Job Description

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.

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. Candidates from the following non-represented member states: 
   Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Comoros, Congo (the), Cook Islands, Dominica, Federated States of Micronesia, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Holy See, Iceland, Israel, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Namibia, Nauru, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:
All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM.

Context

In Iraq, IOM is the co-chair of two important coordination mechanisms and co-lead agency for several working groups within the Iraq Durable Solutions architecture and the Technical Working Group on Returns from Northeast Syria. Both mechanisms enable structured coordination amongst the United Nations (UN) and more importantly with the Government of Iraq (GoI) on a regular basis and in results-oriented manner.

The UN-GoI Technical Working Group on Returns from Northeast Syria enables ongoing discussion on needs and gaps and promote well-coordinated technical assistance to the Government of Iraq, leveraging different mandates with the UN system, in particular following the announcement of the Government of Iraq to accelerate the returns of Iraqis from Northeast Syria from January 2025.

The Durable Solutions architecture is responsible for assuring inter-agency coordination as well as close partnership with the government on issues related to the resolution of displacement in Iraq, a “nexus” structure bridging humanitarian, development and peace. 

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission (CoM), the direct supervision of the Deputy Chief of Mission and with technical coordination with all divisions in the IOM Country Office in Iraq, the Programme Officer - Working Group Coordination  will be responsible for contributing to the strategic direction of the Government of Iraq (GoI)- United Nations Technical Working Group (UN TWG) and for supporting IOM’s leadership role within the Durable Solutions architecture, ensuring strong alignment and coordination across both frameworks. The candidate will also coordinate closely with the other co-chairs of the TWG and the DSTF and the Resident Coordinator’s Office, ensuring a consultative and inclusive preparation process and convening and facilitating working group meetings; supporting the establishment of subsidiary bodies and coordination mechanisms; and  facilitating the integration of cross-cutting issues, including human rights, gender mainstreaming and protection, into all discussions.

Responsibilities

As co-chair of the UN-GoI Technical Working Group and the Durable Solutions Taskforce the candidate will:

1.  Contribute to IOM’s engagement in the Durable Solutions architecture in Iraq, serving as co-chair of the Durable Solutions Technical Working Group (DSTWG) and the Returns Working Group (RWG), and providing Secretariat functions for the Durable Solutions Task Force (DSTF).

2. Coordinate and co-lead the Technical Working Group (TWG) on Returns from Northeast Syria (NES), ensuring effective inter-agency and government coordination to facilitate principled, safe, and sustainable returns in line with national frameworks and global standards.

3. Support preparations and facilitation of all Working Group meetings (DSTWG, RWG, TWG, and sub-groups), ensuring inclusive consultation on agendas, materials, and outcomes. Draft and disseminate minutes, track action points, and ensure follow-up.

4.  Contribute to the development and coordination of strategies, policies, operational guidance and tools to support durable solutions and NES returns, ensuring consultative processes with UN, government, and civil society stakeholders to build consensus and ownership.

5. Through the Working Groups, analyse relevant international, regional and national frameworks, and promote age-, gender-, and diversity-sensitive approaches across all pillars of the Global Framework.

6. Identify Government of Iraq (GoI) capacity-building needs related to both durable solutions and NES returns through close consultation with national authorities and working group stakeholders. Promote and coordinate UN technical assistance accordingly.

7. Draft ToRs, Calls for Proposals and project inputs to respond to GoI-expressed needs for capacity building and technical support under both the Durable Solutions (DS) framework and the NES Returns portfolio.

8.  Support strategic engagement with the United Nations Country Team (UNCT), including the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General (DSRSG)/Humanitarian Coordinator/Resident Coordinator’s Office on durable solutions and NES return matters.

9. Support the establishment and operationalization of coordination mechanisms, including subsidiary bodies and sub-groups, and work closely with subgroup leads to ensure coherence and progress tracking across DS and NES thematic areas.

10. Contribute to advocacy and policy engagement with government, donors, and partners—supporting the DSRSG/HC/RC Office and developing communication/outreach materials to promote durable solutions and support for returnees from NES.

11. Support the development and review of area-based durable solutions and NES return plans at the national and governorate levels, including through coordination with area-based focal points and DSTWG/TWG liaison officers.

12. Provide technical oversight to field staff working on both the Durable Solutions architecture and the TWG on NES Returns, ensuring programmatic coherence, quality, and alignment with strategic frameworks.

13. Perform other duties as may be assigned.

Qualifications

Education

• Master’s degree from an accredited academic institution or university in political or social sciences, development studies, human rights, criminal justice, international relations, security studies, international law or human rights or related field, with five years of relevant professional experience; or

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited academic institution or university in any of the above fields with seven years of relevant professional experience.

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

Experience

• Progressive working experience in the field of humanitarian assistance, stabilization, or post conflict recovery setting;

• Experience working in a coordination capacity, in international humanitarian and development contexts;

• Experience working on Return, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration, Durable Solutions, and IDP response is highly desirable;

• Experience at the international level with specialized international agencies (UN agencies, international organizations, and specialized international NGOs), preferably in emergency, recovery, migrant/refugees/IDPs assistance, and humanitarian assistance in the Middle East and/or North Africa; 

• Knowledge of UN, IOM, international organizations, and NGO mandates and programmes in the area of internal displacement, refugee responses and durable solutions and humanitarian assistance;

• Experience in liaising with government authorities and international institutions; and, 

• Experience developing or delivering training, in international contexts.

Skills

• Experience with project development and report writing; and,

• Proven ability to supervise, coach, and direct staff and manage operations in transitional contexts.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French and Spanish. All staff members are required to be fluent in one of the three languages.

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

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 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 2

•  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. 

Notes

Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile.  Please refer to this link for guidance on IOM Job Category.

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 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, 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.

Required Skills

Job info