Deputy Chief of Mission

  • Contract
  • Niamey Niger
  • TBD USD / Year
  • Salary: TBD

International Organization for Migration

Position Title: Deputy Chief of Mission

Duty Station: Niamey, Niger

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P5

Type of Appointment: Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 24 November 2022

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.

IOM is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. Read more about diversity and inclusion at IOM at www.iom.int/diversity.

Applications are welcome from first- and second-tier candidates, particularly qualified female candidates as well as applications from the non-represented member countries of IOM. For all IOM vacancies, applications from qualified and eligible first-tier candidates are considered before those of qualified and eligible second-tier candidates in the selection process.

For the purpose of this vacancy, the following are considered first-tier candidates:

  1. Internal candidates
  2. External female candidates:
  3. Candidate from the following non-represented member states:

Antigua and Barbuda; Aruba (Netherlands); Botswana; Cabo Verde; Comoros; Congo (the); Cook Islands; Cuba; Curaçao; Fiji; Grenada; Guinea-Bissau; Holy See; Iceland; Kingdom of Eswatini; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the); Latvia; Madagascar; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Samoa; Sao Tome and Principe; Seychelles; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Timor-Leste; Tonga; Tuvalu; Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:

All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM and female candidates.

Context:

Niger is an IOM Member State since 2004. IOM established its office in Niger in 2006 and is present across the country with sub-offices located in the regions of Tillabéri, Agadez, Arlit, Dirkou, Diffa, Zinder and Tahoua.

IOM Niger implements a range of programmes across the spectrum of migration management and operations and emergencies, addressing the main migration and displacement related challenges in the country, to provide services to vulnerable migrants and displaced persons in support of priorities and policies of the Government of Niger.

IOM works closely with various government ministries at national and regional level and is an active member of the United Nations’ Country Team (UNCT) in Niger.

The Deputy Chief of Mission (DCoM) deputizes for the COM in all their functions. The DCoM supports the CoM in terms of the day-to-day leadership, programming and representation of the Office. The DCoM supports the CoM, in coordination with the Senior Resource Management Officer (RRMO), in providing policy, administrative, programme and financial guidance to the senior operational team and sub-offices.

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Mission (CoM) in Niger, and in coordination with relevant units at the Headquarters (HQ) and the Regional Office (RO), DCoM supports the CoM in their responsibility to ensure programming coherence amongst the eight offices to maximise efficiency and efficacy within the Country Office’s (CO) programming. DCoM ensures that implementation of IOM Programmes is done in an effective and efficient manner in line with the expectations of IOM’s Donors/partners and the Government of Niger.

The DCoM will advise the CoM on IOM’s strategic direction in Niger, as well as on IOM Niger’s role in the west and central African region, including with regard to strategic participation in sub-regional processes, such as Lake Chad Basin Initiative, Liptako Gurma initiative, G5-Sahel and ECOWAS in close coordination with IOM’s Regional Office in Dakar, and inter-regional processes with relevant Maghreb countries.

The Deputy provides guidance to the programme managers at technical and operational level and provides leadership to the RO and country offices in the absence of the CoM.

The DCOM has primary responsibility for the following key objectives:

  • Support to the CoM in the management of the mission and exercise leadership and provide guidance to the senior management in the absence of the CoM;
  • Provision of technical and operational guidance to programme managers and members of the Senior Management Team;
  • Representation and Liaison; and,
  • Policy and strategic advice to the CoM and the team.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

  1. Formally deputize for the Chief of Mission and exercise mission, staff and financial management responsibility in Niger, leading and representing the Country Office in the absence of the Chief of Mission.
  2. Represent IOM and ensure IOM participation in UN Country Team, Humanitarian CountryTeam and any inter-agency meetings and mechanisms with the objective of building strategic partnerships and ensuring the alignment and promotion of IOM’s interests and related topics into the relevant processes when required.
  3. Make strategic recommendations and provide advice to the Chief of Mission and Senior Management to improve overall performance of the CO.in the management of the Country Office’s budgetary, financial, and administrative functions in close coordination with SRMO. Supervise programmes managers, prepare reports/briefings to Headquarters (HQ), the Regional Office and donors.
  4. Oversee the formulation of country strategies, policies and approaches across the mission’s programme portfolio and identify and develop new programme ideas to address emerging needs and trends.
  5. Monitor developments at the international, national and regional levels and provide COM with regular strategic analysis how these trends impact migration and displacement movements and IOM’s strategies in Niger. Initiate new approaches and develop methodologies to best meet goals and objectives. Contribute to building the capacities of IOM staff in the thematic areas through on-the-job mentoring and training opportunities.
  6. Manage field operations to ensure implementation of the humanitarian, development and peace building nexus to ensure timely, effective and efficient programming delivery, ensuring through sound leadership, supervision and monitoring that all blockages, disruptions and delays are avoided in order to achieve program results and that these results are measurable.
  7. Support the PSU to ensure compliance of all projects with IOM and donor regulations, policies and obligations as indicated in funding agreements, project documents, work plans and budgets and with the preparation of analytical reports and/or complex multi-component project documents.
  8. Lead the development of strong contacts and relations with partners, donors and government officials, as well as with civil society organizations and the UNCT; monitor and update programme funding priorities across the migration management spectrum and provide expert support to the CoM in fund raising activities. Participate in all strategic inter-sector coordination and performance management mechanisms.
  9. Support the COM, PSU and project managers to enhance inter-unit collaboration and coordination, to maximize efficiencies and efficacy within the CO programming, and to ensure that all IOM Niger Units work towards common goals and a consistent and coherent strategy.
  10. Provide overall leadership, guidance and direction for the development of appropriate risk informed operating strategies, the identification and development of new programmes, especially multi-component projects covering several programme units, day-to-day programme implementation, continuous monitoring and regular reporting for programme implementation, in response to emerging needs and/or upon the request of the Government of Niger or donors.
  11. Ensure knowledge building and management focused on the identification of best practices and lessons learned for organizational sharing and learning and support the organization of relevant trainings for IOM Niger staff.
  12. Promote fluid information-sharing and coordination among programmatic, resource management and programme support teams.
  13. Undertake in-country duty travels for programme assessment, technical, policy and programmatic advice, and evaluation, or to represent IOM at meetings as required.
  14. Ensure the coordination of IOM responses to donor requirements, including collecting, editing, and disseminating institutional and thematic information. Respond to institutional assessments of the Organization aimed at gauging institutional strengths and weaknesses.
  15. Serve as the IOM Niger Focal Point for United Nations Sustainable DevelopmentCooperation (UNSDCF) related matters, especially for specific migration-related issues as part of the various components of the UNSDCF and CCA. Engage with UN agencies in the development and implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), and coordinate with UNCT and partners on the implementation and review processes of the migration-relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Global Compact for Migration and the UN Network on Migration related activities as these processes move forward.
  16. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

