Director, Department of Humanitarian Response and Recovery (D) (Internal applicants only)

Job Description

Job Identification (Reference Number): 17417
Position Title: Director, Department of Humanitarian Response and Recovery (D) (Internal applicants only)
Duty Station City: Geneva
Duty Station Country: Switzerland
Grade: D-2
Contract Type: Fixed-term (1 year with possibility of extension)
Recruiting Type: Professional
Vacancy Type: Vacancy Notice
Initial duration: 1 year with possibility of extension
Closing date: 20 November 2025

Introduction:

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 ensuring a workplace where all employees can thrive professionally while working towards harnessing the full potential of migration. Read more about IOM's workplace culture at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration

This vacancy are open only to:

a) internal candidates and

b) former IOM staff members who were separated in the last 12 months due to the structural adjustment process.

This process is not open to external applicants; their applications will not be considered at this time. 

Context:

The Department of Humanitarian Response and Recovery (DHRR) sits under the Operations Pillar and is responsible for coordinating IOM’s humanitarian assistance and recovery programming. The Department’s mission is to provide timely, people-centered protection and assistance to crisis-affected populations while empowering communities and local actors in driving solutions to displacement and assisting states in meeting their legal obligations.

DHRR leads on directing operational activities to advance Objective 1 — Saving lives and protecting people on the move — and Objective 2 — Driving solutions to displacement — of IOM’s Strategic Plan (2024–2028). This is achieved through policy leadership on displacement, strengthening humanitarian coordination, promoting conflict-sensitive and climate-aware programming, and setting the strategic direction to mitigate the impacts of conflict, disasters, and climate change. The Department provides quality assurance, develops operational standards, and advances thought leadership linking preparedness, disaster risk reduction, humanitarian response, peace and security (including disarmament, demobilization and reintegration), recovery, and sustainable solutions.

The Department leads IOM’s engagement in inter-agency humanitarian architecture and represents the Organization in institutional partnerships and fora such as the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC), the Grand Bargain, ECOSOC Humanitarian Affairs Segment, and the UN Action Agenda on Internal Displacement. It also supports principled humanitarian action, integration of the Humanitarian-Peace-Development Nexus (HDPN) into IOM’s systems and processes, and coherence with global policy frameworks such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

DHRR is composed of the Director’s Office, several units, and four divisions: the Preparedness and Humanitarian Operations Division, the Peace Recovery and Solutions Division, the Humanitarian Protection Division, and the Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM). These divisions work in synergy to provide comprehensive support to crisis-affected populations and advance IOM’s humanitarian leadership.

Under the overall supervision of the Director General and the direct supervision of the Deputy Director General, the Director, Department of Humanitarian Response and Recovery will provide strategic leadership and overall direction for IOM’s humanitarian and recovery portfolio, ensuring that the Organization’s policies, operations, and partnerships advance its global humanitarian mandate and align with intergovernmental priorities and system-wide reforms.

Responsibilities

. Strategic Leadership and Direction

• Provide overall leadership and strategic direction for IOM’s humanitarian and recovery portfolio in line with the IOM Strategic Plan and the Organization’s humanitarian policy frameworks.
• Advise the Director General and Deputy Director General for Operations on policy, programmatic, and operational matters related to humanitarian response, humanitarian protection, DTM data and durable solutions.
• Lead IOM’s institutional positioning on humanitarian coordination, recovery, solutions and peace and security, ensuring coherence across the HDPN and alignment with intergovernmental priorities and system-wide reforms.
• Oversee the development and implementation of strategic initiatives, operational frameworks, and guidance to enhance IOM’s global response capacity and technical excellence.
• Ensure that the Department anticipates and responds to emerging humanitarian crises, trends, and risks, including those related to climate, conflict, and displacement.
• Provide oversight to the implementation of institutional frameworks such as the Migration Crisis Operational Framework (MCOF), Principles for Humanitarian Action (PHA), and IOM’s role under the UN Action Agenda on Internal Displacement.
• Ensure the Department acts in full accordance with its responsibilities for the Regional Thematic Specialists for DHRR and the Regional Data Hubs.

