Junior Trade and Job Creation Officer, Rwanda

General

Description of assignment title: Junior Trade and Job Creation Officer

Assignment country: Rwanda

Expected start date: 10/20/2025

Sustainable Development Goal: 8. Decent work and economic growth

Volunteer category: International UN Youth Volunteer

Host entity: IOM RWANDA

Type: Onsite

Duration: 12 months

(with possibility of extension)

Number of assignments: 1

Duty stations: Kigali

Details

Mission and objectives

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) aims to ensure that migration is humane and orderly, delivering benefits for both migrants and society. It adopts a comprehensive, development-oriented approach to fully realize the positive potential of migration.

The organization works with its partners in the international community to assist in meeting the operational challenges of migration, advance understanding of migration issues, encourage social and economic development through migration, and uphold the human dignity and well-being of migrants. By delivering holistic and systemic support, IOM integrates this methodology into its operations at global, regional, and national levels, as outlined by its Global Strategic Plan. Effective management of human mobility and the establishment of regular migration pathways can significantly contribute to sustainable development, prosperity, and progress, a reality acknowledged in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030 Agenda). This vision is also reflected in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM), the United Nations Secretary General’s Action Agenda on Internal Displacement, and various other thematic frameworks and instruments. As the world heads into a post-2030 future, IOM is also committed to ensuring that the nexus between migration and sustainable development can be leveraged to bolster people’s resilience to significant changes including climate change, demographic shifts, urbanisation, and digitalisation

Context

In Rwanda, where job creation and skills development are national priorities, IOM is supporting sustainable development by leveraging migration, trade, and labour mobility. Through a three-year cross-border trade programme, IOM aims to translate regional frameworks like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) into tangible socio-economic benefits, particularly for small-scale cross-border traders who face policy, financial, and digital barriers. Additionally, IOM’s Labour Mobility and Inclusion division is promoting job creation and skills development, focusing on youth and the informal sector, which comprises over 90% of Rwanda’s workforce. The UN Volunteer will contribute to project implementation activities related to trade and migration, and will support project development, implementation, and reporting on activities related to job creation, with a particular focus on youth. She/he will also be expected to identify and strengthen linkages between these two objectives, while ensuring that the needs of the most vulnerable and at risk of being left behind, are properly considered.

Task description

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission (CoM) and direct supervision of the Head of Programmes, and in coordination with relevant Project Managers, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

•  Provide support to the Head of Programmes and SDG Officer in implementing a three-year project on cross-border trade
•  Assist in providing research, analytical, and project development support on matters related to trade, including in relation to trade policies, regulations, and legislations, and to strengthening Rwanda’s integration into a larger trade corridor throughout the Great Rift Valley
•  Support liaison between IOM and relevant partners working in the trade and job creation sectors, including other UN entities, the private sector, and trade and labour organizations
•  Support in identifying and strengthening potential synergies between different units in the mission, including the Immigration Border Governance (IBG) unit and the Labour and Mobility Inclusion (LMI) unit, and to identify job creation opportunities for youth in the trade sector
•  Assist in conducting research on the policy landscape and existing gaps related to job creation and youth in Not in Employment, Education, or Training (NEET), and support IOM in implementing the roll-out of the Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just transitions in Rwanda, in close collaboration with International Labour Organization (ILO)
•  In coordination with the Programme Support Unit (PSU), support with project development, implementation, and reporting as needed, with a particular focus on providing reporting support to the Labour Mobility and Inclusion (LMI) Unit
•  Comply with IOM’s rules, regulations, and policies, and relevant Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
•  Perform other such duties as may be assigned

Eligibility criteria

Age: 18 – 80

Required experience

1 month

Donor priorities

.

Nationality

Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Additional eligibility criteria

This assignment is funded by the Government of Sweden and therefore specific criteria apply: ELIGIBILITY

– Candidates must be Swedish nationals, fluency in Swedish is required

– Candidates must be between 18 and 29 years of age at the time of application.

