National Immigration and Border Governance Officer

Overview

The International Organization for Migration (IOM), a United Nations-related entity established in 1951, is a premier agency dedicated to migration management. Collaborating extensively with governmental and non-governmental bodies, it aims to ensure humane and structured migration, providing essential services to migrants and supporting displaced populations.

At IOM Ireland, operating since 2001, migration management encompasses multiple sectors such as Assisted Voluntary Return, Resettlement, Family Reunification, Counter-Trafficking, Integration, and Immigration and Border Governance (IBG). The IBG Unit facilitates support to international protection applicants and beneficiaries of temporary protection mainly via cultural mediation and case work.

Role Summary

Reporting to the Chief of Mission, the National IBG Officer will manage and coordinate all immigration and border governance projects across multiple sites in Ireland. The role entails planning, executing, and monitoring project activities, ensuring compliance with IOM policies, donor agreements, and relevant standards. It demands close collaboration with various stakeholders, including donors, government partners, United Nations agencies, and civil society.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the comprehensive management of IBG projects, overseeing financial, administrative, logistical, and technical operations in alignment with policies and donor requirements.
• Track project progress against work plans, assess outcomes, identify issues or bottlenecks, and implement corrective measures promptly in coordination with the Chief of Mission.
• Integrate and promote cross-cutting themes such as gender equality, protection, and human rights throughout project implementations.
• Develop tools for project monitoring, evaluation, and reporting; contribute to information management efforts including awareness campaigns, visibility initiatives, and publication of relevant materials.
• Identify opportunities for project enhancement and contribute to drafting sections of new project proposals based on contextual analysis.
• Engage actively in the senior management team to foster synergy within the mission and explore new initiatives aligned with IOM’s goals in Ireland.
• Collaborate in refining methodologies, contingency plans, standard operating procedures to effectively address emerging challenges.
• Prepare and submit timely reports to donors, governmental bodies, and other stakeholders, ensuring compliance with organizational and donor standards.
• Maintain close liaison with government entities, implementing partners, UN agencies, donors, and civil society representatives.
• Organize and lead capacity-building sessions for staff, partners, government officials, and humanitarian actors.
• Represent the IBG Unit in forums including conferences, steering committees, working groups, and consultations as required.
• Supervise the IBG team, ensuring productivity, adherence to organizational procedures, and fostering a positive work environment.
• Facilitate recruitment, onboarding, training, and performance evaluation of IBG staff members.
• Provide necessary resources and guidance to the team to meet operational objectives effectively.
• Carry out duty travel as needed to support project goals.
• Execute additional tasks as assigned by the Chief of Mission.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in fields such as political or social sciences, International Relations, Development Studies, Migration Studies, Human Rights, or Law with four years relevant experience; or Master’s degree in these areas with two years relevant experience.
• Proven experience engaging with government authorities, international organizations, and NGOs.
• Track record managing projects with budgets exceeding EUR 2 million annually.
• Experience leading multicultural teams of more than 12 personnel.
• Prior involvement working with migrants, refugees, internally displaced persons, trafficking victims, or vulnerable populations.
• Advantageous: prior IBG project experience and work within international humanitarian or governmental settings.

Skills and Competencies

• Comprehensive understanding of immigration policies and regulations.
• Familiarity with the Irish asylum system.
• Knowledge of United Nations and bilateral donor program frameworks.
• Understanding of UN financial, administrative, and human resource regulations.
• Fluency in English, both spoken and written, is essential.

Behavioral Competencies

• Values inclusion, respect for diversity, professionalism, integrity, courage, and empathy.
• Supports teamwork, accountability, delivering results, knowledge sharing, and effective communication.
• Demonstrates leadership capabilities including strategic vision, empowering others, building trust, and humility.

Additional Information

Appointments depend on funding confirmation and require medical, accreditation, visa, and security clearance as applicable. IOM maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy against misconduct including discrimination, harassment, and exploitation. No fees are charged during recruitment. Only completed applications submitted through authorized recruitment systems are accepted. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. Selected candidates may be considered for similar roles for up to 24 months post-selection.