Regional Thematic Specialist (Humanitarian Response and Recovery) (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. 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 direct supervision of the Deputy Regional Director (DRD) for Operations and overall supervision of the Regional Director (RD), and the guidance of the Department of Humanitarian Response and Recovery (DHRR) at Headquarters (HQ), the Regional Thematic Specialist (Humanitarian Response and Recovery) provides advice and supports the implementation of institutional policy from HQ in Country Offices (COs) across the Region. Specifically, the Regional Thematic Specialist (Humanitarian Response and Recovery) provides oversight, quality control, and thematic expertise to promote consistent, cohesive, and quality evidence-based programming. Together with other Regional Thematic Units (RTUs), the Regional Thematic Specialist (Humanitarian Response and Recovery) contributes to thought leadership on saving lives and protecting individuals on the move, driving solutions to displacement, and facilitating regular pathways for migration. The RO Humanitarian Response and Recovery Unit also identifies regional opportunities and risks, fosters knowledge sharing, encourages policy and research development, and supports cross-thematic collaboration internally. Externally, the Regional Thematic Specialist (Humanitarian Response and Recovery) offers advocacy, policy, and technical programme recommendations to regional entities, Member States, and relevant migration fora, spearheaded by IOM’s Regional Office (RO) and CO leadership. For both IOM teams and partners

in the region, the Regional Thematic Specialist Humanitarian Response and Recovery is the go-to source for humanitarian response and recovery expertise and guidance.

Leadership, Advocacy, and Representation:

1. Strategic Direction: Lead and manage the RO Humanitarian Response and Recovery Unit in the delivery of regular thematic guidance and technical support to COs in the contextualization of the Strategic Plan.

2. Advocacy and Representation: Assist and provide strategic advice to the DRD for Operations by articulating IOM's Strategic Plan to external stakeholders or in fora, discussions, and platforms, based on HQ and Global Offices' (GOs) guidance.

Technical Support and Capacity Building:

3. Technical Assistance: Lead the RO Humanitarian Response and Recovery Unit's delivery of technical assistance on thematic and cross-cutting priorities based on identified or requested needs in collaboration with HQ and COs. Coordinate across regional units, relevant COs, and HQ for crisis responses, focusing on preparedness, protection in emergencies and AAP, life-saving actions, displacement tracking, peace, recovery and solutions.

4. Training and Capacity Development: In coordination with HQ functional homes and the Staff Development and Learning Unit, provide thematic training and capacity building to COs and RO staff as well as external partners as requested.

Partnerships and Resource Mobilization:

5. Strategic Partnerships: Develop and maintain partnerships with a diverse range of regional actors, including donors, regional political and economic bodies, UN, private sector, non-government institutions, academic institutions, community-based organizations, international financial institutions, international organizations, and Member States, to promote IOM’s Strategic Plan.

6. Resource Mobilization: In coordination with HQ, GOs, Country Offices for Partnership and Advocacy, COs, and the Regional Project Development Officer (RPDO), advocate programmatic priorities with new and traditional donors, including the private sector.

Quality Control and Oversight:

7. Project Development and Reporting: In coordination with the RPDOs, facilitate the project development and reporting process through technical inputs, review, approval, and endorsement in line with IOM’s Project Handbook and thematic guidance from DHRR HQ.

8. Monitoring and Evaluation: In coordination with the Regional Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, hold regular bilateral discussions with CO thematic focal points to assess

challenges, opportunities, and trends. Flag issues and opportunities to senior regional and HQ staff and guide COs' adjustments. Actively support COs to integrate audit, evaluation, and donor feedback. 9. Risk Management: In coordination with the Risk and Compliance Officer, provide oversight and support to COs on the identification, management, and treatment of risks pertaining to DHRR, in line with IOM's Risk Management Framework and Policy (IN/213 Rev.1).

10. Cash-Based Interventions: In coordination with the global CBI Officer, promote the use of cash-based modalities, where feasible, in line with IOM's global strategies, standards and commitments, and provide guidance and support to COs in designing, implementing and coordinating CBI.

Knowledge Management, Policy, and Research:

11. Knowledge Management and Innovation: In coordination with the RPDO, contribute to and facilitate the use of knowledge-sharing platforms, and disseminate innovative and best practices related to DHRR.

12. Policy: In coordination with the Regional Policy and Liaison Officer, provide thematic support and recommendations on regional and country-level policies and frameworks to COs, donors, and key partners.

13. Data, Research, and Foresight: In coordination with HQ and the Regional Data Hub, analyse and disseminate thematic data to inform evidence-based strategic planning, resource mobilization, policymaking, and programming.

Communication and Coordination:

14. Thematic Community of Practice: Convene and maintain a community of practice in the region for thematic focal points in COs, with involvement of HQ functional homes as relevant, to promote sharing of new practices, innovative approaches, partnerships, training opportunities, and other areas of regional thematic interest.

15. Coordination: Lead engagement in inter-regional, continental, and multi-country initiatives, programmes, and strategies with corresponding RTSs, Global Thematic Specialists, and CO focal points; where necessary, coordinate the involvement of HQ functional homes.

Cross-Cutting Priorities:

16. Mainstream: In line with the IOM Strategic Plan and corresponding custodianship outlined in the Regional Office Terms of Reference, promote, integrate, and mainstream cross-cutting priorities and modalities (i.e., Cash-Based Interventions) in all areas of DHRR’s work in the region. The Regional Thematic Specialist (Humanitarian Response and Recovery) is responsible for mainstreaming protection-centered approaches in all areas of IOM's work.

17. Custodianship: The Regional Thematic Specialist (Humanitarian Response and Recovery) is the regional custodian of IOM’s Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion in humanitarian settings, AAP, and Cash-Based Initiatives. Custodianship entails support to other RTUs, as requested, with technical knowledge and capacity on protection mainstreaming as outlined under the Department of Humanitarian Response and Recovery Terms of Reference and the RO Humanitarian Response and Recovery Unit Terms of Reference.

DHRR Regional Thematic Unit Management:

18. Manage the RO Humanitarian Response and Recovery Unit, including overseeing and managing the delivery of the Unit’s specific responsibilities in their entirety as outlined in the Unit’s Terms of Reference.

19. Perform any other duties as may be assigned.

• Master’s degree in International Relations, Political Science, Social Science, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with at least seven years of relevant professional experience; or, 

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

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

• Demonstrated experience in humanitarian response and recovery, and related areas relevant to project development and management, thematic capacity building, and liaison; 

• Minimum five years experience working in non-OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries managing humanitarian response and recovery projects; 

• Experience in liaison, resource mobilization, and advocacy with governmental and diplomatic officials, national and international institutions and organizations, civil society, and private sector actors; 

• Experience working in an international, inter-governmental, or non-governmental organization, United Nations, or government; and, 

• Experience in the design and implementation of capacity building on humanitarian response and recovery. 

• 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 donors, developing projects, and mobilizing resources for IOM priority areas;

• Demonstrated ability to effectively lead and manage a diverse teams of specialists;

• Strong analytical skills combined with the ability to effectively summarize, present, and communicate findings; 

• Demonstrated knowledge and expertise of relevant international standards and classifications relevant to humanitarian response and recovery; and, 

• Proven agent of change or willingness to foster a culture of learning and knowledge management.

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.