Programme Officer (Return and Reintegration) (P)

International Organization for Migration (IOM)

Job Details

  • Jun 2, 2026 Posted date
  • Jun 16, 2026 Expire date
  • Project Management Category
  • Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Location
  • Undergraduate Degree Education Level
  • Experience Level
  • Full Time Job Type

Job Description

Introduction

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations and the leading UN agency in the field of migration. Working closely with governmental, intergovernmental, and non-governmental partners, IOM promotes humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It saves lives and protects people on the move, drives solutions to displacement, and facilitates pathways for regular migration, while providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

IOM is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive, and supportive workplace where all employees can thrive professionally and feel valued. By creating such an environment, IOM aims to better harness the full potential of migration and strengthen its support to people on the move.

IOM invites candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply and provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process when required. Learn 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 IOM Member States that are not represented among staff members in the Professional and higher categories:

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

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

Context

IOM’s Protection Unit aims to contribute to promoting and upholding the rights of migrants, including displaced persons and their communities, reducing protection risks, and supporting Governments to manage migration by implementing preventive, responsive, remedial, and standard-setting actions. These actions are implemented through the 6 Protection operational pillars – thematic guidance, direct assistance, convening and dialogue, advocacy and communication, training and capacity building, and data, research and learning, while adhering to the division’s core commitments of protection mainstreaming, accountability and inclusion, sustainability and systemic change, and partnership and coordination. The Protection Unit oversees development of policy and technical guidance in these areas, provides programmatic support to IOM missions, and implements protection and assistance programmes of global relevance.

Under the overall supervision of the Head of Programmes in Ethiopia and direct supervision of Senior Programme Officer (Protection), and in close coordination with the Regional Thematic Specialist (RTS) at the Regional Office (RO) for East and Horn of Africa in Nairobi and relevant Divisions/Departments/Units at Headquarters (HQ), the Programme Officer (Return and Reintegration) will be responsible for managing, coordinating and overseeing the activities under the Migrant Return and Reintegration Portfolio in Ethiopia.

  1. Oversee the effective development and implementation of the Migrant Return and Reintegration Programme, backstopping the administrative, operational, and financial aspects for relevant projects.
  2. Provide operational management, guidance, and technical supervision to the Migrant Return and Reintegration Programme national and international staff, assisting with programmatic strategy and implementation, including where to focus programme resources and address operational challenges as they arise.
  3. Establish, maintain, and further expand strong relationships across UN Agencies, humanitarian organizations, government and community interlocutors, and with a broad range of other local interests toward the successful implementation of the Migrant Return and Reintegration Programme.
  4. Identify the priorities arising during the implementation of the Programme and contribute to the development of the new projects and activities under the Programme.
  5. Identify upcoming opportunities and programme focus areas arising from Return and Reintegration activities within the Programme. Contribute to the development of new projects and activities within the Programme, aligning them with the identified priorities, emerging trends, donor interests, and operational requirements, in close coordination with the Senior Programme Officer, Head of Programme, relevant Regional Offices, relevant Units at HQ, as well as with Government counterparts and other relevant public/private sector’s partner organizations.
  6. Ensure that the key programmatic directions are shared with international stakeholders, including donors, to maximize impact, minimize overlapping and stimulate funds mobilization for the new programmes.
  7. Ensure timely and quality preparation and submission of all programme reports, in close coordination with relevant units in the Country Office (CO) and according to requirements of IOM, donors, and relevant stakeholders.
  8. Coordinate and manage the elaboration and compilation of programme updates/briefs for donors, government, and other relevant stakeholders, by ensuring compliance with donor requirements and procedures.
  9. Monitor progress against strategic objectives, programme benchmarks, and provide advice with respect to improvements and corrections; oversee the establishment of a common Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) framework that incorporates regular reporting requirements and impact evaluation strategies, in close coordination with the M&E and Risk Officer of CO.
  10. Ensure that the objectives set in programme documents and budgets, M&E frameworks, and work plans are compliant with IOM’s organizational policies and donor’s contractual requirements, interests, and expectations.
  11. Oversee the production of visibility/communications materials in close coordination with the Public Information Officer/Focal Point of the CO.
  12. Guide, monitor, and follow up with relevant staff in support of CO’s strategic inputs and key decisions, including substantively contributing to the CO’s development of the country programme.
  13. Participate and engage actively at relevant donor or partner meetings, briefings, and conferences at the international and national level.
  14. Supervise and provide technical support to all relevant Programme staff. Mentor and support staff, conduct relevant trainings and ensure the capacity building of Programme staff.
  15. Coordinate the development, dissemination, and regular update of assessment and monitoring tools. Draft Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Programme activities, if required.
  16. Coordinate closely with other Protection Programme Managers, and other units’ Programme Managers (including Migration Management and Governance Unit (MMGU), Migration, Environment and Climate Change (MECC), and Human Response and Recovery (HRR), etc.) to maintain a coherent approach and strong linkages across projects within and related to the protection portfolio.
  17. Oversee the development and maintenance of data collection and analysis mechanisms for IOM’s ongoing or new programmes and share relevant information with partners within the humanitarian community.
  18. Undertake travel duties nationally or internationally, as required, including the regular visits to Sub-Offices, to coordinate, develop, and/or support programme implementation.
  19. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Skills and qualifications

Education

  • Master’s degree in international relations, Political Science, Humanitarian Affairs, Economic Development, Business or Public Administration, International Studies, or a related field 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.

 

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

Experience

  • Experience in the field of migration issues, including operational and field experience, project development, and management, and report writing;
  • Experience in complex programme development and implementation on return and/or reintegration, including budget management, monitoring, and evaluation;
  • Experience implementing reintegration projects and/or similar projects at the global or regional level with a UN agency or an international organization is an asset; and,
  • Experience in overseeing and delivering training programmes, especially on the topic of reintegration, for both an internal and external audience.

Skills

  • Strong programme coordination, team supervision, analytical and reporting skills;
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with government authorities, donors, and partner organizations;
  • Knowledge of return and reintegration programming and migration-related issues, including programme implementation and capacity-building activities; and,
  • Excellent computer skills, including proficiency in the MS Office package (Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

Languages

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

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

Working knowledge of another official UN languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, 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 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, if with direct reports

  • 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.

How to apply

Notes

Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile. Please refer to this link for guidance on IOM Job Category.

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.

Appointment will be subject to all clearances, including medical and security, as well as accreditation, any residency or visa requirements.

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, harassment, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and any forms of discrimination. IOM is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children.

IOM conducts reference checks and background verification, including through system-wide databases such as Clear Check, to help ensure that candidates have no record of misconduct, including on sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse, or fraud. Candidates are expected to uphold these standards and principles at all times.

IOM does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process—whether for application, interview, processing, training, or otherwise—and does not request any information related to bank accounts.

IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM WAVE 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.

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