Job Identification (Reference Number): 13178
Position Title: Deputy Director, Department of Humanitarian Response and Recovery
Duty Station City: Geneva
Duty Station Country: Switzerland
Grade: D-1
Contract Type: Fixed-term (1 year with possibility of extension)
Recruiting Type: Director
Vacancy Type: Vacancy Notice
Initial duration: 1 year with possibility of extension
Closing date: 11 March 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 nearmejobs.eu International Organization for Migration

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. External female candidates:
3. Candidates from the following non-represented member states:

Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Comoros, Congo (the), Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Guinea-Bissau, Holy See, Iceland, Kiribati, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Madagascar, Marshall Islands, Namibia, Nauru, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Solomon Islands,
Suriname, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu

Second-tier candidates include:

All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM and female candidates.
 

Context:

The Department of Humanitarian Response and Recovery (DHRR) sits under the Operations Pillar and is responsible for coordinating IOM’s humanitarian assistance and recovery programming. The Department’s mission is to provide timely, people-centered protection and assistance to crisis-affected populations while empowering communities and local actors in driving solutions to displacement and assisting states in meeting their legal obligations.

DHRR leads on directing operational activities to advance Objective 1 “Saving lives and protecting people on the move” and Objective 2 “Driving solution to displacement” of IOM Strategic Plan 2024-2028. This is achieved by driving displacement policies and humanitarian coordination efforts, conflict-sensitive approach to programme and operations design, and setting strategic direction to mitigate the impact of conflict, disasters and climate change. The Department develops quality programming standards, thought leadership on displacement and policies linking prevention, and humanitarian response with recovery, peace and sustainable solutions to displacement.

The Department leads in interagency dialogue and serves as the focal point for institutional partnerships and relationships with UN and Geneva-based partners and inter-agency fora, such as the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC), Grand Bargain, ECOSOC Humanitarian Affairs Segment, the Action Agenda, as well as humanitarian and development donors. It supports the development of principled approaches and strategic documents, ensuring that IOM’s crisis-related priorities spanning the Humanitarian-Peace-Development Nexus are effectively integrated into internal and external systems and processes.

The Department comprises the Director’s Office, several Units and three Divisions: the Preparedness & Climate Change Adaptation Division, the Humanitarian Operations Division, and the Peace and Recovery Division.  Each division is responsible for a specific area of programming and they work in tandem to provide comprehensive assistance to crisis-affected populations.

Under the overall supervision of the Deputy Director General for Operations and the direct supervision of the Director of DHRR, the Deputy Director, Department of Humanitarian Response and Recovery will support the Director in leading and managing the Department in line with its strategic roadmap. This includes support in ensuring effective operational oversight, internal coordination and implementation of IOMs priorities across DHRR’s crisis response portfolio in a coherent manner and in alignment with other Departments within the Operations Pillar.

As needed, the Deputy Director will support the Director in engaging strategically within the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) and other relevant fora and managing related institutional tools, policies, and strategies. This includes IOM’s Migration Crisis Operational Framework (MCOF), the Principles for Humanitarian Action (PHA), and IOM’s chairmanship on the follow-up to the Action Agenda on Internal Displacement. The role also involves ensuring alignment with external frameworks applicable in crisis contexts, such as the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in relation to forced migration, peace, and stability.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

Crisis Response and strategic planning

1. Provide strategic advice to the Director on crisis-related matters, and recommend and oversee specific courses of action, including staff deployments, as well as the mobilization of internal funding mechanisms.

2. As instructed and in coordination with relevant Divisions and Departments, provide expert advice and guidance and lead the implementation of such guidance in IOM’s field operations in crisis and humanitarian emergency contexts, and in implementing a solutions approach across the HDPN, working closely with the Senior Coordination on Peace Recovery and Solutions.

3. Oversee and direct the work of the DHRR Teams to assess and analyze the major humanitarian contexts, trends, and developments in relation to IOM Strategic Plan, policies, operational capacities, and their implications for the work of the Department and the organization as a whole.

