Business Development Officer (P)

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:

• Internal candidates

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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: