Chief, Preparedness and Climate Change Adaptation Division

Position Title : Chief, Preparedness and Climate Change Adaptation Division

Duty Station : Geneva, Switzerland

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 : 09 April 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.

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

Antigua and Barbuda; Barbados; Botswana; Cabo Verde; Comoros; Congo (the); Cook Islands; Dominica; Fiji; Grenada; Guinea-Bissau; Holy See; Iceland; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the); Madagascar; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Tonga; Tuvalu; Uzbekistan; Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:

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

Context:

Under the overall supervision of the Deputy Director General for Operations and direct supervision of the Director, Department of Humanitarian Response and Recovery, the Chief, Preparedness, Climate Change Adaptation Division is responsible for managing and leading the effective and timely implementation of IOM’s emergency preparedness globally in line with the Objective 1 of the new IOM Strategic Plan.

The Preparedness and Climate Change Adaptation Division is the institutional focal point for preparedness, anticipatory actions, and climate adaptation programming to reduce the potential impacts of the adverse effects of climate change on communities. Scale up actions are made to support people in fragile contexts who want to stay in their home areas by increasing investments in disaster risk reduction measures and local adaptation.

In addition, the Division has the institutional responsibility to oversee, support and ensure adherence to institution-wide standards on preparedness, anticipatory action and adaptation measures for climate change and environmental degradation, as well as natural hazards leading to disasters and climate change impacts on livelihoods, communities and affected population. The Division reinforces operational efforts to address longer-term environmental drivers of migration and displacement and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR).

The Division functions include capacity building on preparedness readiness and anticipatory actions; programme support on disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation, including risk assessment, hazard prevention and long-term mitigation, community-based risk reduction and nature-based solutions. The Division will also lead the integration of Migrants in Countries in Crisis (MICIC) Initiative Guidelines within IOM operations (from crisis preparedness to post-crisis actions) and support states and other relevant stakeholders in advancing the implementation of the Guidelines.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Manage and coordinate IOM’s emergency preparedness including ensuring IOM’s emergency preparedness meet international standards and coordination requirements by addressing problems when needed and mobilizing IOM-wide resources to support emergency preparedness capacity development, managing development of contingency planning, and promoting IOM’s active participation in national emergency plans and inter-agency exercise on emergency preparedness and simulation exercise.
2. Lead the harmonization of emergency preparedness standards and on minimum preparedness actions and IOM’s global policies and systems for emergency preparedness, capacity development, partnership, external relations and accountability.
3. Scan horizon and early warning systems and ensure readiness planning to trigger greater preparedness and anticipatory actions by strengthening alerts and risk monitoring systems, including supporting state capacity to collect, report and analyse disaster displacement impact.
4. Manage the strategic Preparedness Learning Pathway focusing on states’ emergency preparedness capacities, risk reduction and adaptation capacities, including localized preparedness, DRR/CCA, MICIC approaches by investing in technical and organizational capacities of local partners and advocate for local leadership and partnerships, government engagement and community engagement.
5. Operationalize the IOM Climate Action Roadmap through expanded climate change adaption programming to drive solutions to displacement across the humanitarian, transition, development, and peace nexus.
6. Expand standby partnerships (SBP) and management of the Deployment Roster by supporting the coordination of surge deployments before, during and after crisis.
7. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in political science, social science, international studies, public administration, economics, engineering, earth sciences or a related field 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.

Experience

• At least ten years (twelve years for bachelor’s degree holders) of senior management and leadership experience in both the humanitarian and development field with international organisations, including substantial experience working in developing countries.
• Demonstrated experience leading emergency preparedness programs and climate actions.
• Work experience within the UN system, particularly in leading and/or coordinating institutional reform initiatives, would be a strong advantage; and,
• Work experience managing a team and applying various leadership skills.

Skills

• Demonstrated networking with major humanitarian actors and the humanitarian and development architecture, including the UN, governments, and institutional donors;
• Proven effectiveness in mobilizing and leveraging capacity from others, influencing and networking; and,
• Strong knowledge of the humanitarian sector, Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate community including principles, trends, standards and laws, and understanding of how humanitarian work relates to longer-term development.

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 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.

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 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.

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 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.