Return and Reintegration Officer

Position Title: Return and Reintegration Officer

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: 02 May 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.

Context:

IOM’s Protection Division (PXD), aims to contribute to promoting and upholding the rights of migrants including displaced persons and their communities, reducing protection risks and supporting Governments to manage migration by implementing preventive, responsive, remedial and standard setting actions. These actions are implemented through the 6 Protection operational pillars – thematic guidance, direct assistance, convening and dialogue, advocacy and communication, training and capacity building and data, research and learning, while adhering to the division’s core commitments of protection mainstreaming, accountability and inclusion, sustainability and systemic change and partnership and coordination. The Protection Division (PXD) oversees development of policy and technical guidance in these areas, provides programmatic support to IOM missions, and implements protection and assistance programmes of global relevance.

Within PXD, the Return and Reintegration Unit is tasked with providing global programme and policy support for IOM’s return and reintegration activities. This includes support towards the adoption of an integrated approach to migrant reintegration addressing the individual, community and structural levels and ensuring programs are in line with IOM’s Policy on the Full Spectrum of Return, Readmission and Reintegration (RRR Policy).

Under the overall supervision of the Head, the Protection Division and the direct supervision of the Head, the Return and Reintegration Unit and in close coordination with the Migrant Protection

Return and Reintegration (MPRR) programme coordination cell in RO Dakar as well as other ROs and country offices of the programme, and relevant Divisions, the successful candidate will be responsible and accountable for managing, coordinating, overseeing and substantively supporting the Protection Division/Return and Reintegration Unit, including planning and ensuring the implementation of the Migrant Protection Return and Reintegration (MPRR) Programme. The programme aims to contribute to the protection of vulnerable and stranded migrants, including through assisted voluntary return, and to their sustainable reintegration within Sub-Saharan Africa.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Oversee and ensure the implementation of the MPRR programme, including backstopping the technical, financial and operational aspects, providing advice and ensuring alignment with global practices.
2. Provide expert advice and support to the MPRR Programme Coordinator, coordination cell,and Regional and field offices throughout the programme cycle.
3. Lead strategic planning exercises related to MPRR, and advise on country level strategic planning in collaboration with Regional Thematic Specialists (RTSs).
4. Develop and manage the provision of return and reintegration related training programmes inthe context of MPRR.
5. Strengthen existing return and reintegration related training programmes to ensure the mainstreaming of a rights-based approach to the portfolio.
6. Establish and strengthen working relationships with the Country and Regional Offices, as well as key stakeholders, for the development and promotion of new programmes and to capture and disseminate promising practices.
7. Promote programmatic synergies with other initiatives within the Protection Division, and provide substantive support to the Division’s activities where relevant.
8. In coordination with the Data and Research Unit, oversee research and knowledge production activities on the return and reintegration of migrants. Keep abreast of knowledge gaps and ensure synergies with other research initiatives.
9. Lead efforts to ensure that MPRR and other actions support cross-regional efforts to harmonise thematic approaches for the provision of migrant protection services, including the delivery of voluntary return and reintegration assistance.
10. Represent IOM in meetings, working groups and other events, and promote its Policy on the Full Spectrum of Return, Readmission and Reintegration, vision and strategy with United Nations, governments, civil society, and private sector partners.
11. Undertake regular coordination missions and duty travel as required.
12. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Political or Social Sciences, Law, International Relations 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

• Experience in complex programme development and implementation on return and/or reintegration, including budget management, monitoring and evaluation;
• Experience in overseeing and delivering training programmes, especially on the topic of reintegration, for both an internal and external audience;
• Experience implementing reintegration projects and/or similar projects at the global level or in the Middle East & North Africa and African regions with a UN agency, or an international organization is preferred.

Skills

• Sound understanding of the reintegration process in the context of return, and its related challenges and opportunities;
• Knowledge of migration and development issues is a strong advantage;
• Strong communication, research and writing skills;
• Proven ability to establish and maintain strong working relations with donors, and with internal and external counterparts, both at the national and international level, and to coordinate complex tasks among various stakeholders;
• Ability to interpret new and multifaceted information/data, identify issues, analyse problems and propose solutions.

Languages

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

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of French and/or 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 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.