Position Title: Senior Operations Coordinator (Return and Recovery)
Duty Station: Erbil, Iraq
Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P4
Type of Appointment: Special short-term graded, six months with possibility of extension
Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible
Closing Date: 17 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:
Following the end of hostilities against The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), the return and recovery of the millions of Iraqis who were displaced because of the conflict is complicated by heavy damage to critical public infrastructure, lack of basic services, destroyed housing, lack of economic opportunity, social cohesion issues and other challenges. The situation is further complicated by a fluid and complex security environment.
As part of broader efforts to support stabilization and recovery in Iraq, the work of the Return and Recovery Unit (RRU) within IOM Iraq is to remove the initial obstacles to Internally displaced persons (IDP) return in Iraq’s post-conflict areas and lay the foundation for longer-term recovery, economic development, and reconstruction in general. RRU includes work areas related to construction (infrastructure and housing), livelihoods, data, and data analysis (DTM and research), coordination and policy development, Community Resource Centers (CRCs), durable solutions community engagement, cash-based assistance, and other activities.
The successful candidate will have development, oversight, resource mobilization and coordination responsibility for RRU field operations, especially as it relates to livelihoods, construction, cash-based assistance, and community engagement, as well as of IOM’s durable solutions work.
Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission (CoM), the direct supervision of Head, Returns and Recovery Unit, and in close coordination with relevant units in IOM Iraq Country Office (CO), the successful candidate will be responsible and accountable for developing, ensuring funding for and managing all operational activities of the Return and Recovery Unit, including shelter and housing, livelihoods, and durable solutions, as well as management systems including cash based assistance and information management.
Core Functions / Responsibilities:
Lead and develop the strategic direction of activities, in coordination with the Head of RRU, in response to unfolding return and recovery trends, developing and ensuring the integration of new approaches as required.
Create and oversee project planning, implementation, and monitoring systems across all RRU activities, especially as it concerns day to day field operations, in coordination with the Head of RRU.
Manage, build the capacity of and mentor national and international staff with specific operational functions (especially sub-national coordination teams), including teams composed of national and international staff in 15 governorates around Iraq. Organize their work, resolve HR issues including structure and staffing levels, and ensure efficiency, accountability, staff development and the resolution of other issues.
Build synergies and ensure coordination between operations teams, RRU support teams and the Thematic Leads of RRU (livelihoods, community engagement, infrastructure, Community Resource Centres (CRCs) and durable solutions especially, as well as DTM, durable solutions coordination and research).
Oversee and lead the work of the cash-based assistance team (CBI), including ensuring all appropriate linkages with operations and other thematic teams.
Oversee and lead the development and maintenance of the RRU information management system, including managing the IM team and ensuring information systems are effective.
Develop and lead the utilization of monitoring mechanisms to assess the impact and coverage of activities and the progress made against implementation plans and internal M&E indicators, maintaining close liaison with RRU and Country office (CO) Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E).
Define substantive and financial targets, and ensure their completion and reporting, in coordination with the Head of RRU and other relevant colleagues.
Represent IOM and RRU in coordination and other high level meetings related to the area of responsibility, creating and maintaining partnerships with key organisations, agencies and governmental partners to ensure good coordination, information sharing, capacity building, fund raising, joint-planning and government involvement.
Ensure information sharing, coordination, synergies and communication within the team and with other IOM units, and lead mission-level coordination activities.
Oversee project development related to the area of responsibility, in coordination with relevant colleagues.
Establish and maintain liaison with donors in order to mobilize resources, advise on progress of activities, gaps, lessons learned, etc., and advocate for new project opportunities.
Ensure all reporting requirements are met, as well as the development and provision of advocacy and communication materials.
Lead the establishment of new IOM field operations.
In line with the regulations and policy of IOM, ensure proper adherence to human resource, procurement, finance, and all other policies of IOM for projects implemented in the area of responsibility.
Undertake duty travel to development activities, resolve issues, carry out representation functions and project site reviews, and other duties of concern to the projects.
Perform such other duties as may be assigned.
Required Qualifications and Experience:
Education
• Master’s degree in Humanitarian Affairs, International Relations, Development Studies, Political Science, 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
• Demonstrated experience (including field experience) in managing humanitarian or recovery interventions in an emergency or post-emergency context;
• Proven experience in interventions aimed at supporting area-based community recovery or stabilization;
• Practical experience in liaising with government authorities, other national/international technical counterparts, and NGOs, and building effective partnerships;
• Previous working experience in Iraq or the Middle East and Northern Africa region is advantageous; and
• Willing to travel within the country as required.
Skills
• Proven ability to supervise, coach, and direct staff and manage operations in transitional contexts;
• Knowledge of UN, IOM, international organizations, and NGO mandates and programmes in the area of migrant assistance and humanitarian assistance, and,
• Solid computer skills, including proficiency in MS Office package (Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
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 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.
Notes
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 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 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.