Head of Goodwill Ambassador and Celebrity Engagement (P)

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, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Madagascar, Marshall Islands, Namibia, Nauru, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, 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.

Context

IOM is a UN related agency and is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments, businesses and migrants to protect the rights of people on the move and maximize the development gains of human mobility. For more information about IOM, please visit www.iom.int.  

Under the overall oversight of the Director General, the Private Sector Partnerships Division (PSP) sits within the office of Partnerships, Advocacy and Communications Strategy and External Engagement Pillar. The PSP Division builds partnerships with the private sector that enable IOM's strategic priorities and engages the private sector as a key stakeholder in migration through impactful and innovative partnerships. The PSP Division leads strategic outreach and engagement with the private sector and provides Headquarters, Regional and Country Offices with assistance and expertise relating to initiating, establishing and maintaining partnerships with the private sector. The PSP Division is responsible for the development and implementation of IOM’s Private Sector Strategy which provides a framework for how IOM engages with the private sector to support safe, orderly and regular migration. The PSP Division oversees engagement with the private sector, establishes and coordinates IOM’s private sector partnerships due diligence process, builds staff capacity in private sector partnership-building and oversees the Islamic Philanthropy Fund and Goodwill Ambassador programme and celebrity partnerships.  

The Head of Goodwill Ambassador Programme and Celebrity Engagement leads the strategic development and global implementation of IOM’s celebrity engagement portfolio as a core driver of advocacy, visibility and private sector fundraising. The role oversees the recruitment, due diligence and management of Goodwill Ambassadors and high-profile supporters, ensuring coordinated delivery of high-impact campaigns, field missions, media and digital outputs in close collaboration with Country and Regional Offices.

Acting as a central interface across divisions, the incumbent ensures coherent messaging, strong governance and system-wide alignment, while developing and monetizing innovative partnerships that generate measurable income and donor engagement. The role also strengthens institutional capacity through guidance, tools and training, and supervises programme staff to deliver results against strategic and fundraising objectives.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Master’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Public Affairs, Political Science, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with seven years of relevant professional experience; or,

• University degree in the above fields with nine years of relevant professional experience.

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

Experience

• Progressively responsible professional experience in celebrity engagement, partnerships, communications, or private sector fundraising, preferably within international organizations, NGOs, or the media/entertainment sector; 

• Demonstrated experience in recruiting, negotiating and managing high-profile celebrity and influencer partnerships, including in support of advocacy and fundraising objectives; 

• Proven track record in designing and delivering integrated, multi-channel campaigns involving broadcast, print, digital, film, photography and social media, with measurable impact; 

• Experience in developing and executing celebrity-driven communications and/or fundraising strategies, including events, campaigns and donor-facing initiatives; 

• Strong experience working with talent agents, publicists, managers and production teams, including contract negotiation and relationship management; 

• Demonstrated experience in leveraging celebrity engagement to drive income generation, audience growth and donor conversion is highly desirable; and,

• Experience in international development or humanitarian contexts, including managing high-level visits and field missions involving high-profile celebrities.

Skills

• Demonstrated ability to perform effectively under pressure, manage risk and maintain professionalism in high-visibility and reputationally sensitive situations; 

• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex situations and deliver clear, actionable solutions, including under time-sensitive and high-stakes conditions; 

• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple high-profile stakeholders, competing priorities and tight deadlines in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment; 

• Strong communication and storytelling skills, with the ability to translate complex issues into compelling narratives for media, public audiences and fundraising purposes; 

• Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills, with a proven ability to build trust and influence across diverse stakeholders;

• Excellent drafting and reporting skills, with the ability to produce high-quality strategic documents, donor-facing materials and senior-level briefings with strong attention to detail and accuracy; 

• Strong analytical and performance measurement skills, including the ability to assess impact, track ROI and inform strategy using data-driven insights; 

• Proven diplomacy, tact and sound judgment, with the ability to manage sensitive relationships and represent the organization effectively with high-level stakeholders, including celebrities, agents, donors and partners; and

• Proven ability to operate in complex, multi-stakeholder environments and to coordinate across global, regional, and country-level teams.   

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 languages (Arabic, French, Chinese, 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, if with direct reports

• 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.