– Candidates who already served on a UN Volunteer assignment funded by the Government of Sweden are not eligible.

APPLICATION

– You may apply to a maximum of three assignments and indicate the order of preference in the ‘Additional remarks’ field when filling in the application form.

– Application deadline: 29 June 2025.

SELECTION

– Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The selection will be conducted by the UN Host Entity in the country of assignment. Interviews are scheduled to take place in July.

MANDATORY TRAINING IN SWEDEN

Before deployment, selected candidates must attend a mandatory preparation training in Sweden, organized by Sida. The training will take place from 13 to 17 October.

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Assignment requirements

Relevant experience

No experience required

Languages

English, Level: Fluent, Required

French, Level: Fair, Desirable

Required education level

Bachelor degree or equivalent in International Development, Economic Development, Business or Public Administration, International Studies, or a related field

Competencies and values

☒ Accountability

☒ Adaptability and Flexibility

☒ Commitment and Motivation

☒ Communication

☒ Ethics and Values

☒ Integrity

☒ Knowledge Sharing

☒ Planning and Organizing

☒ Professionalism

☒ Respect for Diversity

☒ Self-Management

☒ Technological Awareness

☒ Working in Teams

Skills and experience

Demonstrated interest or experience in:

•  Global trade and macro-economic trends, migration issues and cross-border trade
•  Job creation and decent work, and issues affecting youth
•  Writing reports, research papers, and policy analysis
•  Organizing workshops, meetings, or conferences
•  Coordinating with different stakeholders, including the private sector, civil society, and other groups
•  Geopolitical analysis, with a basic understanding of global migration issues and the sensitivities involved
•  Writing, analyzing, and reporting issues
•  Working inclusively and collaboratively
•  Working and adapting professionally and effectively in a challenging environments
•  Working effectively in a multicultural team
•  MS Office (Excel, Word, etc…), email, and internet
•  Database management.
•  Usage of office technology equipment

Area(s) of expertise

Development programmes, Manual labor and skilled trade, Economics and finance

Driving license

–

Other information

Living conditions and remarks

Kigali, Rwanda’s capital, has experienced remarkable rejuvenation and stability, reflected in its modern infrastructure, safe environment, and well-organized transport system. While motorcycle taxis are the fastest option, standard taxis, public buses with prepaid cards, and rental cars offer safer alternatives. The city boasts well-maintained roads with minimal congestion. Accommodations and recreational facilities are readily available, alongside diverse shopping options for imported goods and essentials. Kigali has both public and private healthcare facilities, with major hospitals like King Faisal Hospital and Legacy Clinic offering comprehensive services and accepting CIGNA insurance. The city is exceptionally safe, with emergency services accessible via 999 for police, 111 for firefighters, and 112 for general emergencies.

Visa process: Rwanda facilitates a straightforward visa process for international visitors: Visa on Arrival: Nationals from all countries can obtain a visa upon arrival at Kigali Interna-tional Airport and all land borders. This visa is typically valid for 30 days. Citizens of African Union, Commonwealth, and La Francophonie member countries receive this visa free of charge for visits up to 30 days. Visit Rwanda

Online Application (e-Visa): Travelers preferring to secure a visa before arrival can apply online through the IremboGov portal. The processing time is approximately 7 days, and fees vary based on the visa type. Irembo Support

Application Requirements:

•  A passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of entry.
•  A recent passport-sized photograph.
•  Completed visa application form.
•  Proof of accommodation or invitation letter.
•  Return or onward travel ticket.

Important Considerations:

•  Visa fees and processing times may vary based on nationality and visa type.
•  It’s advisable to check the latest visa policies before travel, as regulations can change.
•  Ensure all required documents are prepared to facilitate a smooth application process.

For the most current information, consult the Rwanda Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration or the nearest Rwandan embassy or consulate

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy

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