Position Title : Chief of Mission

Duty Station : Dhaka, Bangladesh

Classification : Professional Staff, Grade D1

Type of Appointment : Fixed term, One year with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date : As soon as possible

Closing Date : 15 August 2021

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

IOM is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. Read more about diversity and inclusion at IOM at www.iom.int/diversity.

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. Candidate from the following non-represented member states:

Antigua and Barbuda; Botswana; Cabo Verde; Comoros; Cook Islands; Cuba; Fiji; Gabon; Guinea-Bissau; Guyana; Holy See; Iceland; Kingdom of Eswatini; Kiribati; Lao People's Democratic Republic (the); Latvia; Libya; Luxembourg; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Montenegro; Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Samoa; Sao Tome and Principe; Seychelles; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Timor-Leste; Tonga; Tuvalu; Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:

All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM and female candidates.

Context:

Under the direct supervision of the Regional Director (RD) of the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (ROAP) in Bangkok, Thailand, and the overall guidance of the Director General, as well as in close cooperation with relevant Units at ROAP and Headquarters (HQ), the Chief of Mission will be responsible and accountable for the activities of IOM Bangladesh, overseeing and providing policy, administrative, programme and financial support to the Country Office.

The incumbent is IOM's principal interlocutor with the Governments of Bangladesh (GoB), as well as relevant ministries, diplomatic representatives, UN and other organizations, as well as local and international NGOs in the countries. The CoM is responsible for liaison with the Government, regarding the full range of IOM services, as well as for keeping the Regional Office (RO) and HQ Units informed of relevant government concerns, emergencies, and programmatic developments. The incumbent is responsible and accountable for developing and promoting IOM's strategy and programming within the overall regional framework.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

Leadership and Management of Rohingya Refugee Crisis Response

  1. Oversee the IOM emergency response to the Rohingya refugee crisis, including medium to long term programming in Cox's Bazar.

  2. Lead and guide the IOM emergency-related coordination and relevant liaison processes with the Government of Bangladesh, UN Resident Coordinator and UN agencies and key partners and donors.

  3. Ensure the development and articulation of a common strategic vision for humanitarian action in-country, by leading and coordinating its development.

  4. Expend all necessary efforts to ensure that the strategic vision is fully implemented and funded in a timely manner.

Co-Leading Humanitarian Coordination of Rohingya Refugee Crisis Response

  1. Act as the Co-Chair of the Strategic Executive Group (SEG) in Dhaka, overseeing and guiding the work of the Senior Coordinator and the Inter-Sector Coordination Group (ISCG) in Cox’s Bazar.

  2. As the SEG Co-Chair provide advice, guidance and support to the Government National Task Force on Undocumented Myanmar Nationals, the ISCG, and other humanitarian partners in Cox’s Bazar.

  3. As the SEG Co-Chair advocate and lobby with donors for sufficient funding to the humanitarian operations.

Development and follow up of strategies, policies and programmes

  1. Develop, clarify and contribute to IOM's overall mandate and strategy and spearheading project development and implementation.

  2. Keep abreast of migration issues and emerging trends. In relation to these, formulate and advocate plans of action; undertake priority setting, and seek programme and project opportunities in consultation with the RD, Regional Thematic Specialists (RTS) and HQ.

  3. Ensure the implementation of the IOM Strategic Vision and the application of the Internal Governance Framework (IGF).

  4. Play an integral role in migration policy discussions while ensuring approved policies are appropriately integrated in national activities.

  5. Stimulate, catalyze and support project development in the Country Office through regular stakeholder consultations. Assessing the appropriateness and effectiveness of programme development strategies, fundraising and recommending process improvements.

  6. Direct and monitor project planning, design and implementation of IOM activities in the country.

  7. Advise ROAP and HQ on national policy and emerging migration issues affecting the activities of IOM, make recommendations and prepare proposals for appropriate action, develop and update IOM Bangladesh’s country strategy as guided by IOM’s Strategic Vision and Migration Governance Framework (MiGOF) and the IOM South Asia Subregional Strategy.

  8. Ensure that safety and security management of IOM personnel, facilities and assets are addressed, in coordination with the Regional Security Officer. Ensure the establishment and regular maintenance of Business Continuity Plans (BCP).

  9. Advocate and promote the Organization's position on migration issues of concern.

  10. Promote and strengthen relationships and identify opportunities for IOM activities in response to changing issues and situations.

  11. Advocate and support GoB authorities on development of appropriate policies and strategies on migration management including mainstreaming into national plan and budget. Support their proactive engagement in the global/regional processes such as the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Colombo Process, Bali Process, Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) and follow up and implementation of the Global Compact for Migration (GCM) for Orderly, Safe and Regular Migration and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) going forward.

  12. Supervise the management, implementation and assure high quality performance of a large variety of projects related to migration, protracted care of refugees in an urban environment, social inclusion of migrants; community stabilization in rural areas; migration and health; diaspora engagement; AVRR; labour migration; border management and trafficking in persons and smuggling; and assure the inclusion of cross cutting issues such as gender and ethnicity.

Resource management and capacity building

  1. In coordination with ROAP, direct the operational, human resources, administrative, budgetary and financial activities in accordance with the Organization's rules and procedures.

  2. Exercise oversight of financial management, expenditure, and budget preparation and ensuring appropriate and timely reporting to donors and prepare briefings and background information requested by RO and HQ, the Government and other entities.

  3. Ensure establishment and strengthening of internal controls aimed at preventing fraud and mismanagement in all activities.

  4. Gather and promote sustainable/best practices as well as lessons learned from activities carried out by the respective IOM offices under its supervision.

Resource Mobilization

  1. Explore funding opportunities and securing funding and in-kind contributions from different donors/ partners for the organization’s governance, development and humanitarian activities.

Representation of IOM

  1. Support regional and international processes and dialogues on migration. Ensure the participation of relevant government officials in these initiatives, in order to promote IOM's image and programmes.

  2. Represent the Organization at national and international conferences and meetings and develop public relations and media activities.

  3. Maintain close relation with UNRC and 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), formerly known as the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF); 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.

  4. Broaden the network of contacts among senior government officials, international and regional Organizations.

  5. Performing other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

Master’s degree in Political or Social Science, International Relations, and/or Business Administration or a related field from an accredited academic institution with fifteen years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• Experience in diplomacy, fundraising and public relations, as well as in liaising with governmental and diplomatic authorities and international institutions;

• Experience in field work in a challenging environment and community-based reintegration processes.

Skills

• Excellent communications skills, both oral and written; ability to prepare and deliver speeches on various activities of the Organization;

• Proven liaison and negotiation skills;

• Demonstrated strategic and creative thinking;

• In-depth knowledge of the broad range of migration related subject areas dealt with by the Organization;

• Knowledge of programme planning, development, and management;

• Knowledge and experience of regional issues;

• Effective resource management skills, sound knowledge of financial and business administration and of the principles and practices of management; ability to motivate, supervise and coach/ direct staff.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French and Spanish.

External applicants for all positions in the Professional category are required to be proficient in English and have at least a working knowledge of one additional UN Language (French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian or Chinese).

For all applicants, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of Bangla is an advantage.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

1

Accredited Universities are the ones listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database (https://whed.net/home.php).

Required Competencies:

Values - all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these three values:

Inclusion and respect for diversity: respects and promotes individual and cultural differences; encourages diversity and inclusion wherever possible.

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.

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 action 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 potential.

Empowering others & building trust: creates an atmosphere of trust and an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.

Strategic thinking and vision: works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link: https://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/about-iom/iom_revised_competency_framework_external.pdf

Competencies will be assessed during a competency-based interview.

Other:

IOM is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. Read more about diversity and inclusion at IOM at www.iom.int/diversity.

Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile. For this staff category, candidates will not be considered for placement in a duty station within their country of nationality.

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.

This vacancy is archived.

Recommended for you