Position Title : Senior Migration Governance Specialist (Labour Mobility and
Markets)
Duty Station : Geneva, Switzerland
Classification : Professional Staff, Grade P4
Type of Appointment : Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension
Estimated Start Date : As soon as possible
Closing Date : 10 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:
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; 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:
The Labour Mobility and Human Development Division (LHD) under the Department of Migration Management (DMM) supports the organization in developing innovative, future proof and collaborative solutions to address challenges related to lack of safe, orderly and regular mobility channels with a particular focus on economic and labour market integration in line with the changing world of work; growing connectivity across societies and countries through transnational networks and digitalization; evolving agenda on the role of private sector and diaspora partners as stakeholders in positive migration outcomes; increasing recognition that migrant inclusion, social cohesion and integration within societies is an important pre-condition of reaching good migration governance outcomes. By working in collaboration with UN partners, international and regional organizations, civil society, diaspora communities and private sector partners, the Division promotes innovation, knowledge management, cross-thematic collaboration and interdisciplinary approaches in such specific programmatic areas as migrant inclusion and social cohesion (incl. social, cultural, economic, financial and digital aspects); human and economic mobility facilitation, through the support to skills based and talent mobility schemes, development of inter and intra-regional solutions within regional integration and trade as well as collaboration with transnational communities and diaspora, foresight on the relevance of mobility in the changing world of learning and work; labour migration and ethical recruitment, supporting IOM’s broader human and labour rights protection agenda by leveraging partnerships with private sector incl. migrant employers and recruiters, as well as identifying innovative solutions to resolving issues of informality, lack of access to social protection schemes and rights abuses. Together with regional specialists and country offices, the division aims at leveraging and scaling up global initiatives such as the IRIS: Ethical Recruitment initiative, IDiaspora.org, Diversity Inclusion and Social Cohesion (DISC) Initiative, Skills Mobility Partnership (SMP), Enterprise Development and Entrepreneurship in Migration (EDEM) approach.
Under the direct supervision of Head, Labour Mobility and Human Development (LHD) Division and overall supervision of the Director, Department of Migration Management (DMM), the successful candidate will be responsible for daily management of the Labour Mobility and Markets (LMM) Unit which is the institutional focal point at Headquarters (HQ) for providing strategic policy and technical guidance to IOM Country Offices, governments and partners in the area of labour and other forms of economic mobility within the broader contexts of the changing world of learning and work, market integration, transnational connectivity and value chains. Specific topics of expertise include refining migration governance instruments with the situation in labour markets and existing labour mobility corridors and ecosystems, mainstreaming migration into labour market information systems and other data sources and initiatives, bringing coherence across migration, employment and education policies by establishing safe, orderly and development oriented skills and talent mobility schemes, inter-state and multi-stakeholder cooperation, global dialogues and Regional processes, in coordination with other relevant LHD Units, HQ Departments and Regional and Country Offices.
Core Functions / Responsibilities:
Under the guidance of the Head of the LHD Division and DMM Director, lead the formulation of IOM’s priorities and models of engagement in relevant thematic areas on the basis of the organization’s comparative advantage and added value with a particular focus on coordinated, innovative and effective policy and operational solutions, multilateral and multistakeholder cooperation and innovation, technical assistance to governments and partners, and support to global dialogues and regional processes, in the context of Agenda 2030, GCM, the changing world of learning and work, digitalization, global competitiveness and innovation.
Coordinate the work of the Labour Mobility and Market (LMM) Unit by providing overall coordination and managerial support to the staff in the unit, engaging in cross-thematic and collaborative workstreams in the Division, the Department and broader IOM HQ and the field with the purpose of strengthening the whole of IOMs policy and operational guidance in facilitating labour mobility at all skills levels and in various categories.
Define and implement IOM’s approaches on the skill dimension of migration governance through Skills Mobility Partnerships and their prerequisites, to enhance the development outcomes of migration, including the reintegration potential of returning migrant workers, skills transfer from diaspora in coordination with other Divisions, Departments and partners.
Identify, develop and support integration into IOM programming portfolio bilateral and multilateral interstate and other stakeholder cooperation mechanisms on labour mobility, including Bilateral Labour Migration Agreements, labour market information systems and other data collection, analysis and sharing mechanisms for evidence based policy develoment, regional consultative processes and other tools. Participate in and represent the organization in related UN and international processes, initiatives and fora, meetings with the governments, private sector, and civil society to set common standards and support cooperation.
Foster cross-regional and global collaboration by providing technical advice and engaging with Regional Thematic Specialists (RTSs) and thematic focal points in Country Offices in their efforts to build the capacities of governments and other key partners from the private sector and civil society for the development of effective policies and approaches on labour and skills mobility.
Support the RTSs in conducting technical reviews of legislation and policies, in coordination with relevant organizational units, plans of action, and national training curricula in relation to the thematic area, by providing them with experience of conducting similar work in other Regions and Country Offices.
Initiate and prepare position papers, policy briefs and other strategic and operational guidance documents, in areas of thematic expertise for the organization and partners.
Keep the Organization abreast of global trends in the areas of labour and human mobility with the focus on its skill dimension, bilateral cooperation, changes in the world of learning and work, labour markets development and information systems, labour mobility data, global competitiveness and innovation.
Initiate and develop programmes and projects in the area of thematic expertise that are of a cross-regional and global nature, including by outreaching to relevant donors and partners, in coordination with relevant Divisions and Departments in Headquarters and under overall coordination with the Head of the LHD Division.
Review and endorse project proposals that fall within the Unit's purview (e.g. of cross-regional or global nature) to ensure their quality as well as their consistency with the Organization's mandate and policies. Develop and manage global projects falling under respective thematic area.
Develop and apply appropriate monitoring tools, in coordination with RTSs, to ensure effective implementation of programmes, projects and activities.
Identify good practices arising from implementation of projects and programmes, ensure recording of such in the LHD Division knowledge management and communication instruments and disseminate these to Missions, Members and Observer States, UN, civil society and private partners.
Perform such other related duties as may be assigned.
Required Qualifications and Experience:
Education
• Master’s degree in Labour Economics, Political or 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
• Operational and field experience in labour migration related issues;
• Considerable experience and knowledge on programme development and management; and
• Experience in development and delivery of knowledge and capacity-building activities.
Skills
• Extensive practical expertise in labour and human mobility facilitation and the skill dimension of migration governance in a national institution or an international entity, with a particular focus on engaging in regional, global and multilateral processes;
• Proven record of delivering hands-on policy advice and technical assistance to governments and partners on skills and competencies frameworks with the focus on labour and human mobility; with diaspora skills transfer programming being a distinct advantage; and,
• Good knowledge of MS Office applications and other IT and communication skills.
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 French or 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.
Notes
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.
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.