Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

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Job Title	Immigration Expert
Reference	IGAD-IE
Project/ Programme	Support to Free Movement of Persons and Transhumance in IGAD Region
Division/ Specialized institution	Health and Social Development Division
Reports To	Programme Coordinator
Duty Station	Djibouti, with frequent travel in the IGAD region
Staff Category	Professional
Contract type	One year with possibility of extension based on satisfactory performance and availability of funds
Deadline for Applications	24th March 2025

1. Background

The Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) is a Regional Economic Community (REC) that consists of eight Member States including Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda. The IGAD region experiences large-scale mixed migration movements both within and outside its borders. For many people in the IGAD region, migration is seen as a coping strategy for ecological and economic downturns. These population movements are occasioned by push and pull factors in the region including pastoral mobility, violent conflicts, political instability, civil wars, natural disasters, locust plagues and food insecurity), lack of employment and search for better job opportunities. The IGAD Region is home to over 6millon refugees, over 17million IDPs, unknown number of economic migrants and stateless persons.

In line with the Agreement Establishing IGAD (1986), the IGAD Secretariat and its member States have been implementing a program towards facilitation of free movement of persons and transhumance in order to enhance regional economic integration and development. With a grant from EUTF, the program has supported development of the two Protocols of Free Movement of Persons and Transhumance in IGAD Region. The endorsed Protocol on Free Movement of Persons in IGAD Region foresees an IGAD region where the citizens have a right of entry and exit within the member States of IGAD, labour mobility and access to employment, right of residence and right of establishment The IGAD Transhumance Protocol foresees that all transhumant herders and livestock shall be allowed free passage across the borders of Member States for water and pasture under certain conditions set in the protocol.

During the first phase of the program, the protocols have been finalized, validated, endorsed and adopted by the IGAD Committee of Ambassadors in 2020, IGAD Ministers of Interior and Ministers of Labour in 2020 and adopted by the 72nd Session of the IGAD Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs. The Protocols have been signed by the following Member States: Republic of Sudan (2022), Republic of South Sudan (2022), Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (2022), Federal Republic of Somalia (2023) and Republic of Uganda (2024).

In this second phase, the program will support the process of ratification and domestication of the IGAD Protocols on Free Movement of Persons and on Transhumance along with complementary measures to implement them.

Under the leadership of the Director of Health and Social Division, and direct supervision of the IGAD – EU NDICI Programme Coordinator of the Support to the Protocols on Free Movement of Persons and Transhumance Project, the Immigration Expert will focus on delivery of implementation of activities including execution of policy meetings, training, field studies, assessment and preparation of periodic reports due to the donor as per the financing agreement. S/he will work closely with the project team based in Djibouti to ensure that all project activities on the Protocols on Free Movement of Persons meets activity coherence.

2. Key Roles and Responsibilities

IGAD – EU NDICI Programme Coordinator of the Support to the Protocols on Free Movement of Persons and Transhumance Project, the Immigration Expert will:

• Provide technical support to the Program Coordinator in executing the project activities as outlined in the Project Logical Framework and Work plan of the Project.
• Provide support in writing Terms of Reference and Concept Notes for all meetings with IGAD MS and Partners on immigration and border management
• Oversee the organization and effective management of all meetings, communication with IGAD MS and ensuring activity report preparation is done at the close of all these events/meetings.
• Organise training courses for border police and immigration officers of IGAD member States.
• Organize learning missions for border police and immigration officers of IGAD member States.
• In collaboration with the M&E and Knowledge Management Expert of this Action, make an online inventory of all best practice Training Manuals, SOPs and Research Materials on Immigration and Integrated Border Management (both in Global practice and for Horn of Africa).
• In collaboration with the IGAD Statistics Unit and ILO, be the focal point for the development of the data sharing protocol ensuring that all issues of free movement of persons in IGAD region are included in the data sharing protocol.
• Prepare periodic briefs on migration governance issues in IGAD Region as may be required by IGAD Secretariat.
• Take lead in successful convening of regional and national migration governance fora including RCP, RMCC and NCM to achieve MS policy and programming decisions on the Protocol on Free Movement of Persons in IGAD Region.
• Work with the IGAD Secretariat Communication Officers in the development and implementation of this action communication and visibility programme for broadcasting in the IGAD Secretariat media platforms, MS media platforms and international media channels.
• Work with the Programme Coordinator in the timely compilation and timely submission of EUTF Project Reports to the EU Delegation.
• Participate in the Monitoring and Evaluation of project activities.
• Participate in IGAD Migration and IGAD NDICI Action team planning events and training opportunities.
• Perform any other duties as requested.

3. Academic qualification, Professional experiences and Core Competencies required
   • Academic Qualification

Minimum Master’s degree in a relevant social sciences field including migration governance, border management, security, transhumance, social development, resource economics, socio – economics, rural development, international relations, diplomacy or a related discipline.

• Experience and technical competencies

• A minimum of seven years of experience in social programme development, monitoring and evaluation preferably within IGAD region or other RECs and African Union.
• Experience in international migration law and standards is an asset.
• Experience in providing technical assistance to programmes is desirable.
• Experience of working in the field of migration governance and Integrated Border Management (IBM) in regional integration is a requirement.
• An established track record of report preparation and editing materials for publication.
• strong programme development skills and working as part of a team is a key requirement.
• The expert is also required to have strong event organisation experience.
• Flexibility, proactive engagement, ability to work under pressure and to demonstrate a high tolerance for change, complexity and unpredictability.

Skills and competencies

• Good program development skills
• Excellent speaking and writing skills in English, including the ability to write clear and logical reports
• Ability to organise and manage meetings with MS and Partners, ability to negotiate and convince MS on the project deliverables to get their political and technical acceptance as well as ability to work within tight deadlines
• Good public speaking skills
• Ability to work under pressure and ability to present information in excellent computer software formats including PPTs and other graphics software
• Must exhibit commitment to IGAD philosophy and objectives of regional integration and respect for gender equity at work. Good presentation skills and proficiency in the use of MS Word for project deliverables is a must

4. Languages

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French language is an added advantage.

5. Remuneration

Negotiable with IGAD salary scale and policy and based on applicant’s qualification and experience.

6. How to apply

Qualified applicants from IGAD Member States are eligible to apply.

Interested candidates should send their applications in PDF accompanied by cover letter, Curriculum Vitae, academic credentials, copy of passports/ ID cards biometric page and three reference persons including the last employer.

Applications should be sent by E-mail to the following addresses: recruitment@igad.int with subject line “IGAD-IE”

Closing date for application will be on 24^th March 2025. Due to the large number of applications we expect to receive; only successful candidates who meet the required experience & qualifications for this position will be contacted. Contact: + 25321354050

IGAD is an equal opportunity employer. Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

Download attached ToR document in PDF below.
Vacancy Announcement – Immigration Expert (1)