Programme Support Officer (Knowledge Management & Innovation)

Position Title: Programme Support Officer (Knowledge Management & Innovation)

Duty Station: Geneva, Switzerland

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P2

Type of Appointment: Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 30 November 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; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the); Madagascar; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Tonga; Tuvalu; Uzbekistan; Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:

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

Context:

Since joining the UN system and participating in frameworks such as the Global Compact for Migration and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, IOM has increasingly been expected to contribute its policy expertise and field experience to the international debate surrounding migration and migration governance. Additionally, IOM Member States have called for IOM’s knowledge management capacity to be strengthened, including in the 2022 MOPAN (Multilateral Organisation Performance Assessment Network). As such, IOM has identified Knowledge Management (KM) as a key area of institutional investment in its Strategic Vision for 2019-2023 and its upcoming Strategic Plan. Similarly, in line with the UN 2.0 Quintet of Change, IOM has been investing in innovative ways of thinking to scale up solutions and enable synergistic approaches. IOM clearly affirms its ambition to leverage innovation and knowledge management to strengthen policy capacity, programmatic results and operational expertise and to promote transformative processes and solutions for migrants and communities. Innovation and Knowledge management (IKM) are therefore key enablers to enhance organizational effectiveness, result-based management and foster systemic transformation.

The Innovation and Knowledge Management (IKM) unit, situated within the Department of Policy and Research, is the institutional Focal Point on Innovation and Knowledge Management in relation to migration policy and programming. It seeks to strengthen IOM’s policy and programmatic capacities by analysing lessons learned, good practices and innovative approaches to enhance organizational effectiveness. The Unit works to identify methods to leverage innovative approaches and practices and seeks to amplify them through pilot initiatives that strengthen partnerships with governments, the private sector, academia, and innovation networks. It also works to strengthen IOM’s capacity to effectively engage in knowledge and innovation exchanges with the UN system and partners.

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Innovation and Knowledge Management Unit and in close coordination with the Innovation and Knowledge Management Officer, the Programme Support Officer (Knowledge Management & Innovation) will be responsible and accountable for providing support to the process of strengthening of institutional capacities and learning on knowledge management (KM) and innovation and contributing to the enhancement of overall organizational effectiveness.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Provide technical support on the roll out of the IOM Knowledge Management (KM) Strategyand Implementation Plan.
2. Coordinate with IOM’s relevant units and support content curation within the internal IOM Peer Exchange and Learning on Migration (POEM) platform, SharePoint and other knowledge sharing and exchange initiatives.
3. Support the coordination of initiatives within the Working Group on Knowledge Managementand Innovation, composed of KM Focal Points from Headquarters (HQ), Regional Offices (ROs) and Country Offices (COs).
4. Support the internal and external communication efforts of the Unit by contributing to theUnit’s Newsletter, podcast series, infographics, webpage, social media and drafting internal and external communication items.
5. Support the regular maintenance, updating, technical development and testing of POEM andother knowledge platforms.
6. Liaise with Information and Communications Technology (ICT)/OCU on a regular basis toensure the platforms´ functionalities and with KM Focal Points and web administrators to promote linkages with other knowledge portals, initiatives and resources at the CO, RO and HQ levels.
7. In close coordination with the Head of Innovation and Knowledge Management Unit, plan keyactivities to support the strengthening of capacities of IOM staff and partners, and contribute to the development and roll out of guidance on KM standards, approaches and training.
8. Contribute to the development of methods to strengthen innovation capacities of ROs andCOs, partners, and governments to leverage innovation for systems transformation.
9. Review project proposals and monitor implementation of projects with KM and innovationcomponents.
10. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in International Relations, Development Studies, Sociology, Migration Studies 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

• Good project management and communications experience;
• Experience in using NET platforms, SharePoint, Drupal and other web platforms and contentmanagement systems;
• Experience in implementing knowledge management and innovation initiatives; and,
• Experience in communication is an added value.

Skills

• Good understanding of migration issues, trends and policies is an advantage;
• Familiarity with impact evaluations and/or systematic reviews is desirable;
• Strong thematic knowledge on migration-related topics;
• Good communication skills, especially in a multilingual setting; advanced writing skills areparticularly important;
• Analytical, project management and organizational skills, including the ability to prioritize andmanage simultaneous critical tasks;
• Proven ability to work effectively and harmoniously within a team of colleagues from variedcultures and professional backgrounds; • High sense of responsibility and motivation;
• Maturity of judgement to ensure the appropriate management of sensitive issues;
• Demonstrated IT proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, andPowerPoint; and,
• Knowledge of graphic design and multimedia communication tools is an advantage.

Languages

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

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of Spanish 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 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.p df

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 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.