Job Identification (Reference Number): 15473
Position Title: Senior Policy Development and Coordination Officer
Duty Station City: Geneva
Duty Station Country: Switzerland
Grade: P-4
Contract Type: Fixed-term (1 year with possibility of extension)
Recruiting Type: Professional
Vacancy Type: Vacancy Notice
Initial duration: 1 year with possibility of extension
Closing date: 02 July 2025
Introduction:
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 ensuring a workplace where all employees can thrive professionally while working towards harnessing the full potential of migration. Read more about IOM's workplace culture at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration
This is an expedited recruitment process open only to:
a) internal candidates and
b) former IOM staff members who were separated in the last 12 months due to the structural adjustment process.
This process is not open to external applicants; their applications will not be considered at this time.
Context:
Situated within the Department of Data, Insight and Policy (DDIP), the Migration Policy Division (MPD) plays a vital role ensuring IOM’s standing as a leading global authority and trusted partner on migration. This is essential to meet Member States' growing reliance on IOM’s migration expertise and their expectations for thought leadership and guidance on governance structures and frameworks to manage migration in line with international obligations. The Division focuses its efforts on two streams of work, underpinned by strong knowledge management and a focus on promoting innovation in IOM’s policy-relevant projects and programming:
Delivery of sound migration policy and legal advice and guidance to governments: As part of IOM’s Policy Agenda, MPD works to enhance IOM’s ability to support governments on policy and legislation; and, Development of institutional migration policy and legal positions: In coordination with other Departments, MPD develops coherent and forward-looking evidence, analysis, and narratives on cross-cutting priority and emerging policy issues, coordinated through inclusive organization-wide processes that are firmly rooted in IOM’s knowledge and programmatic experience.Under the overall supervision of the Director of DDIP and the direct supervision of the Chief of MPD, the Senior Policy Development and Coordination Officer will spearhead institutional policy development and coordination on cross-cutting and emerging issues, contributing to evidence-based global migration policy discourse and migration narratives. The incumbent will provide expert support and advice to other main MPD workstreams: 1) policy capacity development; 2) migration policy and governance support to governments, local and regional authorities, and other external stakeholders, and 3) enhancing partnerships and promoting migration diplomacy and dialogue. The role necessitates coordination with relevant Departments, the Office of Partnership and Communications, and Regional, Sub-Regional, and Country Offices, as well as external stakeholders.
Spearhead the development of institutional policy perspectives, positions and advice on specific migration issues by undertaking forward-looking policy analysis, coordination with key internal stakeholders, as well as external partners, analysis, conceptualization and high-level policy writing.Promote policy coherence and consistency of messaging across IOM, including by providing advice and input to policy work undertaken by other Departments, Regional, Sub-Regional and Country Offices, and facilitating inclusive organization-wide coordination processes that are firmly rooted in IOM’s knowledge and programmatic experiences.Deliver articulation of IOM’s policy positioning and messaging, and ensure their effective internal communication as well as external dissemination, contributing to balanced and evidence-based migration narratives, and supporting IOM’s positioning in the international arena, including in the context of the UN Network on Migration and the wider UN system, as well as the 2030 Agenda and GCM-related processes. Provide expert advice and guidance on key areas of migration policy, with an emphasis on emerging and cross-cutting issues, including delivery of top quality analysis to inform IOM’s institutional documents.Drive the implementation of IOM’s Policy Agenda in support of more joined-up and strategic forward-looking approaches to policy work within IOM.Provide expert advice and insight to governments and other external stakeholders on migration policy development and implementation in support of good migration governance, including to facilitate GCM implementation.Liaise and engage in policy-relevant processes and dialogues with key partners on migration governance, and emerging and strategic migration matters to support well-informed discourse on migration and help position IOM as a thought leader.Provide advice and guidance to knowledge networks and communities of practice through identification of best practices and lessons learnt.Represent IOM externally with counterparts at senior working level.Perform such other duties as may be assigned.Required Qualifications and Experience
Education:
Master's degree in International Development Studies, Political Science, Sociology or a related field from an accredited academic institution with at least 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:
Experience in managing teams is an advantage.Demonstrable experience in delivering expertise on a wide range of migration governance and policy issues, as well as migration trends, and capacity to provide useful insight to audiences in a range of contexts and situations;Demonstrated capacity to clearly communicate complex issues to a range of audiences;Extensive experience in policy analysis and research, advocacy and strategic communications in the migration field;Through understanding of global migration governance frameworks, notably the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular migration, and how they relate to IOM’s mandate and strategic priorities;Track record of producing high-level policy documents and briefs, including on sensitive issues;Extensive experience in effective coordination and stakeholder management;Demonstrated ability to work effectively and harmoniously in a team of colleagues of varied cultural and professional backgrounds; and,Proven ability to deliver quality to set deadlines.Skills:
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills; a logical thinker with intellectual curiosity and ability to think strategically; Excellent communication skills, especially in a multilingual setting; First rate drafting skills, in particular ability to write policy papers of publishable quality primarily in English on varied topics; Excellent relationship-building skills and ability to drive consensus among diverse stakeholders with tact and discretion;Proven organizational skills, including ability to prioritize simultaneous critical tasks, manage resources effectively and supervise staff; Maturity of judgement to ensure appropriate handling of sensitive issues;High sense of responsibility and motivation; and,IT proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, as well as experience with virtual coworking tools.Languages:
IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish.
For this position, fluency in English (oral and written). Working knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and 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.
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 three 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:
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.
Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, security clearances.
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, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities.
IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.
IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment 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