Senior Programme Officer (Immigration and Border Governance (IBG))

Position Title: Senior Programme Officer (Immigration and Border Governance (IBG))

Duty Station: Kyiv, Ukraine

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P4

Type of Appointment: Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 22 July 2024

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 a diverse and inclusive work environment. Read more about diversity and inclusion at IOM at www.iom.int/diversity.

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. External female candidates:
3. Candidate from the following non-represented member states: Antigua and Barbuda; Barbados; Botswana; Cabo Verde; Comoros; Congo (the); Cook Islands; Guinea-Bissau; Holy See; Iceland; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the); Latvia; Madagascar; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Samoa; Sao Tome and Principe; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Tonga; Tuvalu; Vanuatu

Second-tier candidates include:

All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM and female candidates.

Context:

IOM Ukraine Country Office’s (CO) Immigration and Border Governance (IBG) Programme operates in accordance with IOM strategy to strengthen Ukraine’s migration and border management policies, legislative, administrative and operational frameworks to support an all-encompassing approach to migration and border governance. IOM works with relevant governmental agencies, international organizations and entities as well as civil society, encouraging intra agency, inter-agency and international cooperation and collaboration, as important components of the capacity building process.

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission and the direct supervision of the Deputy Chief of Mission, the Senior Programme Officer (Immigration and Border Governance – (IBG)) will be primarily responsible for providing substantive expert technical guidance, support, strategic inputs, and will be accountable for the effective coordination and management of a multidisciplinary portfolio of border and migration management multi-million projects, including regional projects, particularly in the context of Ukraine’s European Union (EU) candidate status.

The programmes in Ukraine cover IBM’s entire framework, as a concept and as an applied reality, including policy, infrastructure, logistics, and training. Also, from the point of view of beneficiaries, IOM Ukraine works with Interior, Finance, Infrastructure, Foreign Ministries.

The Migration and Border Governance Unit includes a Legal Unit, which is responsible for assisting the Ministry of the Interior, for everything related to the development and revision of laws and the strategic framework related to migration. In addition, the same unit is responsible for assisting the authorities of Ukraine, for the adaptation of the legislation relating to migration, in order to make them compatible with the European legislative framework on the subject.

Covering all these sectors, dealing with multiple types of ministries and authorities requires a proven direct experience in the field, supported by related studies and research experience.

In addition, the Senior Programme Officer (Immigration and Border Governance (IBG)) must have an extensive knowledge of the different border management theories, models and practices to be able to constantly assess the existing one in Ukraine, hence be able to sustain discussions with relevant counterparts and identify feasible solutions to enhance existing model deployed in Ukraine.

The Senior Programme Officer (IBG) will be accountable and responsible for the overall management and implementation of the Country Office (CO)’s Programme activities in the areas of migration and border governance, ensuring due coordination and synergies with other CO programming, including but limited to humanitarian assistance, early recovery, transition and development initiatives of IOM.

