Deputy Director, EU Policy, Partnerships and Programmes (D)
- Organisation: International Organization for Migration
- Location: Brussels, Belgium
- Contract: Director
- Deadline: 12 November 2026
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
• External female 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 S
Second tier candidates include:
All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM.
Organizational Context and Scope
Under the direct supervision of the Director, Global Office, the Deputy Director, EU Policy, Partnerships and Programmes provides executive leadership for IOM’s strategic relationship with the European Union and EU Member States, and directs the EU Policy and Programme Support Division (EUPPSD). The role shapes and advances IOM’s institutional positioning with EU Institutions, Bodies and Agencies; Permanent Representations and relevant Member State authorities; translates organizational priorities into coherent policy, advocacy, partnership and programme strategies; and provides authoritative advice to the Director, Global Office and senior leadership on EU political, policy, programmatic and funding matters. They direct forward-looking political and stakeholder analysis and advises senior leadership on emerging policy, reputational, partnership and funding implications. The Deputy Director leads the Global Programme Support Unit and Global Thematic Units, ensures alignment with relevant organizational frameworks, policies, strategies and workplans, and directs coordinated support to Headquarters, Regional Offices and Country Offices worldwide on EU engagement and on the development, negotiation, implementation, oversight and compliance of EU-funded programmes.
The Deputy Director is accountable for the strategic direction, integration and performance of IOM’s EU policy, programme support, resource mobilization and donor-compliance functions on thematic and programmatic issues. The incumbent sets priorities across these functions; ensures that IOM presents coherent institutional positions to EU counterparts; and directs support to Country and Regional Offices on advocacy, programme design, negotiations, implementation, narrative reporting and evaluations. The incumbent also advances strategic engagement with Team Europe, Global Gateway, international financial institutions, multilateral development banks and other financing partners, including on blended, innovative and development-finance approaches relevant to migration and displacement. The incumbent establishes systems for organizational learning, anticipates material policy, funding, partnership and compliance risks, and advises senior leadership on measures required to protect, diversify and expand IOM’s global EU-funded portfolio.
Strategic Engagement
1. Policy and Advocacy: Set the strategic direction for GO Brussels’ technical and thematic advocacy with the European Union within the areas covered by the PPSD and ensure coherent, evidence-based positions within PPSD’ mandate. Exercise judgment on politically sensitive and high-impact issues, reconcile perspectives across Headquarters, Regional and Country Offices, and provide authoritative recommendations to the Director and senior leadership.
2. Political and Stakeholder Analysis: Direct political, policy and stakeholder analysis of EU and Member State developments and provide forward-looking assessments to senior leadership on emerging institutional, operational, reputational and funding implications.
3. Liaison and Engagement: As delegated by the Director, represent IOM at senior and executive levels and serve as lead focal point for EU Institutions, Bodies and Agencies on matters within the portfolio. Lead strategic engagement with EU Member States and their Permanent Representations in Brussels on priority migration, displacement, development and financing issues. Build and sustain partnerships with EU institutions and other global stakeholders, including financial institutions, academic institutions, think tanks and United Nations mechanisms; lead high-level consultations and negotiations; and secure outcomes that advance IOM’s mandate and operational interests.
4. Senior Representation: Serve as one of IOM’s senior representatives on EU affairs and maintain relationships with senior officials of EU institutions, Member States, international financial institutions, multilateral development banks and other strategic partners.
5. Strategic Planning: Guide the formulation, implementation and review of GO Brussels’ EU policy and programme strategies, aligned with IOM’s Strategic Plan and relevant global and regional frameworks. Establish measurable objectives, governance arrangements and accountability for delivery; identify emerging political and funding scenarios; and lead coordinated organizational responses.
6. Monitoring: Analyse and advise the Director and senior leadership on regional developments, policy changes, challenges and positions of EU Institutions, Bodies and Agencies, and ensure relevant information is relayed to Regional and Country Offices and Headquarters.
7. Deputize for and represent the Director, Global Office, as required, exercising delegated authority for strategic, representational and management decisions and ensuring continuity of leadership and accountability across the Office.
Technical Support to Regional and Country Offices
8. Coordination: Lead coordination within EUPPSD and ensure timely information exchange with Headquarters, Regional and Country Offices on emerging opportunities, risks and challenges related to EU policy, visibility and funding.
9. Capacity Building: In coordination with the Chief, EU Financial Liaison and Compliance Division, direct capacity-building initiatives on EU engagement, advocacy, priorities, fundraising, programme development, implementation, reporting and compliance.
10. Programmatic Guidance: Lead the provision of strategic, technical and thematic guidance to Regional and Country Offices on EU policies, priorities and strategies to strengthen programming, outreach and engagement.
11. Programmatic Review: Alongside the EU Financial Liaison and Compliance Division and the Media and Communications Unit, coordinate review arrangements between the Global Programme Support Unit and Global Thematic Units for EU-funded projects under centralised and decentralised, direct and indirect funding modalities.
12. Resource Mobilization and Funding: Define and lead IOM’s strategic approach to EU resource mobilization within the mandate of GO Brussels, in consultation with the Director and informed by systematic analysis of priorities, funding instruments and portfolio performance. Determine strategic positioning for major opportunities within agreed organizational priorities; direct support to Regional and Country Offices in complex or high-value negotiations; and provide authoritative recommendations to senior leadership on investment choices, partnership models and portfolio diversification. Drive strategic positioning under Team Europe and Global Gateway and strengthen engagement with international financial institutions and multilateral development banks to mobilize complementary and innovative financing.
13. Portfolio Risk and Performance: Advise Country and Regional Offices on follow-up to EU-funded programmes, determine when material issues require coordinated course correction, and direct or recommend appropriate remedial action within the assigned authority. Maintain senior oversight of material political, reputational, partnership and portfolio risks whose consequences may affect IOM’s institutional relationship with the European Union, its funding position or delivery across multiple regions, and recommend mitigation or escalation to the Director and other senior leaders.
Knowledge Management and Learning
14. Knowledge Management: Direct knowledge-sharing platforms and the dissemination of innovative practice relating to EU funding, advocacy and engagement. Ensure regular internal positioning papers and analysis on EU policy, decisions, funding priorities, opportunities and interests.