Programme Support Associate: Migration Governance, Pretoria, South Africa

General

Description of assignment title: Programme Support Associate: Migration Governance

Assignment country: South Africa

Duty stations: Pretoria

Work location: On UN premises

Expected start date: 09/01/2026

Duration: 12 monthsLong-term benefits and allowances

Sustainable Development Goal: 10. Reduced inequalities

Host entity: IOM ZAF

Modality: Onsite

Type: National

Volunteer category: Community UCoS from Apr2026

Work schedule: Full-time

Number of Assignments: 1

Details

Mission and objectives:

• The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is the leading intergovernmental organization in the field of migration and works closely with governments, United Nations agencies, civil society, academia and development partners to promote humane, safe and orderly migration for the benefit of all.
• In South Africa, IOM supports migration governance, migration and sustainable development, labour mobility and integrated border governance, regional cooperation, migrant inclusion and evidence-based migration policies. Through strategic partnerships with government institutions, development partners, regional bodies and the United Nations Country Team, IOM contributes to the integration of migration considerations into national and regional development frameworks and promotes effective migration governance that advances sustainable development outcomes.
• As an active member of the United Nations Country Team (UNCT), IOM contributes to joint programming, the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), and multi-stakeholder partnerships that strengthen development planning and policy coherence and advances the UN principle of leaving no one behind.

Context:

• IOM South Africa implements a range of migration governance, migration and development, policy engagement and partnership initiatives that require strong research, coordination, resource mobilization and programme support. Successful delivery of these initiatives depends on effective collaboration with government institutions at national and local level, UN agencies, development partners, donors, academic institutions and civil society organizations.
• Hosted within IOM South Africa, this assignment offers a valuable opportunity for a young professional to gain practical experience in migration policy, donor engagement, project development and Management as well as advocacy and partnership coordination. The UN Volunteer will support policy analysis, stakeholder mapping, resource mobilization initiatives, programme development and implementation processes, monitoring and reporting activities, communications and knowledge management functions.
• Through structured mentoring and workplace learning, the volunteer will strengthen skills in migration governance, results-based management, donor engagement, project development and implementation, strategic communications and multi-stakeholder coordination within the United Nations system.

Task description:

• Under the direct supervision of the designated IOM Supervisor, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
• 1. Support migration policy and research activities
• â— Assist in conducting migration-related policy research, literature reviews, and stakeholder analyses.
• â— Support stakeholder and partnership mapping exercises related to migration governance and development initiatives.
• â— Contribute to background papers, briefing notes, concept papers, and policy summaries.
• â— Assist in gathering and analysing information on migration trends, governance frameworks, and development priorities.
• 2. Support partnerships and stakeholder engagement
• â— Assist in coordinating engagement with government institutions, UN agencies, regional bodies, donors, civil society organizations, academia and private sector partners.
• â— Support organization of consultations, workshops, meetings and partnership events.
• â— Maintain stakeholder databases and partnership records.
• â— Support follow-up actions arising from partnership discussions and coordination mechanisms.
• 3. Support resource mobilization and donor engagement
• â— Assist in identifying and tracking funding opportunities from bilateral and multilateral donors.
• â— Support analysis of donor priorities and funding calls.
• â— Contribute to preparation of donor briefs, partner profiles and fundraising materials.
• â— Assist in coordinating inputs for donor and government meetings and engagement activities.
• 4. Support project management, project development and programme design
• â— Assist in drafting concept notes, project proposals, results frameworks, workplans, implementation trackers and other project management tools.
• â— Support project review processes to ensure alignment with IOM strategic objectives and government priorities.
• â— Contribute to needs assessments and gap analyses to identify programme opportunities.
• â— Assist in compiling information required for programme development initiatives.
• 5. Support strategic programme coordination
• â— Assist in monitoring progress of programme and project initiatives, maintaining tracking systems and following up on agreed actions with internal and external counterparts.
• â— Support coordination of programme planning and implementation processes.
• â— Contribute to reporting against workplans, project deliverables, programme indicators and agreed internal deadlines.
• â— Assist with document review and quality assurance processes.
• 6. Support monitoring, evaluation and reporting
• â— Assist in collecting and compiling programme data and information.
• â— Support preparation of donor reports, programme updates, and progress reports.
• â— Contribute to documenting programme results, lessons learned and best practices.
• â— Help maintain monitoring and reporting systems.
• 7. Support knowledge management and communications
• â— Maintain programme documentation and information repositories.
• â— Support development of knowledge products, presentations and communication materials.
• â— Assist in preparing visibility materials, briefing notes, and success stories.
• â— Contribute content to donor, partner, and stakeholder communications.
• 8. Support migration and development coordination initiatives
• â— Assist in activities contributing to the integration of migration into development planning frameworks, including UNSDCF processes and national development priorities.
• â— Support coordination of meetings and consultations related to migration governance and development.
• â— Assist with documentation and dissemination of outcomes from coordination forums.
• â— Perform other related duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Eligibility criteria

Age: 18 - 80

Required experience: No experience required

Nationality: Candidate must be a national, legal resident or hold refugee status in the country of assignment.

Assignment requirements

Relevant experience:

• 1 year

Languages:

• English, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level:

• Bachelor's degree in Political Science, International Relations, Development Studies, Public Policy, Migration Studies, Public Administration, Governance Studies, International Development, Social Sciences, Law, Economics, or related fields.
• â— Candidates with a Diploma in the above fields will also be considered.

Competencies and values:

• Accountability, Adaptability and Flexibility, Building Trust, Client Orientation, Commitment and Motivation
• Commitment to Continuous Learning, Communication, Creativity, Ethics and Values, Integrity, Judgement and Decision-making, Knowledge Sharing, Planning and Organizing, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
• Self-Management, Technological Awareness, Working in Teams

Skills and experience:

• Demonstrated interest or experience in:
• â— Migration governance, migration and development, public policy or international development.
• â— Partnerships, stakeholder engagement, and coordination.
• â— Liaison and project management
• â— Resource mobilization, donor engagement, or project development.
• â— Research, policy analysis, and knowledge management.
• â— Monitoring, evaluation, and results-based management.
• â— Strategic communications, report writing, and information management.
• Skills in:
• â— Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams).
• â— Research, data analysis, and report writing.
• â— Stakeholder engagement and partnership coordination.
• â— Proposal development and resource mobilization support.
• â— Project management support, including work planning, tracking deliverables, following up on action points and maintaining organized records.
• â— Monitoring and reporting.
• â— Strategic communication and presentation development.
• â— Planning, organization and attention to detail.

Mastercard Foundation Alumni and Youth with Disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Candidates must be between 18 and 34 years of age at the time of application.

Area(s) of expertise:

• Administration, Migration, refugees, Community development

Driving license:

Other information