Head of Intergovernmental Processes and Civil Society Liaison Unit

Position Title: Head of Intergovernmental Processes and Civil Society Liaison Unit

Duty Station: Panama City, Panama

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: 01 June 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. 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; 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; Seychelles; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Timor-Leste; Tonga; Tuvalu; Uzbekistan; Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:

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

Context:

In response to the massive outflow of the large-scale population movements registered in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), as a result of the political, socio-economic and human rights situation in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, and line with its mandate, IOM is one of the agencies taking part in the implementation the Regional Refugee and Migrant Response Plan in 17 countries in the LAC region. As of February 2023, more than 7.1 million refugees and migrants from Venezuela are outside their country of origin, with 6 million in the LAC Region alone.

Following the UN Secretary General’s request to IOM and UNHCR to co-lead the regional interagency response, the Office of the Director General’s Special Envoy for the Regional Response to the Venezuela Situation (hereinafter OSE) was established in 2019 to coordinate IOM´s response to the Venezuelan Situation. The OSE, located in Panama City, oversees coordination and operational programming for 17 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), which operate under the framework of the Regional Refugee and Migrant Response Plan (RMRP) while serving as co-lead with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) of the Intern-Agency Coordination Platform, Response for Venezuela (R4V) and co-lead as well of the Technical Secretariat for the Quito process.

Under the overall supervision of the Director General General’s Special Envoy for the Regional Response to the Venezuela Situation and the direct supervision of the Head of Operations of the DG’s Special Envoy for the Regional Response to the Venezuelan Situation (OSE), the Head of Intergovernmental Processes and Civil Society Liaison Unit will have the overall responsibility of promoting the implementation of the Quito Process Action Plan and other potential regional or sub-regional country-led processes and plans fostering the response and assistance to the Organizations of Venezuelan refugees and migrants in the region. In addition, the successful candidate will serve as the mail focal point in the office for leading all OSE regional initiatives with diaspora and Civil Society Organizations.

For the implementation of the Head of Intergovernmental Processes and Civil Society Liaison Unit responsibilities and as a member of the Technical Secretariat of the Quito Process, they will have the permanent support of the regional and national platforms. they will be specifically responsible for:

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Oversee implementation, content development, budget planning, and financial management to the Intergovernmental Processes and Civil Society Liaison Unit related to the Quito Process commitments as well as other regional and country-led processes and plans fostering the support of Organizations of Venezuelan refugees and migrants.
2. Support the Special Envoy with the coordination of all meetings and processes with key governmental and non-governmental actors that are participating in the Quito Process, with the aim to foster the response and assistance to refugees and migrants from Venezuela in the region.
3. Lead the work of the Office of the Special Envoy with the Diaspora Organizations. Maintain and/or develop relationships with Civil Society Organizations, especially Venezuelan Organizations, working in the area of research, visibility, capacity building and trainings.
4. Negotiate and implement cooperation agreements with different civil society organizations and private sector.
5. Provide authoritative advice, guidance and inputs for the development of new project proposals that have a direct link with civil society organizations and / or requires a direct level of coordination with the Quito process.
6. Coordinate and represent IOM in the implementation of relevant components of projects of humanitarian assistance, protection and socio-economic integration, funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), the Bureau for Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM) of the US Government, the Canada Government and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID).
7. Lead the IOM´s strategy on the involvement of private sector and the development banks and other financial entities as a key component of the socio-economic integration of Venezuelan Refugees and Migrants and the development of host communities.
8. Coordinate the relationship with local governments and develop activities with them to capture best practices and strengthen their capacities in the response to the flows of Venezuelan migrants and refugees.
9. Lead the implementation of the Declaration, Routemap, Plan of Action, and other decisions of the Quito Process Member States, as required by the Presidencies Pro-Tempore, in association with the regional and national offices of IOM and UNHCR, as well as with other relevant entities, wherever necessary. Develop a coherent regional inclusive strategic approach to the Quito Process, other inter-governmental fora (Organization American States, Mercosur, “Comunidad Andina de Naciones”, etc.) and the Organizations of Venezuelan migrants and refugees.
10. Regularly update an assessment and a mapping exercise of the Organization of Venezuelan migrants and refugees in each of the receptor countries of Venezuelans.
11. Propose and support the Presidencies Pro Tempore of the Quito Process in the development of agenda for their meetings, follow up to the outcomes, and to organize the logistics of all its events.
12. Coordinate with relevant colleagues internally and externally, on the support that IOM provides to UNHCR/IOM Joint Special Representative, and the Quito Process meetings, Declarations, and activities.
13. Prepare progress reports on the implementation of these terms of reference. Contribute to joint reports prepared with UNHCR and other partners on the Quito Process. Develop talking points, and communicational material, and produce other types of documents as required.
14. Organize regular and ad-hoc technical meetings, training and other events under the regional coordination of the Pro Tempore Presidency, and in coordination with UNHCR.
15. Maintain frequent formal and informal contacts with IOM colleagues in Headquarters (HQ), Regional Offices (ROs), and Country Offices (COs), ensuring that proper coordination is conducted.
16. Identify emerging issues and contribute to the development of thematic reports.
17. Promote the sign of cooperation agreements with counterparts involved in the Quito Processmatters and monitor the implementation of these agreements.
18. Serve as main focal point in the office in coordinating with all civil society and diaspora organizations and networks such for instance as CAVEX (Camaras de Empresarios Ejecutivos y Emprendedores Venezolanos en el Exterior) and the Federation of Diaspora Organizations “Coalición por Venezuela.”
19. Supervise a multi-cultural team comprised of permanent and temporary staff of theInter-Governmental and Civil Society Organizations Unit.
20. Undertake duty travel concerning policy developments and liaising with counterparts.
21. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Political or Social Sciences, Business Administration, International Relations, Law 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

• Substantial experience in the design and implementation and development of projects with large-scale donations, with experience in the field of research, monitoring and evaluation;
• Proven experience with strategic planning approaches, information/data analysis, budget control and report writing;
• Experience in governmental procedures and policies;
• Previous experience working on social projects, such as strengthening social inclusion and promoting the rights of migrants and refugees;

Skills

• Solid expertise in intergovernmental processes and liaison with Civil Society Organizations and other organizations;
• Substantive experience in dealing and supporting migrant organizations and in promoting and implementing migration policies;
• Solid knowledge in program planning and implementation of objectives;
• Familiarity with inter-agency coordination mechanisms and processes could be an advantage.

Languages

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

For this position, fluency in Spanish and English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of Portuguese or 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 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. 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.ernal Candidates