Position Title: Head of Programme (Gaza Response)
Duty Station: To be determined
Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P5
Type of Appointment: Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension
Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible
Closing Date: 29 September 2024
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.
Context:
Under the direct supervision of Regional Crisis Coordinator -Gaza Response and in consultation with the Head of Operations – Gaza Response, the Head of Programme (Gaza Response) will be supporting the management, oversight and coordination of all relevant programme operations implemented for the Gaza Response. The operation in Gaza is framed around IOM Strategic Plan to the Gaza Response consisting several areas of operations including the provision of technical expert capacity to United Nations Relief and works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), establishment of a common pipeline and facilitating logistical access to partners operating in Gaza.
The Head of Programme (Gaza Response) will provide direct support to the Common pipeline coordinator, Thematic Technical advisors, programme managers and other staff linked to the Gaza response.
Core Functions / Responsibilities:
STRATEGIC REGIONAL CRISIS PROGRAMME DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING
- Develop, contribute to and promote IOM’s strategy for the Gaza response and support strategic planning, results orientation and operational excellence, project development and implementation in coordination with the Regional Office (RO), Country Offices (COs), Headquarters (HQ), and other relevant stakeholders.
- Stimulate, catalyze and support project development through a comprehensive resource mobilization strategy which includes multilateral and bilateral donors, sectorial partners as well as national stakeholders. Work closely with external crisis coordination mechanisms to contribute to joint resource mobilization efforts.
- Ensure the appropriateness and effectiveness of programmes in line with IOM’s Strategic Plan for the Gaza Response, which will be implemented by IOM’s country offices. 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.
- Continuously advise on IOM’s response, opportunities, challenges and risks and prepare proposals for appropriate action.
- Support key stakeholders, based on the agreed level of visibility of IOM’s response to the Gaza crisis, on the development of appropriate policies, strategies and advocacy messages.
- Advocate for and promote risk management assessments aligned with IOM’s Strategic Plan for the Gaza Response. Ensure that risks are regularly assessed, with priority risks identified and risk treatment plans are in place and embedded in the planning of the response.
REGIONAL GAZA CRISIS OPERATIONAL OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY
- Lead, direct and monitor the project design and implementation, managing and monitoring the allocation and mobilization of human resources financial resources of the programme to ensure timely and successful execution of ongoing operational programmes and the development of new ones.
- Supervise the work of direct reporting staff, including the Common pipeline coordinator, Thematic Technical advisors, programme managers and other staff linked to the Gaza response to achieve objectives of the IOM Strategic Plan to Gaza Response.
- Oversee the selection and recruitment of relevant project staff; supervise and guide staff working under relevant projects and establish the necessary staffing strength and profiles relevant to the implementation of the activities in the thematic areas.
- Contribute to building the capacities of IOM staff through a combination of formal training and on-the-job mentoring.
- Review of donor and other reports for consistency and accuracy and ensure proper information exchange on policy and operational aspects of the projects between IOM, donors and other stakeholders; elaborate general and/or specific information on programme activities as requested by donors/external parties, IOM Missions, Regional Offices, and other relevant counterparts, including at Headquarters.
- Liaise with the Head of Programme and thematic and programme support leads to ensure high quality programming and the mainstreaming of protection, gender, age and disability throughout the design, planning, implementation and monitoring of projects
INTER-AGENCY ENGAGEMENT
- Participate actively within the UN crisis coordination architecture and as requested, represent IOM and ensure alignment of IOM Strategic Plan and the Humanitarian Response Plan for the Gaza response.
- Play an integral role in crisis coordination discussions with internal and external stakeholders, participating in the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Human Affairs (OCHA) and cluster coordination meetings, and ensuring approved plans are appropriately integrated in and represented by IOM’s activities.
- In close coordination with the Regional Crisis Coordinator and Head of Programme and the regional Emergency Coordinators actively pursue opportunities for joint programming, where relevant to IOM’s role within the IOM Strategic Plan to Gazan and the Humanitarian Response Plan, specifically with key partners such us UNRWA and cluster organizations.
- Liaise with OCHA and United Nations Humanitarian Country Team (UN/HCT) and other coordination mechanisms on issues linked to the implementation of programmes stemming from the Humanitarian Response Plan and IOM programming, contributing actively and providing support to the inter-agency planning process and the overall humanitarian strategy. Ensure that IOM’s obligations within the humanitarian cluster system are carried out including on reporting and capacity and reported upon regularly if the cluster system is activated.
