Coordination and Support Officer (Operations) (P)

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:

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, 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

The Deputy Director General for Operations directly supervises 5 departments: the Department of Humanitarian Response and Recovery; the Protection Division; the Department of Mobility Pathways and Inclusion; the Department of Data, Insight and Policy Coordination; the Office of Staff Security; and the Climate Action Division.

In support of the responsibilities of the Deputy Director General for Operations (DDG‑O), which include providing strategic leadership and institutional oversight of IOM’s global operational portfolio, and under the direct supervision of the Special Advisor to the Deputy Director General for Operations at IOM, the Coordination and Support Officer (Operations) will provide strategic, technical, analytical, and organizational support to the work of the DDG‑O and the Operations Pillar, as set out under Section 3.

In addition, the Coordination and Support Officer (Operations) will support the DDG-O on the tasks that fall under the portfolio of the Deputy Regional Director (Operations) based in Regional Offices.

Responsibilities

1. Coordination and Communication: Qualifications Required Qualifications and Experience Education
   Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database. Experience Skills 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 another official UN language (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.
   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:
   Core Competencies – behavioural indicators Level 2 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 all clearances, including medical and security as well as accreditation, any residency or visa requirements. 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, 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
   1. Provide support to the DDG and the Special Advisor in coordinating with various Offices including Regional Offices, Departments, Divisions, and Units both within and outside the Operations Pillar. Coordinate cohesion across the Departments and Divisions within the Operations structure to ensure they efficiently and effectively fulfil their responsibilities.
   2. Stay abreast of departmental workplans, initiatives and developments in the Operations Pillar Departments and Divisions and Regional Offices and provide support and recommendations to the Special Advisor and the DDG-O on emerging needs, best practices, and to ensure necessary follow-up.
   3. Coordinate with counterparts within the Executive Office.
   4. Coordinate the preparations of the DDG-O's participation at HQ, field, and external events.
   5. Data Collection and Reporting:
      1. Gather and consolidate operational and programmatic updates from departments, divisions, and units within the DDG‑O portfolio, ensuring a coherent overview of global operations.
      2. Support data analysis, synthesis, and horizon scanning—including risks, trends, and emerging operational needs—to inform strategic decision‑making and forward planning across the Operations Pillar.
      3. Prepare briefing notes, situation summaries, talking points, presentations and draft responses to incoming communications, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and alignment with operational priorities and realities on the ground.
      4. Coordinate regular briefings and updates for the DDG‑O on key developments across operations, including humanitarian crises, preparedness efforts, recovery and solutions, and external engagements relevant to the operational portfolio.
      5. Monitor and track the implementation of tasks and priorities assigned by the DDG‑O, ensuring follow‑up, accountability, and timely delivery across teams and regions.
   6. Knowledge Management:
      1. Develop and maintain coordination tools, including trackers/spreadsheets within the DDG-O team to ensure timely delivery of results and actions.
      2. Prepare and disseminate to Operational Pillar departments pending deadlines and actions, with due follow up.
      3. Contribute to knowledge management by keeping clear and up to date records of correspondence and decisions, in particular formal DDG approvals and memos.
      4. Liaise with counterparts in the Executive Office to ensure smooth coordination of events and priorities within the Leadership Team.
   7. Additional Duties:
      1. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.
   • Master's degree in Political and/or Social Sciences, Migration Studies, International Relations or a related field from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience; or,
   • Bachelor’s degree in the above fields with seven years of relevant professional experience.
   • Experience in support and coordination in a fast-paced environment;
   • Considerable experience in agenda setting, high level presentations, document review;
   • Considerable experience in policy, strategy and workplan development for multiple stakeholders (including interdepartmental coordination);
   • Knowledge and experience in policy development and research is an advantage;
   • Experience in resources and administrative management matters is an advantage.
   • Knowledge of organizational policies, practices and systems that relate to Operations is an advantage;
   • Excellent liaison and communications skills;
   • Excellent writing and presentation skills;
   • Excellent organizational skills, with proven record of maintaining oversight of multiple work streams in parallel;
   • Demonstrated strategic and creative thinking;
   • Commitment, drive for results and efficiency;
   • Ability to work effectively and harmoniously with colleagues from varied cultures and professional backgrounds;
   • Demonstrated ability to work independently against tight deadlines;
   • Remaining calm and solutions focused in complex situations.
   • 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.
   • 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.