Gender and Border Governance Consultant

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

Egypt plays a strategic geopolitical position in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region as a country of origin, transit, and destination for migrants, and experiences significant mixed migration flows both into and out of its territory. These flows include irregular movements across land and sea borders, often involving vulnerable populations, including women and children with specific protection and assistance needs.

Effective border management strategies recognize the significance of incorporating a gender perspective and the mainstreaming of gender equality principles across all border security functions, alongside strengthened protection for people on the move. This approach enables responses that are sensitive to the distinct needs and experiences of diverse groups, particularly the most vulnerable, such as victims of trafficking, asylum-seekers, refugees, and migrants. Thereby enhancing migrant safety and improving targeted outreach based on gender and age. In contrast, failure to address gender-specific considerations can result in ineffective decision-making and negative impacts on individuals’ rights, opportunities, and broader national and international security.
Understanding the gender dimensions of migration and systematically integrating this perspective into border management practices is therefore essential for border authorities to address cross-border movements in an effective, efficient, and rights-based manner. Through the delivery of capacity-building support to its Member States, IOM contributes to strengthening the capacity of border authorities to protect migrants and adopt gender-responsive border management approaches.

In response, and in support of the Government of Egypt’s efforts to strengthen rights-based and protection-centred border management, this action seeks to enhance national capacities on mainstreaming gender in their operational work. This will be achieved through building understanding of key concepts underpinning mainstreaming gender in border governance, supporting the development of gender-sensitive migration policies and analyses, promoting the adoption of gender-responsive procedures at borders, and strengthening responses to the vulnerabilities of specific groups of migrants at points of entry.

• Master’s degree in social sciences (such as Anthropology, Gender Studies, Psychology, Political Science, Humanitarian Studies, Development Studies, Security Studies) or a related field from an accredited academic institution with at least three years of relevant professional experience; or
• University degree in the above fields with at least five years of relevant professional experience;
• Knowledge of population displacement, international human rights law, migrant protection, national and regional border security bodies, with demonstrated expertise and background in mainstreaming gender in border management and governance.
• Proven ability to design and deliver technical training to different audiences, including government officials;
• Experience in liaising with humanitarian and development partners as well as national authorities, police, border officials;
• Experience working in crisis settings is desirable;
• Excellent writing skills, ability to explain clearly complex concept and adapt to diverse audience;
• Excellent communication skills;
• Excellent organizational skills, ability to organize one’s own work, and ability to respect schedules and deadlines.

• Experience working with the United Nations is a valuable asset.

For this consultancy, proficiency in English language is required

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.

IOM covers Consultants against occupational accidents and illnesses under the Compensation Plan (CP), free of charge, for the duration of the consultancy. IOM does not provide evacuation or medical insurance for reasons related to non-occupational accidents and illnesses. Consultants are responsible for their own medical insurance for non-occupational accident or illness and will be required to provide written proof of such coverage before commencing work. 

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, security clearances.

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.

No late applications will be accepted. 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