The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is recruiting a Project Officer (Labour Mobility and Social Inclusion) at P-2 grade for its Country Office in Yaoundé, Cameroon, on a fixed-term contract of one year with possibility of extension. Candidates need a Master's degree with two years of relevant experience (or a university degree with four years) and fluency in English and French. Applications close on 12 November 2026 at 23:59 Geneva time. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the full vacancy notice, and every duty, requirement and condition is set out below.
Vacancy 23852 at a Glance
📌 Position: Project Officer (Labour Mobility and Social Inclusion) (P)
🆔 Job Identification: 23852
🏢 Organisation: International Organization for Migration (IOM)
📍 Location: Yaoundé, Cameroon
📝 Contract type: Fixed-term (1 year with possibility of extension)
⏱️ Initial contract duration: One year with possibility of extension
🏛️ Org type: Country Office
🗂️ Vacancy type: Vacancy Notice
🪪 Recruiting type: Professional
🎓 Grade: P-2
🚨 Based in an L3 office or in support to an L3 emergency response: No
⏳ Apply before: 12 November 2026, 23:59 (Geneva time)
About IOM
The vacancy notice introduces the organisation as follows:
🕰️ Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations
🌐 It is the leading UN agency in the field of migration
🤝 It works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners
🧭 It promotes humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all
🛟 It saves lives and protects people on the move and drives solutions to displacement
🛤️ It facilitates pathways for regular migration
🗣️ It provides services and advice to governments and migrants
An Inclusive Workplace at IOM
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.
Who Is Encouraged to Apply?
Applications are welcome from first-tier and second-tier candidates, particularly qualified female candidates, as well as applicants 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.
First-Tier and Second-Tier Candidates Explained
For this vacancy, the following are considered first-tier candidates:
🏠 Internal candidates
🗺️ Candidates from IOM Member States that are not represented among staff members in the Professional and higher categories
Second-tier candidates are all external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM.
Non-Represented Member States for This Vacancy
The vacancy lists these IOM Member States as non-represented (their nationals count as first-tier candidates):
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
Where the Role Sits in IOM Cameroon
👤 Overall supervision: Chief of Mission (CoM) in Cameroon
🧑💼 Direct supervision: Head of Programmes
🔗 Close coordination with: relevant units, Government counterparts and partners
🏗️ Unit: Labour Mobility and Social Inclusion Unit within the IOM Cameroon Country Office
Thematic Areas Covered by the Position
The Project Officer provides technical and operational support for project-funded interventions in:
👷 Labour migration
🚚 Migration and trade
🛠️ Skills development and training
🤝 Skills mobility partnerships
⚖️ Business and human rights
🫂 Migrant inclusion
💼 Access to decent work and social protection
🌱 Other migration and sustainable development-related areas in line with IOM mandates
The role supports project implementation and coordination at national and regional levels and contributes to delivering project outputs in line with IOM global frameworks, regional priorities and national development objectives.
Project Implementation and the Full Project Cycle
📂 Support, under the guidance of the Head of Programmes, the implementation of donor-funded projects under the Labour Mobility and Social Inclusion Unit, including programmes on labour mobility, diaspora engagement, skills development, cross-border trade and socio-economic inclusion, in line with IOM and donor requirements
🔄 Support the full project cycle (planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and closure), ensuring timely delivery of outputs, outcomes and indicators defined in approved project documents
🗓️ Assist in the day-to-day implementation and administrative coordination of assigned project tasks, including preparing and regularly updating work plans, implementation schedules, procurement plans, risk matrices and monitoring tools
Labour Mobility, Skills and Diaspora Work
🧩 Provide technical support for labour mobility and skills-based interventions, including ethical recruitment, skills partnerships, labour–trade–mobility initiatives, private sector engagement and diaspora contributions to development
🌍 Support diaspora engagement activities, including skills transfer, investment mobilisation, entrepreneurship support, and contributions to resilience and regional cooperation initiatives
Working With Government and Supporting Socio-Economic Inclusion
🏛️ Work closely with Government counterparts at national, regional and local levels to support implementation of migration, employment, trade and social inclusion activities
📈 Support socio-economic inclusion activities, including entrepreneurship support, financial inclusion, business formalization, and capacity building for women, youth, migrants and small cross-border traders
Cross-Cutting Priorities
Assigned tasks must integrate these cross-cutting priorities:
♀️ Gender equality
🧑🎓 Youth empowerment
🛡️ Protection mainstreaming
♿ Disability inclusion
🕊️ Conflict sensitivity
🌿 Environmental sustainability
Supervision, Coordination and Resources
👥 Provide day-to-day supervision and guidance to assigned project staff, and support coordination with consultants and implementing partners, including performance monitoring and review of technical deliverables
💶 Support coordination with Resource Management, HR, Procurement and Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) units to facilitate budget monitoring, compliance, timely procurement and effective use of project resources
Reporting, Proposals and Monitoring
📝 Prepare and consolidate, in coordination with the Head of Programmes, donor deliverables, including narrative and financial reports, technical inputs, concept notes and funding proposals, and contribute information and documentation as required
📊 Support monitoring, evaluation and reporting activities, including data collection, results analysis, documentation of lessons learned and dissemination of good practices
Partnerships, Risks and Duty Travel
🌐 Maintain working relationships with partners and stakeholders, including UN agencies, development partners, regional organisations, civil society, workers' and employers' organisations, and private sector actors
⚠️ Identify operational risks and implementation constraints, report issues to the supervisor and support corrective actions
✈️ Undertake duty travel as required
📋 Perform other duties as assigned
Education Requirements
You need one of the following:
🎓 A Master's degree in Labour Economics, Development Studies, Migration Studies, Law, International Relations, Political Science, Human Rights, Social Sciences, or a related field from an accredited academic institution, with two years of relevant professional experience
📘 A university degree in the above-mentioned fields from an accredited academic institution, with four years of relevant professional experience
🏫 Accredited universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.
