Back Policy Officer (P2)

Position Title : Policy Officer

Duty Station : Geneva, Switzerland

Classification : Professional Staff, Grade P2

Type of Appointment : Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date : As soon as possible

Closing Date : 16 November 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:

1. Internal candidates

2. Candidates from the following non-represented member states: Antigua and Barbuda; Aruba (Netherlands); Belize; Botswana; Cabo Verde; Comoros; Congo (the); 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.

Context:

Established in 1951, IOM is the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of migration and works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. In September 2016, IOM became a related agency of the United Nations (UN), thereby becoming the UN Migration Agency. 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.

The Policy Hub in the Office of the IOM Director General works across IOM to facilitate meaningful and ongoing exchange on migration policy, enhance coherence, promote learning and develop evidence-, knowledge- and experience-based institutional strategic migration policy advice. To this end, the Policy Hub acts as a catalyst of effective collection, analysis and exchange of policy-relevant data and knowledge within IOM and promotes their use in the development of IOM migration policy perspectives and advice.

As part of an impending restructure of IOM HQ ,the Policy Hub is set to transform into the Policy Coordination Unit (PCU) within a new Department for Policy and Research. The Department of Policy and Research will contribute to good migration governance by spearheading and coordinating IOM’s work, as well as encouraging learning and innovation, in the areas of migration policy, migration research and international migration law. This will be achieved by fostering and strengthening the interlinkages between, and promoting systemic approaches to, institutional policy coordination and development, migration research, knowledge creation and management, innovation and learning across the Organization, as well as delivery of advice to internal and external stakeholders on migration policy and legislation.

Under the overall supervision of the Director of Policy Hub and direct supervision of the Policy Officer, the successful candidate will work in close coordination with relevant Offices and Departments to facilitate the development of institutional strategic migration policy advice based on knowledge and perspectives from across the Organization and to contribute to further strengthening institutional policy capacity as well as providing overall support to the realization of IOM’s Strategic Vision.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Undertake evidence-based migration policy-related research and analysis, including data analysis;

2. Contribute to the development of IOM migration policy and advice, as well as relevant institutional messaging;

3. Support coordination with relevant parts of IOM to enhance policy coherence, and facilitate organization-wide migration policy development processes based on evidence and rooted in IOM’s knowledge and programmatic experience;

4. Conceptualize and draft policy and position papers, speeches, talking points and other documents for internal and external use on key migration issues, and provide input to documents prepared by other departments and field offices;

5. Assist IOM Regional and Country Offices carry out their migration policy activities, including with respect to the support IOM provides to governments and other external stakeholders;

6. Support the planning of the Unit’s work, as well as the monitoring, evaluation and communication of the relevant results and targets;

7. Contribute to IOM’s engagement in migration-policy relevant processes and dialogues and support organization of internal and external meetings and events;

8. Support migration policy knowledge management and the establishment and maintenance of migration policy communities of practice at IOM;

9. Contribute to capacity building on migration policy, including by supporting the development and updating of relevant training materials; and,

10. Perform any other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s Degree in Political Science, International Relations, Social Sciences or a related field from an accredited academic institution with two years of relevant professional experience; or,

• University Degree in above fields with four years relevant professional experience

Experience

• Experience in policy and strategy development;

• Experience in carrying out quantitative and qualitative analysis and effectively synthesizing complex information;

• Experience in the areas of inter-state cooperation on migration, migration governance and migration policy a strong advantage;

• Experience supporting and working with cross-functional teams in a dynamic multicultural environment;

• Experience organizing meetings and events is desirable.

Skills

• Proven analytical skills, both qualitative and quantitative;

• Strategic thinking, including demonstrated ability to effectively synthesise information, organize complex ideas and place them in a wider organizational context;

• Good understanding of issues pertaining to migration governance and policies;

• Proven organizational skills, including the ability to prioritize and manage simultaneous critical tasks;

• Excellent communication skills, especially in a multilingual setting;

• First rate drafting skills in English;

• Experience supporting and working with cross-functional teams in a dynamic environment;

• Excellent relationship-building skills and ability to drive consensus among diverse stakeholders with tact and discretion;

• Maturity of judgement to ensure appropriate handling of sensitive issues;

• Proven ability to work effectively and harmoniously within a team of colleagues from varied cultures and professional backgrounds;

• High sense of responsibility and motivation;

• 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.

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). Fluency in French is advantageous.

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 2

• 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 2

• 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.