Deputy Director, EU Policy, Partnerships and Programmes (D)

UN Atlas; Brussel Hoofdstad; Hybrid; EUR 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) seeks a Deputy Director of EU Policy, Partnerships and Programmes to lead its strategic engagement with the European Union and Member States. The role directs the EU Policy and Programme Support Division, shaping policy, advocacy, partnerships, and funding strategies aligned with IOM’s priorities.

Responsibilities include representing IOM at senior levels, guiding EU engagement, and mobilizing resources.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Political or Social Sciences, Business Administration, Economics, Migration Studies, International Relations, Law, or related field; 15+ years of relevant experience.
• Extensive experience liaising with governmental and diplomatic officials, EU institutions, international organizations, and civil society.

Responsibilities

• Set strategic direction for EU policy, advocacy, and programme engagement with EU institutions and Member States.
• Represent IOM at senior levels; lead engagement with EU donors and Team Europe initiatives.
• Provide political, policy, and strategic advice to senior leadership on EU funding and partnerships.
• Coordinate division activities, build EU-focused partnerships, and guide resource mobilization efforts.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Diplomatic engagement

Policy advisory

Executive communication

Team leadership

Education

Master's degree in Political or Social Sciences

Job description

Organizational context: The International Organization for Migration (IOM), established in 1951, is a UN-related agency dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration. It collaborates with governmental, intergovernmental, and non-governmental partners to save lives, protect people on the move, drive solutions to displacement, and facilitate regular migration pathways. IOM fosters an inclusive and supportive workplace to maximize the potential of migration and enhance support for migrants.

Job purpose: The Deputy Director, EU Policy, Partnerships and Programmes provides executive leadership for IOM’s strategic relationship with the European Union and its Member States, directing the EU Policy and Programme Support Division. This role is crucial for shaping and advancing IOM’s institutional positioning with EU institutions, bodies, agencies, and Member State authorities. The incumbent translates organizational priorities into coherent policy, advocacy, partnership, and programme strategies, offering authoritative advice to senior leadership on EU political, policy, programmatic, and funding matters. They lead forward-looking analysis of political and stakeholder landscapes, guiding IOM’s engagement and ensuring alignment with organizational frameworks and objectives.

Responsibilities: The Deputy Director is responsible for setting the strategic direction for policy and advocacy with the European Union, ensuring coherent and evidence-based positions. This includes directing political and stakeholder analysis to inform senior leadership on emerging implications. The role involves representing IOM at senior levels, serving as a lead focal point for EU institutions, and leading strategic engagement with EU Member States and their Permanent Representations. They will build and sustain partnerships with EU institutions and other global stakeholders, lead high-level consultations, and secure outcomes advancing IOM’s mandate. Strategic planning for EU policy and programme strategies, monitoring EU developments, and deputizing for the Director are key functions. Additionally, the Deputy Director leads coordination within their division, directs capacity-building initiatives on EU engagement, provides programmatic guidance to regional and country offices, and defines IOM’s strategic approach to EU resource mobilization, including driving engagement with Team Europe and Global Gateway.

Education: A Master’s degree in Political or Social Sciences, Business Administration, Economics, Migration Studies, International Relations, Law, or a related field from an accredited academic institution is required. This should be complemented by fifteen years of relevant professional experience. Accredited universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.

Work experience: Extensive experience is required in senior liaison with governmental and diplomatic officials, EU institutions, national and international organizations, and civil society. Demonstrated experience in providing political, policy, and strategic advice to senior leadership is essential. Senior-level engagement with EU Member States and donor governments on policy, partnership, or funding priorities is necessary. Experience leading resource mobilization and complex negotiations involving EU funding instruments or strategic financing partners is also required. Experience with Team Europe, Global Gateway, international financial institutions, or multilateral development banks is advantageous.

Skills: Key skills include the ability to analyze complex migration dynamics and frame them politically, demonstrated political judgment for institutional positioning and engagement strategies, and a proven track record of engagement with EU donors. Sound knowledge of the EU, its institutions, and funding instruments is essential. The role requires the ability to build and sustain relationships across EU institutions, Member States, and financial partners, lead diverse teams, and possess strong analytical, drafting, and executive communication skills. The ability to lead change and foster accountability and learning is also critical.

Required languages: English, French

Desired languages: Arabic, Russian, Spanish