Professional Experience IOM Is Looking For
📈 Progressive professional experience in labour migration, labour mobility, skills development, employment, social inclusion, or related migration and development fields, with demonstrated application in African contexts
🗂️ Proven experience in project coordination and implementation, including results-based management, donor reporting and compliance, preferably within multi-country or regional programmes
🤝 Hands-on experience engaging with government authorities, regional institutions, UN agencies, international and national organizations, social partners and private sector actors in Africa
🧑🏭 Experience supporting initiatives related to skills development, ethical recruitment, migrant worker protection, labour governance, business and human rights, and/or socio-economic inclusion
🗺️ Demonstrated experience working in Central Africa, and/or supporting regional or sub-regional initiatives (e.g. CEMAC, ECCAS), with understanding of regional integration, mobility and labour dynamics
🚧 Prior exposure to complex operational or border contexts in Africa is an asset
Skills Required
🧠 Solid technical knowledge of labour mobility, migration governance, skills development and employment systems, including understanding of African and Central African contexts
📚 Solid familiarity with UN system policies, rules and procedures, including implementation of donor-funded programmes
✍️ Good analytical and drafting skills, including preparation of reports and programme documentation
🔗 Good coordination and stakeholder engagement skills, including experience working across ministries, regional stakeholders and implementing partners
⏱️ Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, supervise teams and deliver quality results in deadline-driven environments
Language Requirements
🗣️ All IOM staff members in all categories must be fluent in one of IOM's official languages (English, French, Spanish)
🇬🇧 For this position, fluency in English and French is required (oral and written)
🇵🇹 Working knowledge of Portuguese and other official UN languages (Arabic, Chinese, Russian and Spanish) is an advantage
🧪 Proficiency in the required languages will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments
IOM Values Every Staff Member Must Demonstrate
Competencies are assessed during the selection process. All IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these five 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: works 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 (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 Organization's 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 (Behavioural Indicators Level 2)
🧭 Leadership: provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example and demonstrates the ability to carry out the Organization's 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 Organization's goals and communicates a clear strategic direction
🙇 Humility: leads with humility and shows openness to acknowledging own shortcomings
Mobility, Funding and Appointment Conditions
🧳 Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile
💼 Any offer made in relation to this vacancy is subject to funding confirmation
🔁 This selection process may be used to staff similar positions in various duty stations; recommended candidates remain eligible for appointment to a similar position for 24 months
🩺 Appointment is subject to all clearances, including medical and security, as well as accreditation and any residency or visa requirements
🕛 Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the closing date; no late applications are accepted
Conduct Standards and Background Checks
🚫 IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, including sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and any form of discrimination
🧒 IOM is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children
🔎 IOM conducts reference checks and background verification, including through system-wide databases such as ClearCheck, to ensure candidates have no record of misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse, or fraud
✅ Candidates are expected to uphold these standards and principles at all times
IOM Never Charges Recruitment Fees
IOM does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, whether for application, interview, processing, training or otherwise, and does not request any information related to bank accounts. If you want to understand how we verify every opportunity before it is published, our guide explains the process.
How to Apply
📲 IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM WAVE system; internal candidates use the internal link
👀 The online tool also lets candidates track the status of their application
📩 Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted
You can browse more international organisation roles on the Youth Works Hub jobs page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What grade and contract does the IOM Project Officer role in Yaoundé offer?
The position is graded P-2 under the Professional recruiting type. It is a fixed-term contract of one year with possibility of extension, based in the IOM Country Office in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
What education and experience do I need?
You need either a Master's degree in a relevant field such as Labour Economics, Development Studies, Migration Studies, Law or International Relations with two years of relevant experience, or a university degree in those fields with four years of experience. The degree must come from an institution listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.
Do I need to speak French for this job?
Yes. Fluency in both English and French, oral and written, is required for this position. Working knowledge of Portuguese or other official UN languages is an advantage, and language skills may be tested through written and/or oral assessments.
Who counts as a first-tier candidate?
Internal candidates and candidates from IOM Member States not represented among Professional staff, such as Iceland, Namibia, Suriname or Trinidad and Tobago, are first-tier. Their applications are considered before those of second-tier candidates, who are all other external applicants.
Is experience in Africa required?
The vacancy asks for experience with demonstrated application in African contexts, hands-on engagement with stakeholders in Africa, and demonstrated experience in Central Africa and/or regional initiatives such as CEMAC or ECCAS. Prior exposure to complex operational or border contexts in Africa is listed as an asset.
Who will the Project Officer report to?
The role works under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission in Cameroon and the direct supervision of the Head of Programmes, in close coordination with relevant units, Government counterparts and partners.
Does the role involve supervising staff?
Yes. The Project Officer provides day-to-day supervision and guidance to assigned project staff and supports coordination with consultants and implementing partners, including performance monitoring and review of technical deliverables.
Could I be offered a different position through this vacancy?
The selection process may be used to staff similar positions in various duty stations. Recommended candidates remain eligible for appointment to a similar position for 24 months.
Does IOM charge an application fee?
No. IOM does not charge any fees at any stage of recruitment and does not request bank account information.
When is the deadline?
Applications close on 12 November 2026 at 23:59 local time in Geneva, Switzerland. Late applications are not accepted, so find more opportunities like this and submit early on Youth Works Hub.
Deadline
⏳ 12 November 2026
Link
🔗 Apply via IOM WAVE: https://fa-evlj-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1001/job/23852
