Position Title: Head of Sub-Office
Duty Station: Erbil, Iraq
Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P5
Type of Appointment: Special short-term graded, six months with possibility of extension
Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible
Closing Date: 12 May 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; 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:
Established in 2003, the IOM Iraq Country office (CO) implements a wide range of programming ranging from humanitarian response to migration management. IOM provides extensive support to displaced communities and to families that are challenged to successfully reintegrate following periods of crisis and displacement – activities range from preventing extremism to stabilizing communities through economic development and extensive social cohesion programming.
Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Mission (CoM), and in close collaboration with Deputy Chief of Mission, Heads of relevant sub offices, Heads of Units, the Office of Staff Security and the Senior Resource Management Officer (SRMO), the successful candidate will be responsible and accountable for promoting, developing, planning, fundraising for and implementing the full range of sub-office/regional activities and services as well as for building partnerships with authorities, civil society, donors and partners, and advocating for IOM’s activities in the area of responsibility.
In coordination with CO senior management (COM, DCOM, SRMO, Head of the Project Development and Programmes Support Unit (PDPS), the candidate will be responsible for leading and directing the smooth operations of IOM programming in Erbil, Ninewa, Sal ah Din, Sulaymaniyah, Dohuk and Kirkuk governorates (henceforth referred to as northern Iraq). S/he will also be responsible for direct coordination for those IOM units with senior management in northern Iraq.
Core Functions / Responsibilities:
Direct and provide authoritative technical and operational guidance and advice for all aspects of the programming, operations and activities, as well as managing programme staff, in Northern Iraq in coordination with the relevant units and in accordance with IOM programmatic standards.
On the basis of IOM’s institutional strategy, develop, articulate and implement the CO’s strategy and plans of action in northern Iraq.
Management of the Erbil sub-office and ensure that the sub-office functions to effectively support programme teams to meet mission objectives and fulfill partner obligations. Work closely with the Resource Management Unit, Office of Staff Security, Logistics and Programmes teams to create and maintain an efficiently coordinated office.
In coordination with the Resource Management Unit, oversee the use of office resources to ensure that the Erbil office is appropriately resourced to support operations in Northern Iraq.
Promote, develop, strengthen and maintain relations and liaison with relevant counterparts (government authorities, diplomatic missions/donors, IOs and NGOs) with the aim of creating strategic partnerships, coordinating ongoing activities and promoting innovative ideas and initiatives in line with evolving emergency needs in Iraq. Represent IOM at relevant regional UN country team meetings (such as the Area Security Management Team (ASMT)) and ensure that IOM priorities are raised and solutions are found that take into account IOM’s need to maintain robust direct service provision.
Ensure strong and harmonized IOM representation and coordination in interagency forums such as the humanitarian Cluster System, the Durable Solutions Task Force and relevant transition and stabilization platforms. Identify and advise on how coordination mechanisms at the sub national level can be better linked to the national level and made more efficient and flexible to address the evolving priorities and crisis in Iraq.
Represent and support the COM/DCOM to develop and maintain liaison with Iraqi governmental authorities in the Kurdistan Region, and other institutions based in the KRI, that might be relevant to IOM’s goals.
In coordination with the PDPS Unit, Monitoring and Evaluation teams and Risk and Compliance focal points, ensure that IOM activities in northern Iraq are carried out in a transparent and accountable manner. Work closely with the mission senior management to resolve disputes and to report offense in line with global and country frameworks – for example incidents of SEA, or allegations of fraud/corruption.
Promote learning and development and capacity building initiatives through the planning, design and implementation of continued, targeted staff training among pertinent programmes units to ensure continuity of high levels of general awareness and specialized knowledge/skills among all staff.
Endorse recruitment, and mentor, coach and oversee the performance of relevant programmes staff.
Provide management and strategic direction to IOM programmes managed from Northern Iraq. Work closing with the COM/DCOM, the PDPS team and Heads of Unit to harmonize response, create complimentary programming when necessary and to align programming to IOM Iraq’s strategic priorities.
Closely coordinate IOM’s response to emerging shocks in northern Iraq. Ensure strong communication across units, with IOM senior management and with relevant stakeholders.
Ensure effective operations planning and coordination, participatory decision making and cooperation on implementation among and between all programmes and service units at the mission’s offices in Northern Iraq.
Provide strategic advice to CoM, DCOM on medium to long-term migration issues and opportunities, the formulation of policies and the introduction of innovation for optimum efficiency and efficacy. Promote, encourage and improve the involvement of host Governments in supporting IOM programming and initiatives by establishing and maintaining strong diplomatic and operational relationships with relevant Government officials and the United Nations Country Team (UNCT).
Promote convergence between all programmes and projects aiming to advance efficiency and effectiveness through balance division of labour, while reducing parallel structures and communication channels, thereby avoiding duplication, overlap and wastage of resources (human, financial, time, other).
Undertake duty travel as necessary.
Perform such other duties as may be assigned.
Required Qualifications and Experience:
Education
• Master’s degree in Political or Social Science, International Relations, Humanitarian Affairs or a related field from an accredited academic institution with ten years of relevant professional experience; or
• University degree in the above fields with twelve years of relevant professional experience.
Experience
• Experience in the field of emergency response and humanitarian assistance including camp and shelter management, support to displaced populations and the implementation of early recovery activities;
• Experience working at an international level with specialized international agencies (UN Agencies, International Organizations and NGO mandates and programmes in the area of migrant’s rights in humanitarian assistance;
• Experience working in the region and advantage.
Skills
• Sound knowledge of refugee and migration related issues, including economic and social conditions of migrants in several countries;
• Good knowledge of financial and administrative management;
• Excellent knowledge of technical cooperation principles, concepts and techniques.
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).
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.