Applications are welcome from internal and external candidates. 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, internal candidates are considered first-tier candidates.
Context
IOM has recently commenced the implementation of the Project for Strengthening Immigration Legislation, Identity and Border Management Systems for the Introduction of an Electronic Machine-Readable Travel Document (E-MRTD) System. The project aims to enhance legal identity solutions, border security and the digitalization of related Government services in the Kingdom of Tonga through the enhancement of the Migration Information and Data Analysis System (MIDAS), the introduction of an e-MRTD issuance system, and the establishment of interoperability among relevant systems.
Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission and Sub-Regional Coordinator for the South Pacific and the direct supervision of the Project Manager/Head of Office in Tonga, and the technical oversight of IOM MIDAS HQ Team and Regional Thematic Specialist for the Asia-Pacific, the National Project Officer will support the coordination, planning, implementation, monitoring, reporting, and stakeholder engagement necessary for the effective implementation of the project, in close coordination with relevant national counterparts and stakeholders.
Coordinate the overall implementation of the project to successfully introduce electronic Machine-Readable Travel Documents (eMRTDs) in Tonga, in line with IOM policies and procedures and donor requirements. Facilitate the review, revision, and development of relevant policies, legislation and SOPs related to the project, in close coordination with technical consultants and government counterparts. Establish and maintain strong working relationships with key project stakeholders, including the Project Steering Committee, Technical Working Group and Tonga Immigration. Collect, analyze, and disseminate relevant contextual information related to Tonga that may affect project implementation and provide technical inputs to the Project Manager on programmatic strategy and implementation. Plan, organize, and facilitate training activities; maintain training records; conduct training evaluations; and prepare training-related reports. Facilitate various technical assessments to be conducted by consultants by organizing meetings, collecting information and documents and conducting follow ups.ย Plan and conduct outreach activities on new passport applications Support the collection of baseline data and relevant indicators, monitor progress against the projectโs strategic objectives and benchmarks, and provide recommendations for improvements or corrective actions. Assist the Project Manager in managing consultancies and other contractual arrangements, including coordination and review of deliverables. Support financial monitoring of the project by tracking expenditures against approved budgets, reviewing financial reports, identifying variances, and liaising with relevant resource management and finance units to ensure timely corrective actions and compliance with IOM financial rules and donor requirements. Identify priority areas for project development and contribute to the design of new projects, particularly in the areas of legal identity, immigration and border governance, and broader migration management. Coordinate with relevant internal units to ensure the smooth and timely implementation of all project activities. ย Contribute to effective information management and project visibility by providing regular updates, summaries, press releases, and other communication materials, in coordination with relevant unitsย Draft high-quality progress reports on project activities and coordinate the preparation and dissemination of reports to donors, government counterparts, and other stakeholders, ensuring timely submission and compliance with IOM and donor requirements. Participate in relevant conferences, workshops, steering committee meetings, and technical working groups, and contribute to coordination efforts and the presentation of IOM activities. Undertake duty travel as required to support coordination, monitoring, and implementation of project activities. Perform such other duties as may be assigned. Education Masterโs degree in International Relations, Political Science, Security Studies, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with two years of relevant professional experience; or, University degree in the above fields with four years of relevant professional experience.ย Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database. ย Experience Experience in implementing projects in the areas of migration management, particularly immigration, border management, legal identity, and Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS). Experience working with government offices in Tonga, preferably in the context of capacity-building initiatives. Demonstrated experience in successfully introducing and implementing new policies and systems. Proven experience in project monitoring, evaluation, and reporting. Experience in managing project budgets and overseeing procurement processes. Experience in planning, organizing, and facilitating consultations, workshops, and training activities. Proven understanding of migration issues in Tonga and the Pacific region. Skills Strong project management and coordination skills, including the ability to plan, prioritize, and manage multiple tasks and deadlines in a fast-paced environment, while maintaining accurate documentation and tracking against workplans and deliverables. Proven ability to establish and maintain strong working relationships with relevant government counterparts and partners. Proven ability to navigate complex coordination challenges across multiple stakeholder levels and deliver outputs within agreed timeframes. Understanding of general immigration and border governance subject areas strongly preferred. Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, while contributing proactively to team objectives. Strong analytical, monitoring, and reporting skills. Excellent communication skills, with a proven ability to translate complex technical concepts and local contexts into clear, accessible language for both technical and non-technical audiences. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail. Good knowledge of IT systems, databases, border management technology solutions, e-governance, and digitalization is a distinct advantage. Languages For all applicants, fluency in English & Tongan is required (oral and written). IOMโs official languages are English, French and Spanish. Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments. ย Required Competencies ย IOMโs competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process. ย Values - all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these three 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 โ 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 Organizationโs 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 โ behavioural indicators (Level 2) Leadership: Provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example and demonstrates the ability to carry out the Organizationโs 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 Organizationโs goals and communicates a clear strategic direction. Humility: Leads with humility and shows openness to acknowledging own shortcomings. Notes 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. National Professional Officers should be nationals of the country of their employment. NPOs perform work at the professional level and the same standards of recruitment qualifications and performance, required for International Professional staff. Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, verification of residency, visa, and authorizations by the concerned Government, where applicable. 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 online recruitment system. The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application. 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