4. Support the Director in strategic planning and in identifying priorities for the work of the Department and its divisions, also ensuring the Department fulfills IOM-wide policies and commitments.

5. Ensure the coordination of guidance, technical support, and strategic planning from an overall department and organizational-wide perspective.

Team leadership and internal coordination 

6. Support the Director in ensuring clarity of role as well as a cohesive and efficient approach among the different units and the Divisions and other Departments. Facilitate cross-team collaboration to enhance response effectiveness.

7. In coordination with respective Regional Directors, provide expert support and guidance to the work and activities of the Department’s Regional Thematic Specialists (RTS) across IOM’s Regional Offices and in close collaboration with other Departments. Ensure clear and regular exchanges with DHRR RTS including the organization of annual retreats.

8. Ensure constructive feedback and capacity-building of support for staff.

9. Oversee the Department’s development and implementation of policies and guidelines in the context of large-scale emergency responses, including Scale-up operations, emergency operational manual, supply chain management in coordination with DFM and other key internal processes for which the Deputy Director will supervise and direct the  DHRR support measures, in collaboration with relevant divisions and units at Headquarters.

10. Undertake duty travel to oversee the effective implementation of IOM crisis operations and participate in joint missions, including representing the Director on Emergency Director Group (EDG) joint missions when requested in order to ensure that mobility dimensions of crisis and IOM positions are adequately reflected in interagency efforts.

Stakeholder Engagement & Representation

11. Support and provide expert advice to the Director in developing global operational partnerships with relevant governmental, multilateral, and non-governmental partners in coordination with relevant divisions and the Department of External Relations.

12. Support the Director to maintain ongoing dialogue with partners as well as development institutions on migration and mobility trends in crisis operations.

13. Support the Director in IOM’s strategic engagement with Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC), including serving as the Focal Person especially for the IASC Operational Policy and Advocacy Group (OPAG) and representing IOM in the IASC Emergency Directors Group (EDG) when requested.

Management of the Department’s resources and institutional obligations

14. Oversee the coordination and preparation of institutional documents, including among others, the annual report, papers to governing bodies, annual workplans, etc.

15. Support the Director to lead and guide the Department’s contributions to knowledge-sharing systems and reporting obligations in close collaboration with relevant Departments, gender policy, monitoring and evaluation and results-based management.

16. Provide expert support and guidance on budget planning and management for Global Projects for Capacity Building. In consultation with the Director, ensure resources are allocated effectively to meet priority areas and needs.

17. Provide updates to the Director on policies, activities, reports, statistics, and analyses on crisis-related activities and planning undertaken by the Organization.

18. Contribute and participate in Operations Pillar’s retreats and meeting.

19. Act as Officer in Charge during the absence of the Director from Headquarters, ensuring continuity in leadership and decision-making.

20. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Political or Social Sciences, Humanitarian Affairs, International Relations, International Humanitarian Law or a related field from an accredited academic institution with 15 years of relevant professional experience.

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

Experience

• Ten years of operational experience in humanitarian emergencies and/or crisis and post-crisis settings;
• Proven ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams in fast-paced environments while ensuring an inclusive and safe working environment. Previous senior management roles required; and,
• Experience in the mobility dimensions of crisis, including legislation, policy, and direct expert advice/support to governments as well as in liaising with governmental and diplomatic authorities and international institutions.

Skills

• Sound knowledge of financial and business administration and of the principles and practices of management. Experience managing IOM funding streams (e.g., CERF, ECHO, USAID, pooled funds), ensuring donor compliance and reporting requirements;
• Outstanding communication skills, writing, and analytical skills; and,
• Sound knowledge of project cycle as well as of monitoring and evaluation.

Languages

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

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

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

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. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required for individuals hired on or after 15 November 2021. This will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.

Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.

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

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements