Head of Operations

Position Title: Head of Operations

Duty Station: Kinshasa, Congo, Democratic Republic of the

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: 18 April 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:

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission (CoM), the Head of Operations will be responsible and accountable for the oversight, coordination and resource mobilization of IOM’s humanitarian operations in response to the multiple humanitarian challenges in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) mission.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Lead and coordinate IOM humanitarian programs with a view to ensuring that it is principled, timely, effective and efficient, and contributes to longer-term recovery,

2. Manage IOM’s humanitarian response portfolio, including overseeing and providing guidance and support to the Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM), Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM), Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Shelter & Non-food Items (NFI), Transport and Return Assistance and Health units

3. Identify, train, and supervise IOM humanitarian program staff in accordance with IOM’s procedures and regulations, ensuring financial, administrative, and logistical backstopping when required.

4. Responsible for building synergies within IOM humanitarian portfolio and between projects responding to Complex humanitarian response.

5. Analyse and review project/programme reporting and sitreps and advise the Chief of Missionaccordingly about potentially required adjustments and emerging Complementary opportunities.

6. Oversee the financial management and accountability of Humanitarian AssistanceProgramme and coordinate with finance department to ensure timely and accurate reporting to donors.

7. Provide authoritative technical advice and overall coordination for the development of new projects and programs in line with IOM humanitarian response strategy. Review and endorse the project proposals before submission to relevant departments at IOM regional office and HQ and subsequently to donors.

8. Drive and substantively contribute to the development of IOM Humanitarian response strategy and related appeal(s). Lead contingency planning and the implementation of minimum preparedness actions to support the timely response to sporadic humanitarian crisis.

9. Ensure IOM’s participation to relevant coordination forum such as the inter-cluster working group, the national clusters, and coordinate IOM’s contribution to inter-agency processes (Humanitarian Response Plan and other appeal preparation, Operational peer review and inter-agency humanitarian evaluation, etc.). Represent IOM and the CoM at the Humanitarian Country Team when required.

10. Establish and maintain strong and regular liaison with the project/programme partners including governmental authorities, diplomatic missions, donor representatives, Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), and any other concerned agencies or working groups, aiming at fostering coordination, facilitating program implementation, and supporting resource mobilization efforts.

11. Promote highest standards of accountability to affected population, protection monitoring and protection against sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA) across IOM’s humanitarian programming.

12. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in International Relations, Political Science, Business or Public Administration 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

• Experience in emergency work, including CCCM, support to displaced populations, direct assistance, and implementation of early recovery activities;

• Experience in management, humanitarian and migration-related activities, Complex project implementation, liaison with governments and international agencies;

• Practical experience in IOM administrative and financial management, budget monitoring, cash management and internal control procedures; knowledge of IOM finance, procurement and HR procedures and rules;

• Experience with project development and formulation, project implementation, scheduling, and deployment of resources.

Skills

• Strong management capability and experience, especially in the field of humanitarian assistance;

• Ability to negotiate and resolve operational problem; and,

• Ability to work with in autonomy.

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 and French is required (oral and written).

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.