The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is the leading intergovernmental organization in the field of migration and works closely with governmental, intergovernmental, and non governmental partners to promote humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. Within this mandate, Immigration and Border Governance (IBG) constitutes a core area of IOM’s work, supporting States to strengthen border management systems that are effective, rights based, and aligned with international standards.
In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, IOM has significantly expanded its Immigration and Border Governance portfolio in recent years, responding to evolving migration dynamics, regional mobility patterns, and the priorities expressed by Member States. IOM currently implements IBG related projects across the majority of MENA countries, covering areas such as border management, cross border cooperation, countering transnational organized crime, document security, institutional
Responsibilities
The Immigration and Border Governance (IBG) Regional Thematic Unit (RTU) at IOM’s Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa (RO MENA) is seeking qualified Arabic‑speaking experts to support the implementation of current and forthcoming activities under its IBG portfolio. This call aims to establish a roster of experts who may be engaged to provide technical support to existing and future projects implemented across the MENA region.
Selected experts will be expected to provide technical assistance in their respective areas of expertise, including conducting needs assessments, developing training curricula, drafting strategy papers and guidelines, and contributing substantively to the design and delivery of expert consultations, workshops, conferences, and tailored capacity‑building activities. All assignments will be carried out under the supervision of the relevant project managers and in close coordination with the IBG RTU.
Within this framework, IOM RO MENA seeks competent Arabic‑speaking experts in the following five thematic components:
Component 1: Border Controls (Security)
- Integrated Border Management (IBM)
- Detection of travel document fraud and document examination
- Interview techniques for first‑ and second‑line border controls, including detection of transnational organized crime
- Data‑driven risk and threat analysis related to border management
- Verification of the authenticity of identity and travel documents
- Passenger assessment and behavioural analysis for fraud detection
- Development and application of data‑driven risk analysis methodologies
- Data‑sharing practices among international and regional stakeholders
- Gender mainstreaming at border controls
- Human rights‑based approaches to border management
Component 2: Identity Management
- Border Management Information Systems (BMIS), including API/PNR analysis
- BMIS integration, interfacing, and system interoperability
- Use and interoperability of biometric data
- Personal data management and data protection
- Identity management systems, including travel documents
- Civil registry systems and development and issuance of identity cards
- Comparative analysis of border and migration management systems
Component 3: Addressing Irregular Migration, Migrant Smuggling, and Human Trafficking (Policies and Procedures)
- Management of irregular migration
- Detection and investigation of migrant smuggling
- Judicial investigation and prosecution of migrant smuggling cases
- Intercultural communication in migration and border contexts
- Processes and workflows for the identification of irregular migrants
- Law enforcement ethics
- Alternatives to immigration detention
- International investigative practices and inter‑agency cooperation
- Use of technology in cross‑border and joint operations
Component 4: Regular Migration
- Residency systems and residence permit application procedures
- Regularization mechanisms
- Pathways to citizenship
- Comparative analysis of visa regimes across different countries
- Settlement laws and related administrative procedures
- Comparative analysis of Arab policies and legislation on regular migration
Component 5: Soft Skills
- Communication techniques and relationship management, including group dynamics
- Principles of training design and layout
- Teaching methods and techniques, including guidance for future trainers
- Presentation techniques
- Facilitation of group exercises and training simulations
Qualifications
- University / Relevant Vocational Academy degree with minimum 8 years of relevant professional experience in the field of Immigration and Border Management, Forensic Sciences, International Law and related fields (Masters / PhD will be considered advantageous)
- Proven Professional and / or Academic experience in at least one of the above-mentioned components
- Professional experience in working with relevant governmental institutions in the MENA region
- Excellent oral and written Arabic and English skills (for both international and national experts)
- Excellent drafting and presentation skills
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 three 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
- 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.
- Experts interested in being included into the Expert Roster and take part in activities of the current and upcoming projects implemented by IOM IBG MENA RTU and MENA Country Offices, are invited to apply through attaching their up-to-date CVs, motivation letter and indicating their area of interest and expertise to this Job Requisition.
- Vetted Experts' CVs will be added to the Expert Roster, which is an internal tool that will be used solely for the purposes mentioned hereinabove. The CVs will be selected from the roster in order to facilitate a possible recruitment on a short and mid-term basis as experts to work on specific projects’ activities. The exact duration of engagement, conditions related to remuneration etc. will be determined separately for each activity.
