IOM recruits 01 Policy Officer (International Migration Law) (P3)

Since 1995, IOM has been working in partnership with the Government of Ethiopia, the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD), the African Union (AU), migrants, and other stakeholders to uphold the rights of migrants, promote the benefits and address the challenges of migration, and mitigate the related risks to the advantage of all.

Respect and effective implementation of human rights of migrants brings the legal perspective and content to the fore of the implementation of the AU and UN policy frameworks and legal instruments.

The promotion and protection of the rights of migrants should be enhanced as a priority in a context marked by discrimination, violence and xenophobia.

Judiciary institutions need to be involved with the required knowledge and capacity as a guarantor of rule of law. Page 1 / 5 They also need to improve their cooperation.

To enhance the African Union Commission’s (AUC) capacity to conduct its migration work, the IOM has entered into an agreement with the AUC to provide the regional organization with professional staff to strengthen its Migration governance capacity within the Labour, Employment and Migration Division of the AUC’s Social Affairs Department, support the Commission’s work on migration related issues relevant to the African context, such as migration law and non-discrimination.

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission to Ethiopia and Representative to the African Union, IGAD and UNECA, the direct supervision of the Programme Coordinator in IOM and in close and constant collaboration with the International Migration Law (IML) Unit in Headquarters (HQs) the successful candidate will be responsible for the Migration Unit’s work on migration law, legal protection and non-discrimination.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Lead, with the support of and in close collaboration with the IML Unit in IOM HQs, the AUC’s work to assist AU member states, sub regional entities and continental bodies in developing legislative, regulatory and policy frameworks to better govern migration in Africa.

2. Conduct research on international, regional and national migration legislation.

3. Promote international and regional instruments related to migration and the rights of migrants.

4. Draft papers on legal and judiciary migration governance.

5. Coordinate, with the IML Unit at IOM HQs, the preparation of responses to ad-hoc requests from AU member states, sub regional and continental bodies on legal migration governance issues.

6. Establish, in collaboration with the IML Unit and Migrant Protection and Assistance Division (MPA) at IOM HQs, appropriate standards of conduct for officials who deal with migrant smuggling situations and implement standard operating procedures in providing assistance to migrants whose lives and safety are in danger.

7. Assist, in collaboration with the IML Unit and MPA Division at IOM HQs, in developing assistance and protection mechanisms to trafficked persons, including medical care, psychological assistance, reflection and recovery periods, education, reintegration and/or resettlement programmes, paying for travel expenses, legal assistance, access to compensation and remedies and accommodation.

8. Support initiatives to identify and assist vulnerable migrants and displaced persons through child-oriented, gender- sensitive and culturally appropriate approaches, in coordination with the IML Unit and MPA Division in IOM HQs.

9. Represent the AUC at regional and continental conferences, workshops, seminars and meetings on migration law and governance.

10. Keep abreast of, analyse and provide advice on developments related to migration law and governance in Africa.

11. Work closely with relevant AUC departments on migration law related issues, in particular the Office of the Legal Counsel.

12. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Page 2 / 5 Required Qualifications and Experience: Education

Master’s degree in Law, International migration law; 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.

Experience

At least 5 years of working experience in migration law, Non-discrimination and protection of

rights of migrants, preferably for a national government or intergovernmental organization;

At least 5 years of working experience with national and regional institutions responsible for

the promotion and protection of the rights of the migrants, including judiciary institutions, parliaments, international partners, civil society organizations (CSOs) and non-governmental organisation (NGOs), etc;

At least 5 years of in-depth knowledge of migration laws, protection of the rights of migrant,

non-discrimination, especially migration governance in the African context;

Knowledge of international migration law;
Experience in drafting research papers and briefing notes for officials if governmental

institutions or intergovernmental organizations;

Experience in team wok;
Ability to work in a multicultural environment.

Languages IOM’s official languages are English, French and Spanish. For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of French and/or Spanish is an advantage.

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 three values:

Inclusion and respect for diversity: respects and promotes individual and cultural

differences; encourages diversity and inclusion wherever possible.

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. 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 action and delegated work. Page 3 / 5

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 potential.

Empowering others & building trust: creates an atmosphere of trust and an enabling

environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.

Strategic thinking and vision: works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and

communicates a clear strategic direction. 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.

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 security clearances.

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