Project Officer (International Migration Law) (P)

Job Identification (Reference Number): 15725
Position Title: Project Officer (International Migration Law) (P)
Duty Station City: Cairo
Duty Station Country: Egypt
Grade: P-2
Contract Type: Special Short Term Graded (Up to 9 months)
Recruiting Type: Professional
Vacancy Type: Special Vacancy Notice
Initial duration: 6 months
Closing date: 17 July 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

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 non-represented member states:
   Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Comoros, Congo (the), Cook Islands, Dominica, Federated States of Micronesia, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Holy See, Iceland, Israel, Kiribati, Madagascar, Marshall Islands, Namibia, Nauru, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:
All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM.

Context

IOM’s Immigration and Border Governance (IBG) team partners with government partners and other stakeholders to enhance the migration policies, legal frameworks, technical and administrative structures, and human resources required to effectively address the challenges and harness the opportunities of migration and cross-border mobility.

IBG interventions are designed to advance IOM’s commitment to facilitate safe, orderly, and regular migration along with predictable human mobility, through three distinct but complementary portfolios: Border and Identity Solutions, Immigration and Visas, and Legal Identity.

The Immigration and Border Governance (IBG) Unit at IOM Egypt supports relevant Governmental authorities in enhancing their capacities to manage borders efficiently in a coordinated and integrated way. Current and upcoming interventions include extensive policy and decision-makers support, training, equipment and infrastructure provision programme for Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Transport departments mandated with border management in Egypt on various technical topics and initiatives related to International Migration Law (IML) and rule of law, rights-based border management, Integrated Border Management (IBM), Humanitarian Border Management (HBM), SAR (Search and Rescue) countering-cross border crime, development and trade, legal identity (migrant registration, biometrics, travel document standards) and cross border cooperation with partner countries in the above domains including support to implementation of international agreements contributing to humane and orderly migration.  

Under the overall supervision of the Head of Programme and the direct supervision of the Senior Programme Manager (HBM), the Project Officer (International Migration Law) will be providing technical support to the thematic programme in support of border management authorities in the Arab Republic of Egypt. They will supervise and coordinate the implementation of activities and components of activities related to the International Migration Law and Human Rights, Humanitarian Law and Refugee Law, including in relation to the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Due Diligence Policy (HRDDP). They will also provide technical guidance and inputs in the IBG projects at IOM Egypt in the related area, supporting the strategic development and implementation of migrants’ human-rights and protection approaches in the Country.

1. Coordinate the implementation, monitoring and reporting on action plans related to International Migration Law within the IBG programmes and activities managed or implemented by IOM Egypt.

2. Document possible risks related to the implementation of the foreseen assistance to be provided under the IBG projects while taking into account the regional context, legal framework, and stakeholder analysis and provide recommendations on the necessary mitigation measures.

3. Contribute to the International Migration Law components, including those focusing on Human Rights, Humanitarian Law and Refugee Law, in project activities related to supporting immigration and border management authorities, checking compliance with identified needs and IOM’s strategies, thematic guidelines and project development procedures, taking into account good practices and lessons learned.

4. Closely coordinate with the IOM Headquarters (HQ), Regional Office (RO), and other IOM country offices, other UN entities and project implementation partners to support the development and implementation of the relevant Human Rights-related components of programmes or activities as well as the related communication strategy as needed.

5. Analyze the context and developments in the area of International Migration Law in Egypt and the region and contribute to the development of thematic reports and policies in close coordination with the Regional Policy and Liaison Unit (RPLU).

6. Deliver presentations and training modules to the beneficiaries in the relevant thematic area of International Migration Law and Human Rights, Humanitarian Law and Refugee Law in particular.

7. Conduct research on relevant assigned topics; draft and/or contribute to information sheets, presentations, training curricula and materials and thematic guidance notes on IML, Human Rights, Humanitarian Law and Refugee Law and other relevant topics.

8. Maintain strong working relationships with government and UN counterparts, other project units in IOM Egypt with a special focus on those coordinating/implementing related projects/programmes – and provide technical input, when necessary, through research and training.

9. Assist in strengthening coordination efforts with government entities, embassies, implementing partners, UN agencies, and other stakeholders involved in carrying out relevant activities in the country and attend relevant meetings and events.

10. Supervise and provide training and technical guidance to project staff and participate actively in team work.

11. Undertake project related duty travel as required, and participate in the-related thematic conferences, workshops, and meetings.

12. Undertake duty travel relating to project activities, monitoring and liaison with counterparts.

13. Perform such other relevant duties as maybe assigned.

Education

• Master’s degree in Law, International Migration Law, Human Rights, Humanitarian Law, Refugee Law or a related field from an accredited academic institution with two years of relevant professional experience; or,
• University 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

• Experience in working in legal professions – law enforcement, prosecution, judiciary or similar;
• Experience working in the area of human rights, including capacity building and monitoring;
• Experience in working in the Government, UN or other International Organizations, including non-governmental ones;
• Experience of working in a multi-cultural setting;
• Experience working in Egypt and/or the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is an asset; and,
• Experience in staff supervision and training.

Skills

• Sound knowledge of the fundamental human rights legal framework and international and regional mechanisms system – including those of the UN, African Union and the Arab League;
• Basic knowledge of institutional mandates. Related to the position and of UN human rights methodologies, including UN HRDDP;
• Capacity to monitor human rights-related matters and to propose possible means for their resolution, including assisting in advocacy efforts;
• Ability to identify information relevant to human rights, synthesize significant amounts of information and to produce human rights analysis drawing on all available sources of information, including open sources;
• Advanced English writing, communication and negotiation skills;
• Capacity to conduct complex research and develop well-structured project proposals, concept notes and thematic publications;
• Capacity to deliver training activities to law enforcement authorities; and,
• Computer/software literate,preferably knowledgeable in Microsoft Office, and Adobe Acrobat.

Languages

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

Working knowledge of Arabic, French, and/or another official UN language (Chinese, Russian, and Spanish) is an advantage.

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

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.

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.

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, security clearances.

Vacancies close at 23:59 local time 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, 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.

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