Programme Officer (Return and Reintegration)

Position Title: Programme Officer (Return and Reintegration)

Duty Station: Bangkok, Thailand

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P2

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

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 05 July 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; 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.

Context:

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Thailand implements a range of national and regional projects aimed at addressing migration challenges and delivering increased protection and assistance to vulnerable migrants in partnership with government, civil society and private sector counterparts.

Under the framework of the Asia Regional Migration program and other Voluntary Return and Reintegration Programs, IOM supports the development of sustainable solutions to reduce systemic vulnerabilities and to provide increased support to vulnerable migrants, including stranded migrants, victims of trafficking, asylum seekers, unaccompanied minors, and exploited and abused migrants. Projects, including those designed to support Bali Process Member States, support in the delivery of protection and assistance to vulnerable and stranded migrants, assistance for voluntary return, as well as the reintegration of migrants through the provision of a wide range of services, in line with IOMs integrated approach to reintegration. This includes reintegration counselling as well as economic, social and psychosocial assistance at the individual, collective and community levels.

Through research, policy interventions, technical and capacity-building interventions, IOM aims to strengthen the technical and material capacities of the authorities and organizations, with a view to improving the governance and management of migration.

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission (CoM) of IOM Thailand, and the direct supervision of the Head of the Migrant Assistance and Counter Trafficking Unit (MACTU), the incumbent will be responsible for the implementation of the Return and Reintegration portfolio of IOM Thailand.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Supervise and coordinate the successful implementation of national and regional programming on return and reintegration managed by IOM Thailand, providing technical inputs and support to relevant thematic focal points and field team members.
2. Monitor project activities by project staff and relevant implementing partners including reporting, communications, and monitoring and evaluation activities, as well as budgetary, administrative, procurement and technical aspects in line with IOM policies and procedures, and donor requirements.
3. Act as a technical focal point and liaise with IOM country offices to ensure the provision of adequate assistance in Bali Process Member States.
4. Monitor and encourage appropriate case and data management of beneficiaries, including entering case data into IOM databases (MIMOSA) and proper filing in accordance with IOM Data Protection Principles.
5. Facilitate the integration of protection in the provision of return and reintegration and ensure coordination with relevant units, including for assistance to vulnerable migrants (victims of trafficking, unaccompanied and separated minors, and migrants with health concerns).
6. Supervise and train staff assigned to the projects and monitor the work of consultants recruited to support and/or undertake specific activities
7. Closely coordinate with the Head of MACTU and Resource Management Unit to facilitate efficient and transparent use of funds and swift and high-quality delivery of activities.
8. Coordinate the timely preparation of project reports, dashboards, and other communications and check alignment with donor requirements and IOM standards and procedures.
9. Track project progress, propose action to expedite project delivery, and identify and document significant project events, decisions, problems, or deviations.
10. Encourage best practices on return and reintegration programming across missions, including through facilitating mainstreaming of existing tools, guidelines and strategic approaches on return, readmission and reintegration, aligned with institutional policies and protection principles; provide feedback to RTS and HQ colleagues on emerging needs for further guidance.
11. Assist with strengthening the capacity, coordination and referral efforts with government entities, embassies, implementing partners, UN agencies, private sector, and other stakeholders involved in carrying out assisted returns in the country and in Bali Process Member States.
12. In close coordination with the Head of MACTU, contribute to project development effort through drafting concept notes and project proposals.
13. Participate in relevant meetings, conferences, workshops, working groups, interagency coordination meetings, and other forums on return and reintegration and migrant protection.
14. Undertake duty travel relating to project implementation, monitoring visits, project assessments, liaison with counterparts, among others.
15. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Political or Social Sciences, International Relations, Development Studies, Law 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 in project development, implementation, support and/or programme management;
• Experience in the areas of return and reintegration, readmission and/or protection programming, including through the provision of assistance to vulnerable migrant populations (e.g. unaccompanied or separated migrant children, victims of trafficking, migrants with health or MHPSS needs);
• Experience providing support to national efforts in the area of policy, technical and capacity building and research;
• Experience in building effective working relationships with government counterparts, UN agencies and/or non-governmental organizations;
• Knowledge of migration and protection issues in the context of Asia and the Pacific a distinct advantage; and,
• Experience working in South East Asia an advantage.

Skills

• In depth theoretical and practical knowledge of IOM’s guidelines and guidance notes on migrant protection and assisted voluntary return and reintegration, and readmission;
• Understanding of migration dynamics and their impact on migrants’ vulnerabilities;
• Strong analytical skills and demonstrated managerial and organizational ability;
• Knowledge of project management cycle and demonstrated experience in managing projects in a humanitarian and cooperation development context;
• Excellent writing and synthesis skills, and experience in report writing, including the development of recommendations for policy makers; and,
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment.

Languages

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

For this position, fluency in English 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.