Project Officer (Health and Emergencies)

Position Title: Project Officer (Health and Emergencies)

Duty Station: Geneva, Switzerland

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade UG

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

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 24 March 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.

Internal and external candidates will be considered for this vacancy. For the purposes of this vacancy, internal candidates are defined as staff members holding a regular, fixed-term or short-term graded or ungraded contract, including Junior Professional Officers (JPOs), staff on Special Leave Without Pay (SLWOP), and staff members on secondment/loan released by the Organization, unless otherwise specified in their contract. Staff members holding a regular, fixed-term or short-term graded contract will not retain their contract type if appointed to an ungraded position.

Context:

As a formal partner of the World Health Organization (WHO), and as a member of the Strategic Advisory Group of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Global Health Cluster, and the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN), IOM is a key player in preparing for and responding to humanitarian and public health emergencies, as well as supporting health system recovery and resilience. In addition to being an essential part of IOM’s humanitarian mandate, health in emergencies is recognized by the Organization’s Migration Crisis Operational Framework (MCOF) as being one of the sectors of assistance to address before, during and after crises. IOM’s emergency health programming includes the provision of direct health-care services, health promotion, mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), as well as outbreak preparedness and response. IOM’s health response in emergencies works in close coordination with other sectors and units, including Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM), as well as Gender-based Violence (GBV) risk mitigation and response, enabling a multisectoral approach to address the health needs of vulnerable populations.

With migration and human mobility at the core of the organization’s mandate, MHD’s approach to responding to disease outbreaks and preparing for future health threats is particularly anchored upon human mobility, notably through the Health, Border and Mobility Management (HBMM) framework. Understanding human mobility dynamics is essential for the development of public health interventions to prevent, detect and respond to international health threats, and support the implementation of the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005).

Under the overall guidance of the Director of the Migration Health Division at IOM Headquarters and the direct supervision of the Senior Programme Officer – Health and Emergencies, the Project Officer (Health and Emergencies) will support the Senior Programme Officer – Health and Emergencies to contribute to the overall coordination of IOM’s emergency health operations in humanitarian settings and for public health emergency preparedness and response.

The incumbent is expected to carry out the duties in accordance with strictest ethical standards, safety of IOM personnel, building and maintaining of partnership with agencies and Governments, and with due respect for gender and socio-cultural sensitivities

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Assist in establishing and promoting global technical policy guidance and provide programmatic and operational support to IOM’s overall health response to crisis affected populations in close coordination with other Migration Health Division (MHD) technical areas such, as Mental Health and Psychosocial Response and Inter-Cultural Communications, research, policy and partnerships, assistance to vulnerable migrants and the Health Assessment Programme.

2. Engage and actively coordinate with the Preparedness and Response Division (PRD) of the Department of Operations and Emergency (DOE) and other Departments at Headquarters and field offices in emergency preparedness and response; support the development and integration of health programmes into IOM’s comprehensive emergency response particularly in IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix, Gender Based Violence and WASH units as well as work with the PRD Programme Support Unit on system processes like PRIMA and institutional monitoring and evaluation tools for emergencies.

3. Represent IOM in meetings related to emergency health programming such as the GlobalHealth Cluster, Inter Agency Working Group on Reproductive Health, HIV in Emergencies, major UN agencies, NGOs, academic institutions, and donors involved in health response in crisis events.

4. Support field offices in setting up and/or running systems for emergency health response programming and ensure harmonized implementation of activities that are delivered within the framework of national health response strategies.

5. Assist field offices in overseeing resource deployment, project activation, implementation and reporting to partners and donors; and evaluation of emergency health related programs.

6. Support the management of the emergency health staff roster in collaboration with the MHDHuman Resources Business Manager and PRD.

7. Compile and/or develop a set of guidance notes and reference pool of effective practices and lessons learned from previous emergencies.

8. Provide technical assistance to field offices in preparing the health chapters and proposals for inclusion into rapid response funding mechanisms and appeals such as CERF, Flash Appeals, ECHO Humanitarian Implementation Plans (HIP) as well as institutional processes like the IOM Global Crisis Response Plans and other global strategic preparedness and response plans.

9. Support development and knowledge management of health in emergencies tools, guidance and publications, including those related to HBMM, Points of Entry, emergency preparedness and outbreak preparedness and response linked to the International Health Regulations (IHR); support on initiatives to improve IOM’s health information management system.

10. Support the capacity building of staff globally through trainings, webinars or field visits.

11. Perform such other duties as maybe assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s Degree in Public Health, Community Health, Epidemiology, Health or Nursing Sciences, Biostatistics or other relevant Health Sciences 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

• At least 2 years of experience in humanitarian or public health emergency operations and other public health related issues in emergency, research, needs assessments, etc.;

• Experience and expertise in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), including geo-referencing and the production of GIS database-related products and maps, using Esri ArcGIS.

Skills

• Familiarity with project development, monitoring and evaluation is an advantage;

• Demonstrated ability to write clear and concise progress reports, project documents and proposals;

• Flexibility and creative thinking, high personal commitment, efficiency and determination for results;

• Ability to work effectively and harmoniously with colleagues and counterparts from varied cultures and professional backgrounds;

• Good interpersonal relationships are essential;

• Knowledge of social and development issues;

• Project planning, organizational skills;

• Excellent communication, research and writing skills with strong computer literacy, especially advanced working knowledge of Microsoft Office (word, excel, power point).

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 is required (oral and written). Working knowledge in French and/or Spanish language 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 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

• 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

• 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.

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.