- Job Identification 18891
- Posting Date 02/04/2026, 03:35 AM
- Apply Before 02/16/2026, 10:59 PM
- Contract Type Fixed-term (1 year with possibility of extension)
- Initial Contract Duration 1 year with possibility of extension
- Org Type Regional Office
- Vacancy Type Vacancy Notice
- Recruiting Type Professional
- Grade P-4
- Is this S/VN based in an L3 office or in support to an L3 emergency response? No
- Job Identification 18891
- Posting Date 02/04/2026, 03:35 AM
- Apply Before 02/16/2026, 10:59 PM
- Locations Brussels, 1040, BE
- Contract Type Fixed-term (1 year with possibility of extension)
- Initial Contract Duration 1 year with possibility of extension
- Org Type Regional Office
- Vacancy Type Vacancy Notice
- Recruiting Type Professional
- Grade P-4
- Is this S/VN based in an L3 office or in support to an L3 emergency response? No
**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
This Vacancy Notice is part of IOM’s competitive mobility exercise, open for applications from internal and internal-equivalent candidates only.
**Organizational Context and Scope**
Under the overall supervision of the Global Office Director and direct supervision of the Chief, EU Policy and Programme Support Division, and the guidance of the Department of Mobility Pathways and Inclusion (DMPI) and the Immigration and Border Governance Division (IBG) in Headquarters (HQ), the Global Thematic Specialist (Immigration and Border Governance) supports IOM's strategic thematic engagement with the European Union (EU).
The Global Thematic Specialist (Immigration and Border Governance) builds, manages, and maintains direct relationships between IOM and EU Institutions, Bodies, and Agencies to enhance IOM's position in policy discussions and provide thematic, evidence-based advice and recommendations regarding respective immigration and border governance, border management, and related migration topics, policies, and programmes. The Global Thematic Specialist (Immigration and Border Governance) works in alignment with relevant internal and external frameworks, policies, strategies, and workplans; guides and supports IOM Country Offices (COs) worldwide, in coordination with the Global Programme Support Unit (GPS), and Regional Thematic Specialists (RTSs) in the Regional Offices (ROs) in their advocacy on EU-related thematic issues; and in the development, contracting, compliance, and implementation of EU-funded projects.
The Global Thematic Specialist (Immigration and Border Governance) has the following functions: policy advocacy, liaison, and donor compliance on border governance and management issues. This includes resource mobilization and secondary project review to support and expand IOM's global EU‑funded portfolio. In addition, the Global Thematic Specialist (Immigration and Border Governance) supports and provides advice and technical guidance to offices implementing EU-funded projects on knowledge management and learning, capacity building for COs and ROs, and field visits to support implementation, reporting, evaluation, audits, and verifications.
**Strategic Engagement**
- Policy and Advocacy: Lead thematic advocacy and communicate IOM's IBG policies and strategic position to EU Institutions, Bodies, and Agencies, grounded in guidance from IBG in HQ in close coordination with the Office of Partnership, Advocacy and Communications (OPAC), Global Office Director, Head of the EU Policy and Programme Support Division, Global Project Support Unit (GPS), other GTUs, and relevant ROs and COs.
- Liaison and Engagement: As delegated by the Global Office Director and/or the Head of the EU Policy and Programme Support Division, represent IOM and act as a focal point for liaison with EU Institutions, Bodies, and Agencies, strategic global stakeholders related to the EU such as academic institutions, financial institutions, think tanks, and UN working groups where relevant, on IBG thematic issues. Additionally, provide thematic guidance to COs on engagement with EU Delegations in coordination with relevant RTS.
- Strategic Planning: Provide strategic guidance to the development, expansion, implementation, and/or revision of strategic plans, frameworks, and agreements in line with IOM's global and Global Office Brussels’ priority areas, in coordination with HQ functional homes and relevant GTUs, GPS, ROs, and COs.
- Policy Monitoring: Monitor and analyse IBG-related developments, policy, priority changes, challenges, and positions of EU Institutions, Bodies, and Agencies, and relay to ROs, COs, and HQ functional homes as relevant.
