Senior Programme Officer (Migrant Protection and Assistance (MPA)) (P)

Job Description

Job Identification (Reference Number): 17281
Position Title: Senior Programme Officer (Migrant Protection and Assistance (MPA)) (P)
Duty Station City: Bamako
Duty Station Country: Mali
Grade: P-4
Contract Type: Special Short Term Graded (Up to 9 months)
Recruiting Type: Professional
Vacancy Type: Special Vacancy Notice
Initial duration: 6 months
Closing date: 09 November 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. External female candidates
3. 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 and female candidates.

Context

Irregular migration along the Central Mediterranean route is increasingly dangerous for migrants. Crossing the Mediterranean to Italy is by far the deadliest route, with 1 death recorded for 35 arrivals (IOM, 2016). In addition, over 70% of the migrants interviewed by IOM on their arrival in Italy report that they were victims of trafficking or other exploitative practices during their migratory journey along the routes of the Central Mediterranean.

To meet these challenges, the European Union (EU) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) have developed the Joint Initiative for Migrant Protection and Reintegration in Africa (hereinafter “Joint Initiative”), for which implementation started in Mali in May 2017. The project aims to protect the security, dignity and rights of migrants along this important and dangerous migration route and to help improving the reintegration of returnees through innovative approaches. This will be achieved through different types of interventions including protection and assistance to vulnerable and stranded migrants, assistance for voluntary return, and support for sustainable reintegration in the communities of origin, the dissemination of accurate information on migration to migrants, potential migrants and communities, and the collection of data on migration flows. The Initiative aims at strengthening the technical and material capacities of the authorities and organizations involved in these areas, to ensure that they can ultimately take over policies and programmes related to the protection and reintegration of migrants in the country, with a view to improving return migration management and migration governance in particular.

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Mission, and in close coordination with the Joint Initiative Regional Coordination Unit and the relevant thematic specialists in the Regional Office for West and Central Africa, the Senior Programme Officer (Migrant Protection and Assistance (MPA)) will be responsible for the overall management, oversight and coordination of the EU-funded project for Protection and Reintegration of returning migrants to Mali and lead the Country Office’s (CO) Protection Division in IOM Mali. The Senior Programme Officer (MPA) will work closely with heads of sub offices, heads of transit centres and relevant project managers who are responsible for the different projects/project components, including those responsible for protection, public health, migration data and research, migration governance, operations and reintegration to ensure the effective coordination and implementation of all project activities.

Responsibilities

1. Exercise administrative, operational, and financial management responsibility for relevant projects under EU funding, maintaining oversight of project cycles, and ensure programmes are consistent with IOM and donor requirements.

2. Technically supervise and direct programme coordinators (Protection Unit, Sustainable Reintegration Unit, Resettlement and Movement Management/Operation Unit and other staff responsible for implementing Protection interventions; Protection of vulnerable migrants, including counter- trafficking and assisted returns and reintegration; and Protection Mainstreaming.

3. In coordination with the Head of Program Policy and Support Unit (PPSU), develop an IOM Protection strategy for IOM Mali in line with IOM country, regional and global strategic frameworks, and the Protection Division at Headquarters (HQ)/Regional Office (RO).

4. Establish and strengthen partnerships with key stakeholders including government of Mali, European Union, EU Member States, UN, and NGOs, with a view to promoting coordinated and integrated Protection-related interventions through new activities (community-based reintegration, etc.) ensuring the implementation of ongoing activities and raising funds for new projects and activities.

5. Increase IOM's support to government with a view towards strengthening capacity, policies, and legal frameworks, including related to trafficking in persons, vulnerable migrants, and gender-based violence and, upon request, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

6. In coordination with the Head of PPSU, ensure geographic, sequential and operational coherence between the EU programming and respective programmes and with others in the mission, in order to facilitate mission-wide, integrated area-based programming and to strengthen protection mainstreaming across programmes.

7. In coordination with the Chief of Mission, represent IOM and the Protection portfolio in coordination forums and other meetings as well as vis à vis the European Delegation and EU Member States.

8. In coordination with the Head of PPSU, mobilize resources through the development of new projects, including developing proposals and operational frameworks, negotiating with donors, and leading the production of communication tools that demonstrate IOM's impact; where appropriate, propose and advocate for the establishment of joint programmes with complementary UN agencies and NGOs with the support of RO Protection Division coordination/RO Dakar.

9. In coordination with RO Protection Division/RO Dakar, disseminate the protection division mandate, and provide advice and support for training and Capacity Building sessions where needed.

10. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Qualifications

Education

• Master’s degree in Law, Political or Social Sciences, Social Work, 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.

Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.

Experience

• Specific experience working within the protection sector, including established programme coordination, representation, and large scale managerial responsibilities;
• Experience in conducting complex case-management;
• Experience in liaising with governmental authorities, other national/international institutions;
• Extensive experience in coordinating activities with various stakeholders both at global level and in the field;
• Professional experience in the humanitarian and development fields relating to migration, refugee, IDP issues, showing increasing levels of responsibility;
• Professional experience should include fieldwork in multiple duty stations; and,
• Working experience in the Sub-Saharan region/Africa region and in a hardship environment is an asset.

Skills

• Excellent track record of effective working relationships with private sector, government officials and UN agencies;
• Proven leadership and negotiation skills, particularly in a multi-stakeholder and multi-cultural environment;
• Understanding of complex social-political environments;
• Strong strategic and creative thinking;
• Ability to work under extreme pressure in difficult conditions while maintaining security awareness; and,
• Flexibility and focus on processes and their improvements.

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 and French is required (oral and written).

Working knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, 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 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. 

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

Required Skills

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