Liaison Officer (P)

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

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:

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, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu.

Second tier candidates include:

All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM.

Context

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) Mission in Syria operates in a complex and fluid political and humanitarian environment characterized by evolving governance arrangements, access constraints and dynamic operational landscape. In this context, structured and consistent engagement with national counterparts, diplomatic actors, and United Nations (UN) coordination platforms is essential to support programme delivery and ensure alignment with national frameworks and humanitarian principles. 
 

To support these efforts, IOM Syria is establishing the position of Liaison Officer. This position is intended to support to the Chief of Mission (CoM) in facilitating engagement with government counterparts and relevant stakeholders, while providing contextual and analytical inputs to inform operational and strategic decision-making. 
 

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Mission, the Liaison Officer will: 
 

Responsibilities

1. Support liaison and coordination between IOM Syria and government counterparts at national and local levels, ensuring alignment with IOM’s mandate and humanitarian principles.
2. Support CoM-led representation of IOM in official meetings with line ministries, particularly Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), Ministry of Interior (MoI), and relevant sectoral bodies, including preparation of briefing materials, documentation of discussions, and follow-up on agreed actions.
3. Support the Chief of Mission and Senior Management in maintaining working-level relationships with embassies, government counterparts, and relevant stakeholders, ensuring consistency of messaging and coordination under CoM guidance.  
4. Prepare structured political and contextual briefings for the CoM and senior management including analysis of access issues, risks and implications for humanitarian operations, to support informed decision-making.
5. Monitor political, institutional and regulatory developments in Syria and the region, providing regular analytical updates to inform programme delivery and strategic positioning.  Provide analytical inputs to support strategic planning, and scenario-based planning exercises, under the direction of the CoM and senior Management, without assuming independent strategic decision-making functions.
6. Facilitate coordination between program teams and relevant authorities on approvals, access, and compliance matters, ensuring transparency and alignment with established procedures.
7. Provide context-sensitive inputs to project development proposal processes to ensure alignment with national frameworks and political considerations.
8. Maintain regular working engagements with relevant departments (including MoI directorates such as Immigration & Passport Administration, Civil Registry, Legal Affairs, Border Guards, General Authority for borders and customs and Airport authorities), in coordination with programme teams and CoM oversight.
9. Support the consolidation of needs and priorities identified through assessments and engagements into structured planning inputs for management considerations. 
10. Facilitate technical level interactions between IOM programmes and government counterparts, ensuring documentation,follow-up, and continuity of dialogue. 
11. Provide analytical inputs to support the sequencing of technical assistance and programme engagement in line with operational priorities and national sensitivities.
12.  Prepare briefing notes, analytical reports and meeting summaries to support CoM and senior management engagement with government entities.  
13. Identify potential overlaps, sensitivities and risks across government entities and recommend approaches to maintain balanced neutral and principled engagement.
14. Support liaison and coordination efforts in sub-national locations, including Aleppo and other operational areas, as required, to facilitate programme delivery, access and local-level engagement.
15. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Qualifications

Education

• Master’s degree in Political Science, International Relations, Humanitarian Affairs, Development Studies, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience; or 
• University degree in the above fields with seven years of relevant professional experience. 
   

Experience

• Demonstrated professional experience in government liaison, humanitarian diplomacy, political/context analysis, or coordination roles in complex and politically sensitive operating environments;
• Proven experience engaging with central government counterparts (e.g. ministries of foreign affairs, interior, planning or equivalent) in contexts characterised by political transition, fragility, or evolving governance arrangements; 
• Experience supporting senior leadership in high-level stakeholder engagement, including preparation of briefings, analysis and follow-up on institutional priorities;
• Demonstrated ability to analyse political, institutional and operational contexts and translate these into actionable advice to support programme delivery and strategic positioning. Experience contributing to strategic planning processes, institutional positioning, or scenario-based analysis at country level;
• Prior experience in Syria, including familiarity with national administrative structures, approval processes, and engagement protocols, is an asset;
• Demonstrated experience advising on or supporting negotiations, access facilitation, or stakeholder engagement in sensitive political environments;
• Experience in project or programme development, including contributing to design, budgeting, or implementation planning, is desirable;
• Professional experience in the (Middle East North Africa) MENA region, or in comparable contexts, is highly desirable;
• Experience working with United Nations agencies, international organizations or non-governmental organizations in programme or coordination roles, including exposure to inter-agency processes.
  
   

Skills

• Familiarity with institutional processes related to procurement, finance, and human resources is an advantage;
• Demonstrated ability to operate with discretion, neutrality, and sound judgement in politically sensitive contexts, including the management of confidential or high-level information;
• Familiarity with access, coordination, and operational dynamics in complex or access-constrained environments, including cross-border or cross-line modalities, is desirable;
• Demonstrated understanding of migration governance, humanitarian operations, and UN coordination frameworks, with the ability to apply these in complex political and operational environments;
• Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with government counterparts and institutional stakeholders, including the ability to navigate administrative structures and follow up on technical and operational matters;
• Excellent political judgement, with the ability to assess sensitivities and support senior management in navigating complex stakeholder environments;
• Demonstrated analytical and writing skills, including the ability to prepare clear, concise, and actionable briefings for senior leadership;
• Proven ability to support high-level engagements with professionalism, discretion, and respect for institutional roles and reporting lines;
• Ability to facilitate coordination across multiple stakeholders and organisational units, ensuring alignment with agreed priorities and procedures;
• Demonstrated capacity to manage complex information flows and maintain accuracy, consistency, and neutrality in communication;
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and in fluid and uncertain environments, maintaining sound judgement and adaptability;
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain constructive working relationships while upholding organisational principles and standards;
• Demonstrated commitment to integrity, accountability, and impartiality in the conduct of duties;
• Familiarity with operational areas such as border management, civil documentation, or institutional capacity-building is an advantage.
  
   

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 and Arabic are required (oral and written).

Working knowledge of another official UN language (Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish) is an advantage.

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 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 NRMS 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

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

Required Skills

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