

8. Formulate policy recommendations, research, and capacity-building initiatives on labour migration and mobility, engaging stakeholders related to build consensus and sustain their commitment.

9. Manage the implementation of Immigration and Border Governance (IBG) projects and initiatives, including regular pathways, legal identity, border management, readmission cooperation, counter-migrant smuggling, and humanitarian border management to deliver results within agreed timelines, budgets and quality standards.

10. Contribute technical inputs to policy development, operational tools and institutional strengthening initiatives to enhance safe, orderly and regular migration pathways.

11. Strengthen resource mobilisation, project development and donor engagement relating to IBG priorities in coordination with relevant IOM units and technical specialists, expanding the funding base for the portfolio.

12. Manage, develop and contribute to the design of projects, including concept notes, proposals, budgets, workplans and results frameworks that are aligned with the Country Office (CO) strategic priorities.

13. Manage programme implementation and performance against agreed targets and apply corrective measures, upholding IOM policies, donor requirements and established quality standards.

• Master’s degree in Political Science, International Relations, Migration Studies, Public Policy, Public Administration, Development Studies, Law, Economics, Social Sciences, 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.

• Professional experience in migration governance, migration policy, protection, labour migration and mobility, migration management or a related field;
• Experience supporting the development and implementation of programmes and projects,
  preferably in the migration or development context;
• Experience in policy analysis, research, stakeholder engagement and/or policy dialogue;
• Experience working with Government institutions, UN agencies, international organisations, donors, civil society, private sector or other relevant stakeholders;
• Experience in migration governance, labour migration and mobility, or protection-related
  programming is desirable;
• Experience contributing to the development of concept notes, project proposals, reports, policy briefs and other programme or knowledge products;

• Experience supporting consultations, technical working groups, workshops, training or other multi-stakeholder activities;

  • Experience in programme monitoring, reporting and documentation; and,

  • Experience working in an international organisation, UN agency, government institution or development/humanitarian organisation is an advantage.
     

• Knowledge of migration-related issues and institutional frameworks in Nigeria and/or West and Central Africa is an advantage;

• Excellent knowledge of  migration  governance, migration policy, protection, and labour migration and mobility;

• Excellent programme and project management skills;

• Demonstrated analytical, research and problem-solving skills;

• Excellent stakeholder engagement, coordination and communication skills;

• Ability to prepare clear and concise reports, policy briefs, concept notes, presentations and other technical documents;

• Ability to work effectively with Government counterparts, development partners and other stakeholders;

• Ability to contribute to programme development, resource mobilisation, and partnership-building activities;

• Excellent organisational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines; and,

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.

   

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written).

Working knowledge of another official UN languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, 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.

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.

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, and 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.

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.