Deputy Chief of Mission (P)

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:

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:  

   Bahamas, Barbados, Cabo Verde, 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.

Under the overall supervision of the Regional Director (RD) and direct supervision of the Chief of Mission (CoM) and in close coordination with relevant Departments in Headquarters (HQ), the Deputy Chief of Mission (DCoM) will be responsible and accountable for providing support to the CoM in their responsibility to ensure coherence between the Programmes and Support Services of the Country Office (CO), including Programme Development for the CO. The DCoM will ensure that implementation of IOM programmes is done in an effective and efficient manner consistent with CO’s Strategy and in line with the expectations of the IOM’s donors and beneficiaries, while collaborating with the national and regional authorities.

1. In coordination with the CoM, represent the CO by promoting IOM activities with the national authorities, diplomatic corps, governmental and private donors, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), government authorities/ or de facto government authorities,  and other partners in the Country and Region.

2. Oversee the formulation of Country Strategies, policies and approaches across IOM’s operational portfolio, and identify and develop new programmes to address emerging needs while ensuring systematic implementation capacity, in close coordination with the Programme Support Unit (PSU). 

3. Contribute to ensuring the highest efficiency in CO’s Risk Management and Compliance functions, to ensure strengthening internal controls and compliance with contractual rules and regulations through effective management and the provision of accurate, researched, and documented risk and compliance information, effective delivery of services, transparent utilization, and management of programme resources.

4. Ensure the continuous, effective, and efficient planning, coordination, and integration between the CoM and DCoM Offices and the Sub-Offices. 

5. Work closely with the CoM/Special Envoy, Heads of Sub-Offices and Heads of Units to enhance inter-unit collaboration and coordination, to maximize efficiencies and efficacy within the CO programming to ensure that all CO’s Units work towards common goals and a consistent and coherent strategy. 

6. Make strategic recommendations and provide advice to the CoM and Senior Management to improve overall performance of the CO and support the CoM’s Office with development of strategy/policies/guidance notes, organize regular Senior Management Meetings (SMT), set up meetings with external partners (UN/ de facto authorities), prepare speeches/talking points, and support/facilitate consultation process with defector authorities/UN/international community on CO’s strategies. 

7. In close coordination with the Resources Management Unit (RMU), Programme Support Unit and respective Programme Managers, ensure compliance of all projects with IOM and donor regulations, policies and obligations as indicated in the funding agreements, project documents, work plans and budgets.

8. Oversee field operations to ensure implementation of the humanitarian, development and peacebuilding nexus to ensure timely, effective and efficient programming delivery, ensuring through sound leadership, supervision and monitoring that all blockages, disruptions and delays are avoided to achieve program results and that these results are measurable.

9. Lead the development of strong donor contacts and fundraising monitoring, updating programme funding priorities across the migration management spectrum and provide expert support to the CoM in fundraising activities. Participate in all strategic inter-sector coordination and performance management mechanisms.

10. Ensure IOM participation in appropriate policy and operational United Nations Country Team (UNCT) inter-agency mechanisms; engage with UN agencies in the development and implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), and coordinate with UNCT and partners on the implementation and review processes of the migration-relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Global Compact for Migration and the UN Network on Migration related activities as these processes move forward.

11. Formally deputize for the CoM on an ongoing basis and exercising mission, staff, and financial management responsibility in CO, including chairing the Senior Management Team and/or Senior Operational Team meetings in the absence of the CoM. 

12. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

• Master’s degree in Political or Social Sciences, Law, International Relations, Business Administration, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with ten years of relevant professional experience; or,

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

   

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

• Excellent understanding of and proven experience in inter-agency coordination and strategic engagement, UN structures and systems, and experience in both crisis contexts and development settings;

• Demonstrated experience formulating and delivering internal displacement and solutions policy, strategy, and programming;

• Demonstrated experience in managing programmes at international level, covering emergency, stabilization, and development areas;

• Proven experience serving as Head of Office, Chief of Mission and/or Senior Programme Manager with a Government or UN agency, or a regional or international organization;

• Demonstrated experience in external relations or strategic engagement, as well as liaising with governmental and diplomatic authorities and institutions;

• Demonstrated experience in managing IOM Offices and liaising with governmental authorities, other national/international institutions; and, 

• Demonstrated work experience in the Region.

   

• Demonstrated knowledge of programme development, management and capacity-building methodologies; 
• Demonstrated knowledge of the broad range of migration-related subject areas dealt with by the Organization; 
• Demonstrated knowledge of financial and administrative management; 
• Demonstrated knowledge of UN and bilateral donor programming; and, 
• Demonstrated knowledge of programme management in emergency context.
   

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written).

Working knowledge of another official UN languages (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.

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.

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 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.