Position Title: Programme Officer (Migration, Environment and Climate Change (MECC))
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: 18 April 2023
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
- Candidates from the following non-represented member states:
Antigua and Barbuda; Aruba (Netherlands); Botswana; Cabo Verde; Comoros; Congo (the); Cook Islands; Curaçao; Fiji; Grenada; Guinea-Bissau; Holy See; Iceland; Kingdom of Eswatini; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the); Madagascar; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Samoa; 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:
IOM has engaged in migration, environment, climate change and disaster risk reduction since the early 1990s. IOM’s vision on Migration, Environment, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction is to support States in their efforts to achieve orderly, safe, responsible, and regular international migration and to ensure that all people on the move and those internally displaced by the adverse impacts of climate change, environmental degradation, and disasters due to natural hazards, are assisted and protected. In this regard, IOM`s activities reinforce local and national initiatives to prevent and prepare for disasters and related population movements, provide emergency assistance and protection where displacement cannot be avoided, and foster post-disaster recovery solutions and resilience-building.
In line with the IOM Institutional Strategy on Migration, Environment and Climate Change 2021-2030, the Organization pursues three broad objectives in managing environmental migration, intervening at each stage of the migration cycle:
- “Solutions for people to move” – Managing migration in the context of climate change, environmental degradation, and disasters due to natural hazards.
- “Solutions for people on the move” – Assisting and protecting migrants and displaced persons in the context of climate change, environmental degradation, and disasters due to natural hazards.
- “Solutions for people to stay” – Making migration a choice by building resilience and addressing the adverse climatic and environmental drivers that compel people to move.
Under the overall supervision of the Head of Migration, Environment, Climate Change and Risk Reduction (MECR) Division and direct supervision of the Thematic Specialist on Migration, Environment, Climate Change and Risk Reduction (MECR), and in collaboration with other MECR colleagues and relevant Divisions at Headquarters and Regional Offices, the successful candidate will contribute to institutional and policy processes, project management and implementation, the MECR communication strategy, partnerships, events, and reports.
Core Functions / Responsibilities:
- Assist the Head of Division and the Thematic Specialist in implementing the IOM- Institutional Strategy on Migration, Environment and Climate Change, 2021-2030, including with the management and implementation of the respective project.
- Contribute to global policy processes, including on children and youth, indigenous peoples, diaspora, gender and health by providing technical inputs on migration, environment, climate change and risk reduction, and actively participating in conferences, workshops and meetings related to the thematic area of expertise, as required.
- Act as Focal Point for MECR engagement with youth representatives, groups or organizations, including by fostering youth engagement on MECR, coordinating IOMs active contribution to the UNFCCC Conference of Youth and other relevant youth forums, and supporting youth engagement in IOMs main events throughout the year, including at COP28.
- Coordinate the MECR Division’s contributions to institutional policy processes and mechanisms, such as the International Dialogue on Migration, IOM Council, SCPF, annual report.
- Maintain partnerships with key stakeholders, including UNICEF, the Climate Vulnerable Forum, Member and Observer States, Civil Society and other stakeholders at the global and regional level.
- Coordinate, in partnership with the IOM Media and Communication Unit, the implementation of the MECR Division Communication Strategy, MECR campaigns, the MECR monthly newsletter, MECR social media accounts.
- Coordinate knowledge management for the MECR Division in collaboration with other IOM Divisions, including with development of knowledge products, maintenance of internal working spaces, platforms as well as external ones, like the Environmental Migration Portal.
- Contribute to and facilitate the development and dissemination of relevant reports, publications, guidance documents, talking points, and briefings on MECR.
- Undertake duty travel as required.
- Perform such other duties as may be assigned.
Required Qualifications and Experience:
Education
- Master’s degree in International Relations, Law, Diplomacy, Social Sciences, Political Science or a related field from an accredited academic institution with two years of relevant professional experience; or
- University degree in the above fields with four years of relevant professional experience.
Experience
- Experience in and knowledge of migration, environment and climate change policy, projects, communication, and research;
- Experience in and knowledge of IOM institutional objectives and procedures;
- Experience in policy and strategy development;
- Experience in project implementation and reporting;
- Experience in communication with a focus on migration, environment, climate change and disaster risk reduction;
- Experience of working with cross-functional teams in a dynamic multicultural environment;
- Experience in liaison work with international organization, international forums of countries, civil society members, youth individuals and youth groups and other relevant organizations;
- Experience in youth engagement on migration, environment, climate change and disaster risk reduction, desirable;
- Experience working with IOM Member States and other stakeholders, desirable.
Skills
- Proven analytical and organizational skills, including the ability to prioritize and manage simultaneous critical tasks;
- Capacity to work independently under pressure with tight deadlines;
- Excellent relationship-building skills and ability to drive consensus among diverse stakeholders with tact and discretion;
- High level of professionalism and ability to work under pressure and adhere to strict deadlines;
- Proven strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively and harmoniously with colleagues from varied cultures and professional backgrounds;
- Excellent knowledge management and communication skills, especially in a multilingual setting;
- Great analytical and creative thinking;
- High sense of responsibility and motivation;
- Excellent, proven skills in drafting documents and analytical papers;
- IT proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Teams as well as experience with virtual coworking tools and website management, and excellent online communication and social media skills.
Languages
IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish.
For this position, fluency in English and Spanish 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.
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 five 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 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 actions and delegated work.
- Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.
IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link.
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. 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.
