Mobility VN: Senior Global Thematic Officer (Border Management Return and Protection)

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

This Vacancy Notice is part of IOM’s competitive mobility exercise, open for applications from internal and internal-equivalent candidates only.

Organizational Context and Scope

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of the EU Policy and Programme Support Division, the overall supervision of the Global Office Director, and the technical guidance of the Border Management, Returns and Readmission Division at Headquarters, the Senior Global Thematic Officer (Border Management, Return and Protection) supports International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) strategic thematic engagement with the European Union (EU).

The Senior Global Officer contributes to building, managing and maintaining strategic relationships between IOM and EU institutions, bodies and agencies to strengthen IOM’s positioning in EU policy discussions and programming related to border management, return and reintegration, and protection. The Senior Global Thematic Officer (Border Management, Return and Protection) provides evidence-based thematic advice and recommendations across these interlinked areas, in line with IOM policies, strategies and operational priorities.

The Senior Global Thematic Officer (Border Management, Return and Protection) works in alignment with relevant internal and external frameworks, policies, strategies, and workplans; guides and supports IOM Country Offices (COs) worldwide, in coordination with the Global Programme Support Unit (GPS), Border Management, Returns and Readmission Division at Headquarters, and Regional Thematic Specialists (RTSs) in the Regional Offices (ROs) in their advocacy on EU-related thematic issues; and in the development, contracting, compliance, and implementation of EU-funded projects.  

The role combines policy advocacy, EU technical backstopping, resource mobilization, and knowledge management functions across border management, return, and protection portfolios.
 

Responsibilities

A. Strategic Engagement

1. Policy and Advocacy: Lead thematic advocacy and communicate IOM’s policies and strategic positions on border management, return and reintegration, and protection to EU institutions, bodies and agencies, in coordination with relevant Global Offices (GO), Headquarters (HQ), RO and CO divisions and colleagues. 

2. Liaison and Representation: Represent IOM, as delegated, and act as focal point for engagement with EU institutions, bodies and agencies, as well as relevant global stakeholders (e.g. UN entities, think tanks, academic and financial institutions) on border management, return and protection-related thematic areas.

3. Strategic Planning: Provide strategic input to the development, revision and implementation of strategies, frameworks and agreements aligned with IOM global priorities and the Global Office Brussels’ strategy and workplan.

4. Policy Monitoring: Monitor and analyse EU policy, legislative and funding developments related to border management, return, and protection, and disseminate relevant analysis to GO, HQ, ROs and COs.

B. Technical Support to Regional and Country Offices

1. Coordination: Ensure close coordination with Immigration and Border Governance (IBG) and Migrant Protection Unit (MPX) in HQ, Regional Thematic Specialists and focal points in ROs and COs on emerging policy, operational and funding opportunities, risks and challenges. Ensure coordination internally between various GTSs, GPS, and the Global Media and Communications Unit (MCU), to advise on links between thematic areas and opportunities to mainstream crosscutting issues.

2. Capacity Building: Design and deliver capacity-building initiatives for RO and CO staff on EU engagement, advocacy, fundraising, project development, implementation, reporting and compliance for EU-funded programmes as required.

3. Thematic Donor Compliance: Provide thematic guidance on EU policies, priorities and requirements to strengthen programme quality, compliance and reporting in border management, return and protection-related EU-funded projects.

4. Programme Review and Development: Act as compliance reviewer for EU-funded project proposals and reports in relevant thematic areas and provide technical advice during project design and implementation phases.

5. Resource Mobilization: Monitor EU funding instruments and calls relevant to border management, return and protection, and support GO, ROs and COs in donor engagement and negotiations.

6. Programme Monitoring: Provide technical backstopping to ROs and COs during implementation, monitoring, evaluation, audits and verifications of EU-funded projects.

C. Knowledge Management and Learning

1. Knowledge Management: Contribute to institutional knowledge-sharing platforms and disseminate best practices, innovations and lessons learned related to IOM and EU-funded programming, advocacy and policy engagement across border management, return and protection.

2. Learning: Promote the systematic use of lessons learned from evaluations, audits and programme implementation to improve quality and impact.

3. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Master’s degree in International Human Rights Law, Political Science, Social Science or a related field from an accredited academic institution with seven years of relevant professional experience; or,
• University degree in the above with nine years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• Proven experience liaising with EU Institutions, bodies, agencies and/or delegations, as well as governmental, diplomatic, civil society and international partners;
• Experience in complex programme development and management, including EU-funded projects and budget oversight on border management, return and reintegration;
• Experience in capacity development and technical guidance across relevant thematic areas;
• Experience working in diverse operational contexts including experience in non-OECD countries; and,
• Experience working in an international organization, the United Nations system, or an EU institution.

Skills

• Track record in leading or contributing to donor liaison, policy advocacy and resource mobilization, particularly in the EU context;
• Demonstrated expertise in border management, return and reintegration, and protection programming and policy engagement;
• Sound understanding of EU migration, asylum, border and return frameworks, including protection and fundamental rights standards;
• Excellent analytical, drafting and communication skills;
• Demonstrated ability to lead, coordinate and manage diverse teams and stakeholders;
• Ability to translate complex policy developments into operational and strategic guidance;
• Excellent writing and presentation skills in English; and,
• Proven commitment to knowledge management, learning and innovation.

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).

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 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 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. 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.

For this staff category, candidates who are nationals of the duty station’s country and who do not have prior experience outside the duty station’s country as staff member in the Professional category cannot be considered eligible.

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

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