Deputy Director, Department of Operations and Emergencies

International Organization for Migration

Position Title: Deputy Director, Department of Operations and Emergencies

Duty Station: Geneva, Switzerland

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade D1

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

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 27 October 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); Montenegro; 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:

The Department of Operations and Emergencies directs, oversees, and coordinates IOM’s resettlement work and transport programmes and oversees IOM’s preparedness and response activities in relation to humanitarian crises and emergencies. It coordinates IOM’s participation in humanitarian responses and provides migration services in emergencies to address the needs of individuals and uprooted communities, thereby contributing to their protection. The Department provides technical support to efforts in the field, particularly in responding to forced migration and mass population movements, including protracted internal and cross-border displacement and refugee situations. It provides strategic policy and operational recommendations, guidance on project development and implementation, and inter-agency coordination. This contributes to improving the conditions of crisis affected populations and leads to life-saving interventions. The Department represents the Organization in the Inter Agency Standing Committee (IASC) up to the Director level. The Department also supports the development of principled approaches and strategic documents and ensures that IOM’s crisis-related priorities are aptly reflected in internal and external systems and processes. The Department also advises on operational policy and advocacy and facilitates IOM’s participation in global and country-level inter-agency humanitarian coordination forums, mechanisms, and processes, including following up on institutional humanitarian commitments, such as those made under the Grand Bargain.

DOE is composed of two Divisions and one unit: (a) Preparedness and Response Division and (b) Resettlement and Movement Management Division. The Department also supports the Secretariat of the government-led Migrants in Countries in Crisis (MICIC) initiative. The Department is the focal unit within the Organization in contributing to global discussions on Comprehensive refugee response planning in coordination with the UNHCR and other partners.

Under the overall supervision of the Deputy Director General for Operations and direct supervision of the Director of DOE, the Deputy Director will support the Director to oversee and coordinate DOE’s field operations portfolio, including activities undertaken in early warning, preparedness, anticipatory actions, emergency response, resettlement, and movement contexts, ensuring coherence of purpose among the respective thematic areas which fall under DOE’s purview. In addition, the Deputy Director will support the Director to engage strategically within the Inter Agency Standing Committee and manage related institutional tools, policies and strategies including ensuring the implementation of the IOM Migration Crisis Operational framework (MCOF), IOM Migration Governance framework as it relates to global mobility dimensions of crises, Principles for Humanitarian Action (PHA), IOM policy towards protection of civilians in man-made and natural disasters and other humanitarian policies, as well as the IOM Migration Governance Framework (MiGoF) and external frameworks as they apply in DOE contexts such as 2030 SDGs (sustainable development goals) in relation to for example to forced migration, peace and stability.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

In particular, the Deputy Director has the primary responsibility for the following key roles:

A. Crisis analysis and strategic planning

  1. Coordinate and oversee the work of the DOE Teams, including heads of divisions, to assess and analyze the major humanitarian, resettlement contexts, trends and developments in relation to IOM strategic direction, policies operational capacities, and their implications for the work of the Department and the organization as a whole.
  2. Provide strategic advice to the Director of the Department on crisis-related matters, and recommend and oversee specific courses of action, including staff deployments as well as the mobilization of internal funding mechanisms.
  3. Support the Director in strategic planning and in identifying priorities for the work of the Department and its divisions, also ensuring the Department fulfills IOM-wide policies and commitments.
  4. Ensure the coordination of policy formulation, technical support and strategic planning from an overall department and organizational wide perspective.
  5. In coordination with relevant Departments and Units of the Organization, oversee the research and policy processes and outputs of the Department including promotional materials, and the preparation of Migration Dimensions of Crisis Working Papers.

B. Technical leadership and coordination

  1. In coordination with relevant Divisions and Departments, supervise and direct IOM’s field operations in crisis and humanitarian emergency contexts and in implementing a solutions approach in humanitarian settings, including in relation to movements and humanitarian operations.
  2. Support the Director to maintain ongoing dialogue with partners as well as development institutions on migration and mobility trends in crisis operations.
  3. Lead IOM’s strategic engagement with Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC), including serving as the focal person especially for the IASC Operational Policy and Advocacy Group (OPAG) and representing IOM in the IASC Emergency Directors Group (EDG) when requested.
  4. Oversee the Department’s development of policies and guidelines in the context of large-scale emergency responses, including Level 3 operations, emergency operational manual, supply chain management in coordination with DFM and other key internal processes for which the Deputy Director will coordinate DOE’s support measures, in collaboration with relevant divisions and units at Headquarters.
  5. Undertake duty travel to oversee the effective implementation of IOM crisis operations and participate in joint missions, including representing the Director on Emergency Director Group (EDG) joint missions when requested in order to ensure that mobility dimensions of crisis and IOM positions are adequately reflect in interagency efforts.
  6. Support and provide advice to the Director in developing global operational partnerships with relevant governmental, multilateral and non-governmental partners in coordination with relevant divisions and the Department of External Relations.

C. Management of the Department’s resources and institutional obligations

  1. In coordination with respective Regional Directors, support, supervise and coordinate the work and activities of the Department’s Regional Thematic Specialists across IOM’s nine Regional Offices and in close collaboration with other Departments.
  2. Oversee the coordination and preparation of institutional documents, including among others, the annual report, MCOF reporting, papers to governing bodies, etc.
  3. Support the Director to lead and guide the Department’s contribution to knowledge sharing systems in close collaboration with the Department of Policy and Research, MiGoF, gender policy, monitoring and evaluation and results-based management.
  4. Provide updates to the Director on policies, activities, reports, statistics early warning and analyses on crisis-related activities and planning undertaken by the Organization.
  5. Act as Officer in Charge during the absence of the Director from Headquarters.
  6. Perform other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

Master’s degree in Political or Social Sciences, Humanitarian Affairs, International Relations, International Humanitarian Law or a related field from an accredited academic institution and fifteen years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

  • Fifteen years of operational experience in humanitarian emergencies and/or crisis and post-crisis settings;
  • Experience in the mobility dimensions of crisis, including legislation, policy, and direct expert advice/support to governments as well as in liaising with governmental and diplomatic authorities and international institutions.

Skills

  • Sound knowledge of financial and business administration and of the principles and practices of management;
  • Outstanding inter-personal communication skills and working in team to ensure an inclusive and safe working environment;
  • Sound knowledge of project cycle as well as of monitoring and evaluation.

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 another official language of IOM is required (oral and written).

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.

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 27 October 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 14.10.2022 to 27.10.2022

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 351 Deputy Director, Department of Operations and Emergencies (D1) Geneva, Switzerland (57790167) Released

Posting: Posting NC57790168 (57790168) Released