Deputy Project Manager, RSC MENA

Position Title: Deputy Project Manager, RSC MENA

Duty Station: Amman, Jordan

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P4

Type of Appointment: Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 14 July 2022

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; Aruba (Netherlands); Botswana; Cabo Verde; Comoros; Congo (the); Cook Islands; Cuba; Curaçao; Fiji; Grenada; Guinea-Bissau; Guyana; Holy See; Iceland; Kingdom of Eswatini; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the); Latvia; Libya; Madagascar; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Montenegro; Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Samoa; Sao Tome and Principe; 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 of IOM and female candidates.

Context:

The United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) operates world-wide with a target of providing resettlement opportunities to many thousands of refugees each year. IOM provides a range of services and support to the USRAP including, but not limited to, case processing, migration health assessments, cultural orientation training, organized transportation and administration of a travel loan and collections program. The Department of Operations and Emergencies (DOE), specifically the Resettlement and Movement Division (RMM), has the organizational responsibility to provide direction, oversight and guidance to IOM’s global support to all resettlement programs.

Under the United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), the Resettlement Support Center (RSC) provides critical support and processing services for refugee resettlement to the US. As part of an MOU between IOM and the US State Department Bureau for Population Refugees and Migration (PRM), IOM manages the RSC for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Established in 2007, RSC MENA manages US resettlement activities in Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Libya, Kuwait, Morocco, Oman, Qatar Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen. RSC MENA prepares refugee applications for adjudication by and provides support to visiting US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officers, facilitates security and medical screenings, provides information about arriving refugees to resettlement agencies in the US and offers Cultural Orientation (CO) training to refugees departing for the US.

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, RSC MENA in Amman, Jordan and the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission in Amman, Jordan, the successful candidate will be responsible for supporting the overall management of the Resettlement Support Center (RSC) MENA under the guidance of the Project Manager, RSC MENA.

The region supported by the Deputy Project Manager, RSC MENA, is large in scope, comprised of numerous types of working environments that may include urban, rural and camp settings, and has a number of locations that are operationally complex and logistically challenging. This may include, but is not limited to, areas containing intra-, inter- and/or non-state conflict, areas of extreme political sensitivity and/or volatility, border regions, hardship locations and remote locations. Some of these locations currently or will in the future have sub-offices under the technical supervision of the Deputy Project Manager, RSC MENA. Travel to all locations of operational importance in the region for the purposes of monitoring and oversight, including to remote and hardship areas and to areas with a wide variety of security advisories, is expected.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. In coordination with the Project Manager, RSC MENA, support the oversight of the RSC MENA hub in Amman, Jordan, RSC MENA remote sites in Cairo, Egypt, Doha, Qatar, New Delhi, Erbil, Iraq and Baghdad, Iraq, and RSC activities in other locations throughout the countries covered by the RSC MENA portfolio. Oversight includes technical assistance, staff training, development and succession planning, executing efficient circuit rides, developing and standardizing regional operating procedures, responding to refugee case inquiries and maintaining the security and confidentiality of RSC interactions and refugee records per PRM Program Announcement 2014-05, Revised Guidelines for the Treatment of Refugee Records and all relevant attachments.
2. Provide daily management and supervision of activities undertaken by Communications, Compliance and Cultural Orientation and remote site staff members, including training and technical assistance, and ensure effective cooperation between designated activities and other IOM units.
3. Supervise and oversee Communications, Compliance and Cultural Orientation and remote site staff, ensuring activities are completed in an efficient and accurate manner in accordance with Worldwide Refugee Processing System (WRAPS), Department of Homeland Security (DHS) / United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), United States Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, Migration (PRM) and Resettlement Support Center (RSC) guidelines.
4. Oversee the selection of new RSC staff, particularly in relation to Communications, Compliance and Cultural Orientation and remote sites, including preparation of Terms of Reference (TORs) and other recruitment matters in coordination with the Project Manager, RSC MENA. Oversee performance evaluations for staff as required.
5. Report regularly to the Project Manager, RSC MENA on all RSC-related Communications, Compliance and Cultural Orientation and remote site activities. Fill in for the Deputy Project Manager and Project Manager, RSC MENA as needed on all RSC MENA activities.
6. Use reports to monitor the RSC pipeline and take appropriate action to address backlogs and ensure proper pipeline development.
7. Monitor and ensure quality control over all processing activities. Identify procedures that can be improved and take appropriate measures to ensure implementation.
8. Ensure efficient processing of urgent and sensitive cases. Maintain and ensure confidentiality of all RSC matters, in accordance with the PRM Programme Announcement 2005-1, Revised Guidance on Confidentiality of State Department Refugee Records and RSC Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) as well as subsequent guidelines and instructions.
9. Support the Project Manager, RSC MENA in communicating and coordinating with external partners, including the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and PRM. Develop and maintain a positive working relationship between staff members in the RSC and external counterparts.
10. Represent RSC MENA at meetings, workshops and international conferences as needed and prepare reports, briefings, background information, narratives and statistical reporting as required.
11. Pro-actively implement fraud prevention measures in all aspects of program delivery in accordance with IOM policies and PRM Fraud Prevention and Mitigation Measures. Bring to the attention of the Project Manager, RSC MENA any non-compliance of staff or other areas of concern and provide plans for improvements that will maintain the integrity of RSC activities in MENA.
12. Update staff members of changes in workflow and/or procedures, and provide additional training as required.
13. Alert the Project Manager, RSC MENA of any non-compliance of staff under direct supervision and suggest possible improvements in order to properly support the overall development of RSC MENA.
14. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Social Science, International Relations, Regional Studies, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with seven years of relevant professional experience, or;
• University degree in the above fields with nine years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• A minimum of seven years (or nine years of experience for candidates with a 1st level degree)of field and regional management experience in USRAP projects in at least two different regions;
• Service within the USRAP at two levels below this position (for instance, experience serving as a Project Officer and Sr. Project Officer in relation to an application for the position of Deputy Project Manager);
• Experience in project cycle management with particular emphasis on the USRAP;
• Experience serving as a donor liaison and writing donor reports;
• Experience managing staff at various levels and from a range of cultural backgrounds, including teams of international staff; and
• Experience working in USRAP for other organizations or agencies is a plus.

Skills

• Demonstrated record of establishing and maintaining good working relationships with governmental and diplomatic authorities, national, regional and international institutions, as well as civil society actors;
• Experience serving as a donor liaison and writing donor reports;
• Knowledge of USRAP and IOM financial management and budgetary procedures.

Languages

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

External applicants for all positions in the Professional category are required to be proficient in English and have at least a working knowledge of one additional UN Language (French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian or Chinese).

For all applicants, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of Arabic 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 three values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: respects and promotes individual and cultural differences; encourages diversity and inclusion wherever possible.
• 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.

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 action 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 potential.
• Empowering others & building trust: creates an atmosphere of trust and an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
• Strategic thinking and vision: works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.

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. 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 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.