Programme Officer (Return and Reintegration) (P)

Introduction

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations and the leading UN agency in the field of migration. Working closely with governmental, intergovernmental, and non-governmental partners, IOM promotes humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It saves lives and protects people on the move, drives solutions to displacement, and facilitates pathways for regular migration, while providing services and advice to governments and migrants. 

IOM is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive, and supportive workplace where all employees can thrive professionally and feel valued. By creating such an environment, IOM aims to better harness the full potential of migration and strengthen its support to people on the move.

IOM invites candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply and provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process when required. Learn more about IOM’s workplace culture at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration.

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:

• Internal candidates

• Candidates from the following IOM Member States that are not represented among staff members in the Professional and higher categories:

   

  Bahamas, Barbados, Comoros, Congo (the), Cook Islands, Dominica, Federated States of Micronesia, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Holy See, Iceland, Israel, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Namibia, Nauru, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu 
   

Second-tier candidates include:
All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM.

Context

IOM's Protection Unit 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 Unit 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.

Under the overall supervision of the Head of Programmes in Ethiopia and direct supervision of Senior Programme Officer (Protection), and in close coordination with the Regional Thematic Specialist (RTS) at the Regional Office (RO) for East and Horn of Africa in Nairobi and relevant Divisions/Departments/Units at Headquarters (HQ), the Programme Officer (Return and Reintegration) will be responsible for managing, coordinating and overseeing the activities under the Migrant Return and Reintegration Portfolio in Ethiopia.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the effective development and implementation of the Migrant Return and Reintegration Programme, backstopping the administrative, operational, and financial aspects for relevant projects.
• Provide operational management, guidance, and technical supervision to the Migrant Return and Reintegration Programme national and international staff, assisting with programmatic strategy and implementation, including where to focus programme resources and address operational challenges as they arise.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Master's degree in international relations, Political Science, Humanitarian Affairs, Economic Development, Business or Public Administration, International Studies, 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.

Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.

Experience

• Experience in the field of migration issues, including operational and field experience, project development, and management, and report writing;
• Experience in complex programme development and implementation on return and/or reintegration, including budget management, monitoring, and evaluation;
• Experience implementing reintegration projects and/or similar projects at the global or regional level with a UN agency or an international organization is an asset; and,
• Experience in overseeing and delivering training programmes, especially on the topic of reintegration, for both an internal and external audience.

Skills

• Strong programme coordination, team supervision, analytical and reporting skills;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with government authorities, donors, and partner organizations;
• Knowledge of return and reintegration programming and migration-related issues, including programme implementation and capacity-building activities; and,
• Excellent computer skills, including proficiency in the MS Office package (Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

Languages

All IOM staff members in all categories are required to be fluent in one of the IOM's official languages (English, French, and Spanish).

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written).

Working knowledge of another official UN languages (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.

Required Competencies

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.

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

• 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

• 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. 

Notes

Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile. Please refer to this link for guidance on IOM Job Category. 

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 will remain eligible to be appointed in a similar position for a period of 24 months.

Appointment will be subject to all clearances, including medical and security, as well as accreditation, any residency or visa requirements. 

Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland, on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.

IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, including sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and any forms of discrimination. IOM is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children.

IOM conducts reference checks and background verification, including through system-wide databases such as Clear Check, to help ensure that candidates have no record of misconduct, including on sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse, or fraud. Candidates are expected to uphold these standards and principles at all times.

IOM does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process—whether for application, interview, processing, training, or otherwise—and does not request any information related to bank accounts.

IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM WAVE system (for internal candidates, link here). The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application. 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. 

For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies.