About this opportunity
- Master's degree in relevant field or Bachelor's with 7 years experience
- 5 years of professional experience in migration governance or related field
- Experience in program development and implementation
- Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines
- Fluency in English; knowledge of another UN language is an advantage
Job Description
Introduction
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:
- Internal candidates
- 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.
Organizational Context and Scope
UndertheoverallsupervisionoftheChiefofMission(CoM)in Abujaandthedirectsupervision ofthe HeadofMigrationManagementUnit,theProgrammeManager (ImmigrationandBorderGovernance, MigrationGovernance,andLabourMobility)willberesponsibleandaccountableformanaging andproviding professionaltechnicaland programmesupportto the InternationalOrganization for Migration (IOM) Nigeria’s work on immigration and border governance, migration governance, and labour mobility.
The Programme Manager will contributeto thedevelopmentand implementation ofprogrammes,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.
TheProgramme Manager willalsocontribute toensuring thatrelevantinterventions arealignedwithIOM policies and strategies, national priorities, and applicable regional and global frameworks.
Responsibilities
Contributein advancingtheimplementation,monitoring,and reportingoftheGlobalCompact forSafe,OrderlyandRegularMigration (GCM),throughengagementwithGovernment,United Nations (UN) entities, and development partners.
Manage the activities of the UNMigration NetworkinIOM Nigeria and facilitate inter-agency collaboration, joint planning, and information-sharingthat alignscollective action on migration governance priorities.
Develop,review, andmonitormigration governanceframeworks,policies,strategies, andaction plans at national and sub-national levels and provide technical advice that improves their coherence and implementation.
Contributetotheintegrationofmigrationconsiderationsintonationaldevelopmentframeworks 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.
Providetechnicalinputstopolicydialogue,advocacyinitiatives,institutionalstrengtheningefforts, andmigrationgovernanceprogrammingtoshapestakeholderpositionsandinform decisionsof senior counterparts.
Develop and implementprogrammesand initiatives promoting safe, regular and well-managed labour migration and mobility to deliver results aligned with national priorities and donor expectations.
Providetechnicalguidance on labour migration governance,skillsmobility, ethical recruitment, and protectionof migrant workersto strengtheninstitutional approaches and safeguards.
Formulate policy recommendations, research, and capacity-building initiatives on labour migration and mobility, engaging stakeholders related to build consensus and sustain their commitment.
Manage the implementation of Immigration and Border Governance (IBG) projects and initiatives, including regular pathways, legal identity, border management, readmission cooperation,counter-migrantsmuggling, andhumanitarianbordermanagementtodeliverresults within agreed timelines, budgets and quality standards.
Contribute technical inputs to policy development, operational tools and institutional strengthening initiatives to enhance safe, orderly and regular migration pathways.
Strengthen resourcemobilisation,projectdevelopmentand donorengagementrelatingto IBG prioritiesincoordinationwithrelevantIOMunitsandtechnicalspecialists,expandingthefunding base for the portfolio.
Manage, develop and contributeto the design of projects,includingconceptnotes, proposals, budgets, workplans and results frameworks that are aligned with the Country Office (CO) strategic priorities.
Manage programme implementation and performance against agreed targets and apply corrective measures, upholdingIOM policies, donor requirements and established quality standards.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications and Experience
Education
Master’sdegreeinPoliticalScience,InternationalRelations,Migration Studies,PublicPolicy,Public Administration,DevelopmentStudies,Law,Economics,SocialSciences, ora relatedfieldfrom an accredited academicinstitutionwithfive years of relevant professional experience; or,
University degreeintheabovefieldswithsevenyearsofrelevantprofessionalexperience.
Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.
Experience
- 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 workinggroups,workshops, trainingorother multi-stakeholder activities;
Experienceinprogrammemonitoring,reportinganddocumentation;and,
Experience workinginaninternationalorganisation,UNagency,government institutionor development/humanitarian organisation is an advantage.
Skills
- Knowledgeof migration-relatedissuesand institutional frameworks in Nigeria and/or West and Central Africa is an advantage;
Excellentknowledgeofmigrationgovernance,migrationpolicy,protection, andlabour migration and mobility;
Excellentprogrammeandprojectmanagementskills;
Demonstrated analytical,researchandproblem-solvingskills;
Excellentstakeholderengagement,coordinationandcommunicationskills;
Abilityto prepareclearandconcisereports,policybriefs,conceptnotes,presentationsandother technical documents;
AbilitytoworkeffectivelywithGovernmentcounterparts,developmentpartnersandother stakeholders;
Ability to contributetoprogrammedevelopment,resourcemobilisation, and partnership-building activities;
Excellentorganisational skillsandabilityto managemultipleprioritiesandmeet deadlines;and,
-
ProficiencyinMicrosoftOfficeapplications.
Languages
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.
Required Competencies
IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.
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 2
- 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 2
- 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.
Notes
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.
Required Skills
Job info
Contract Type: Fixed-term (1 year with possibility of extension)Initial Contract Duration: One year with possibility of extension
Org Type: Country Office
Vacancy Type: Vacancy Notice
Recruiting Type: Professional
Grade: P-3
Is this S/VN based in an L3 office or in support to an L3 emergency response?: No
- Master's degree in relevant field or Bachelor's with 7 years experience
- 5 years of professional experience in migration governance or related field
- Experience in program development and implementation
- Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines
- Fluency in English; knowledge of another UN language is an advantage
✓ Application link checked and working on 12 Nov 2026
Opens the official application page on fa-evlj-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com.