National Project Officer (Migration, Business and Human Rights)

SPECIAL VACANCY NOTICE

Open to Internal and External Candidates (Vietnamese national only)


Position Title	: National Project Officer (Migration, Business and Human Rights) (01 position)
Duty Station	: Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
Classification	: National Officer Staff, NOA
Type of Appointment	: Special Fixed Term (9 months) with possibility of extension
Estimated Start Date	: As soon as possible
Closing Date	: 08 Aug 2025
Reference Code	: SVN2025/HCM/JR16087

Established in 1951, IOM is the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of migration and works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

IOM established its operations in Viet Nam in 1987. Across the country IOM provides a comprehensive response to the humanitarian needs of migrants, internally displaced persons, returnees and host communities through humanitarian direct assistance, recreational activities, and a variety of other efforts.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT AND SCOPE:

The UN’s Sustainable Development (SDG) Agenda recognizes migration as an important driver for development. Labour migration is a means for policymakers in destination countries to offset demographic changes and increasing labour shortages.¹ The Asia-Pacific has the largest number of people in forced labour, 15.1 million, which is more than half of the global total. Migrant workers remain disproportionately vulnerable to exploitation and are three times more likely to be in exploitative conditions compared to local workers.² The private sector is responsible for 86 per cent of forced labour.³ In response to this, IOM implements the Migration, Business and Human Rights in Asia: Promoting Corporate Responsibility and Migrant Workers’ Rights in Global Supply Chains (MBHR Asia) – flagship regional programme that aims to promote full respect for the human and labour rights of migrant workers, especially women and migrants in situations of vulnerability within supply chains in Asia. It focuses on key regional labour migration corridors in Asia, encompassing both countries of destination and origin, including Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, the Philippines, Thailand and Viet Nam. The programme helps advance the implementation of the “Protect, Respect and Remedy” framework of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration (GCM), the forthcoming EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (EU CS3D), the Plan of Action to Implement the ASEAN-EU Strategic Partnership (2023-2027) and contribute to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Under the overall supervision of the IOM Chief of Mission and the direct supervision of Project Coordinator, MBHR, the incumbent will be responsible for supporting the implementation of private sector labour migration-related activities in Vietnam under MBHR Asia Programme as well as technical assistance projects on ethical recruitment and responsible business conduct for private sector supply chain actors.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Lead capacity-building of suppliers of global brands:

Serve as focal point for technical assistance activities with suppliers of global brands.
Contribute to the development and delivery of trainings for suppliers on ethical recruitment and responsible employment for migrant workers. This includes supporting the tailoring of training materials for supply chain actors in different industries and countries and assisting with translation and proofreading of materials in local language(s).
Coordinate logistical arrangements for training sessions, maintain the supplier database, and consolidate participants’ feedback for each session.
Assist in the development and implementation of human rights due diligence tools and assessments of suppliers and private recruitment agencies. This includes adapting IOM methodologies, supporting the preparation of interview tools, conducting interviews with relevant stakeholders, assessing practices against the international standards and Vietnamese laws on ethical recruitment, and contributing recommendations for improvement.
Monitor supplier progress and provide technical support under guidance, to help address challenges raised by suppliers and recruitment agencies.
Draft regular progress reports, project updates, talking points, and briefing materials related to supplier capacity building and private sector engagement as needed.
Contribute to the development of human rights due diligence tools for employers of migrant workers and the recruitment agencies they work with.

Support implementation of MBHR Asia programme in Viet Nam:

Private Sector and Multi-Stakeholder Engagement

Participate in discussions with the private sector, public sector, and civil society partners on labour migration and responsible business conduct, in international supply chains, including topics related to human trafficking and forced labour.
Support the planning and organization of partnership-building activities with both the public and private sector stakeholders, aligned with the goals of the MBHR Asia project and mission.
Participate in relevant public and private sector working groups on migration and responsible business conduct.

Project Management, Development and Research:

Provide support to project implementation in line with the approved Project Documents and Budget, and in close coordination with relevant stakeholders.
Assist in mapping potential and relevant private sector, public sector, and civil society partners to strengthen the capacity to address the risks of labour exploitation, including forced labour and human trafficking in supply chains. Contribute to the development of concept notes, project proposals, and budgets for new funding opportunities.
Support research activities on the intersection of labour migration, business and human rights, gender, and the environment.
Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION

Master’s degree from an accredited academic institution in social sciences, law, sustainability or other relevant disciplines; or,
Bachelor’s degree with minimum two years of relevant professional experience.

EXPERIENCE

Experience working with the private sector, UN agencies, non-governmental organizations, and government authorities in Viet Nam
Experience contributing to the development and implementing of programmes related to labour migration, international labour recruitment, and corporate sustainability and compliance.
Experience in supporting the development and delivery capacity-building activities for diverse audiences, including large groups and private sector representatives; familiarity with innovative training approaches and facilitation techniques is an advantage.
Experience assisting in the monitoring improvement plan related to labour and human rights assessments.
Experience in drafting status and progress reports.
Experience in Code of Conduct or management system-based audits as a certified or trained auditor is an asset.
Experience supporting assessment of companies across different countries and industries is an asset.

SKILLS

Good knowledge of labour migration and familiarity with a broad range of migrationrelated thematic areas addressed by the Organization.
Knowledge of supply chain management
Knowledge of country and industry risks related to labour and human rights.
Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and high level of accuracy.
Strong communication and facilitation skills in English and Vietnamese.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

LANGUAGES

Fluency in English and Vietnamese is required.

DESIRABLE

Working knowledge of other UN official languages is an advantage.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

The incumbent is expected to demonstrate the following technical and behavioural competencies:

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.

How to apply:

All interested candidates should apply at National Project Officer (Migration, Business and Human Rights) – IOM Careers

Applications are non-returnable and only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

____________________________________

¹IOM (2023) Labour Migration In Asia: What Does The Future Hold?

²Global Estimates of Modern Slavery: Forced Labour and Forced Marriage, ILO, Walk Free, and IOM, Geneva, 2022

³ Ibid, 2022