Senior Project Coordinator (3 Positions)

Position Title : Senior Project Coordinator (3 Positions)
Duty Station : Multiple Duty Stations
Classification : Professional Staff, Grade P4
Type of Appointment : Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension
Estimated Start Date : As soon as possible
Closing Date : 07 April 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. External female candidates;
3. Candidate 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; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Tonga; Tuvalu; Uzbekistan; Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:

All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM and female candidates.

Context:

The United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) operates world-wide with a target of providing resettlement opportunities to thousands of refugees each year. IOM provides a range of services and support to the USRAP including, but not limited to, case processing, migration health assessments, cultural orientation training, organized transportation and administration of a travel loan and collections program. The Resettlement and Movement Management (RMM) Division in the Department of Mobility Pathways and Inclusion has the organizational responsibility to provide direction, oversight, and guidance to IOM’s global support to all resettlement programs.

Under the United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), Resettlement Support Centers (RSCs) provide critical support and processing assistance for resettlement to the US. As part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between IOM and the US State Department Bureau for Population Refugees and Migration (PRM), IOM manages several RSCs which prepare applications for adjudication by and provide support to visiting US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officers, facilitate security and medical screenings, provide information about arriving individuals to resettlement agencies in the US and offer Cultural Orientation (CO) training to individuals departing for the US.

Under the overall supervision of Chief of Mission (Costa Rica), direct supervision of Chief of Mission (Ecuador and Guatemala), direct supervision of Senior Site Lead (Costa Rica), and with the technical supervision of the RSC Project Manager, Latin America, the Senior Project Coordinators will be based in Multiple Duty Stations (Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Guatemala) and will have the following duties and responsibilities:

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Manage and supervise RSC case management and processing activities and RSC staff working in Multiple Duty Stations (Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala), including hiring and providing training and technical assistance, assigning duties and giving feedback to personnel on their performance on a regular basis. Ensure seamless processing in Multiple Duty Stations (Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala) through proper handover with a designated back-up RSC staff member when out of the office.
2. Provide high-level guidance to the RSC Project Manager and Deputy Project Managers on the establishment, upscaling, transformation and downscaling of RSC activities in Multiple Duty Stations (Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala), and ensure all change management-related plans in Multiple Duty Stations (Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala) are enacted effectively and efficiently, with clear communication at the country, regional and global levels.
3. Provide substantive input and support on the USRAP budget process in relation to Multiple Duty Stations (Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala) in coordination with the RSC Project Manager, USRAP Global Management Team, Regional RMOs, relevant Chiefs of Mission and the Manila Financial Support Unit. Closely monitor budget expenditures and report regularly to the RSC Project Manager and Deputy Project Managers for Latin America on challenges and expected changes to the RSC budget in Multiple Duty Stations (Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala).
4. In coordination with the Project Manager and the Deputy Project Managers, RSC LA, and with IOM Multiple Duty Stations (Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala), liaise with external partners in Multiple Duty Stations (Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala), including US agencies, US Embassy management, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and relevant NGOs, contractors and other governments to ensure the success of RSC activities in Multiple Duty Stations (Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala).
5. Act as a primary liaison with the US Embassy Refugee Admissions Coordinator(s) and Consulate representatives. Promote positive and clear communication between the US Embassy in Multiple Duty Stations (Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala), and US Consulate in Multiple Duty Stations (Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala), and RSC staff members in Multiple Duty Stations (Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala).
6. Ensure the US Embassy Refugee Admissions Coordinator(s), relevant US Embassy Consulate representatives, Project Manager, RSC LA, Deputy Project Manager, RSC LA, and IOM Multiple Duty Stations (Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala) management are aware of the daily activities of IOM staff members in Multiple Duty Stations (Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala), including, but not limited to, providing: updates on program access activities, summaries of circuit ride and interview schedules, numerical and thematic processing goals, daily processing targets and achievements, standard operating procedures, information on USRAP policies in Multiple Duty Stations (Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala) and information or clarification on issues in Multiple Duty Stations (Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala).
7. Coordinate with IOM Multiple Duty Stations (Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala) on recruitment, procurement, and other administrative support functions related to RSC personnel and activities. Organize, coordinate and prepare Travel on Duty (TDYs) of IOM staff members to Multiple Duty Stations (Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala). Resolve administrative and logistical challenges related to their TDYs, including housing, transport, working space and work equipment issues.
8. Coordinate and provide substantive support to USCIS Refugee Affairs Division officers in Multiple Duty Stations (Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala) on circuit ride scheduling, file management, interpreter coordination, access permissions and other issues as required.
9. Provide advice and recommend to RSC Management about processing priorities, challenges, and urgent cases in Multiple Duty Stations (Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala). Ensure efficient processing of urgent and sensitive cases, including cases related to children, the elderly, persons with disabilities, persons affected by sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), survivors of violence and torture, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) people and other marginalized individuals.
10. Liaise with other RSC Senior Project Coordinators and Project Coordinators to ensure consistency across RSCs in the management and structuring of the sites. Share best practices for the establishment, expansion, contraction, and closure of remote sites in your region in order to facilitate more efficient and effective work in other Regions.
11. Ensure compliance of IOM staff members with necessary security measures, including those required by the Staff Security Unit (SSU), UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS), and the US Embassy Consulate in Multiple Duty Stations (Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala).
12. Represent RSC LA at meetings as needed, including with high-level US and UN officials. Prepare reports, briefings, background information, narratives and statistical reporting as necessary and required.
13. Maintain and ensure the confidentiality and integrity of all RSC-related information by implementing control procedures in line with USRAP standards of conduct and data protection rules. Alert a Project Officer or Manager of an RSC of any non-compliance to SOPs or codes of conduct.
14. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Social Science, International Relations, Regional Studies or a related field from an accredited academic institution with seven years of relevant professional experience; or,
• University degree in the above fields with nine years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• Experience in USRAP, particularly in RSC processing activities, such as employment verification, case creation, pre-screening, USCIS adjudications support, scheduling, field support and out-processing, is essential.
• Experience planning, coordinating, overseeing and monitoring RSC circuit rides is a strong advantage.
• Experience working in protection, durable solutions and refugee status determination is an advantage.
• Experience working with high-profile, at-risk and sensitive program beneficiaries, as well as experience with child protection, program access, referral mechanisms and expedite systems is desired.
• Supervisory or management experience within resettlement, particularly in relation to USRAP RSC activities such as field or sub-office management, circuit ride management, prescreening, USCIS support and program access is an advantage.

Skills

• Knowledge of USRAP program implementation and familiarity with IOM’s administrative, financial and business rules and practices is desirable.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to effectively communicate with and lead a Team.
• Excellent computer skills and a high level of proficiency in spreadsheet and database applications.
• Demonstrated proficiency with the START is an advantage.
• Sound knowledge of program implementation and familiarity with IOM’s administrative, financial and business rules and practices.
• Excellent computer skills and proficiency in spreadsheet and database applications.

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

This selection process will be used to primarily staff the following duty stations:

• San Jose, Costa Rica
• Quito, Ecuador
• Guatemala City, Guatemala

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 3

• 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.

Managerial Competencies – behavioural indicators level 3

• 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 leadership and professional potential.
• Empowering others: Creates an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
• Building Trust: Promotes shared values and creates an atmosphere of trust and honesty.
• Strategic thinking and vision: Works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.
• Humility: Leads with humility and shows openness to acknowledging own shortcomings.

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 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 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.