Business Development Officer (P)

Description

Introduction

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.

Organizational Context and Scope

Under the supervision of the Sub Regional Director, the Business Development Officer will play a key role in advancing the strategic objectives of the Sub Regional Office, with a focus on strengthening the sub region's portfolio of initiatives and partnerships, resource mobilisation, and institutional positioning across Southern Africa.

The Business Development Officer will provide substantive technical guidance and hands-on support to Country Offices, working closely with Regional Thematic Specialists, HQ departments, and external partners to strengthen the design, development, and strategic positioning of programmes and proposals. The position will place particular emphasis on supporting the development and dissemination of strategic analyses, lessons learned, guidance, and tools that can inform business development efforts across the region. It will also contribute to greater consistency of regional messaging and articulation of resources mobilization priorities, helping ensure that engagement with donors and partners is coherent, well-positioned, and aligned across Southern Africa. The role therefore requires independent judgement, strong analytical capacity, and the ability to engage effectively with senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities and Accountabilities

1. Contribute to Strategic Resource Mobilisation Efforts at the Regional Level

   Identify and analyse funding opportunities, donor priorities, and strategic entry points to strengthen IOM’s regional funding pipeline by guiding COs and contributing to the prioritisation of resource mobilisation efforts across Southern Africa.

2. Provide Technical Guidance on Project Development and Portfolio Quality

   Coordinate and support the development and review of concept notes, project proposals, and programmes to enhance quality, strategic coherence, and competitiveness, ensuring alignment with IOM frameworks and donor requirements.

3. Support External Engagement and Partnership Development

   Participate in key briefings, strategic fora, and partnership engagement platforms to support IOM’s engagement with key donors, financial institutions, and partners. This includes identifying and prioritising potential strategic partners across the region, supporting the cultivation of those relationships, and contributing to selected high-level engagements to advance IOM’s positioning, partnerships, and resource mobilisation objectives.

4. Guide and Support Country Offices in Business Development

   Provide structured hands-on support to Country Offices to strengthen their business development capacity, including supporting prioritisation of portfolios, identification of programmatic niches, and development of strategic pipelines.

5. Coordinate Implementation and Operationalisation of SRO Priorities

   Coordinate and guide the implementation of SRO priority actions on resources mobilization across COs to ensure consistency, accountability, and measurable progress.

6. Promote Use of Data, Evidence, and Strategic Analysis

   Support the integration of data, evidence, and foresight analysis into business development processes to strengthen strategic decision-making and programme relevance.

7. Develop and Institutionalise Tools and Knowledge Products

   Design and refine guidance, tools, templates, and knowledge products to improve consistency, efficiency, and quality of business development practices across the region.

8. Monitor Regional Trends and Provide Strategic Advice to Leadership

   Analyse migration, donor, and policy trends to inform SRO strategic planning and decision-making, providing regular analytical inputs and recommendations to senior management. 

9. Any other duties as may be assigned.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Master’s degree in Political or Social Sciences, Business Administration, International Relations, Law, 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

• Solid experience in resource mobilisation, programme development, donor engagement, and advisory support;

• Experience in Project Cycle Management (PCM) and Results-Based Management (RBM); 

• Experience in the field of migration issues, including operational and field experience, IOM project development, management, and reporting; and, 

• Experience in liaising with governmental authorities, donors, academia, other national/international institutions and NGOs.

Skills

• Strong analytical, drafting, coordination, and stakeholder engagement skills

• Excellent team-building skills with a track record in team coordination and building trust; 

• Knowledge of proposal writing as well as IOM project management; 

• Knowledge of different donor agreements; and, 

• Knowledge of the project management cycle.

Languages

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

Working knowledge of another official UN 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.

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 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.

Managerial Competencies – behavioural indicators Level 2

• 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

Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile. Please refer to this link for guidance on the 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, and any residency or visa requirements. Vacancies close at 23:59 local time in 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.