Position Title: Policy Officer (Trade and Mobility)

Duty Station: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P3

Type of Appointment: Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 27 June 2024

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 a diverse and inclusive work environment. Read more about diversity and inclusion at IOM at www.iom.int/diversity.

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 non-represented member states:

Antigua and Barbuda; Barbados; Botswana; Cabo Verde; Comoros; Congo (the); Cook Islands; Fiji; Guinea-Bissau; Holy See; Iceland; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the); Madagascar; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Samoa; Sao Tome and Principe; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Tonga; Tuvalu; Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:

All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states.

Context:

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) Special Liaison Office (SLO) to the African Union Commission (AUC) and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), advocates the role of migration and mobility in the continent’s development and integration agenda, and the subsequent need to enhance migration governance for safer, more orderly, and humane migration.

Numerous progressive frameworks under the pillars of Agenda 2063, have emerged over the years and align strongly to IOM’s mandate, namely, the Migration Policy Framework for Africa (MPFA), the Protocol to the Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community Relating to Free Movement of Persons, Right of Residence and Right of Establishment (also known as the Free Movement of Person’s protocol/FMP Protocol),the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement, the Single Africa Air transport Market, the Joint Labour Migration Programme, among others.

The Agreement Establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area was signed at an Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of the AU in Kigali, Rwanda on 21 March 2018. The Agreement sets out a continental system of trade rules; acts as a platform for negotiating trade protocols; facilitates the settlement of disputes between State Parties; and monitors the implementation of the AfCFTA Agreement. Furthermore, the AfCFTA Agreement is a framework agreement, with comprehensive coverage of Trade in Goods, Trade in Services, Investment, Competition Policy, Intellectual Property Rights, Women and Youth in Trade, and Digital Trade as well as Rules and Procedures for the Settlement of Disputes.

The implementation of the AfCFTA paves the way for African states to boost trade and drive the economic growth and development of the Continent and as such the migration and mobility of persons dimension is key to the achievement of 50 per cent intra-African trade by 2045 as envisioned in Agenda 2063. In a larger context these economic offshoots of the mobility, migration and trade dynamic also contribute to the achievement of larger SDG goals in terms of poverty alleviation, youth employment and entrepreneurship, building partnerships and directly to SDG 10.7 that relates to the need for well managed migration policies.

While there is a growing recognition that trade, migration, and cross-border human mobility are inherently interconnected, the link between the free movement of persons and free movement of goods and services has yet to receive sufficient traction, as the approach on achieving economic integration and mobility has been hinged on two parallel policy spaces, which should not be the case. The link between migration, mobility and trade development interventions needs to be better understood to undertake proactive measures and to utilize the opportunities which remain largely untapped. This is more so as the AU Free Movement of Persons Protocol, a critical policy framework for integration and socio-economic development as well a flagship project of the AU Agenda 2063 is yet to take effect.