  • Master’s degree in Political or Social Sciences, Business Administration, Migration Studies, International Relations and/ or Law from an accredited academic institution with ten years of relevant professional experience; or,
  • University degree in the above fields with twelve years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

  • Extensive experience in managing large and complex programs in hardship countries and especially in zones facing with security challenges;
  • Experience in liaising with governmental authorities, other national/international institutions;
  • Experience in development and implementation of programme in migration management, governance, youth development, employment, countering trafficking and smuggling or comparable programming;
  • Demonstrated supervisory experience in staff management including staff evaluations;
  • Proven record of establishing and maintaining good working relationships with governmental and diplomatic authorities, national, regional, and international institutions as well as civil society actors, including the media and private sector;
  • Extensive experience in training and capacity building;
  • Experience and familiarity with the region’s migration-related issues and the thematic area is a distinct advantage;
  • Experience in developing policies, strategies, and strategic partnerships;
  • Familiarity with IOM financial and business administration as well as procurement processes; and,
  • Work experience in the West and Central African region or the continent is an asset.

Skills

  • Good knowledge of project formulation, implementation, administration and evaluation techniques and practices;
  • Sound knowledge of displacement, refugee and migration related issues in fragile and conflict affected countries;
  • Excellent knowledge of technical cooperation principles, concepts and techniques;
  • Excellent skills in facilitating partnerships and collaboration on strategic areas seeking to bring innovation in programmes and policy approaches;
  • In depth knowledge of the broad range of migration related subject areas dealt with by the Organization;
  • Knowledge of donor regulations and requirements, including the EU;
  • Knowledge of IOM/UN project management cycle including UN inter-agency work;
  • Knowledge of UN and bilateral donor programming;
  • Capacity to effectively interface with government officials of appropriate level on matters related to substantive migration issues and the work of IOM;
  • Capacity to effectively apply knowledge of migration issues within the organisational context;and,
  • Capacity to correctly frame migration issues within their regional, global, and political context.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish.

External applicants for all positions in the Professional category are required to be proficient in English and have at least a working knowledge of one additional UN Language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish).

For all applicants, fluency in English and French is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of other UN languages is an advantage.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Notes

Accredited Universities are the ones listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database (https://whed.net/home.php).

Required Competencies:

Values – all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these three values:

  • Inclusion and respect for diversity: respects and promotes individual and cultural differences; encourages diversity and inclusion wherever possible.
  • 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.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators level 3

  • 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 action and delegated work.
  • Communication: encourages and contributes to clear and open communication; explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Managerial Competencies – behavioural indicators level 3

  • Leadership: provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example and demonstrates the ability to carry out the organization’s vision; assists others to realize and develop their potential.
  • Empowering others & building trust: creates an atmosphere of trust and an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
  • Strategic thinking and vision: works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link.

https://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/about-iom/iom_revised_competency_framework_external.pdf

Competencies will be assessed during a competency-based interview.

Other:

Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile.

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

This selection process may be used to staff similar positions in various duty stations.

Recommended candidates endorsed by the Appointments and Postings Board will remain eligible to be appointed in a similar position for a period of 24 months.

The list of NMS countries above includes all IOM Member States which are non-represented in the Professional Category of staff members. For this staff category, candidates who are nationals of the duty station’s country cannot be considered eligible.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required for individuals hired on or after 15 November 2021. This will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.

Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.

How to apply

To apply, interested applicants are invited to submit their applications HERE via the IOM e-Recruitment system by 24 November 2022.

IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment system. The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

For further information please refer to: www.iom.int/recruitment

Posting period:

From 11.11.2022 to 24.11.2022

No Fees:

IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.

Requisition: VN 2022 403 Deputy Chief of Mission (P5) Niamey, Niger (57835413) Released

Posting: Posting NC57835414 (57835414) Released