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. External female candidates
3. Candidates from the following IOM Member States that are not represented among staff members in the Professional and higher categories: 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 and female candidates.

Organizational Context and Scope

IOM is the leading organization in the field of migration and has a staffing complement of 15,000+ staff in more than 580 locations worldwide. The IOM Special Liaison Office (SLO) is accredited to the African Union (AU) and the United Nations Economic Commission (UNECA) in Addis Ababa and maintains strategic liaison functions with UN liaison offices, diplomatic missions, and International Non-Governmental Organizations.

The SLO in Addis plays a key role in positioning IOM to facilitate orderly, safe, and humane migration in Africa, working closely with the AU, its organs and specialized institutions, UNECA and relevant institutions at the continental level. Furthermore, the SLO Addis coordinates with IOM Regional Offices (ROs) across Africa, which in turn work closely with the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) - which are critical to the function of the African Union. Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Staff, the Director of the Special Liaison Office to the AU and ECA is accountable and responsible for the management of the representation of IOM towards all AU institutions, and ECA and directly manages the liaison, fundraising and positioning of IOM with the African Union and its member states. Additionally, the Director represents IOM at the UN Liaison Team and the Humanitarian Coordination Forum, in Addis Ababa as well as other AU-UN initiatives such as the College to College (C2C) platform, an institution established to facilitate dialogue between the two entities (AUC and UN).

The Special Liaison Office to the AU in Addis Ababa is staffed with Policy Liaison Officers (PLOs) and Thematic Specialists (TSs), who provide thematic guidance and policy advisory roles to position IOM as a thought leader and go to partner on migration issues on the continent. This includes supporting policy discussions and acting as a convenor/co-convener of strategic and emerging policy discussions on migration at the continental level in coordination with the Regional Offices as needed. In close coordination with the Regional Directors of ROs in Dakar, Nairobi and Cairo, the Director of the IOM Office in New York as well as the Leadership Team in Headquarters (HQ), the Director of the Special Liaison Office (SLO) to the AU and ECA will be responsible and accountable for overseeing the entire bandwidth of IOM relationship with the AU and ECA and their respective Member States.

Continental Positioning

The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM), the UN Agenda2030 for Sustainable Development, the African Union's Agenda 206 and key continental and continental policies and legislative frameworks and priorities on migration inform the work of the SLO Addis Ababa. In this context, the SLO has three distinct but interconnected roles that position IOM at the continental level:

• Thought leader and advisor: The SLO shapes and steers continental policy and political discussions on safe, orderly and humane migration through strategic, insightful, evidence-informed advocacy with the AU, UNECA and other continental institutions.
• Convenor at the continental level: The SLO is pivotal to the IOM ecosystem as a convener/co-convener of strategic and emerging policy discussions on migration at the continental level.
• Go-to partner in Africa: The SLO is key in facilitating policy, capacity building and programmatic support required by the AU and UNECA to advance Africa’s continental migration agenda, in alignment with IOM’s strategic priorities.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Master’s degree in political or social science, International Relations, Business Administration, 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

• Extensive experience with the Africa Union Commission (AUC), United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and Diplomatic Missions accredited to them and administrative budget;
• Extensive experience in diplomacy, fundraising and public relations, as well as in liaising with governmental and diplomatic authorities and international institutions;
• Extensive experience leading strategic implementation processes in diverse regions; and,
• Demonstrated experience developing and managing high-performing diverse teams.

Skills

• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written;
• Intrinsic knowledge and understanding of the AUC, UNECA and IGAD and its institutions;
• Ability to prepare and deliver speeches on various activities of the Organization;
• Excellent liaison and negotiation skills;
• In-depth knowledge of the broad range of migration-related subject areas dealt with by the Organization;
• Knowledge of the AUC , UNECA and , UN and bilateral donor programming;
• Knowledge of Monitoring and Evaluation procedures and Frameworks;
• Effective resource management skills, sound knowledge of financial and business administration and of the principles and practices of management; and,
• Good level of computer literacy.

Languages

All IOM staff members in all categories are required to be fluent in one of the IOM's official languages (English, French, Spanish).

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Fluency and working knowledge of French is an added advantage.

A working knowledge of any other official language of the African Union (Arabic, Kiswahili, Portuguese, and Spanish) is desirable.

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 five 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  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. 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.

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