Research Officer

Position Title: Research Officer

Duty Station: Cairo, Egypt

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: 21 February 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; Guinea-Bissau; Guyana; Holy See; Iceland; Kingdom of Eswatini; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the); Latvia; Libya; Luxembourg; 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:

Under the overall supervision of the Regional Director (RD), the direct supervision of the Senior

Regional Liaison and Policy Officer (RLPO), and ‘in coordination with the Senior Research Officer in charge of Technical Assistance and Support in the Migration Research and Publications Division at IOM Headquarters, the successful candidate will be responsible for research and knowledge production undertaken by IOM’s Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), in close coordination with the Regional Data and Research Hub, in the context of the implementation, review and follow-up of the Global Compact on Migration (GCM) notably in the framework of the Regional UN Network on Migration.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Serve as a focal point for IOM research initiatives with relation to migration policies in the MENA region, responding to external and internal queries and fulfilling internal reporting requirements.

2. Undertake, develop and support policy-relevant research on migration on behalf of the Regional Office, coordinate inputs and contribute to IOM’s regular research publications (such as the World Migration Report).

3. Provide technical support and guidance to Country Offices in the implementation of projects and activities with research and knowledge production components (Country Migration profiles, MGIs, etc.) as well as in the drafting and development of policy documents (such as Country Strategies, Common Country Analysis, UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks, migration policy papers, etc.)

4. Conduct research for, write sections of, and review drafts of the Situation Report on International Migration in the Arab region, which IOM produces together with the co-authoring agencies and members of the Issue Based Coalition (IBC) on Migration/Regional UN Network on Migration and coordinate with Country Offices for their inputs.

5. Provide support and guidance to Country Offices in developing and implementing research methodologies, migration projects, activities and strategies with research methodologies and migration policy frameworks. and knowledge production components, including guiding Country Offices’ submission of good practices to the Migration Network Hub’s and IOM’s Migration Policy Repository.

6. Participate in regional research, data and policy initiatives, particularly with regional level initiatives, such as the Regional UN Network on Migration, the Issue-Based Coalition on Migration in the Arab region, the North Africa Mixed Migration Task Force, Arab Forum for Sustainable Development (AFSD) including by shaping the initiatives’ research agendas, reviewing research, drafting segments of policy papers, and handling administrative issues related to IOM’s participation in these initiatives.

7. Coordinate and facilitate improved organizational learning, research and data collection, reporting, and innovation and sharing best practices in the region as well as connecting researchers in the region with Country Offices and supporting platforms for exchange and dialogue at regional and country level.

8. Support communication efforts in close coordination with the Regional Public Information and Media Officer by uploading relevant materials and contributing to the development of an outreach strategy to identify potential contributors, as well as by facilitating the establishment of a community of researchers, academics, policymakers, practitioners and other interested parties working on migration issues related to MENA.

9. Conduct background research and draft documents in support of policy and coordination meetings within the framework of regional coordination mechanisms, such as the Regional UN Network on Migration, together with regional entities, as well as contribute to other relevant regional and global processes.

10. Prepare draft reports and write identified sections of regional policy and strategy documents as well as regional public information materials.

11. Assist in the identification of new programme/project possibilities, with a focus on research and knowledge production, consistent with expressed Government needs and IOM’s mandate and strategy in the region; on this basis, aid in the formulation/development of project proposals and collection of requested documentation for submission to donors, according to IOM project development guidelines and procedures.

12. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Political Science, Social Science, 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 research, with knowledge of quantitative and qualitative methods;

• Excellent drafting and editing skills;

• Experience producing visibility materials, publications, reports and other documents;

• Good knowledge of migration-issues;

• Good knowledge of the Middle East and North Africa region;

• Experience working with statistical software, such as Statistical Package for the Social Science(SPSS) or STATA software, and databases is a distinct advantage.

Skills

• Effectively applies knowledge of migration issues within organizational context;

• Correctly frames migration issues within their regional, global, and political context.

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 of Arabic 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 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 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. For this staff category, candidates who are nationals of the duty station’s country and who do not have prior experience outside the duty station’s country as staff member in the Professional category 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