Chief of Mission

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

Eligibility for this call for Expression of Interest (EOI) is limited to internal and external candidates who are currently part of the Pathways Pool. The selection for this assignment will be carried out through the Pathways Pool process.

Organizational Context and Scope

IOM is the leading organization in the field of migration and has a staffing complement of 15,000+ staff in more than 580 locations worldwide.

Under the overall guidance of the Director General and direct supervision of the Regional Director (RD) as well as in close cooperation with relevant Units at Headquarters (HQ), the Chief of Mission (CoM) will be responsible and accountable for the activities of IOM, overseeing and providing policy, administrative, programme, and financial support to the Country Office (CO). In programme countries, the Chief of Mission also reports to the Resident Coordinator (RC) with respect to the IOM contributions to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) objectives and the collective results of the UN development system towards the achievement of the 2030 Agenda at the country level, in accordance with the Management and Accountability Framework.

Responsibilities

Strategic country programme development and planning

1. Develop, contribute to and promote IOM's overall mandate and strategy and spearhead strategic planning, results orientation and operational excellence, project development and implementation following appropriate consultation with the Regional Office (RO) within the overall regional framework, Headquarters, Member States and other relevant stakeholders.

2. Play an integral role in policy discussions and apply approved policies in the national activities, in line with IOM’s Strategic Vision.

3. Stimulate, catalyse and support project development through a comprehensive resource mobilization strategy which includes multilateral and bilateral donors, national and local government and public/private partnerships. In programme countries, work closely with the Resident Coordinator (RC) to contribute to joint resource mobilization efforts.

4. Ensure appropriateness and effectiveness of programmes in line with IOM’s Strategic Vision and Strategic Results Framework, as well as the Common Country Analysis (CCA) and the UNSDCF. Ensure accuracy of results reporting, and recommend process improvements including the systematization and transfer of capacities and experiences in support of IOM’s global knowledge management. This includes incorporating lessons learned into the next planning cycle.

5. Advise RO and HQ as well as the Office of the RC on national policy and migration trends in the country and in the region as well as governments' migration policies affecting the activities of IOM and prepare proposals for appropriate action.

6. Advocate and support the authorities and key stakeholders on the development of appropriate policies and strategies on migration management including mainstreaming into the national plan and budget, as well as into the joint UNSDCF. Support their proactive engagement in the global/regional processes such as, for example, the, Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD), the implementation and follow-up of the Global Compact for Migration (GCM) for Orderly, Safe and Regular Migration and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, as well as the Secretary General’s Action Agenda on Internal Displacement.

7. Advocate for and promote risk management plans aligned with IOM’s framework and policy. Ensure that risks to the Country Office’s objectives are regularly assessed, with priority risks identified and risk treatment plans are in place and embedded in the Country Office’s activity plans.
• To view the full list of responsibilities, please click on the job link.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education
• Master’s degree in Political or Social Science, International Relations, Business Administration, 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.

Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.

Experience
• Significant experience in general management as well as project and resources management;
• Significant experience in diplomacy, fundraising and public relations, as well as in liaising with governmental and diplomatic authorities and international institutions; and,
• Experience in delivering large and diverse programmes in complex settings in a range of migration programming, both in the context of emergency and development programming.

Skills
• Excellent communications skills, both oral and written; Ability to prepare and deliver speeches on various activities of the Organization;
• Strong liaison and negotiation skills;
• In depth knowledge of the broad range of migration related subject areas dealt with by the Organization;
• Knowledge of UN and bilateral donor programming;
• Knowledge of Monitoring and Evaluation procedures and Frameworks;
• Effective resources management skills, sound knowledge of financial and business administration and of the principles and practices of management;
• Ability to deliver during crisis response; and,
• Good level of computer literacy.

Languages

All IOM staff members in all categories are required to be fluent in one of the IOM's official languages (English, French, Spanish).

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written).

Working knowledge of French is an advantage.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.