2. Institutional Representation and Partnerships

• Serve as IOM’s principal representative to the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC), including at the Operational Policy and Advocacy Group (OPAG), the Emergency Directors Group (EDG), and other key humanitarian fora.
• Lead strategic engagement with UN agencies, donors, NGOs, and member states to strengthen IOM’s role and partnerships within the global humanitarian architecture.
• Represent IOM in inter-agency coordination mechanisms and ensure the Organization’s positions are effectively communicated and integrated in collective response strategies.
• Strengthen institutional collaboration with development and peacebuilding actors to bridge humanitarian response with recovery and solutions programming.

3. Internal Coordination, Oversight, and Scale-Up Management

• Lead and manage the Department’s Divisions and Units, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and coherence across global, regional, and country-level operations.
• Ensure effective coordination and guidance to IOM’s Regional Thematic Specialists and Regional Offices, providing operational support and policy direction in collaboration with Regional Directors.
• Provide direct leadership in managing Level 3 (L3) or large-scale humanitarian Scale-Up operations, ensuring timely institutional mobilization, surge deployment, and cross-departmental coordination.
• When scale-up leadership is delegated to Regional Directors, provide strategic accompaniment, operational oversight, and continuous support to ensure coherence with institutional standards, humanitarian principles, and inter-agency coordination requirements.
• Oversee after-action reviews and learning processes to strengthen preparedness and institutional readiness for future crisis scale-ups.
• Foster collaboration across IOM’s Headquarters, Regional Offices, and Country Offices to ensure quality programming, consistent technical guidance, and operational support.
• Ensure clear internal communication, information flow, and decision-making processes within the Department and across the Operations Pillar.
• Oversee the Department’s contributions to organizational reforms, risk management, accountability frameworks, and institutional compliance mechanisms.
• Promote a strong, inclusive, and results-oriented team culture across DHRR, emphasizing staff development, learning, and well-being.

4. Resource Management and Accountability

• Provide strategic oversight of the Department’s financial and human resources, ensuring sound management and alignment of budgets with institutional priorities.
• Oversee the mobilization of resources and partnerships to sustain global programming, surge capacity, and technical expertise across humanitarian and recovery operations.
• Ensure effective planning and reporting on the Department’s activities, including contributions to governing body documents, workplans, and annual reports.
• Lead knowledge management, monitoring, and evaluation initiatives to enhance evidence-based programming and institutional learning.

5. Results Expected (2026 and beyond)

• Strengthened IOM leadership and visibility within global humanitarian and solutions coordination platforms.
• Enhanced quality, coherence, and scalability of IOM’s humanitarian and recovery programming across crisis contexts.
• Improved interdepartmental and interagency coordination mechanisms that link humanitarian response with peace and development outcomes.
• Increased institutional capacity to anticipate, prepare for, and respond to large-scale and protracted crises.
• Sustained donor confidence and resource mobilization to support IOM’s humanitarian objectives under Strategic Objectives 1 and 2.
• Clear integration of displacement solutions, protection, and resilience outcomes across IOM’s global operations.

Perform any other duties as may be assigned.

Qualifications

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 with fifteen years of relevant professional experience.

Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.

Experience:

• Fifteen years of operational experience in humanitarian emergencies and/or crisis and post-crisis settings; and,
• 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:

• Proven ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams in fast-paced environments while ensuring an inclusive and safe working environment. Previous senior management roles required;
• Sound knowledge of financial and business administration and of the principles and practices of management. Experience managing IOM funding streams (e.g., CERF, ECHO, USAID, pooled funds), ensuring donor compliance and reporting requirements;
• Outstanding communication skills, writing and analytical skills; and, 

Sound knowledge of project cycle as well as of monitoring and evaluation.

Languages:

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

For this position, fluency in English (oral and written). Working knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish) is an advantage.

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

Required Competencies:

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.

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.
• 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 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 actions 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 leadership and professional potential.
• Empowering others: Creates an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
• Building Trust: Promotes shared values and creates an atmosphere of trust and honesty.
• Strategic thinking and vision: Works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.
• Humility: Leads with humility and shows openness to acknowledging own shortcomings. 

Notes:

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.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, security clearances.

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

IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities.

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.

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

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies

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