Senior Programme and Policy Liaison Officer 27 views0 applications

Position Title: Senior Programme and Policy Liaison Officer

Duty Station: Niamey, Niger

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: 28 September 2020

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; Botswana; Cabo Verde; Comoros; Cook Islands; Cuba; Djibouti; Fiji; Gabon; Grenada; Guinea-Bissau; Guyana; Holy See; Iceland; Kingdom of Eswatini; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the); Latvia; Luxembourg; 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 of IOM and female candidates.

Context:

Niger is an IOM Member State since 2004. IOM established its office in Niger in 2006 and is present across the country with sub-offices located in the regions of Tillabéri, Agadez, Arlit, Dirkou, Diffa, Zinder and Tahoua.

IOM Niger implements a range of programmes across the spectrum of migration management and operations and emergencies, addressing the main migration and displacement related challenges in the country, to provide services to vulnerable migrants and displaced persons in support of priorities and policies of the Government of Niger.

IOM works closely with various government ministries at national and regional level and is an active member of the United Nations’ Country Team (UNCT) in Niger.

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Mission (CoM) in Niger and in close coordination with project managers (PM), Programme Support Unit (PSU), the Senior Resource Management Officer (SRMO) and the Migration Governance officer, the successful candidate will ensure effective programme and policy coordination for IOM’s mission in Niger.

S/he will advise the COM on IOM’s strategic direction in Niger, as well as on IOM Niger’s role in the west and central African region, including with regard to strategic participation in sub-regional processes, such as Lake Chad Basin Initiative and Sahel-5 in close coordination with IOM’s Regional Office in Dakar, and inter-regional processes with relevant Maghreb countries.

S/he will play a lead role in assisting the COM with the day-to-day liaison requirements with key partners in the government of Niger, and the UNCT, as well as the development of new partnerships and agreements. The incumbent will also ensure a coordinated and coherent programme approach and supervise some programme units in Niger’s country office.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Assist the CoM in formulating country strategies, policies and approaches across the mission’s programme portfolio and identify and develop new programme ideas to address emerging needs and trends.
2. Act as IOM Niger representative and exercise mission, staff and financial management responsibility in the absence of the Chief of Mission.
3. Analyse political, social, economic trends and provide COM with regular strategic analysis how these trends impact migration and displacement movements and IOM’s strategies in Niger.
4. Support the PSU with the drafting of analytical reports and/or complex multi-components project documents.
5. Develop and maintain strong and regular relations and communications with relevant senior officials in the Government of Niger, especially at national level, as well as in civil society organisations and the UNCT.
6. Support the COM, PSU and project managers in dialogue with other IOM Country Offices, IOM’s Regional Office in Dakar and Headquarters in the development of new multi-country or regional initiatives and ensure a coordinated and effective programme approach for IOM Niger, in line with IOM’s global programme strategies.
7. Advise the COM, PSU and PMs on the identification and development of new programmes and strategies, especially multi-component projects covering several programme units, in response to emerging needs and/or upon the request of the Government of Niger or donors.
8. Accompany the COM or represent IOM at strategic events and meetings with senior Government counterparts and members of the UNCT.
9. Facilitate knowledge building and management focused on the identification of best practices and lessons learned for organizational sharing and learning and support the organization of relevant trainings for IOM Niger staff.
10. Oversee programme implementation at national level and guide project managers on the prevention and elimination of obstacles to programme delivery and monitor overall programme delivery, including financial burn rates, in close coordination with PMs and the SRMO.
11. Upon delegation of the COM, participate in high-level UN coordination mechanisms, represent the Mission in donor briefings, meetings and events, visits to project sites and media presentations, as required.
12. Supervise staff in the Emergency unit and relevant project managers, including the Migration Governance Officer.
13. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in, International Relations, Political Science 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 liaising with governmental authorities, other national/international institutions;

• Demonstrated experience in programme management;

• Work experience in the West and Central African region is an asset;

• Experience in developing policies, strategies, and strategic partnerships;

• Experience in UN inter-agency work.

Skills

• Good knowledge of project formulation, implementation, administration and evaluation techniques and practices;

• Sound knowledge of displacement, refugee and migration related issues in fragile and conflict affected countries;

• Excellent knowledge of technical cooperation principles, concepts and techniques;

• Excellent skills in facilitating partnerships and collaboration on strategic areas;

• Seeking to bring innovation in programmes and policy approaches.

Languages

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

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

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 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 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 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 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 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.

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