- Proactively engage with the UN/HCT on issues related to the prevention of and response to sexual exploitation and abuse and sexual harassment (PSEA/SH), as well as xenophobia and discrimination, in order to strengthen the interagency collective response.
RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
- Direct the operational activities of the Gaza Response and oversee relevant supply chain support in accordance with the IOM’s rules and procedures.
- Report regularly to the Regional Crisis Coordinator-Gaza Response and as requested to the relevant IOM Chief of Missions, Regional Director for Middle East and North Africa (MENA), and other relevant staff on Gaza Response and other HQ based staff and interested partners on progress achieved and developments. Prepare regular and special reports including narrative, impact, policy, financial, evaluation, and statistics covering IOM activities. Prepare briefings and background information requested by the RO, COs and HQ.
KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT
- Facilitate knowledge generation and management through the identification of best practices and lessons learned to ensure more comprehensive and efficient delivery.
- Contribute to the knowledge products development and knowledge service delivery.
- Conduct regular field visits to Country offices part of Gaza response and build strong working relationships with local or regional stakeholders, as relevant, represent IOM at events and meetings, and monitor programme activities within the country where IOM operates.
REPRESENTATION AND STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS
- In coordination with the Regional Crisis Coordinator-Gaza Response, Policy and LiaisonCoordinator and Head of Programme, support the development of partnerships within with partners contributing to the response, mainly UNRWA as part of the IOM-UNRWA Cooperation Agreement and promote liaison with governmental authorities and diplomatic missions, international organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society and the private sector with a view to identifying migration-related areas for developing common activities/ projects in a complementary manner.
- In coordination with the Regional Crisis Coordinator and Head of Programme and the regional Emergency Coordinators, identify needs and priorities for cooperation and project development as well as for fundraising purposes.
- Support the Regional Office and when relevant HQ in the preparation and implementation of high-level meetings, with a view to ensuring high-level participation.
- Support the development of public relations and media activities to promote IOM’s image and programmes, depending on IOM’s agreed level of visibility to the Gaza response.
OTHER
- Support that safety and security management of IOM personnel and assets involved in the Gaza response are addressed, in coordination with the Regional Field Security Officer and Country Offices Field Security Offices, is provided. Contribute to the country offices, involved in the Gaza Response, Business Continuity Plans (BCP) and risk mitigation and management mechanisms are in place.
- Ensure PSEA/SH is mainstreamed in all operations and programming of the Gaza Responseis part of the organizational culture, including but not limited to PSEA/SH awareness raising and training for staff and partners involved, safe and accessible complaints and referral mechanisms exist within programming, and policies on the reporting of sexual and other types of misconduct are followed.
- Perform such other duties that may also include acting as Officer in Charge (OIC) for the Regional Crisis Coordinator-Gaza Response
Required Qualifications and Experience:
Education
- Master’s degree in Development, Political or Social Sciences, Law, International Relations or a related field from an accredited academic institution with ten years of relevant professional experience; or
- A University degree in relevant accredited academic institution with twelve years of relevantprofessional experience.
Experience
- Minimum 7 years of experience in country or field-level humanitarian programmes with displaced populations, both internal and refugee, with programmatic and coordination roles;
- Experience in liaising with inter-agency mechanisms and stakeholders, including within the UN family, Government and donors;
- Experience in developing strategic products for knowledge and information management in a high-pressure environment with multiple stakeholders;
- 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;
- 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; and,
- Experience in the Middle East and North Africa region.
Skills
- Knowledge and experience in both Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) and Refugeecoordination structures;
- Excellent communication skills, both oral and written; Ability to prepare and deliver speeches on various activities of the Organization;
- Strong liaison and negotiation skills;
- 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;
- Demonstrated management processes to develop high impact data visualization, design and data analysis products and tools; and,
- Good level of computer literacy.
Languages
IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish. All staff members are required to be fluent in one of the three languages.
For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of Arabic and/or another official UN language (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.
Notes
Previous applicants do not need to re-apply.
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 3
- 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 level 3
- 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.
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. For this staff category, candidates who are nationals of the duty station’s country cannot be considered eligible.
Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and background verification 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.
How to apply
Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications HERE via PRISM, IOM e-Recruitment system, by 29 September 2024 at the latest, referring to this advertisement.
IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment system. The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
For further information please refer to: www.iom.int/recruitment
No Fees:
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.
Requisition: VN 2024 441 Head of Programme (Gaza Response) (P5) To Be Determined (59006419) Released
Posting: Posting NC59006420 (59006420) Released
