Job Identification (Reference Number): 14158
Position Title: Associate Operations Officer (AVR) (P)
Duty Station City: Niamey
Duty Station Country: Niger
Grade: P-1
Contract Type: Special Short Term Graded (Up to 9 months)
Recruiting Type: Professional
Vacancy Type: Special Vacancy Notice
Initial duration: 6 Months
Closing date: 23 April 2025
Introduction
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 ensuring a workplace where all employees can thrive professionally, while working towards harnessing the full potential of 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 non-represented member states:
Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Comoros, Congo (the), Cook Islands, Dominica, Federated States of Micronesia, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Holy See, Iceland, Israel, Kiribati, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Madagascar, Marshall Islands, Namibia, Nauru, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu
Second tier candidates include:
All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM.
Context
Niger is a country of origin and transit for migrants to North Africa and Europe. Following the increasing need to support migrants stranded in the country, including those in distress in the desert in the Agadez region, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), with funding from the European Union, established the Migrant Resource and Response Mechanism (MRRM) in 2016 to: provide direct humanitarian assistance and protection services to migrants stranded along migration routes in Agadez, Arlit, Assamaka, Dirkou and Niamey; support the voluntary return and sustainable reintegration of migrants in their countries of origin; foster better collaboration between countries of origin, transit and destination; and increase national migration management capacities and partners’ understanding to promote community development as an alternative to irregular migration.
Under the overall supervision of the Senior Programme Coordinator and the direct supervision of the Operations Officer, the Associate Operations Officer (Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR)) is responsible for the following duties and responsibilities.
Responsibilities
1. Assist with the supervision of relevant staff members who are undertaking AVR activities in Niamey. Provide administrative assistance for staff development processes such as hiring, training, developing new SOPs, assigning duties and providing feedback to staff members on their performance on a regular basis.
2. Closely liaise and coordinate with AVR or field teams and RMM unit in regards to the travel dates and travel conditions, and promptly communicate any changes to the schedule for maintaining the best interests of migrants with the most direct routing.
3. Track and follow up on the process of securing landing permits for migrant charter flights in close coordination with RMM unit and the relevant authorities in Niger.
4. Control record keeping of AVR data files and monitor the compilation and analysis of descriptive statistics, including AVR data in MiMOSA.
5. Liaise with other teams and units in IOM Niger and with relevant external counterparts in close coordination with the IOM Niger Governance Unit. As needed, attend partner meetings and conferences.
6. Review the handling of at-risk and sensitive cases by AVR team in accordance with IOM’s policies and protection procedures, including assistance for unaccompanied minors (UAMs).
7. Strictly comply with quality control and quality assurance procedures, and IOM Data Security and Privacy guidelines and standards of conduct. Generate statistics and provide updates on relevant activities to the supervisor. Recommend improvements for streamlining how reports are prepared and presented.
8. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of relevant IOM protection tools as well as the ability to remain professional, impartial and unbiased during all interactions with migrants and colleagues per the IOM Code of Conduct and instruction on the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA).
9. Promptly alert the Operations Officer or the Senior Programme Coordinator (Migrant Protection) of any non-compliance to SOPs or codes of conduct by IOM staff members or partners.
10. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.
Qualifications
Education
- Master’s degree in International Relations, Social Science, Political Science, Law, Human Rights, Development Studies or a related field from an accredited academic institution; or,
- University degree in the above fields with two years of relevant professional experience.
Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.
Experience
- Prior AVR and protection related experience, especially in IOM, is highly preferred.
Skills
- Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to effectively communicate with and lead a team;
- Knowledge of IOM’s AVR program implementation and administrative, financial and business rules and practices is desirable; and,
- Excellent computer skills and a high level of proficiency in spreadsheet and database applications.
Languages
For this position, fluency in English and French is required (oral and written).
Working knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian and Spanish) is an advantage.
IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish. All staff members are required to be fluent in one of the three languages.
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 online. 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 – 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.
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 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.
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.
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, security clearances.
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, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities.
IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.
IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment system. 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
Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications by 23 April 2025 at the latest, referring to this advertisement.
