Expedited VN: Head of Programmes (Humanitarian Response and Recovery) (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

This is an expedited recruitment process, open for applications from internal and internal-equivalent candidates only.

Organizational Context and Scope

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission (CoM) and direct supervision of the Deputy Chief of Mission (DCoM) and in close coordination with relevant actors in the Regional Office (RO) for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and Headquarters (HQ), the Head of Programmes (Humanitarian Response and Recovery) will be responsible and accountable for providing support to the DCoM in their responsibility to support coherence between the Programmes and Policy development of IOM Sudan Country Office (CO), including Programme Development for the CO. The Head of Programmes (Humanitarian Response and Recovery) will ensure that implementation of International Organization for Migration (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.

Responsibilities

1. Ensure the cohesion of programming across the humanitarian, development, and peace nexus, and ensuring that IOM’s programming under this umbrella is delivered smoothly, efficiently, and in line with humanitarian principles and UN/IOM frameworks.

2. In coordination with the CoM, ensure IOM Return Programmes are implemented according to approved Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) and in close coordination with national stakeholders, other IOM missions involved, and respective units in RO and HQ.

3. Contribute to 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).

4. 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.

5. Work closely with the CoM, 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, DCoM and Senior Management to improve overall performance of the CO and support the CoM’s Office with development of strategy/policies/guidance notes, set-up meetings with external partners, lead the communication unit to 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 Programmes 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 peace-building nexus to ensure timely, effective, and efficient programming delivery, ensuring through sound leadership, supervision, and monitoring that all blockages, disruptions, and delays are avoided in order to achieve program results and that these results are measurable.

9. Oversee the development of strong donor contacts and relations, monitoring, updating programme funding priorities across the migration management spectrum and solutions pathways, and provide expert support to the CoM in fundraising activities.

10. Participate in all strategic inter-sector coordination and performance management mechanisms.

11. Ensure IOM participation in appropriate policy and operational UN 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 UN Country Team 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.

12. Support the DCoM in the coordination of programme-related activities, and in the absence of the CoM, support designated management functions as required.

13. Under delegation by the CoM, represent the CO and attend relevant UNCT, Humanitarian Country Team, and any inter-agency meetings.

14. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Master’s degree in Political or Social Sciences, Law, International Relations, Business 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.

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

Experience

• Demonstrated understanding and proven experience in inter-agency coordination and strategic engagement, UN structures and systems, and experience in both crisis contexts and development settings;
• Previous professional experience in developing and managing programmes, operations in conflict, post-conflict complex and hardship environments, including scale-up operations;
• Previous professional experience in managing a large number of operations in both scale-up and non-scale-up environments in Hardship Duty Stations;
• Proven leadership and succession planning experience, previous professional managerial experience of managing professional categories in hardship, non-hardship, scale-up, conflict, and post-conflict environments;
• Experience in external relations or strategic engagement, as well as liaising with governmental and diplomatic authorities and institutions;
• Extensive experience formulating and delivering internal displacement and solutions policy, strategy, and programming;
• Experience at an international level in managing programmes, covering emergency, stabilization, and development areas;
• Previous experience as a Head of Office, Chief of Mission, and/or Senior Programme Manager with a Government or UN agency, or a regional or international organization;
• Experience in managing IOM Offices and liaising with governmental authorities, other national/international institutions;
• Experience in training and capacity building; and,
• Work experience in the region is an advantage.

Skills

• Demonstrated knowledge of programme development, management, and capacity-building methodologies;
• In-depth knowledge of the broad range of migration-related subject areas dealt with by the Organization;
• Comprehensive knowledge of financial and administrative management;
• Knowledge of UN and bilateral donor programming, and knowledge of programme management in an emergency context;
• Proven capacities to establish and maintain good working relationships with governmental and diplomatic authorities, national, regional, and international institutions, as well as civil society actors, including the media and private sector;
• Familiarity with IOM financial and business administration as well as procurement processes;
• Knowledge of the IOM project management cycle; and,
• Capacity to effectively interface with government officials of appropriate level on matters related to substantive migration issues and the work of IOM.

Languages

All IOM staff members in all categories are required to be fluent in one of the IOM's official languages (English, French, Spanish).

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

Working knowledge of Arabic 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 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

This vacancy is only open to current and former IOM staff members who were separated in the last 12 months due to the structural adjustment 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, 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