VN-US10-2026-081 National Compliance Officer

International Organization for Migration (10000000); Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 133,000 - 162,000; Full time

Job summary

International Organization for Migration in Washington, DC seeks a National Compliance Officer to guide USG-funded programmes, interpret donor terms, and support COs in implementing complex compliance requirements. You will develop guidance materials, lead risk assessments, and ensure timely reporting across GO/W and Legal partners.

The role requires strong knowledge of USG contracting, experience with compliance in humanitarian settings, and fluency in English.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Law (JD acceptable) or related field with 2 years’ experience; or Bachelor’s with 4 years’ experience.
• UN/NGO/USG funding experience; project management or compliance role; field experience is a plus; legal background is advantageous.
• Fluency in English is required for this position.

Responsibilities

• Provide guidance on USG donor requirements for awards.
• Review funding opportunities and analyze compliance implications.
• Coordinate with Legal for new award terms and guidance materials.
• Monitor compliance reporting with COs, ROs and GO/W teams.
• Convene follow-up meetings to ensure ongoing donor compliance.

Skills

USG contracting knowledge

USG awards compliance

Organizational skills

Guidance materials & SOPs

Written and verbal communication

Legal drafting & training

Education

Master’s degree in Law or related field

Bachelor’s degree with 4 years’ experience

Job description

"This Vacancy is open to All Applicants"

Job Identification (Reference Number):VN-US10-2026-081
Position Title: National Compliance Officer
Duty Station City:Washington, DC.
Duty Station Country:United States of America
Contract Type:One-Year Fixed Term

Grade & Salary: NO-B, Step 1 (12,309.83 Monthly)

Vacancy Type:Vacancy Notice
Initial duration:12 Months

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 internal and external candidates. 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, internal and internal-equivalent candidates as well as external women candidates are considered as first-tier candidates.

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Global & Domestic Programmes, direct supervision of the Head of the Global Programmes Unit (GPU), and in close coordination with the GO Washington (GO/W) Finance, Legal and Global Programmes teams, the National Compliance Officer will be responsible and accountable for providing technical guidance and support to IOM Country Offices (COs) implementing programmes funded by the United States Government (USG) in the interpretation and application of donor requirements, including risk assessments; reporting of aid diversion and misconduct; Leahy vetting; and flow-down of award terms to subrecipients.

1. Contribute to preparation and dissemination of guidance materials and standard operating procedures relating to USG donor requirements.
2. For new USG awards, review and identify compliance requirements, participate in “kick-off” meetings with donors, and provide guidance to implementing teams on the interpretation and application of relevant award terms.
3. Provide technical assistance and guidance to COs implementing USG-funded awards in establishing and implementing measures to meet donor compliance requirements including:
   1. Standard reporting
   2. Risk assessments
   3. Required pre-approvals
   4. Reporting on aid diversion and misconduct
   5. Leahy vetting
   6. Counter-trafficking provisions for subrecipients
   7. Substantial involvement
4. Serve as GO/W focal point for reporting on aid diversion and misconduct; coordinate with relevant HQ offices for oversight, financial management, humanitarian response and recovery, and legal services, among others; maintain incident tracking mechanisms, and elevate issues as appropriate.
5. Review notices of funding opportunity and analyse complex compliance issues that may affect IOM’s applications, in coordination with GPU donor liaisons.
6. Monitor compliance-related reporting requirements in coordination with COs, Regional Offices (ROs) and GO/W Finance and Global Programmes teams; analyse outstanding and emerging compliance issues, maintain reporting trackers and prepare status updates and recommendations for follow-up action.
7. Coordinate with IOM’s Legal Department to clarify new award terms proposed by USG donors, and assess their implications for implementation; develop and update compliance guidance materials for implementation of USG-funded awards.
8. Convene and facilitate follow-up meetings with implementing teams to support ongoing compliance with donor requirements, including in complex operating environments or following key staff changes in COs.
9. Contribute to the identification of systemic compliance issues and lessons learned across USG-funded programmes and recommend improvements to guidance, procedures and compliance processes.
10. Perform such other relevant duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Master’s degree in Law (which may be a Master’s degree or a J.D.), Social Sciences, Political Science, International Development, Management or a related field with two years of relevant professional experience; or
• Bachelor’s degree in the above fields with four years of relevant professional experience.

Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.

Experience

• Experience working with a UN agency, NGO, or contractor with significant USG funding for humanitarian or development operations; or with a USG entity that provides foreign assistance funding;
• Experience in a project management or compliance role for USG-funded awards;
• Field experience in humanitarian or development programmes outside of the United States, ideally with a USG-funded project, is an advantage;
• A legal background is an advantage.

Skills

• Strong understanding of USG foreign assistance contracting systems and tools;
• Familiarity with compliance issues that arise under USG awards;
• Excellent organizational skills;
• Proven ability to generate guidance materials, standard operating procedures and systems to implement complex processes;
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; and
• Legal drafting and training skills are an advantage.

Languages

All IOM staff members in all categories are required to be fluent in one of the IOM's official languages (English, French, Spanish).

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written).

DESIRABLE
N/A

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 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, if with direct reports

• 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.

Notes

Please refer to this link for guidance on IOM Job Category.

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

This selection process may be used to staff similar positions in various duty stations.Recommended candidates will remain eligible to be appointed in a similar position for a period of 24 months.

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.