Job Description
Introduction
Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations and the leading UN agency in the field of migration. Working closely with governmental, intergovernmental, and non-governmental partners, IOM promotes humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It saves lives and protects people on the move, drives solutions to displacement, and facilitates pathways for regular migration, while providing services and advice to governments and migrants.
IOM is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive and supportive workplace where all employees can thrive professionally and feel valued. By creating such an environment, IOM aims to better harness the full potential of migration and strengthen its support to people on the move.
IOM invites candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply and provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process when required. Learn 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:
- Internal candidates
-
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, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Vanuatu
Second tier candidates include:
All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM.
Organizational Context and Scope
PrivateSectorPartnershipsDivision:
The Private Sector Partnerships Division (PSP) sits within the Office of Partnerships, Advocacy and Communications under the overall oversight of the Director General. PSP 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. PSP 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. PSP 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. PSP 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 Goodwill Ambassador programme and celebrity partnerships.
IOMRegionalOfficesin Dakar and Nairobi:
The International Organization for Migration's (IOM) Regional Offices (ROs) in Senegal and Kenya provide support to IOM offices across Sub-Saharan Africa, covering East, Horn and Southern Africa (EHSA) as well as West and Central Africa (WCA). The ROs plan and coordinate strategies and activities within their respective regions; maintain liaison and partnerships with governments, development partners, civil society and the private sector; provide technical support to the country offices and governments to develop national migration frameworks and strengthen migration management systems; and work with regional bodies such as the East African Community (EAC), Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), among other relevant sub-regional and regional processes.
The private sector engagement strategy 2023 – 2027 sets forth a proven approach based on three main pillars – impact, income and innovation. The strategy assists IOM to enhance partnerships with the private sector to foster change in corporate values and practices; enhance protection of migrants’ rights; generate innovative technical partnerships that capitalize upon business expertise and capabilities; and grow flexible funding that can support programme implementation and impact globally and advance implementation of the Global Compact for Migration.
Under the overall supervision of the Regional Directors of RO Dakar and Nairobi, the direct supervision of the Deputy Regional Director for Operations in RO Nairobi, and the technical supervision of the Head of Private Sector Partnerships Division (PSP), the Regional Private Sector Partnerships Specialist will be responsible for private sector engagement across Sub-Saharan supporting country offices in both WCA and EHSA in their efforts to build partnerships with the private sector to support IOM Strategic plan 2024-2028 and the Regional Strategies for WCA and EHSA (2025-2029).
Responsibilities
Responsibilities and Accountabilities
-
Strategic Partnership Development:
- Lead the design and implementation of regional and cross-border partnership strategies with private sector actors across Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Drive initiation, scale-up and stewardship of high-value partnerships with corporates, foundations, multilateral development banks and philanthropists in coordination with PSP, Country Offices and RO thematic specialists.
- Contribute to the establishment and monitoring of an external Private Sector Advisory Group, serving as Secretariat and providing technical coordination.
- Design and operationalize multi-stakeholder and blended-finance models that leverage private capital, innovation and technology to advance migration and development outcomes.
- Represent IOM in regional and international fora with the private sector to advance collaborative approaches and visibility.
-
Resource Mobilization and Innovative Financing:
- Coordinate and advance private sector engagement and resource mobilization efforts in Sub-Saharan Africa targeting the private sector, including corporations, foundations, multilateral development banks, development finance, and diaspora partners, to diversify IOM’s funding base.
- Promote innovative financing instruments (e.g., guarantees, matching grants, peace finance, and diaspora-backed funds) to expand access to capital for displaced and climate-affected communities.
- Contribute to strengthening IOM’s value proposition and brand positioning by providing programmatic insights, technical inputs and examples of impact.
- Engage with private and philanthropic investors to communicate IOM’s value proposition, emphasizing shared value and measurable impact.
- Analyze trends in private philanthropy, impact investment, and diaspora finance to inform regional strategy and decision-making.
-
Capacity Strengthening and Knowledge Management:
- Provide technical guidance to IOM staff in Sub-Saharan Africa, providing training, advice, and coaching to strengthen private sector engagement capacities.
- Facilitate and maintain regional peer learning and communities of practice, capturing and scaling proven partnership and funding models.
- Provide technical support to Country Offices on private sector partnership structuring, project development, and due diligence for private partners.
- Document and disseminate case studies, success stories, and impact reports to enhance learning and private sector engagement.
-
Results Monitoring and Impact Measurement:
- Monitor and report on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and results under IOM’s global Private Sector Engagement Strategy.
- Conduct portfolio reviews and impact analyses to measure partnership effectiveness and value addition.
- Produce impact briefs and progress reports highlighting outcomes and lessons learned for internal and external stakeholders.
- Perform other duties as required.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications and Experience
Education
- Master's degree in Marketing, Communications, Business Administration, Social Sciences, International Relations, Management, 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.
Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.
Experience
Excellentunderstandingandexperiencewithfundraisingandbuildingpartnershipswiththe private sector in Africa;
Proven and successful multi-year track record in private sector partnerships and fundraisingwith strong ability to meet fundraising targets;
ExperienceinhandlingCorporateSocialResponsibility (CSR) programs, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks,and corporate recognition programs;
-
Significantexperienceinexploringnewprivatesectoropportunitiesandprovidinginputsto design and develop solutions with prospective partners;
Experience building long-term partner relationships and understands the value of expanding relationships across geographies and is comfortable engaging with multiple sectors;
Experience in working cross-functionally and obtaining relevant content and information from different units to build innovative partnerships with the private sector; and,
At least five years of experience in private sector partnership building with proven success in mobilizing financial resources from corporations and philanthropic foundations.
Skills
- StrongabilitytoreconciletheneedsoftheOrganizationwiththoseofthepartner;
Abilitytowrite,draft,andeditreports,acknowledgements,briefings,anddonor correspondence letters, proposals, grants, and appeals;
Ability to explain complex issues to external donors and present the Organization and diverse operations in an appealing and concise manner;
Abilitytodevelop a UniqueValuePropositionforprivatesector partners;
In-depthunderstandingofprivatesector partnerships,fundraising,philanthropy,andUNagencies; and,
In-depthunderstandingofmigration,businessandhumanrights.
Languages
For this position, fluency in English and French is required (oral and written).
Working knowledge of another official UN languages (Arabic, 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 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 the 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 all clearances, including medical and security, as well as accreditation, and any residency or visa requirements. Vacancies close at 23:59 local time in 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, harassment, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and any forms of discrimination. IOM is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children.
IOM conducts reference checks and background verification, including through system-wide databases such as ClearCheck, to help ensure that candidates have no record of misconduct, including on sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse, or fraud. Candidates are expected to uphold these standards and principles at all times.
IOM does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process—whether for application, interview, processing, training, or otherwise—and does not request any information related to bank accounts.
IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM WAVE 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
Job info
Contract Type: Special Short Term Graded (Up to 9 months)Initial Contract Duration: 9 months, with possibility of extension
Org Type: Regional Office
Vacancy Type: Special Vacancy Notice
Recruiting Type: Professional
Grade: P-3
Is this S/VN based in an L3 office or in support to an L3 emergency response?: No