Head of Sub-Office

Position Title: Head of Sub-Office

Duty Station: Nouadhibou, Mauritania

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P3

Type of Appointment: Special short-term graded, six months with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 09 June 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. Candidates 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.

Context:

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is an intergovernmental organization created in 1951 which occupies a leading position on the migratory scene. Composed of 173-member states, plus eight other states with observer status, IOM has offices in more than 100 countries. IOM works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners to help ensure the orderly and humane management of migration, to promote international cooperation on migration issues, to assist in the search for practical solutions to migration problems and to provide humanitarian assistance to migrants in need, including refugees and internally displaced people. Since September 2016, IOM has become the United Nations migration agency. IOM has been present in Mauritania since 2006 and currently has its main office in Nouakchott and sub-offices in Bassiknou, Selibabi and Nouadhibou.

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Mission for IOM Mauritania and in coordination with relevant units within IOM Mauritania, the successful candidate will be in charge of coordinating all activities implemented by IOM in Nouadhibou, with a particular focus on supporting migration management, migrant’s protection and relations with the local authorities and partners.

They will provide all necessary support and supervision for the effective and timely implementation of activities in Dakhlet Nouadhibou, including Chami, Nouadhibou, PK50, etc., and for the efficient supervision of the sub-office.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Liaise with local authorities and partners for the smooth running of all programs implemented by IOM in Nouadhibou and for facilitating the inclusion of IOM in coordination and decision forums in the area.
2. Maintain and work to strengthen existing partnerships between IOM and local actors such as public health providers, national NGOs and migrants’ associations, and research and recommend new partnerships as needed in order to contribute to the actions taken at Nouakchott level.
3. Supervise the activities of IOM programs in Nouadhibou and the partnerships established with implementing partners, including the revision of reports, the organisation of regular visits and meetings, the coordination of activities on the ground, and the provision of IOM technical guidance when needed, in close coordination with Project managers, Protection, Integrated Border Management (IBM) and Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) officers.
4. Liaise with relevant UN agencies and all civil society actors present in the city to facilitate coordinated efforts in terms of management of challenges and opportunities presented by mixed migratory flows passing through Nouadhibou.
5. Supervise the team in charge of the provision of direct assistance and protection services to migrants stranded in Nouadhibou, as well as other relevant positions deployed in Nouadhibou office, in close coordination with the Protection Officer and the Project managers.
6. Provide technical guidance and coordinate the sub-office team and IPs in relation to the implementation of activities, especially in complex situations such as disembarkations of migrants and refugees, alternatives to detention, or complex humanitarian cases, in close coordination with the Protection Officer in Nouakchott and/or the heads of other units.
7. Supervise the budget and administrative management of Nouadhibou based activities and liaise with UNHCR on the joint running of the office in close coordination with the CO’s Resources Management unit.
8. Facilitate visibility of the donor and IOM in implementation of project activities, in close coordination with the Project Support Unit.
9. Ensure regular communication with IOM Nouakchott through the collection and sharing of information and data on the activities of the sub-office and developments in relevant areas that can potentially affect IOM programs. Ensure regular reporting to the Chief of Mission.
10. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in project/program management, Development, law, Statistics, Political or Social Sciences, International Affairs, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with two years of relevant professional experience; or
• University degree in the above fields with four years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• Experience as head of office/sub office with international NGOs, UN agencies or similar;
• Experience in supervising and coordinating small to medium sized teams;
• Experience in positions requiring communication and coordination with local authorities and partners at a local level;
• Experience in project implementation and budget monitoring, including grants administration and budgetary supervision of an office;
• Previous related experience in the West African, North Africa or Atlantic Route counties is an advantage.

Skills

• Excellent drafting ability and analytical skills, in particular the ability to draft papers of high quality primarily in French;
• Good knowledge of internal and international migration issues;
• A good knowledge of the migration context along the Atlantic Route is an advantage;
• Good knowledge of IOM programs and realms of expertise, such as Migrant’s protection (AVRR, direct assistance, alternatives to detention), Integrated Border Management, Displacement Tracking Matrix, Disaster Risk Reduction, or other;
• Excellent analytical skills, including the ability to perform a variety of conceptual analyses required for the development, implementation, or evaluation of projects;
• Tact, diplomacy and excellent communication skills;
• Ability to work independently and proactively to react to complex situations;
• Good knowledge of project formulation, administration and evaluation techniques and practices;
• Good level of computer literacy.

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). Working knowledge of Arabic and/or any local language is a great 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 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.