International Consultant CC-2026-27

Position Title: International Consultant

Duty Station: Yerevan, Armenia

Classification: Consultancy

Type of Appointment: 6 months

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 17 November, 2026

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, 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.

Context:

The Scientific and Educational Centre of the National Security Service of the Republic of Armenia (NSS) is developing a six-month secondary vocational (professional) training program for contract servicemen of the Border Guard Troops who will serve at the green border and border outposts. The objective is to establish a modern, competency-based curriculum aligned with European border management standards and contemporary border security requirements, with a particular focus on the operational duties, challenges, and competencies required for effective service at green border sections and border outposts.

The purpose of this consultancy is to support the development of a comprehensive six-month vocational training curriculum for contract border guards of the NSS Border Guard Troops, specifically preparing personnel for assignments at the green border and border outposts. The curriculum will draw upon EU Integrated Border Management (IBM) principles, FRONTEX Common Core Curricula, and relevant international standards and best practices, while emphasizing practical skills, operational readiness, surveillance, border patrolling, detection, and response capabilities required in green border and border outpost environments.

Background of the activity:

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.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

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

Inception and Needs Assessment

• Review existing NSS training documentation, legal framework, and operational requirements.
• Conduct consultations with NSS leadership, Border Guard Troops command, instructors, and relevant stakeholders.
• Identify training needs and competency gaps.
• Prepare an Inception Report outlining methodology, work plan, and curriculum development approach.

Competency Framework Development

• Define occupational profile(s) for contract border guards.
• Develop learning outcomes and competencies required for operational deployment.
• Align competencies with EU IBM principles and relevant FRONTEX standards where applicable.

Curriculum Design

• Develop a complete six-month training curriculum, including:
• Curriculum structure and sequencing.
• Modules and subjects.
• Learning outcomes for each module.
• Recommended contact hours.
• Theory/practical training ratio.
• Training methods.
• Required training facilities and equipment.
• Evaluation and assessment framework.

Development of Training Materials Framework

• Propose outlines for lesson plans.
• Recommend practical exercises and simulation-based learning scenarios.
• Provide guidance on assessment tools and examination procedures.

Capacity Building of NSS Instructors

• Develop a capacity-building plan for instructors responsible for delivering the new curriculum.
• Design and conduct a Training of Trainers (ToT) program.
• Introduce competency-based training methodologies, practical and simulation-based learning approaches, and learner assessment techniques.
• Provide mentoring and guidance on curriculum implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Recommend mechanisms for continuous professional development of instructors.

Validation and Finalization

• Facilitate a curriculum validation workshop with NSS representatives.
• Incorporate comments and recommendations.
• Submit the final curriculum package.

Performance indicators for the evaluation of results

• All deliverables submitted according to the agreed timeline.
• All reports and curriculum documents accepted without requiring substantial revision.
• Curriculum demonstrates alignment with competency-based vocational education principles and relevant international border management standards.
• NSS stakeholders express satisfaction with the relevance and usability of the curriculum and training framework.
• At least 80% of workshop and ToT participants report increased confidence in implementing the new curriculum.
• Final curriculum approved for piloting and/or institutional adoption by the NSS Border Guard Troops.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Advanced university degree in border management, security studies, military sciences, law enforcement, education, public administration, or related field.

Experience and Skills

• Minimum 10 years of professional experience in border management, border guard training, or security sector education.
• Demonstrated experience in curriculum development for border guard, law enforcement, military, or security institutions.
• Experience working with FRONTEX Common Core Curricula and EU Integrated Border Management concepts.
• Previous experience with border guard training reform, competency-based curriculum development, or capacity-building initiatives in Armenia, the South Caucasus region, Eastern Partnership countries, or other relevant partner countries is highly desirable.
• Experience facilitating stakeholder consultations and training workshops.

Skills

• Design and deliver border management training programs
• Develop competency-based curricula and learning materials
• Facilitate training workshops and Training-of-Trainers (ToT) sessions
• Assess and strengthen institutional training capacities
• Coordinate and engage stakeholders throughout project implementation

Languages

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

Proficiency in Armenian or Russian would be beneficial.

Travel required

Yes.

Required Competencies

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 1

• 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.

Other

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.

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