Programme Coordinator (Labour Migration) (P)

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, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Vanuatu
    

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

The UN’s Sustainable Development (SDG) Agenda recognizes migration as an important driver for development. Migrant workers are integrated into the global economy, primarily in destination countries, in various sectors such as agriculture, construction, food processing, manufacturing, services and hospitality.

Although the benefits of migration are well-documented, migrant workers remain disproportionately vulnerable and are three times more likely to be in exploitative conditions compared to local workers. According to 2022 Global Estimates of Modern Slavery, Asia-Pacific region remains the region with the largest number of people in forced labour, 15.1 million, which is more than half of the global total. Concerningly, the private sector is responsible for 86 per cent of forced labour.

IOM Malaysia is working with the government and stakeholders on a broad spectrum of migration management programmes, specifically migrant protection and assistance, research, policy, and a growing labour migration portfolio working with private sector to promote migration, business and human rights of migrant workers in global supply chains. Specifically, through the EU funded Regional Migration Business and Human Rights in Asia programme, IOM contributes to enhanced regular labour migration pathways, better protection of and increased respect for the rights of migrant workers in Asia through effective human rights due diligence in supply chains, meaningful stakeholder engagement, and addressing harm in line with the UNGPs.

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Mission (CoM) for Malaysia, and in close coordination with relevant Programme Managers and regional counterparts, the Programme Coordinator (Labour Migration) will coordinate labour migration programming within the Malaysia Country Office (CO), supporting programmatic coherence, technical quality and synergies across related projects and initiatives. The post is based in the Malaysia CO and coordinates the implementation of programme activities in Malaysia, while also providing technical support to regional initiatives on remedy within the incumbent’s assigned thematic area.

In addition to coordinating labour migration-related projects in Malaysia, including private sector engagement and complementary labour pathways, the successful candidate will coordinate the implementation of the regional Migration, Business and Human Rights in Asia (MBHR-Asia) programme in Malaysia. The successful candidate will also serve as a technical resource person in a defined thematic area, such as research, capacity-building, remediation, migrant worker voice and civil society engagement, or the development of technical tools and resources. In this capacity, the successful candidate will provide technical guidance, support implementation and contribute to monitoring and reporting for the assigned thematic area, in close coordination with IOM Thailand and relevant regional programme management structures.
 

• Master’s degree in Law, Social Sciences, Development Studies or a related field from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience; or,
• Bachelor’s 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 working in the international development field;

• Experience managing, developing and implementing programmes related to labour migration, migrant worker protection, private sector engagement and partnership-building; and experience liaising with governmental authorities, national and international institutions, and donors;

• Demonstrated experience in labour migration, social inclusion, sustainable development, migrant protection and human rights; experience engaging with the private sector or working on business and human rights issues is an advantage;

• Migrant protection and human rights or previous experience engaging with the private sector an advantage;

• Demonstrated experience in programme and project management including budget planning and monitoring; and,

• Demonstrated experience working with the private sector, including on forced labour or business and human rights.

• Ability to communicate effectively (orally and in writing) with a wide range of stakeholders, providing presentations and participating in the meetings;

• Proven diplomatic skills, and proven expertise in implementing complex, highly participatory projects with a demonstrated ability to work effectively with counterpart, government institutions, personnel, and donors; and,

• Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills; courtesy, tact and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of diverse cultural and national backgrounds.

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

Working knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) and/or Bahasa Malaysia is an advantage.

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.

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 ClearCheck, 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