Job Description

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

Project Context and Scope

Nature of the consultancy:

The consultancy will support the Government of the Republic of Armenia in advancing integrated border management reforms and strengthening interagency cooperation in line with the draft Integrated Border Management (IBM) Strategy and related Action Plan priorities, as well as European Integrated Border Management principles.

The consultancy will focus on enhancing cooperation among the National Security Service Border Guard Troops, State Revenue Committee, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Migration and Citizenship Service, and other relevant border management stakeholders in line with European Integrated Border Management (EIBM) principles and international best practices. The assignment will support the institutionalization of interagency cooperation and operational coordination mechanisms, the application of integrated risk analysis approaches based on the Common Integrated Risk Analysis Model (CIRAM), the development of standard operating procedures and joint operational practices, and the strengthening of information-sharing and coordinated response capacities. The consultant will develop an interagency training package with primary focus on interagency cooperation, operational coordination, information exchange, and risk analysis, while integrating relevant aspects of border security, human rights, integrity, and emerging border management challenges. Through a combination of assessment, curriculum development, practical exercises, simulation-based learning, and capacity-building activities, participating institutions will strengthen their ability to conduct coordinated border management operations, apply common risk analysis methodologies, enhance information exchange, and respond effectively to border security challenges in accordance with EU IBM standards.

The Project is implemented in Armenia to further strengthen the capacities of the national authorities to tackle cross-border organized crime and independent border management capacities. The primary national partners benefiting from its outcomes are the National Security Service of the Republic of Armenia (NSS) and its Border Guard Troops (BGT). The Project will build on the results achieved in recent years and will further advance the alignment of the border guard training/ educational system and standards with European and international best practices, enhance capacity to autonomously manage borders through enhanced secondary inspection as well as capacity to detect and counter irregular travellers, including terrorists and serious criminals through setting up Advance Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) data.

Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing

Enhancing the Capacities of Armenian Authorities in Border Security and Crime Prevention /IB0525

Tasks to be performed under this contract

Under the overall supervision of the Head of Office and direct supervision of the Project Coordinator, the International Consultant shall deliver the following outputs:

Assessment and Planning

• Build on the findings and recommendations of the ongoing Border Check Point (BCP) assessment and conduct targeted consultations to validate and translate identified gaps, challenges, and priorities into a Training Needs and Capacity Assessment for the development of the interagency training package and simulation exercise.
• Conduct consultations with NSS Border Guard Troops, State Revenue Committee, Ministry of Internal Affairs, migration authorities, and other relevant stakeholders to identify institutional and operational capacity gaps.
• Assess the status of existing IBM-related reforms and institutional priorities, including relevant provisions of the draft IBM Strategy and Action Plan, where applicable.
• Produce a Training Needs and Capacity Assessment Report with recommendations.
• Development of Training Package
• Develop a comprehensive interagency training package covering
• Interagency cooperation and coordination;
• Risk analysis and CIRAM methodology;
• Information exchange and operational coordination;
• Joint operational planning and decision-making.
• The package shall include:
• Training curriculum;
• Trainer guides;
• Participant handbook;
• Presentations;
• Practical exercises;
• Case studies;
• Group work assignments;
• Evaluation and assessment tools.
• SOP and Operational Coordination Components
• Develop practical training modules and reference materials supporting the application of interagency SOPs and coordinated operational procedures.
• Develop an interagency training package with primary focus on interagency cooperation, operational coordination, information exchange, and risk analysis, while integrating relevant aspects of border security, human rights, integrity, and emerging border management challenges.
• Multi-Agency Simulation Exercise
• Design a comprehensive simulation exercise based on realistic border-security and cross-border crime scenarios.
• Incorporate elements related to:
• risk analysis;
• information exchange;
• operational coordination;
• crisis management;
• irregular migration;
• document fraud;
• human rights considerations.
• Prepare facilitator guides, participant instructions, observation tools, and evaluation methodology.
• Capacity Building Delivery
• Deliver a 4-5 day interagency training programme for relevant border management agencies.
• Facilitate practical exercises and group activities.
• Conduct a multi-agency simulation exercise and after-action review.
• Support the identification of future Training-of-Trainers (ToT) candidates to contribute to sustainability of national training capacities.
• Reporting
• Prepare a Report including:
• assessment findings;
• training results;
• identified capacity-development priorities;
• simulation exercise outcomes;
• recommendations for strengthening interagency cooperation;
• recommendations on risk analysis, information exchange, joint training, and operational coordination;
• recommendations contributing to implementation of the IBM Strategy and IBM Action Plan.
• Deliverables
• Training Needs and Capacity Assessment Report.
• Comprehensive IBM Interagency Training Package.
• Multi-Agency Simulation Exercise Package.
• Delivery of one 4-5 day interagency training programme.
• Delivery of one multi-agency simulation exercise and after-action review.
• Training Completion Report and participant evaluation results.
• Final Report with recommendations and finalized training materials.

Performance indicators for the evaluation of results

• Demonstrated capacity to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the existing border management training needs and institutional capacities.
• Development and submission of a high-quality training package consistent with international standards and European Union Integrated Border Management (IBM) principles.
• Development of practical and operationally relevant simulation exercise materials tailored to the Armenian border management context.
• Effective delivery and facilitation of the training programme using appropriate adult learning methodologies and interactive approaches.
• Demonstrated ability to integrate risk analysis, interagency cooperation, border security, and human rights considerations into the training content.
• Successful facilitation of a multi-agency simulation exercise that reflects realistic operational challenges and coordination requirements.
• Provision of practical and actionable recommendations for strengthening national capacities in integrated border management and interagency cooperation.
• Timely submission of all deliverables in accordance with the agreed work plan and contractual requirements.
• Quality, completeness, and usability of all reports, training materials, and exercise documentation produced under the assignment.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Completed advanced university degree in a relevant field.
• Specialization in Border management and Customs operations.
• Other formal education as relevant for the assignment.

Experience

• Advanced university degree in border security, law enforcement, public administration, customs, security studies or related field;
• Minimum 10 years of professional experience in border management and border security, risk analysis and intelligence-led border management;
• Demonstrated experience in Integrated Border Management programmes;
• Practical experience with EU/Frontex methodologies and risk analysis frameworks;
• Experience designing and conducting multi-agency exercises;
• Previous work in EU Eastern Partnership, Western Balkans, Caucasus, or similar contexts is an advantage.
• Risk Analysis Expert
• Experience with risk indicators, profiling and threat assessment;
• Experience developing training materials and conducting capacity-building activities.

Skills

• Integrated Border Management (IBM) & EIBM expertise
• Border security operations and risk analysis (including CIRAM)
• Interagency cooperation and information-sharing mechanisms
• Training design, delivery, and capacity-building programs
• Simulation exercise development and facilitation
• Policy advisory, SOP development, and institutional strengthening

Languages

For this consultancy,

Fluency in English is required (oran and written).

Proficiency in Armenian or Russian would be beneficial.

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:

• 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 – behavioural indicators

• 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.

Notes

IOM covers Consultants against occupational accidents and illnesses under the Compensation Plan (CP), free of charge, for the duration of the consultancy. IOM does not provide evacuation or medical insurance for reasons related to non-occupational accidents and illnesses. Consultants are responsible for their own medical insurance for non-occupational accident or illness and will be required to provide written proof of such coverage before commencing work.

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, security clearances.

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 e-Recruitment system (for internal candidates link here). The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.

No late applications will be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies