Duty Station : San Jose, Costa Rica
Classification : Professional Staff, Grade P4
Type of Appointment : Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension
Estimated Start Date : As soon as possible
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:
Internal candidates
External female candidates:
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; 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 for Central and North America and the Caribbean in Regional Office (RO) San Jose, and technical oversight of the Head of the Immigration and Border Management (IBM) Division at Headquarters (HQ), the successful candidate will be accountable and responsible for the monitoring and analysis of regional thematic trends; development of, and support to thematic projects in the Region; as well as review and endorsement of projects related to his/her thematic area of expertise in the Region of Central and North America and the Caribbean in the area of Immigration & Border Management (IBM). Equally the successful candidate will support RO Buenos Aires and the
Country Offices in South America, in cooperation and coordination with the Regional Project Development Specialist for South America.
The Regional Thematic Specialist (IBM) will serve as an expert resource for IBM programming in the Region in support of Country Offices. In particular he/she will:
Core Functions / Responsibilities:
Act as a thematic resource person providing capacity building, training, and general support to Country Offices (COs) in the Region. Contribute to building the capacities of IOM staff in the thematic area through a combination of formal training and on the-job mentoring. Assist Country Offices in developing, implementing and monitoring IBM Strategy and activities in the Region, including, but not limited to, opportunities arising from regional and Sub-Regional discussions among the concerned governments.
Review, endorse and track IBM project proposals developed by COs in the region, and provide regular updates to the concerned HQ Division on projects endorsed. Apply quality control by ensuring that all endorsed projects are: (a) Consistent with the IOM Constitution Strategy and the Organization’s policies, thematic guidelines and manuals and any relevant national and/or regional strategies; (b) Coherent, relevant, and feasible, and take into account good practices in the field of Immigration and Border Management; and, (c) Develop according to IOM’s project development procedures as established in the IOM Handbook on Project Development.
Lead in the development of initiatives for national authorities to implement and enhance their admission and stay practices, including visas, permits, regularization initiatives, case management systems and the timely provision of information, leveraging relevant technological innovations centered on enhancing the availability and flexibility of pathways for regular migration, in line with Objective 5 of the Global Compact for Migration.
Coordinate the provision of expert advice on a variety of immigration policy matters from a multi-disciplinary perspective. This includes advocacy and assistance for Member States with policy reforms oriented at expanding regular migration channels, including humanitarian admission programmes and pathways for migrants in vulnerable situations, through the enhancement of legislative frameworks.
Identify emerging issues relevant to the IBM Thematic Area and contribute to the development of thematic policy and reports. Monitor developments in the thematic area and assist IOM Country Offices in the Region in project development and implementation in close collaboration with the Regional Policy and Liaison Officers (RPLO) for the two Regions, COs and relevant HQ Departments. This includes, but is not limited to, border and identity solutions, as well as visa processing and consular assistance, the assessment of regional and national immigration practices and related capacity building initiatives for immigration agencies, as well as operational solutions for government entities that contribute to ensuring the human rights of migrants while addressing the border management concerns of States.
Develop regional and multi-country programmes and projects in the IBM thematic area to be implemented by Country Offices and identify anticipated synergies between thematic areas (Labour Migration, Counter Trafficking/ Irregular Migration, Migration and Health, etc.) in close coordination with HQ, other ROs and COs.
Participate in and actively contribute to IOM’s network of Regional Thematic Services (RTSs) globally, analyze and share best practices with relevant HQ Divisions and COs.
Develop regional IBM thematic guidance notes, information sheets and policy documents incoordination with the RPLO, COs and relevant HQ Division.
Provide IBM thematic guidance to Project Managers by sharing information with the COs at the Regional level and providing general technical support upon request from the Field in coordination with the RPLO. Ensure the delivery of quality thematic training/workshops to governments and other stakeholders as required by COs in the Region. Ensure responsive and professional technical support to governments/administrations, and IOM Country Offices through, among other activities, development and provision of information resources and training, border and migration management assessments and chairing or presentations in conferences.
Represent IOM in the Region by actively participating in conferences, workshops and meetings related to the thematic area of expertise, as required by the Regional Director. Develop synergies and partnerships with other agencies active in the specific technical programming areas as well as with potential donors, and lead the IBM regional coordination in support of the United Nations Network on Migration and the establishment of high-level coordination with regional organizations and multilateral cooperation mechanisms.
Cooperate, participate and develop relations with international and regional organizations relevant for IBM issues and in close cooperation with IOM Washington and IOM Brussels with key donors for IBM projects in the Region.
Perform such other duties as may be assigned.
Required Qualifications and Experience:
• Master’s Degree in Political and Social Sciences, Migration Studies, International Relations, Law 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.
• Experience in the field of migration issues, including operational and field experience, IOM project development, and management;
• Experience of running large IBM projects and programmes, delivering IBM-related training/ workshops to Government officials is desirable; and,
• Experience in liaising with governmental authorities, other national/international institutions and
NGOs.
• Demonstrated expertise in thematic areas relevant to IBM project development listed above;
• Knowledge of monitoring and evaluation; and,
• Government service in the thematic is a distinct advantage.
IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish.
For this position, fluency in English and Spanish is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of French 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:
Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile.
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 endorsed by the Appointments and Postings Board will remain eligible to be appointed in a similar position for a period of 24 months.
The list of NMS countries above includes all IOM Member States which are non-represented in the Professional Category of staff members. For this staff category, candidates who are nationals of the duty station’s country and who do not have prior experience outside the duty station’s country as staff member in the Professional category cannot be considered eligible.
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.