Job Identification (Reference Number): 15291
Position Title: Senior Policy Officer (Trade and Mobility) (P)
Duty Station City: Accra
Duty Station Country: Ghana
Grade: P-4
Contract Type: Fixed-term (1 year with possibility of extension)
Recruiting Type: Professional
Vacancy Type: Vacancy Notice
Initial duration: 1 year with possibility of extension
Closing date: 05 June 2025

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 is an expedited recruitment process open only to:
    a) internal candidates; and,
    b) former IOM staff members who were separated in the last 12 months due to the structural adjustment process.

This process is not open to external applicants; their applications will not be considered at this time.

Context

Under the direct supervision of the Director, Special Liaison Office in Addis Ababa, administrative supervision of the Chief of Mission (COM) in Accra, Ghana, and in coordination with related Headquarters (HQ) Departments including Immigration and Border Governance (IBG) and Labour Mobility Division (LMD), the Senior Policy Officer (Trade and Mobility) will lead IOM engagements with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, African Union Commission (AUC), and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) as well as trade related partners in Africa in driving the mobility/migration-trade nexus narrative towards regional integration in support of the Agenda 2063 and global Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Agenda 2030 aspirations.

1. Develop, maintain, nurture, and grow IOM’s relationship and portfolio of work with a view to ensuring that migration issues are appropriately and strategically reflected in the relevant policies and programmes of the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) Secretariat. 

2. Manage, supervise, and coordinate the overall liaison activities with the AfCFTA and provide advice and guidance to the Special Liaison Unit Team working on the African Union Commission’s (AUC) portfolio including the Free Movement of Persons, Trade, and Mobility, leading to strategic planning, project development, management and systematic coordination with relevant IOM Offices in line with the IOM-AfCFTA Memorandum of Understanding. 

3. Promote coherent and evidence-based policies while underscoring the close relationship between the mobility of persons, migration, trade, and development nexus. Facilitate dialogues between governmental and non-governmental institutions, businesses, RECs and other stakeholders to foster cooperation and create synergies in mobility, migration and trade policies.

4. Engage private sector on trade and investment strategies and support programmes connecting Large, Medium and Small Enterprises (MSMEs) to large civil society organizations across the African Continent. 

5. Liaise with trade related institutions including the AfCFTA and Regional Economic Communities’ (RECs) Secretariats, trade partners (including private sector partners) and coordinate the continent-wide mobility-trade agenda. 

6. Ensure 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.

7. Coordinate strategic engagements with the AfCFTA and RECs Secretariats, including, but not limited to, enhancing simplified trade regimes and digitization of borders, liberalization of Mode 4 and the movement of skills and talents, including business people, women, and youth.

8. Promote and reinforce the linkages between intra-African mobility pathways and AfCFTA related frameworks at the continental, regional and national levels to harness the developmental impact of safe, orderly and regular migration. This mainstreaming approach should cover areas such as reducing barriers to the movement of people, enhancing labour and skills mobility, border management, migrant entrepreneurship; diaspora engagement and investments; facilitate cross-border mobility including small scale cross border traders.

9. Lead and advise on IOM’s inputs for the preparation of, and participation in continental policy discussions, debates, lines to take and talking points, background briefs as well as positions with relevant HQ Departments, Regional Offices (ROs), and IOM Country offices in Africa by advocating for the protection of migrant rights and well-being in trade policies, ensuring gender and youth sensitivity and inclusivity and supporting IOM Country Offices to develop and implement trade and private sector development portfolio projects anchored in the AfCFTA.

10. 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), Africa Trade Policy Center (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. This includes econometric analysis of trade market systems in the context of African Union.

11. Coordinate the production of a solid evidence-base on the positive linkages between the AfCFTA and the Free Movement of Persons (FMP) protocol for Africa’s integration to support the advocacy for the ratification of the latter. Identify potential synergies at the regional and continental levels and demonstrate the relevance of migration and mobility solutions for regional economic integration processes. 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 Protocol. 

12. Develop new programme areas, project concepts and proposals and mobilize resources for sustained and targeted support towards the effective implementation of the FMP, its Road Map, as well as related continental frameworks and initiatives.

13. 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 Offices implementing trade related activities and work towards complementarity and synergizing of programming.

14. Represent IOM in relevant meetings with the AUC, RECs, Multilateral Development Banks, partners, and relevant stakeholders, and where necessary provide technical support towards conceptualizing and drafting the meeting agenda and relevant documents, presentations, and prepare meeting reports.

15. Draft policy papers, background documents, and analyze reports and provide updates and responses to HQ, ROs, and the Special Liaison Office as it relates to migration, mobility and trade nexus.

16. Ensure that all AU Unit programming, financial and administrative matters related to the Special Liaison Office are effectively managed, in line with established IOM rules and regulations as well as the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

17. Ensure the quality of outputs and results with optimal monitoring mechanisms; establish effective coordination, monitoring, information sharing and reporting systems in the Unit.

18. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Education

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

Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.

Experience

• Experience working in political and trade analysis, with regional economic communities;
• 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, regional, or bilateral trade, including engagement in 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 analyses;
• 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 with 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;
• Knowledge of UN, African Union, AFCFTA Secretariat and multilateral donor programming;
• Sound communication and interpersonal skills;
• Familiarity with IOM’s PRIMA systems a distinct advantage;
• Knowledge of the IOM project management cycle; and,
• Knowledge of IOM’s administrative and financial management.

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.

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish. All staff members are required to be fluent in one of the three languages.

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

Open to internal candidates and previous IOM employees only.

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 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