Chief of Mission - IOM

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; Cabo Verde; Comoros; Cook Islands; Cuba; Djibouti; El Salvador; Fiji; Gabon; Grenada; Guinea-Bissau; Guyana; Holy See;
Iceland; Kingdom of Eswatini; Kiribati; Lao People's Democratic Republic (the); Latvia; Libya; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Montenegro; Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Papua New Guinea; 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.

Position Title : Chief of Mission

Duty Station : Accra, Ghana

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 October 2019

IOM has offices in Ghana, Benin and Togo and contributes to governments’ efforts to manage migration effectively through a wide variety of projects and programmes. Across the three countries, IOM implements a broad range of activities, including on voluntary return and reintegration, refugee resettlement, migrant health, counter trafficking and counter-smuggling, border management, safe migration, global health security, travel services for migrants,
migration and development, emergency assistance and capacity-building on all relevant migration issues.

Under the direct supervision of the Regional Director (RD) for Central and West Africa the successful candidate will be IOM's interlocutor with the Governments of Ghana, Benin and Togo and relevant ministries, UN Specialized Agencies, and local and international Non-Governmental Organisation (NGOs). S/he will be responsible for the promotion with the Governments of Ghana, Benin and Togo, diplomatic representatives and other organizations of the full range of IOM services as well as for keeping the RD and Headquarters (HQs) units informed of relevant governmental concerns and programmatic developments. S/he will be responsible and accountable for developing and promoting IOM's strategy and programming within the overall regional framework.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

• Ensure coherence and strategic direction for IOM activities in Ghana, Togo and Benin, including through developing, communicating and implementing country strategies aligned to IOM's overall mandate, the Migration Governance Framework (MIGOF), national priorities and the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF).
  
• Analyse migration related trends and issues in Ghana, Togo and Benin and oversee the effective design, implementation and management of programs and projects including by playing a catalytic role in project development and ensuring the inclusion of cross-cutting issues such as gender, human rights and protection.
  
• Take full responsibility for the overall management and successful execution of programmes; report on implementation and mainstream monitoring and evaluation as well as knowledge management in all office processes; ensure that key risks are identified, assessed and managed and that risk management is embedded in all core processes and functions.
  
• Develop a comprehensive resource mobilization approach which includes multilateral and bilateral donors as well as private partnerships in order to meet Ghana, Benin and Togo migration priorities.
  
• Represent IOM with all stakeholders and partners; lead effective liaison with governmental authorities, diplomatic missions, international organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), private sector and other operational counterparts in the three countries. Identify migration-related priority areas for cooperation with a view to developing joint or complementary activities/projects as well as support for resource mobilization.
  
• Provide expert advice and technical assistance in the key areas of migration management in the three countries; contribute to national development planning processes and support the development of relevant national legislation, policy, action plans and profiles; play an integral role in policy dialogues including through promoting the MIGOF principles.
  
• Participate actively in the coordination of UN activities including through the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in the three countries. Build and maintain strategic partnerships with the United Nations and multilateral system, and promoting and facilitating the mainstreaming of migration related issues into United Nations Development Assistance Frameworks (UNDAF).
  
• Direct the operational, human resources, administrative, budgetary, procurement and financial activities of the three Country Offices in accordance with the Organization's rules and procedures. Ensure the effective management and efficient use of all resources and assets.
  
• Supervise the work of staff in the three offices, ensuring that all staff comply with IOM rules and regulations and are held accountable for their performance through timely and effective use of the Staff Evaluation System (SES); promote full compliance with IOM Standards of Conduct and other policies in support of a respectful and harmonious working environment and ensure staff commitment to IOM ethical principles and values.
  
  
• Ensure the safety and security of all IOM staff in the three countries offices and work with the UN Security Management Team (SMT) at the respective duty stations to ensure the full inclusion of IOM in security processes as well as staff compliance with applicable security policies and instructions.
  
• Keep the Regional Director, HQ and other interested partners fully informed of the Mission's activities. Prepare regular and specific narrative, briefings, impact, policy, financial, evaluation and statistical reports covering IOM activities. Prepare briefings and background information as required.
  
• Develop public relations and media activities in order to raise the visibility and public profile of IOM and its programmes and carry out advocacy activities on migration issues. Foster positive relationships with the general public.
  
• Perform such other duties as may be assigned.
  

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Political or Social Sciences, Law, International Relations 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

• Experience in migration governance programmes and capacity building activities;
  
• Experience in liaising with governmental and diplomatic authorities as well as with national and international institutions;
  
• Familiarity with financial and business administration;
  

• Sound and proven understanding of internal and international migration issues in Ghana, Togo and Benin, the sub-region and related issues;
  
• Knowledge of the region is an advantage.
  

Languages

• IOM’s official languages are English, French and Spanish.
  
• For this position, fluency in English and French is required (oral and written).
• Working knowledge of Spanish is an advantage.
  
• 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.