Head of Sub-Office

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.

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. 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.

Context 

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Mission (CoM), the Head of Sub-Office (HoSO) in Erbil serves as International Organization for Migration’s (IOM’s) senior representative in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), leading the coordination, management, and operational oversight of IOM’s activities and strategic engagement across the region.

While the position’s primary geographic responsibility is the KRI, the HoSO also provides support to field coordination beyond the KRI, working closely with Head of Sub-Office nationwide to promote harmonized operational approaches, ensure effective information flow, and reinforce mission-wide coherence in line with IOM’s policies, procedures, and strategic priorities.

The HoSO oversees the  office’s programme enabling functions—including Information Management Systems (IMS), Cash-Based Interventions (CBI), Infrastructure, Data tracking Matrix (DTM)/Research, and Partnerships & Localization—ensuring these technical and operational support areas effectively underpin the design, operationalization, and delivery of programmes across all field locations.

The HoSO contributes to programme development, operational planning, donor engagement, and external representation with regional authorities, United Nations (UN) counterparts, and other partners. The Head of Sub-Office ensures that IOM’s operational systems, field structures, and enabling functions remain coordinated, responsive, and aligned with mission objectives and the broader organizational mandate.

Responsibilities

1. In coordination with the CoM,  represent  IOM in the KRI, maintaining strong engagement with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), UN agencies, donors, civil society and other partners and ensuring alignment of IOM’s activities with regional priorities and coordination mechanisms.
2. Maintain  liaison with the KRG  to support  dialogue on operational priorities, access, coordination arrangements and partnership opportunities; represent IOM in relevant KRG-led coordination fora and meetings as delegated by the Chief of Mission; and facilitate communication between KRG counterparts and IOM technical, programme and field teams to support effective implementation of activities in the KRI.
3. Manage  the Erbil Office, ensuring effective operational, administrative, Human Resources (HR) and financial management, and, in coordination with the Head of Resource Management, compliance with IOM rules, procedures and internal controls.
4. Coordinate with Head of Sub-Office and satellite offices nationwide, strengthening operational coherence, promoting consistent field practices and ensuring strong information flows and situational awareness across locations.
5. Provide strategic and managerial oversight within the Erbil Office/Sub-Office of programme enabling functions, including CBI, IMS, Infrastructure, DTM/Research, and Partnerships & Localization, ensuring these functions effectively support programme design, implementation, and delivery across the mission.
6. In coordination with the Deputy Chief of Mission (DCoM),  collaborate  with enabling units, programme teams and field structures, promoting integrated planning, operational readiness and effective resolution of bottlenecks affecting programme delivery.
7. In coordination with the DCoM, the Heads of Division and the Head of the Partnerships and Program Support Unit, contribute to programme development and operational planning compile and consolidate  needs, opportunities, partnership prospects, and contextual developments in the KRI and feed  these into mission-wide strategy, programme design, and resource mobilization efforts.
8. Maintain and expand donor engagement in the KRI, providing briefings, supporting field visits, and ensuring coordinated and timely responses to donor requests, in close coordination with relevant units.
9. Monitor operational risks, access constraints, and contextual changes, affecting activities of the Erbil Office/Sub-Office,  and provide updates and recommendations to senior management on areas requiring mitigation measures, internal adjustments, or strengthened coordination.
10. Promote effective staff management and team cohesion across supervised teams, ensuring adherence to IOM values and competencies, supporting staff development, and maintaining a safe and respectful working environment.
11. Support mission-wide operational preparedness and continuity, working with field offices, security, logistics and enabling functions to ensure operational systems are functional, coordinated, and aligned with mission priorities.
12. Prepare analytical, operational and contextual briefs, including reports for the CoM, senior management, and external partners as required. Participate in Senior Management Team meeting.
13. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Qualifications

Education

•  Master’s degree in Political or Social Sciences, International Relations, Development Studies, Public Administration, 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.
   

Experience

• At least seven years (or nine years for bachelor’s degree holders) of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian, recovery, stabilization, or development settings;
• Demonstrated experience in managing field operations, programme delivery, or multi-sector teams in challenging environments;
• Experience supervising programme-support or enabling functions such as IMS, CBI, infrastructure, research/analysis, or partnerships; and,
• Experience in Iraq or similar contexts is an advantage.
      

Skills

• Demonstrated background in government liaison, inter-agency coordination, and donor engagement;
• Demonstrated ability to manage and coordinate complex operations within a UN or international organization, including working effectively across programmatic, operational and support functions;
• Demonstrated programme management skills, with experience overseeing multi-sector programmes, implementation modalities, and operational delivery in complex and evolving contexts;
• Proven capacity to manage and supervise large, multi-disciplinary teams across multiple locations, including remote management of field-based staff;
• Solid understanding of UN coordination mechanisms, inter-agency processes, and partnership modalities, including engagement with government counterparts, UN agencies, donors and implementing partners;
• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess operational challenges, identify risks, and propose practical, context-appropriate solutions;
• Excellent communication and representation skills, with the ability to convey operational and programmatic information clearly to senior management, partners and donors;
• Ability to plan, prioritize and manage competing demands in high-pressure environments, ensuring continuity of programme delivery;
• Demonstrated leadership, negotiation and interpersonal skills, with the ability to foster collaboration, accountability and performance across teams; and,
• Proficiency in drafting operational briefs, reports and inputs for senior management and external stakeholders.
   

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 is required (oral and written).

Working knowledge of Arabic and/or Kurdish 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 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.

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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