The IBG Portfolio is funded by, inter alia, the European Union and the United States Department of State.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Direct, manage and monitor all aspects of the IBG Programme’s projects in line with IOM and donor standards and requirements, oversee the overall Programme support functions and provide expert support for the development of IBG-related Country Office strategic plans, in line with Regional Office ones, in order to ensure the implementation of the overall IOM’s strategic goals and overall mission.
2. Manage and coordinate the work of all project staff members of the IBG Team, including policy and legal analysis and research, institutional capacity building and trainings, operations, logistics/procurement, monitoring and evaluation. In coordination with the Senior Resources Management Officer, to be responsible for hiring and further supporting the growth of IBG national staff.
3. In line with the CO strategy, provide strategic inputs and expert thematic guidance to on border management and identity solutions, regular pathways, regularization, readmission cooperation, admission and stay channels, immigration policy, legal identity, counter-migrant smuggling, border#and#development / trade#initiatives#and#Humanitarian Border Management (HBM), amongst other IBG thematic areas, for project development and implementation, and the delivery of trainings.
4. Act as the thematic Focal Point in the field of Immigration and Border Governance (IBG), including policy, strategy, legislation, institutional structures and operational frameworks, by providing expert advice, capacity development and direct support to the CO, in coordination and in cooperation with the IBG Regional Thematic Specialists (RTS) and the related Thematic Units at the IBG Division in HQ.
5. Liaise with relevant interlocutors as related to Programme implementation, including information exchange and institutional cooperation. Relevant counterparts in the field of migration are, inter alia, various national ministries and agencies, EU institutions in Ukraine and Brussels, various EU agencies and offices (such as the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex), the European Union Advisory Mission (EUAM) to Ukraine), the US Department of State and US Embassy, EU Member State embassies in Ukraine, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) representatives in Ukraine, Ukraine-based UN agencies and representatives of civil society and academia.
6. Assess current border management challenges in Ukraine and in coordination with relevant Ukraine authorities, develop and implement strategic policies that enhance border security while facilitating legitimate trade and travel.
7. Under multi-partner and/or regional initiatives, where IOM Ukraine CO is the project management site, coordinate activities with other IOM Country Offices and IOM partners, ensuring timely and effective information exchange and cooperation, and forging partnerships.
8. Oversee the work of short-term experts and consultants hired under IBG Projects.
9. Manage financial and budgetary planning, exercise overall quality control, including compliance with procedures.
10. Oversee and coordinate reporting on IBG Projects, including ad hoc, interim, annual and final reports.
11. Supervise, ensure correctness and coherency of, and prepare and compile presentations, talking points, and briefings on project activities related to the IBG portfolio of the CO.
12. Provide expert support to the Chief of Mission in monitoring national, regional, and international dynamics to identify emerging priorities relevant to the IBG thematic areas with a focus on expanding the IBG portfolio in the country, in close collaboration with RTS and relevant HQ Divisions to ensure a cross-thematic approach.
13. Lead the development of new project ideas and fundraising efforts to ensure business continuity and sharing best practices, in close coordination with the IOM Ukraine Programme Support Unit, Regional Offices in Vienna and Brussels and Immigration and Border Governance (IBG) Division HQ and work with other units as necessary to further develop comprehensive and interlinked thematic programming in support of broader mission migration priorities for the country.
14. In line with IOM’s internal guidance on communication as well as data and privacy policies, ensure adequate Programme visibility and communication in coordination with the Ukraine CO’s Programme Support Unit, including the preparation of articles, photo reports, visibility products and other such items.
15. Represent IOM and act as a facilitator in conferences, workshops, working groups, seminars, and other such events in Ukraine and abroad as directed. Ensure the responsive and professional technical support to partners through, among other activities, development and provision of information resources and training, border and migration management assessments, and support the border and migration governance-related initiatives at national and regional levels.
16. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Political or Social Sciences, Humanities, International Relations or a related field from an accredited academic institution with seven years of relevant professional experience; or,
• University degree in the above fields with nine years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• Extensive background in IBG thematic areas, including border management, identity management, e-governance, and Integrated Border Management in the cross border mobility sector, and related technical areas.
• Excellent track record in managing IBG programs, national or regional, funded by various donors, in a multi-partner environment, and preferably with an ICT component.
• Possess extensive expertise in Integrated Border Management (IBM), demonstrated through a comprehensive understanding of multi-agency cooperation and coordination at national and international levels, as well as in-depth knowledge of capacity building and training programs for border management personnel to ensure adherence to best practices and international standards.
• Skilled in the development and implementation of strategic policies that enhance border security while facilitating legitimate trade and travel.
• Solid understanding of border management systems and procedures (i.e., e-ticket, e-queue, ANPR, etc.).
• Proven track record in risk analysis and management, utilizing advanced technologies and intelligence-sharing mechanisms to identify and mitigate threats.
• Experience in working with governmental institutions and/or international organizations in migration and border governance active in Ukraine and/or the Region.
• Experience in the development, management, monitoring, and evaluation of complex projects and programs funded by diverse international donors including the EU, USA.
• Experience working in a humanitarian setting/in humanitarian border management.
• Experience at stakeholder engagement and coordination, effectively managing relationships with donor agencies, government counterparts, and implementing partners, and has knowledge of the Common Security and Defence Policy missions’ mandates and operations, with a specific understanding on EU Missions in Ukraine.
• Extensive expertise in the infrastructural development of law enforcement agencies, having a proven track record in designing and overseeing the construction of IBM facilities, ensuring they meet operational requirements and compliance standards.
• Proficient knowledge of advanced law enforcement systems, including surveillance technology, data management platforms, and communication networks, which are essential for modern policing, and for enhancing the capabilities of law enforcement agencies.
• Comprehensive understanding of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Consular Services responsibilities, with a focus on the visa application, evaluation, and determination processes, as well as e-visa consular systems.
• Successful track record in programme development and resource mobilization.

Skills

• Deep understanding of EU policy, structures and European best practices in border and migration management, and of Integrated Border Management.
• Good strategic vision of border management in the context of Ukraine’s current geopolitical situation.
• Excellent knowledge of border and migration policy, strategies and actors in Ukraine.
• Sound knowledge of the IOM project management cycle, programme support modalities and administrative systems and rules.
• Very good representational skills and knowledge of bilateral donor programming.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish. All staff members are required to be fluent in one of the three languages.

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of Ukrainian, Russian, and/or another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, 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.

Notes

1 Accredited Universities are the ones listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database (https://whed.net/home.php).

Required Competencies:

Values – all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these five 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.
• Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators level 3

• Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
• Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Managerial Competencies – behavioural indicators level 3

• Leadership: Provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example and demonstrates the ability to carry out the Organization’s vision. Assists others to realize and develop their leadership and professional potential.
• Empowering others: Creates an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
• Building Trust: Promotes shared values and creates an atmosphere of trust and honesty.
• Strategic thinking and vision: Works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.
• Humility: Leads with humility and shows openness to acknowledging own shortcomings.

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link.

https://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/about-iom/iom_revised_competency_framework_external.p df

Competencies will be assessed during a competency-based interview.

Other:

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. 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.

The list of NMS countries above includes all IOM Member States which are non-represented in the Professional Category of staff members. For this staff category, candidates who are nationals of the duty station’s country cannot be considered eligible.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and background verification and 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.