IOM promotes the implementation of international protection and assistance standards for migrants, including victims of trafficking, through the establishment of a national referral mechanism to identify and assist all trafficked victims in Namibia. IOM works to enhance the criminal justice system’s response to trafficking in persons through the establishment of a formal mechanism between law enforcement bodies to coordinate their activities.

IOM assists the Government of Namibia in its full compliance with international standards on labour migration through the development of a comprehensive labour migration policy. IOM also advocates for the provision of health services to migrants, as part of the implementation of the national migration and health strategy.

IOM is providing support to the Government of the Republic of Namibia (GRN) for the development of a comprehensive National Migration Policy and contributes to the development of the implementation action plan of the national policy. This project is aiming at contributing to the strengthening of migration management capacity in Namibia with the overall objective to support the GRN in developing a comprehensive and coordinated approach to migration management based on well-identified needs and priorities.

Namibia has been a member state since 2009, and IOM established an in-country presence in Namibia in 2011.

Operations, Emergencies and Post-crisis

IOM will continue its partnership with the Government of Namibia in the area of disaster risk management and resilience-building. Activities will focus on: (a) increasing resilience and protection of forced migrants and communities through disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation; (b) capacity-building of national authorities and key disaster risk management actors at the national, regional and local levels (including at-risk communities); and (c) building urban resilience in informal settlements through disaster risk reduction measures targeting existing hazards at shelter and settlement levels. Approximately 42 per cent of the country’s total population of 2.1 million live in urban areas as a result of steadily increasing rural–urban migration. Community-based disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation will be the primary focus of IOM in Namibia in 2015.

Target populations

  • Governments and regional bodies
  • Migrants and vulnerable populations
  • Local NGOs and CSOs
Migration Health

The process of migration can create multiple health risks, including increased vulnerability to communicable diseases (sexually transmitted infections including HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, measles, etc.), mental health issues, occupational health and safety hazards, and negative sexual and reproductive health outcomes. To address these, IOM will strengthen its collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Social Services and other stakeholders to: (a) improve monitoring of migrants’ health that will serve as a basis to inform policies and practices; (b) ensure policies and legislation make provisions for the health needs and rights of migrants and migration-affected communities, in line with international, regional and national commitments; (c) support migrants and migration-affected communities to access and use migrant-sensitive health services and (d) strengthen multi-country and multisectoral partnerships and networks for effective and sustainable responses to migration and health challenges. Utilizing the findings of its recent research, IOM will focus on building the capacity of stakeholders, including migrants, government officials and civil society, to enable them to sustainably respond to the health needs of migrants and others affected by the migration process.

Target populations

  • Governments and regional bodies
  • Migrants and vulnerable populations
  • UN/IOs/INGOs
  • Local NGOs and CSOs
Immigration and Border Management

With increasing migration in the southern region of Namibia, including significant irregular migration, drug trafficking, human trafficking and smuggling, there is a need to strengthen existing border management systems. This includes upgrading technological equipment for migration data management, as well as implementing the Border Residency Card regime, which is an important element of the bilateral relations between Angola and Namibia, which share a border where intensive crossborder movements take place for various economic, social and cultural reasons.

IOM aims to implement the Border Residency Card focusing on: (a) developing specific regulations to guide the implementation of a 1996 agreement between Namibia and Angola; (b) increasing awareness of border residents of changes related to the transition from the border pass to the Border Residency Card; (c) drafting a comprehensive and upto- date list of border residents; and (d) establishing technical parameters of the Border Residency Card and passenger processing. Based on the achievements of the pilot activities to be implemented in 2015, further opportunities will be determined.

Target populations

  • Governments and regional bodies
  • Migrants and vulnerable populations
  • UN/IOs/INGOs
Migrant Assistance

In 2015 IOM aims to contribute to the Namibian Government’s and civil society’s efforts to coordinate anti-trafficking responses, prevent trafficking in persons, protect victims and prosecute traffickers in Namibia. The Organization will achieve these by: (a) strengthening coordination between State actors and civil society, whereby institutional and technical support will be provided for the formation and operationalization of a national coordination mechanism; (b) increasing awareness of trafficking in persons among the general public by carrying out an information campaign that will encourage detection and reporting of suspected cases; (c) enhancing the capacity to offer assistance to victims in Namibia, with support given to social service providers to enhance protection; and, finally, (d) promoting victim-centred response through law enforcement. IOM will support the development of a formal mechanism among law enforcement to enhance coordination on investigation, prosecution and victim referral. IOM will continue resettlement and voluntary return programmes for the remaining refugees in Namibia.

Target populations

  • Governments and regional bodies
  • Migrants and vulnerable populations
  • UN/IOs/INGOs Local NGOs and CSOs
Labour Migration and Human Development

Labour migration has been increasingly recognized as playing a significant role in the development of the SADC region. For regional agreements to have effect, it has been widely noted that governments need to harmonize policies and standards. In this regard, IOM aims to comprehensively assist the Namibian Government to better regulate, manage and monitor labour migration by identifying gaps in the institutional framework, legislation, data and policies and by identifying proposed solutions in the country. In 2015 activities will focus on: (a) conducting an in-depth analysis of existing legislation, policies, institutional structures and coordination mechanisms pertaining to labour migration in Namibia and providing recommendations in line with international good practices; (b) identifying and assessing recruitment centres, recruitment practices and related support services in Namibia, as well as pointing out any gaps in relation to international good practices; and (c) analysing the flow of remittances to Namibia and providing recommendations for their increased utilization for development purposes.

Target populations

  • Governments and regional bodies
  • Migrants and vulnerable populations
Career opportunities

Being a member of the IOM team requires the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. As an international organization with a global mandate, IOM also aims to maintain an equitable geographical balance among its staff. As such, its recruitment efforts target, but are not necessarily limited to, nationals of its Member States. IOM is an equal-opportunity employer and seeks committed professionals with a wide variety of skills in the field of migration. IOM staff work in multicultural environments, in which diversity and cultural sensitivity are valued.

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Contact information

For information on IOM activities in Namibia, contact the IOM Regional Office for Southern Africa (Pretoria):

IOM Regional Office for Southern Africa
PO Box 55391
Arcadia 0007
Republic of South Africa
Tel:    +271.23 42 27 89, +271.23 42 14 97
Fax:    +271.23 42 09 32
Email: iomnamibia@iom.int
Website:    ropretoria.iom.int

IOM Namibia
38-44 Stein street, Klein Windhoek
United Nations (UN) House, Ground Floor
Windhoek, NamibiaPhone: +264 61 231 639
Fax: +264 61 234 396