Back Regional Policy and Liaison Officer

Position Title: Regional Policy and Liaison Officer

Duty Station: Pretoria, South Africa

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P3

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

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 03 August 2020

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; Cabo Verde; Comoros; Cook Islands; Cuba; Djibouti; Fiji; Gabon; Grenada; Guinea-Bissau; Guyana; Holy See; Iceland; Kingdom of Eswatini; Kiribati; Lao People's Democratic Republic (the); Latvia; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Montenegro; Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Papua New Guinea; 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:

Under the general and direct supervision of the Regional Director (RD) for Southern Africa in Pretoria, South Africa, and in close coordination with the Department of International Cooperation and Partnership (ICP) at Headquarters (HQs), the Regional Liaison and Policy Officer (RLPO) will maintain regular liaison with international, governmental and non-governmental partners, and provide guidance to IOM Country Offices in the region on policy level engagement on various migration issues, UN relations including IOM’s work within the UN Country Teams and partnership building with governments and other relevant stakeholders.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Support the RD on overall internal policy coordination and external relations and provide cross-cutting analysis and information on areas of strategic importance to help inform decision-making at the regional and country level.

2. Contribute inputs for documents, speeches, and presentations on various topics of strategic importance for high-level interventions and representation by the RD for national and international platforms.

3. Provide guidance and information to facilitate discussions on ways of mainstreaming migration into regional strategies and programs of the three Regional bodies in the region, namely the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), in close coordination with country offices in charge of day-to-day liaison with them.

4. Provide information and guidance on identified migration policy issues at the national and regional levels and provide policy inputs to support the development of policy and legislative frameworks in the field of migration in close collaboration with the Regional Thematic Specialists (RTS) and the Chiefs of Missions / Heads of Offices.

5. Establish and maintain contact with academic institutions, think-tanks, and research institutions within the region to check if strong evidence and policy-oriented research is available on regional migration trends, policy development and data. This will be done in coordination with the RTS, other experts in the Regional Office and, where relevant, with Headquarters.

6. Contribute inputs to various regional policy dialogue and the exchange of best practices for expert meetings and the preparation of policy briefs in close coordination with relevant RTS.

7. Provide support and information for the Migration Dialogue for Southern Africa (MIDSA) and the other two Regional Consultative Processes (RCPs), namely MIDCOM (Migration Dialogue for the COMESA Region) and MiDIOCC (Migration Dialogue for Indian Ocean Countries).

8. Serve as the main focal point for coordination with ICP- in Geneva and inform the Regional Director on coordination and partnership matters. Coordinate country-specific and regional information sharing, including between the region and relevant Departments at HQs.

9. Provide guidance and support to Country Offices(CO) on GCM implementation processes and mainstreaming of migration in UN Sustainable Development Cooperation frameworks (UNSDCFs), in close coordination with RTSs and ICP in Geneva.

10. Provide information and assist the RD in his engagement with UN inter-agency mechanisms at the Regional level, including the Regional UN Sustainable Development Group for Eastern and Southern Africa (R-UNSDG ESA) and the Regional UN Network on Migration ESA;

11. Support fund raising initiatives and strategies for country offices in the region and facilitate donor engagement and liaison, including with the private sector, at the regional level, in close coordination with the Regional Project Development Officer;

12. Support project development and country level strategic planning, including drafting fund-raising strategies, preparing donor mapping and following up on relevant donor initiatives at regional level.

13. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

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

• University degree in the above field of study with seven years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• Experience in the field of migration issues including operational field experience and project development;

• Experience liaising with inter-governmental, national, and local authorities, other national/

international institutions and NGOs;

• Proven expertise in migration policy development and collaboration with other international organizations and network/partnership building;

• Experience in developing regional strategies.

Skills

• Solid knowledge of UN working mechanisms and structures at country, regional and global levels;

• Solid knowledge of regional socio-political dynamics, an understanding of continental and regional migration dynamics, sound appreciation of sensitivities and regional norms;

• Knowledge of monitoring and evaluation;

• Good level of computer literacy.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish.

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of French and/or Spanish, and Portuguese 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 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.