Under the overall supervision of the Director, Special Liaison Office in Addis Ababa, the direct supervision of the Senior Liaison Officer (UNECA), and in coordination with related HQ Departments including IBG and LMD, the Policy Officer (Trade and Mobility) will lead IOM engagements with the AfCFTA Secretariat, AUC, UNECA and trade related partners in Africa in driving the mobility/migration-trade nexus narrative towards regional integration in support of the Agenda 2063 and global SDG Agenda 2030 aspirations.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Promote coherent and evidence-based policies that address the mobility of persons, migration, trade, and development nexus.
2. Coordinate strategic engagements with the AfCFTA and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) Secretariats including but not limited to enhancing simplified trade regimes and digitization, liberalization of Mode 4 and the movement of business people, Protocol on women and youth.
3. Facilitate dialogue between governmental and non-governmental institutions, businesses, RECs and other stakeholders to foster cooperation and create synergies in mobility, migration and trade policies.
4. Encourage and promote the mainstreaming of migration and human mobility into continental regional and national strategic policies and frameworks that enhance regular pathways and harness the positive impacts of migration and mobility along the trade continuum, such as reducing barriers to the movement of people, enhancing labour and skills mobility, migrant entrepreneurship; diaspora engagement and investments; facilitate cross-border mobility including small scale cross border traders.
5. Advocate for the protection of migrant rights and well-being in trade policies, ensuring gender and youth sensitivity and inclusivity.
6. Collect, compile, and analyze data on trade-related issues and provide guidance including but not limited to issues related to digital trade/e-commerce (e-commerce-mobility nexus), ATPC trade-related engagements, particularly in the areas of digital trade/e-commerce, trade policy analysis, trade and environment, and AfCFTA Agreement’s negotiation and implementation.
7. Propose synergies in line with ongoing trade and mobility agreements and initiatives, particularly the AfCFTA and RECs, the Continental and Regional Free Movement of Persons protocols and other integration processes on the continent as well at sub-regional levels, to help increase evidence-based findings on the mutual positive link between the AFCFTA and FMP protocol for Africa’s integration. This includes immigration related engagements focused on admission and stay policies and the facilitation of cross-border mobility.
8. Undertake analytical assessments and evaluations on key trade policy areas of the AfCFTA Agreement and state of play and emerging issues as it relates to the FMP.
9. Liaise with trade related institutions including the AfCFTA and RECs Secretariat, trade partners and coordinate the continent-wide mobility-trade agenda; support the operationalization of the IOM Task force on Trade and in implementation of the Migration-Trade Toolkit, in support of an institutional position in the trade discourse.
10. Develop new programme areas, project concepts and proposals and resource mobilize for sustained and targeted support towards the effective implementation of the FMP, its Road Map, as well as related continental frameworks and initiatives.
11. Ensure coordination of activities with other units in IOM Special Liaison Office, Regional Offices/Thematic Specialists including in IBG and LMD, and HQ and country missions implementing trade related activities and work towards complementarity and synergizing of programming.
12. Represent IOM in relevant meetings with the AUC, RECs, MDBs, partners, and relevant stakeholders, and where necessary provide technical support towards conceptualizing and drafting the meeting agenda and relevant documents, presentations, and produce meeting reports.
13. Draft policy papers, background documents and provide updates and responses to HQ, ROas it relates to migration, mobility and trade nexus.
14. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in International Economics, International Trade Development, Economics/International Development or a related field from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience with demonstrated concrete results; or,
• University degree in the above fields with seven years of relevant professional experience with demonstrated concrete results.

Experience

• Sound knowledge and experience in international fora and policy negotiations on migration, climate change, and environmental issues, with a particular focus on the African continental context;
• Demonstrated experience in program conceptualization, development, monitoring, reporting, evaluation, and capacity building in the areas of migration and displacement related to climate change, environmental degradation, and disasters;
• Experience working in emergency situations (complex emergency or disaster response) at an international level;
• Successful experience in liaising with governmental and diplomatic authorities, national/international institutions, NGOs, donors, and academia;
• Experience in organizing high-level consultations, workshops, and seminars;
• Demonstrated experience in international and/or regional/bilateral trade working on trade negotiations, with the AfCFTA and/or other regional trade agreements in Africa is an added advantage;
• Relevant experience in trade policy development, implementation and strong knowledge of trade policy issues, strategic planning on projects focused on economic development, policy formulation and analysis;
• Experience in implementing trade-related projects in Africa. Project/Programme management experience including the formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of trade related programmes;
• Experience in trade policy analysis, including using econometric models, is an advantage;
• Experience in economic research and analysis, policy formulation, application of economic principles in development programmes or related area; and,
• Experience working on African Union, RECs, MDBs and other multilateral institutions on the continent.

Skills

• Proven track record of working closely with the African Union Commission is a strong advantage;
• Good understanding of the mobility, migration and trade nexus, the AU’s integration, and mobility agenda for Africa;
• Ability to network with senior officials from the public and private sector;
• A sound understanding of internal and international migration issues in Africa; and,
• Knowledge of UN, African Union, and multilateral donor programming.

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 is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of any of the AU and UN Official 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.

Notes

Accredited Universities are the ones listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database (https://whed.net/home.php).

Required Competencies:

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.

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link.

https://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/about-iom/iom_revised_competency_framework_external.p df

Competencies will be assessed during a competency-based interview.

Other:

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 endorsed by the Appointments and Postings Board 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 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, and background verification and security clearances. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required for individuals hired on or after 15 November 2021. This will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.

Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.