Programme Officer (WASH) (Climate and Environment Lead)

Position Title: Programme Officer (WASH) (Climate and Environment Lead)

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: 16 October 2024

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; Comoros; Congo (the); Cook Islands; Guinea-Bissau; Holy See; Iceland; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the); Madagascar; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Samoa; Sao Tome and Principe; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Tonga; Tuvalu; Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:

All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states.

Context:

Over recent years, IOM has significantly expanded its operational presence in the WASH sector, emerging as one of the foremost recipients of humanitarian WASH funding, with interventions spanning 61 countries as of December 2022. In recognition of climate change as a key driver of migration and the concerning climate outlook for the future, IOM has prioritized climate action as a core aspect of its agenda and priorities. This approach underscores the undeniable link between climate change and migration, emphasizing the critical role of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) in addressing climate-induced mobility. As climate change manifests through extreme weather events, prolonged droughts, and rising sea levels, it directly affects the availability and accessibility of clean water sources, sanitation facilities, and overall hygiene conditions. Consequently, the integration of climate resilience measures into WASH programs has become imperative to ensure sustainable and effective humanitarian responses while addressing evolving environmental challenges. This commitment has also led IOM to assume a leadership role in the specialized field of climate change within WASH, as it currently spearheads the Global WASH Cluster Climate Change Working Group (CC WG).

Under the overall supervision of the Head of Humanitarian Operations Division, and direct supervision of the Global WASH Coordinator; and in collaboration with other thematic areas or sectors within IOM, particularly liaising with the Migration, Environment, Climate Change and Risk Reduction (MECR) Division and the Environmental Sustainability Unit (ESU). The WASH Officer (Climate and Environment lead) will advise on climate and environmental aspects in WASH, provide technical assistance to missions, develop position papers and guidance notes, support country missions in climate adaptation and environmental sustainability projects, and lead the CC WG.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Strategy

• Support strategic planning, coordination and implementation of IOM WASH projects, emphasizing climate and environment integration.
• Provide climate and environment inputs for IOM WASH strategy development at global, regional and country level.
• Lead activities from the IOM Global WASH Strategic Plan 2023-2026 to achieve climate and environment-related objectives.
• Foster strategic alliances with climate and environment stakeholders internal and external toIOM for WASH program enhancement.
• Represent IOM in global processes and commitments, ensuring IOM climate and environment WASH efforts are recognized, and contribute to related reports.

2. Resource Mobilization

• Proactively identify opportunities, funding sources and strategic partnerships to expand the IOM WASH portfolio and ensure adequate funding and focus on climate and environmental aspects.

3. Technical and Surge Support

• Provide technical support to IOM Country Offices for integrating climate and environmental aspects into WASH programming.
• Develop and share guidance and tools for addressing climate and environment issues within IOM WASH operations and with the Global WASH Cluster (e.g. through the IOM WASH Community of Practice, GWC Coordination Toolkit and Resource Center, WASH Hub, Humanitarian library, etc.)
• Facilitate the inclusion of climate and environmental considerations in transitional WASHprogramming through consultations, case studies and tailored guidance.
• Support in the review of WASH proposals, reports and other documentation developed by IOMCountry Offices and Regional Offices.
• Provide surge support to IOM country offices as required.

4. Human Resources

• Expand IOM WASH diversified channels to acquire human resources, to support IOM country offices in short term and long-term climate and environmental WASH related recruitments.

5. Coordination

• Lead and coordinate the CC WG.
• Collaborate with relevant stakeholders (e.g. IOM Global WASH Coordinator, CC WG co-lead and members, Global WASH Cluster, etc) to exchange best practices related to climate change in humanitarian WASH and ensure coordinated activities.
• Foster integration of climate, environment and WASH into institutional frameworks across various IOM divisions, in particular the MECR Division and ESU.
• Develop a CC WG workplan with clear deliverables that adhere to the CC WG Terms of Reference.
• Work with the WASH Officer (Partnerships and Capacity Building Lead) to map out existing learning resources and identify gaps related to climate change and humanitarian WASH and ensure that the CC WG contributes to strengthening WASH sector capacity.
• Work with the WASH Officer (Knowledge Management Lead) to contribute climate and environment indicators to the Global WASH Monitoring and Evaluation Framework.

6. Perform other duties that may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Geology, Public Health 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

• International experience in WASH programming across various contexts;
• Extensive collaboration experience with diverse sectors and partners including network building and coordination; and,
• Previous experience working in a cluster system is an advantage.

Skills

• In-depth understanding of the implications of climate change on the WASH sector and ability to provide guidance on climate risk and responses; and,
• Demonstrated capacity to promote knowledge sharing and knowledge products.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish. All staff members are required to be fluent in one of the three languages.

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and 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 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.

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 background verification 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.