Head of Operations, Middle East and North Africa (MENA)

Position Title : Head of Operations, Middle East and North Africa (MENA)

Duty Station : Amman, Jordan

Classification : Professional Staff, Grade P5

Type of Appointment : Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date : As soon as possible

Closing Date : 31 May 2021

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; Fiji; Gabon; 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:

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 Department of Operations and Emergencies (DOE), specifically the Resettlement and Movement Division (RMM), has the organizational responsibility to provide direction, oversight and guidance to IOM’s global support to all resettlement programs.

Under the general supervision of the Regional Director, MENA, the direct supervision of the Chief of Mission, Jordan, and the technical supervision of the USRAP Senior Program Advisor in Washington DC, and in close coordination with the Resettlement and Movement Management (RMM) Division, the relevant units in Headquarters, the relevant Regional Director(s), the Chiefs of Missions in MENA, and the Manila Administrative Centre (MAC), the successful candidate will be responsible for the overall management of resettlement projects throughout the Middle East and North Africa.

The region under the management of the Head of Operations, MENA, is large in scope, comprised of numerous types of working environments that may include urban, rural and camp settings, and has a number of locations that are operationally complex and logistically challenging. This may include, but is not limited to, areas containing intra-, inter- and/or non-state conflict, areas of extreme political sensitivity and/or volatility, border regions, hardship locations and remote locations. Some of these locations currently or will in the future have sub-offices under the overall technical supervision of the Head of Operations, MENA. Travel to all locations of operational importance in the region for the purposes of monitoring and oversight, including to remote and hardship areas and to areas with a wide variety of security advisories, is expected.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. In coordination with the Regional Directors and Chiefs of Missions in MENA, Operations Officers in the respective country missions, and the USRAP Global Coordinator and Senior Program Advisor in Washington, DC, develop and/or strengthen refugee resettlement projects in MENA to ensure all necessary refugee movements within and from MENA are carried out effectively.

2. Guide and/or supervise country Senior Operations Officers and Operations Officers to ensure existing operational resettlement procedures are streamlined and standardized, develop new operational procedures, share effective practices, problem solve where necessary, and maintain a high level of quality in refugee movements across the region.

3. Work with respective Operations Officers, IOM Mission Administration, and IOM HQ to ensure the smooth workflow and implementation of resettlement programs in all relevant countries in the region, including stimulating dialogue, acting as a liaison, spearheading mediation, and directing problem solving, where needed.

4. Liaise and consult with host governments, resettlement countries, US Embassy Refugee Coordinators, UNHCR, the US Resettlement Support Center for MENA, and other partner organizations on the implementation of resettlement programs throughout the region. In this respect, help resettlement countries, host governments, and partners achieve their goals in managing resettlement challenges through meetings, information sharing, and joint program planning, in coordination with Regional Directors and Chiefs of Missions.

5. Ensure that training of IOM Operations personnel in the region are included in program planning and ongoing activities and are in line with USRAP Global program developments and new technical requirements. Oversee staff development and succession planning, taking into consideration global USRAP needs.

6. Serve as Project Manager for regional USRAP resettlement programs and oversee bookings for US Special Immigrant Visa applicants globally. In this role, coordinate activities closely with the USRAP Global team in Washington, DC, including the USRAP Global Coordinator, USRAP Senior Program Advisor and Medical Health Global USRAP Coordinator, with an overall objective of harmonized management of US resettlement processes in MENA, and coordinate with relevant missions and the Refugee Processing Center (RPC) for SIV bookings. In relation to staff development and succession planning, work closely with the USRAP HR-Business Partner.

7. In coordination with USRAP Global, Regional RMOs, Chiefs of Missions and the Manila Financial Support Unit, plan, create, monitor and report on budgets for resettlement programs in MENA according to donor and resettlement country requirements. Following budget approval, implement activities in line with budget availability and operational efficiency and advise on potential administrative, budgetary, and financial consequences of developments in the missions’ operational activities.

8. Assist the Global Management team in developing methodologies to meet new technical requirements and improve resettlement activities implemented by IOM.

9. Advise the Regional Directors, Chiefs of Missions, Resettlement and Movement Management (RMM) Division in IOM HQ and the USRAP Global Management team on the status of ongoing resettlement programs, refugee trends, situations of interest, and recommendations for program policies.

10. Request and analyze data prepared by Operations Officers across the region on resettlement activities and refugee departures from MENA to the United States and other resettlement countries. Present statistical and narrative reports to resettlement countries, IOM HQ, donors and governments in the region. In coordination with USRAP Global, regional offices, country missions and relevant HQ units, present an annual plan regarding resettlement in MENA.

11. Represent the Organization and IOM’s Regional Strategy in meetings, workshops, and international conferences, and, as required, write reports, presentations and background documents on behalf of the USRAP.

12. Pro-actively implement fraud prevention measures in all aspects of program delivery in accordance with IOM policies and PRM Fraud Prevention and Mitigation Measures. Bring to the attention of the relevant Chief(s) of Mission, Regional Director(s) and USRAP Global Coordinator any non-compliance of staff or other areas of concern and provide plans for improvements that will maintain the integrity of resettlement in MENA.

13. In locations in MENA where IOM has no offices, manage resettlement operations to ensure refugee movements occur in an efficient and effective manner. Provide guidance as needed on operational, management and staff issues in refugee camps.

14. Monitor the administrative and logistical support provided by missions to the USRAP in MENA.

15. Analyze and interpret IOM guidelines in conjunction with country specific legislation to ensure programs are implemented in a manner that is complementary to a variety of situations, including local legal, cultural, geographic, and historic issues.

16. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Political Science, Social Sciences, Law and/ or Migration Studies or a related field from an accredited academic institution with ten years of relevant professional experience; or

• University degree in the above fields with twelve years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• A minimum of ten years (or twelve years of experience for candidates with a 1st level degree) of field and regional management experience in USRAP projects in at least two different regions;

• Service within the USRAP at two levels below this position (for instance, experience serving as a Sr. RSC Project Officer and RSC Deputy Project Manager in relation to an application for the position of RSC Project Manager);

• Experience in project cycle management with particular emphasis on the USRAP; demonstrated record of establishing and maintaining good working relationships with governmental and diplomatic authorities, national, regional and international institutions, as well as civil society actors;

• Experience serving as a donor liaison and writing donor reports;

• Experience creating and monitoring a USRAP budget, and knowledge of USRAP and IOM financial management and budgetary procedures;

• Experience managing staff at various levels and from a range of cultural backgrounds, including teams of international staff;

• Experience working in USRAP for other organizations or agencies is a plus.

Languages

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

External applicants for all positions in the Professional category are required to be proficient in English and have at least a working knowledge of one additional UN Language (French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian or Chinese).

For all applicants, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of Arabic or French 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 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.