Senior Global Thematic 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 IOM Member States that are not represented among staff members in the Professional and higher categories: 
   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.

Organizational Context and Scope

Under the direct supervision of the Head, Global Programs Unit (GPU), and the overall supervision of the Chief of Global and Domestic Programmes, the Senior Global Thematic Officer supports the International Organization for Migration’s (IOM’s) strategic thematic engagement with the US Government. The successful candidate will build, manage, and maintain the direct relationship between IOM and US Institutions, Bodies, and Agencies to enhance IOM’s position in policy discussions, support resource mobilization efforts, and provide evidence-based advice and recommendations regarding respective humanitarian and related migration topics, policies, and programmes. Specifically, the successful candidate will focus on  engagement of the US Department of State, including the Bureau of Disaster and Humanitarian Response (DHR), the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM) and the assistance offices of regional bureaus. The successful candidate will work in alignment with relevant internal and external frameworks, policies, strategies, and workplans; guides and supports IOM Country Offices (COs) worldwide and Regional Thematic Specialists (RTSs) in the Regional Offices (ROs) in their advocacy on USG-related thematic issues; and in the development, contracting, compliance, and implementation of USG-funded projects. 

The successful candidate has the following functions: policy advocacy, liaison, and donor compliance on projects funded by the US Government implemented outside the United States. This includes resource mobilization and secondary project review to support and expand IOM’s global US-funded portfolio. Additionally, the incumbent supports offices implementing USG-funded projects on knowledge management and learning, and capacity building for COs and ROs.

Given the USG’s prioritization of lifesaving assistance, this position has a strong thematic focus on humanitarian programming. However, the successful candidate will supervise team members representing a wide range of IOM thematic areas and programs. 

Responsibilities

Coordination: Supervise and support team with liaison and secondary review responsibilities for USG-funded programmes implemented outside the US. 

Strategic Engagement 

1. Policy and Advocacy: Lead thematic advocacy and communicate IOM’s policies and strategic position to US Institutions, Bodies, and Agencies, grounded in guidance from HQ in close coordination with the Office of Partnership, Advocacy and Communications (OPAC), Global Office leadership, and relevant ROs and COs.  
2. Liaison and Engagement: As delegated by the Head, Global Programmes Unit (GPU), the Global Office Director and/or the Chief of Global and Domestic Programmes, represent IOM and coordinate a liaison team to engage with US Institutions, Bodies, and Agencies. Additionally, provide thematic guidance to COs on engagement with US donors in coordination with relevant RTS. 
3. Strategic Planning: Provide strategic guidance to the development, expansion, implementation, and/or revision of strategic plans, frameworks, and agreements in line with IOM’s global and Global Office Washington DC’s priority areas, in coordination with DHRR HQ and relevant GO Washington colleagues, ROs, and COs.  
4. Policy Monitoring: Monitor and analyse IOM-related developments, policy, priority changes, challenges, and positions of US Institutions, Bodies, and Agencies, and relay them to ROs, COs, and HQ as relevant.  

Technical Support to Regional and Country Offices 

1. Coordination on priority humanitarian area: Ensure direct coordination with DHRR in HQ, and DHRR focal points in the ROs and COs, including DHRR Regional Thematic Specialists (RTS) and thematic staff on humanitarian issues and emerging opportunities, risks, and challenges related to US policy and funding. 
2. Positioning: Organize virtual and in-person opportunities for IOM Chiefs of Mission and senior staff to brief USG donors; prepare Talking Points and Notes-for-File.
3. Capacity Building: Develop and conduct capacity building initiatives for RO and CO staff on US engagement, advocacy, priorities, and fundraising as well as project development, implementation, reporting, and alignment with USG humanitarian policies and procedures. 
4. Programmatic Review and Development: Provide advice as may be required USG programming expectations and requirements to COs, ROs, and HQ during project development. Supervise and support team in their roles as secondary reviewers for USG-funded  project proposals and reports, working in close coordination with the relevant ROs, including RTS and Regional Project Development Officers as necessary.
5. Resource Mobilization and Funding: Map and monitor USG funding instruments to share opportunities and calls for proposals for ROs and COs. Provide support to ROs and COs in negotiations with USG. . 
6. Monitoring: Flag emerging trends, opportunities, challenges and risks to the Global Office leadership, RTS, and/or DHRR HQ as needed.  

Knowledge Management and Learning   

1. Knowledge Management: Contribute to knowledge sharing platforms and disseminate innovative and best practices for USG funding, advocacy, and engagement to external partners and stakeholders, COs, ROs, and HQ, including information on USG policy, priorities and opportunities. 
2. Learning: Gather, disseminate, and support the implementation of best practices and lessons learned from evaluations, audits, and implementation of USG funded programmes. 
3. Perform any other duties as may be assigned.  

Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Master’s degree in social sciences, political scienes, or thematic speciality as relevant to humanitarian assistance or a related field from an accredited academic institution with seven years of relevant professional experience; or,
• Bachelor’s degree in the above fields with nine years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• Demonstrated experience in the field of humanitarian response and recovery, including WASH, Shelter, CCCM, DRR, and durable solutions; 
• Familiarity with other IOM programming areas, including border governance and counter-trafficking a plus;
• Proven experience in liaising with governmental and diplomatic officials, as well as with US Institutions, Bodies, Agencies and/or Delegations, national and international institutions and organizations, civil society and private sector actors;
• Experience working in non-OECD countries an advantage;
• Experience in working in various contexts, and in leading and managing teams and projects;
• Experience in capacity development on humanitarian response and recovery, complex programme development and implementation experience, including budget management;
• Experience working in an international organization, United Nations, or a US Institution, Body, or Agency;
• Track record in donor liaison and engagement for policy, advocacy and resource mobilization purposes, and, if in the US context, an advantage; and,
• Experience in project development, project implementation, and/or monitoring and evaluation.

Skills

• Excellent writing skills in English;
• Demonstrated ability to effectively lead, manage and coach a diverse team;
• Ability to understand complex contexts and fast-changing migration and displacement dynamics and ability to frame them in their regional, global, and political contexts;
• Proven track record of successful engagement with US donors and ensuring convergence of US policies and frameworks and IOM operations;  
• Sound knowledge of the USG and its structures;
• Strong analytical skills combined with the ability to effectively summarize, present, and communicate findings;
• Knowledge of relevant international standards and classifications; and,
• Proven agent of change or willingness to foster a culture of learning and knowledge management.

Languages

IOM's official languages are English, French, and 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.

The list of NMS countries above includes all IOM Member States which are non-represented in the Professional Category of staff members. For this staff category, candidates who are nationals of the duty station's country 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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