VN-US10-2026-090 Movement Operations Associate (Field Support, Airport)

International Organization for Migration•Chicago, IL

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Movement Operations Associate provides field support at Chicago-area airport Ports of Entry (POEs) for the United States Refugee Admissions Program. The role supports the safe, dignified, and humane arrival and onward movement of refugees and migrants by assisting them through airport procedures, arranging transit and ground transportation, and completing related administrative work. The position may involve guiding Movement Operations Assistants and supporting training for new team members. The Associate coordinates with airlines, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), hotels, vendors, supervisors, and other partners. Duties also include supporting individuals with special needs, accompanying medical cases to hospitals, providing interpretation when required, validating booking and ticket information, preparing incident reports, and maintaining accurate, confidential records in accordance with IOM procedures and standards. The position is based in Chicago, Illinois, and requires operational experience at a U.S. POE, including knowledge of movement workflows and direct coordination with CBP. It entails physical duties such as standing, walking, bending, lifting, pushing, and pulling. Hotel support may extend up to 12 hours, including overnight periods and, exceptionally, weekends. Duty travel may be required. The appointment is a 12-month, one-year fixed-term position, subject to funding confirmation and applicable medical, accreditation, residency or visa, and security-clearance requirements.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Social Science, International Relations, Regional Studies, or a related field from an accredited institution and three years of relevant professional experience; alternatively, a high school diploma and five years of relevant professional experience.
Operational experience at a U.S. Port of Entry is required, including a strong understanding of movement workflows and direct coordination with CBP.
Demonstrated knowledge of airline processes and CBP procedures relevant to beneficiary arrivals and onward movement.
Fluency in English, oral and written.
Computer and software literacy, including good knowledge of Microsoft Office.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Attention to detail and organizational ability.
Self-motivated, objective-driven, able to use initiative, and able to work under pressure with minimal supervision.
Ability to meet airport badging and security-clearance requirements, including background checks and fingerprinting.
Must reside in the United States.
Physical capability to stand, walk, bend, lift, push, and pull effectively and safely.
Ability to maintain professional, impartial, and unbiased conduct and comply with applicable IOM standards and procedures.

Nice To Haves

Prior Movement Operations, transportation-related, and/or management experience is strongly preferred.
Experience working in programs with a movement operations component, particularly resettlement programs.
Experience guiding and leading junior staff members.
Experience communicating with beneficiaries.
Preference may be given to candidates who meet local or state residency requirements applicable to POE badging.
Proficiency in additional languages may be evaluated during selection.

Responsibilities

Meet arriving beneficiaries at airport gates and assist them with arrival procedures, including documentation, airport formalities, luggage, immigration, security screening, and customs clearance.
Escort beneficiaries to ground transportation or connecting domestic flights, visually confirm flight departures, and ensure people with special needs or equipment receive appropriate assistance.
Organize transit and ground transportation and send updates through IOM tools and systems as needed.
Communicate with airlines, CBP, vendors, hotels, and POE supervisors, coordinating to resolve issues.
Prepare and complete paperwork for domestic transportation and post-arrival procedures, including flight packages, domestic booking sheets, lanyards, promissory notes, and travel packet mailings.
Conduct quality-assurance checks of POE data and report discrepancies; monitor or guide staff completing administrative work.
Accompany medical cases requiring immediate assistance to the hospital and complete and submit hospitalization documentation.
Provide hotel assistance to people in transit, particularly vulnerable individuals, including during extended or overnight stays and, exceptionally, on weekends.
Provide interpretation to arriving migrants during airport procedures and transfers when required.
Certify, update, and validate domestic booking and air-ticket information in IOM systems; conduct data checks and train staff on validation procedures when needed.
Support day-to-day operational training for new team members when required.
Prepare incident reports, including lost-luggage claims, submit them through the relevant system, and follow up as necessary.
Provide regular progress feedback to supervisors and promptly report issues requiring attention.
Apply relevant SOPs, systems, databases, data-protection rules, IOM Standards of Conduct, and RMM Protection Mainstreaming Minimum Standards; maintain confidentiality and alert management to non-compliance.
Undertake duty travel for POE-related meetings, training, or escorting individuals to their destinations.
Perform other duties as assigned.