Programme Officer (Irregular Migration and Regional Priorities)

Job Description

Open to Internal and External Candidates

Position Title                     :    Programme Officer (Irregular Migration and Regional Priorities)

Duty Station                      :    Bangkok, Thailand

Classification                     :    Consultancy, Category A

Type of Appointment         :     Consultant Contract (until 30 June 2026)

Desired Start Date             :    As soon as possible

Closing Date                      :    1 October 2025

Reference Code                 :    CFA16850/2025

Established in 1951, IOM is the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of migration and 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.

ORGANISATIONAL CONTEXT AND SCOPE: 

The Bali Process on People Smuggling, Trafficking in Persons and Related Transnational Crime (Bali Process) is a non-binding and state-driven process involving 49 members (countries and international agencies), including the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC), as well as a number of observer countries and international agencies who participate in this voluntary forum. More information about the Bali Process can be found at www.baliprocess.net.

The RSO was established in 2012 to facilitate the operationalisation of the Regional Cooperation Framework (RCF) to reduce irregular migration in the Asia and Pacific region. The RSO aims to support and strengthen practical cooperation on refugee protection and international migration, including trafficking in persons and people smuggling, and other components of migration management in the region. The RSO is co-managed by the Australian and Indonesian Governments. More information can be found at www.rso.baliprocess.net.

This consultancy is with the RSO’s Irregular Migration and Regional Priorities work programme. This programme aims to identify drivers and consequences of irregular migration trends, and enhance dialogue, information-sharing and practical cooperation to influence operational and/or policy responses across Bali Process Member States. A key priority of this work programme is to conduct research in relevant thematic areas as identified in the Eighth Bali Process Ministerial Declaration and make actionable recommendations to Bali Process members to address irregular migration and displacement occurring as a result of these identified issues. These research findings will be developed into summary documents, country profiles, infographics, and web-based tools to enhance its accessibility and uptake among the target audience. In-person engagements such as meetings, briefings, and events will be conducted to share and discuss the actionable recommendations to enhance dialogue, information-sharing and practical cooperation on issues identified.

The Programme Officer (Irregular Migration and Regional Priorities) will be directly supervised by the Programme Manager (Irregular Migration and Regional Priorities), with the Chief of Unit (Irregular Migration) as the second line of supervision. 

Responsibilities

Reporting to RSO Co-Managers, RSO Programme Coordinators and Programme Managers, the Programme Officer (Irregular Migration and Regional Priorities) is expected to perform the following tasks during the period covered under this contract.

• Support the Programme Manager (Irregular Migration and Regional Priorities) to conceptualise, implement, and report on the planned activities of the Irregular Migration and Regional Priorities work programme.
• Monitor irregular migration and mass displacement events, and related policy developments in the Bali Process region, with the objective of ensuring the Irregular Migration and Regional Priorities work programme is responding to the needs and priorities of Bali Process members.
• Keep abreast of internal and IOM guidelines and coordinate administrative processes and logistics of in-person and virtual events organised by the Irregular Migration and Regional Priorities programme.
• Contribute to reporting functions of the Irregular Migration and Regional Priorities programme by initiating meeting minutes, activity reports, cables, outcome reports, and briefing points in line with RSO reporting guidelines and the visibility requirements of the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs.
• Support the management of external delivery partners/contractors by coordinating administrative and payment processes in a timely manner, organising regular progress review meetings, and reviewing deliverables to ensure their quality.
• In consultation with the RSO’s Communications and Engagement Unit, lead communications functions of the Irregular Migration and Regional Priorities work programme including but not limited to drafting news stories and developing social media content.
• Assist the Irregular Migration and Regional Priorities work programme in its engagements with Bali Process working groups, particularly to implement the action items relevant to the RSO in the Forward Work Plan 2024 – 2029 of the Technical Experts Group on Returns and Reintegration (TEG-RR), and the identified priorities of the Taskforce on Planning and Preparedness.
• Support resource mobilisation efforts of the Irregular Migration and Regional Priorities programme by keeping abreast of relevant funding opportunities and requirements, supporting the development of project pitches and proposals, and participating in relevant discussions with prospective development partners. 
• Build and maintain working relationships with thematic experts, research institutes, think-tanks, and partner organisations and drive regular engagement with relevant entities.
• Actively participate in and contribute to RSO’s knowledge sharing activities.
• Support the work of the RSO and work cooperatively and collegiately across all teams within the RSO noting the overlap in thematic areas and topics within the RSO Structure.
• Perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Programme Manager (Irregular Migration and Regional Priorities). 

Qualifications

The Programme Officer (Irregular Migration and Regional Priorities) should possess the following expertise and experience:

Education:

• Bachelors degree from an accredited academic institution in international relations, development studies, law, migration studies, or in a relevant field in social sciences or humanities. 

Experience:

• At least two years of full-time work experience (excluding internship and volunteering experience) supporting a project/ programme in the development cooperation sector is mandatory. This experience in the field of migration, particularly irregular migration, refugee management, and research, will be an added advantage.
• Experience working with multiple stakeholder groups including government interlocuters, international organisations, civil society, private sector, and other relevant stakeholders is mandatory.

Skills:

• Primary working language of this assignment is English. Ability to effectively communicate in oral and written English is mandatory.
• Ability to take initiative and responsibility of the relevant actions contributing to an activity, in coordination with the Programme Manager (Irregular Migration and Regional Priorities) and work independently under limited direction.
• Has the judgment and integrity to contribute constructively to the activities of the Irregular Migration and Regional Priorities programme. 
• Strong analytical and drafting skills, and the ability to synthesise complex information.
• Ability to work to tight deadlines and ensure deliverables are provided to agreed requirements. 
• Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds.

Languages:

• Fluency in both English and Thai (Oral and Written)
• Fluency in official languages across Bali Process Member States is desirable. South and Southeast Asian languages for instance Bangla, Bahasa Indonesia, Tamil, Malay, and Vietnamese would be beneficial, but not essential.

DESIRABLE COMPENTENCIES

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 

• 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. 
• Communication: encourages and contributes to clear and open communication; explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way. 

Other

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation. 

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment and verification of residency, visa and authorizations by the concerned Government, where applicable. 

How to apply:

Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications via IOM e-Recruitment system within the above said deadline referring to this advertisement. Please attach the following documents in your application. 

• a curriculum vitae; 
• a duly completed IOM Personal History Form which can be downloaded from https://thailand.iom.int/sites/g/files/tmzbdl1371/files/Vacancies/Form/iom-personal-history-form-270122.xls.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. 

Salary and conditions information:

• The successful candidate will be engaged under an IOM contract working for the Regional Support Office and their conditions of service will be governed by their contract. The contract will include annual and sick leave only.  The successful candidate is responsible for determining their taxation liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. The successful candidate is responsible for determining their own pension fund arrangements. 
• The position duty station is Bangkok, Thailand. Relocation assistance and working visa assistance will be provided by the IOM for the successful candidate, if required. 
• The position requires a minimum 3 days office-based work *subject to change*. 
• The starting salary of USD $ 2,081.00 will be paid monthly. Salary increases occur in line with the ‘RSO Personnel – Classification and Salary’ Guidelines.

Posting period: From 18/09/2025 to 1/10/2025

Required Skills

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