Emergency Preparedness and Response Officer

Position Title: Emergency Preparedness and Response Officer

Duty Station: Geneva, Switzerland

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P3

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

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 04 January 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:

1. Internal candidates
2. 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; 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.

Context:

Under the overall supervision of the Deputy Director, Department of Operations and Emergencies and the direct supervision of the Head, Preparedness and Response Division (PRD), the Emergency Preparedness and Response Officer will be responsible for ensuring high-quality support services to IOM’s emergency preparedness and response portfolio globally, in line with Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) guidance and Preparedness and Response Division’s (PRD) strategy.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Oversee and coordinate the Division Support Unit (DSU) of the Preparedness and Response Division, ensuring delivery of DSU’s core workstreams (field support, reporting, knowledge management, and strategy support) in line with Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) humanitarian policies with regard to preparedness and emergency response management.
2. Support Country Offices, Regional Offices, and crisis response teams in the development, review, and endorsement of project proposals, response plans, appeals, and situation reports related to emergency preparedness and response – providing guidance in line with IOM’s Project Development & Implementation Handbook and institutional systems (e.g. PRIMA).
3. Coordinate PRD’s contribution to departmental and institutional resource mobilization efforts such as the Global Crisis Response Platform (GCRP).
4. Liaise with donors and stakeholders in their Headquarters and in the field to ensure strategic and funded emergency preparedness and response programmes, in close cooperation with Donor Relations Division.
5. In close coordination with PRD’s Emergency Response Unit (ERU), provide expert support and contribute to the development and roll out of global appeals and projects on which PRD is acting as lead.
6. Ensure regular reporting within PRD on emerging migration crisis situations around the world, with emphasis on thematic areas such as forced displacement, slow-onset and sudden onset disasters, complex emergencies and caseloads such as internally displaced persons (IDPs), refugees, evacuees and stranded migrants.
7. In coordination with the Head, Preparedness and Response Division, lead institutional reporting exercises, including in relation to IOM’s external commitments, and spearhead internal efforts on related data collection and compliance.
8. Ensure the effective communication and dissemination of information related to PRD’s activities, impact, and strategy, both internally and externally to stakeholders.
9. Support the development and operationalization of PRD’s knowledge management strategy and systems, contributing to the improvement of daily information management practice within PRD and the utilization of knowledge gained through IOM’s emergency preparedness and response experience.
10. In coordination with the ERU, contribute to the development and maintenance of tools and policies to standardize good practice across IOM’s emergency preparedness and response activities, e.g. the Emergency Manual, the Migration Crisis Operational Framework (MCOF), etc.
11. Develop and streamline PRD core indicators, linking internal divisional efforts with broader institutional processes, e.g. the Strategic Results Framework, the Migration Crisis Operational Framework (MCOF), Global Activity Report, etc.
12. Serve as primary Focal Point for drafting the multi-year PRD Strategic Plan and coordinate the review and collection of Key Performance Indicators (KPI) relevant to the priorities identified in the Strategic Plan. Coordinate and manage the evaluation of PRD initiatives and programmes for effectiveness and efficiency, and feed the results into the fit for purpose plan of PRD.
13. Liaise closely with stakeholders in Regional and County Offices,and departments of HQ in carrying out the above.
14. Supervise DSU staff and oversee the recruitment of new staff.
15. Prioritize and allocate DSU workload and resources as required.
16. Undertake duty travel to provide support and assistance to IOM’s Regional and Country Offices as required.
17. Perform other such duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Political or Social Sciences, International Relations, Humanitarian Affairs or a related field from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience; or
• University degree in the above fields with seven years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• Knowledge and experience of different aspects of emergency preparedness for response;
• Experience in the field of emergency response and humanitarian assistance especially in conflict or post-conflict areas;
• Experience working at an international level with the UN, international organizations and non-government organization and in complex humanitarian operations, including conflict and post-conflict situations; and,
• Experience in project development, monitoring and evaluation.

Skills

• Excellent writing, communication and negotiation skills, ability to prepare clear strategic reports and advice;
• Strong familiarity in IOM administrative and financial management, accounting, budget monitoring, cash management and internal control 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 (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish).

For all applicants, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of French and/or 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 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 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 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 2

• 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.

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.