VN-US10-2026-081 National Compliance Officer

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 internal and external candidates. 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, internal and internal-equivalent candidates as well as external women candidates are considered as first-tier candidates.

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Global & Domestic Programmes, direct supervision of the Head of the Global Programmes Unit (GPU), and in close coordination with the GO Washington (GO/W) Finance, Legal and Global Programmes teams, the National Compliance Officer will be responsible and accountable for providing technical guidance and support to IOM Country Offices (COs) implementing programmes funded by the United States Government (USG) in the interpretation and application of donor requirements, including risk assessments; reporting of aid diversion and misconduct; Leahy vetting; and flow-down of award terms to subrecipients.  
 

1. Contribute to preparation and dissemination of guidance materials and standard operating procedures relating to USG donor requirements. 

2. For new USG awards, review and identify compliance requirements, participate in “kick-off” meetings with donors, and provide guidance to implementing teams on the interpretation and application of relevant award terms. 

3. Provide technical assistance and guidance to COs implementing USG-funded awards in establishing and implementing measures to meet donor compliance requirements including: 

   1. Standard reporting

   2. Risk assessments

   3. Required pre-approvals 

   4. Reporting on aid diversion and misconduct

   5. Leahy vetting 

   6. Counter-trafficking provisions for subrecipients 

   7. Substantial involvement

4. Serve as GO/W focal point for reporting on aid diversion and misconduct; coordinate with relevant HQ offices for oversight, financial management, humanitarian response and recovery, and legal services, among others; maintain incident tracking mechanisms, and escalate issues as appropriate.

5. Review notices of funding opportunity and analyse complex compliance issues that may affect IOM’s applications, in coordination with GPU donor liaisons. 

6. Monitor compliance-related reporting requirements in coordination with COs, Regional Offices (ROs) and GO/W Finance and Global Programmes teams; analyse outstanding and emerging compliance issues, maintain reporting trackers and prepare status updates and recommendations for follow-up action. 

7. Coordinate with IOM’s Legal Department to clarify new award terms proposed by USG donors,  and assess their implications for implementation; develop and update compliance guidance materials for implementation of USG-funded awards. 

8. Convene and facilitate follow-up meetings with implementing teams to support ongoing compliance with donor requirements, including in complex operating environments or following key staff changes in COs. 

9. Contribute to the identification of systemic compliance issues and lessons learned across USG-funded programmes and recommend improvements to guidance, procedures and compliance processes.

10. Perform such other relevant duties as may be assigned. 

• Master’s degree in Law (which may be a Master’s degree or a J.D.), Social Sciences, Political Science, International Development, Management or a related field with two years of relevant professional experience; or

• Bachelor’s degree in the above fields with four years of relevant professional experience.  

Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.

• Experience working with a UN agency, NGO, or contractor with significant USG funding for humanitarian or development operations; or with a USG entity that provides foreign assistance funding; 

• Experience in a project management or compliance role for USG-funded awards; 

• Field experience in humanitarian or development programmes outside of the United States, ideally with a USG-funded project, is an advantage; 

• A legal background is an advantage.  

• Strong understanding of USG foreign assistance contracting systems and tools; 
• Familiarity with compliance issues that arise under USG awards;  
• Excellent organizational skills; 
• Proven ability to generate guidance materials, standard operating procedures and systems to implement complex processes;   
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; and
• Legal drafting and training skills are an advantage.

All IOM staff members in all categories are required to be fluent in one of the IOM's official languages (English, French, Spanish).

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

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 certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, security clearances.

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, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities.

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 the IOM e-Recruitment system (for internal candidates link here). The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.

No late applications will be accepted. 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