**Technical Support to Regional and Country Offices**
- Coordination: Ensure direct coordination with IBG in HQ, and Regional Thematic Specialists (Immigration and Border Governance) and thematic staff in COs (in coordination with relevant IBG RTS) on IBG issues and emerging opportunities, risks, and challenges related to EU policy and funding. Ensure coordination internally between various GTUs, GPS, and the Global Media and Communications Unit (MCU), to advise on links between thematic areas and opportunities to mainstream crosscutting issues.
- Capacity Building: Develop and conduct capacity building initiatives for RO and CO staff on EU engagement, advocacy, priorities, and fundraising as well as project development, implementation, reporting, and compliance for EU-funded programming.
- Thematic Donor Compliance: Provide strategic and thematic guidance to ROs and COs on IBG-related EU policies, priorities, and strategies to enhance IBG programming and reporting for EU-funded projects.
- Programmatic Review and Development: Provide advice as may be required on immigration, border governance, and management to COs, ROs, and HQ during project development, and act as secondary reviewer for all IBG EU-funded project proposals and reports in close coordination with the relevant ROs, including RTS and Regional Project Development Officers as necessary.
- Resource Mobilization and Funding: Record and monitor IBG-related EU funding instruments to share with GPS opportunities and calls for proposals for ROs and COs. Provide support to ROs and COs in negotiations with EU donors.
- Programmatic Monitoring: Support and provide technical guidance to COs and ROs in follow-up on IBG EU-funded projects, in coordination with GPS. Support ROs and provide backstopping support to COs as relevant to IBG EU-funded projects.
- Monitoring: Identify emerging trends, opportunities, challenges and risks to the Global Office Director, RTS, and/or HQ functional homes as needed.
**Knowledge Management and Learning**
- Knowledge Management: Contribute to and influence knowledge sharing platforms and disseminate innovative and best practices for IBG-related EU funding, advocacy, and engagement to external partners, COs, ROs, and HQ, including EU policy priorities and opportunities.
- Learning: Gather, disseminate, and promote the implementation of best practices and lessons learned from evaluations, audits, and implementation of IBG EU-funded programmes.
**IBG Global Thematic Unit Management**
- Manage the IBG Global Thematic Unit, including overseeing and managing the delivery of the Unit’s specific responsibilities as outlined in the IBG GTU Terms of Reference.
- Perform any other duties as may be assigned
**Required Qualifications And Experience**
**Education**
- Master’s degree in Migration Policy, EU Law, International Relations, 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**
- Proven experience in liaising with governmental and diplomatic officials, EU Institutions, Bodies, Agencies, Delegations, national and international institutions and organizations, civil society and private sector actors.
- Experience working in non‑OECD countries an advantage.
- Experience in working in various contexts, and in leading and managing IBG teams and projects.
- Experience in capacity development on immigration and border governance and management; complex programme development and implementation, including budget management.
- Experience working in an international organization, UN, or EU Institution, Body, or Agency.
- Track record in donor liaison and engagement for policy, advocacy and resource mobilization; experience with EU donors advantageous.
**Skills**
- Ability to understand complex contexts and fast-changing migration and displacement dynamics and frame them in regional, global, and political contexts.
- Proven track record of successful engagement with EU donors and ensuring convergence of EU policies and frameworks and IOM operations.
- Sound knowledge of the EU and its structures.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively lead and manage a diverse team of specialists.
- Strong analytical skills and ability to summarize, present, and communicate findings.
- Knowledge of relevant international standards and classifications.
- Excellent writing and presenting skills in English and French.
- Sound knowledge of statistical methods and their application.
- Proven agent of change or willingness to foster a culture of learning and knowledge management.
**Languages**
All IOM staff members in all categories are required to be fluent in one of the IOM's official languages (English, French, Spanish).
For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written).
Working knowledge of another official UN language (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 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. 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.
For this staff category, candidates who are nationals of the duty station’s country and who do not have prior experience outside the duty station’s country as staff member in the Professional category 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
