Programme Officer (Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)) At International Organization for Migration

Position Title: Programme Officer (Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR))

Duty Station: Geneva, Switzerland

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade UG

Type of Appointment: Special short-term ungraded, six months with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 23 February 2023

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.

Internal and external candidates will be considered for this vacancy. For the purposes of this vacancy, internal candidates are defined as staff members holding a regular, fixed-term or short-term graded or ungraded contract, including Junior Professional Officers (JPOs), staff on Special Leave Without Pay (SLWOP), and staff members on secondment/loan released by the Organization, unless otherwise specified in their contract. Staff members holding a regular, fixed-term or short-term graded contract will not retain their contract type if appointed to an ungraded position.

Context:

IOM has been working on migration, environment, climate change and disaster risk reduction(MECR) for over 30 years. IOM’s Migration, Environment, Climate Change and Risk Reduction activities bolster local and national initiatives to prevent and prepare for disasters and related population movements, provide emergency assistance and protection where displacement cannot be avoided, and foster post-disaster recovery solutions and resilience-building.

In line with the IOM Institutional Strategy on Migration, Environment and Climate Change 2021-2030, the Organization pursues three broad objectives in managing environmental migration, intervening at each stage of the migration cycle:

1. “Solutions for people to move” – Managing migration in the context of climate change, environmental degradation, and disasters due to natural hazards.
2. “Solutions for people on the move” – Assisting and protecting migrants and displaced persons in the context of climate change, environmental degradation, and disasters due to natural hazards.
3. “Solutions for people to stay” – Making migration a choice by building resilience and addressing the adverse climatic and environmental drivers that compel people to move.

Under the direct supervision of the Transition and Recovery Expert, the Programme Officer (Disaster Risk Reduction) will provide technical support and oversight to regional and country offices on Disaster Risk Reduction/Management programming including the implementation of enhanced risk monitoring linked to early warning and anticipatory action. This position will work closely with regional Emergency and Post-Crisis and MECC thematic specialists, country level programme staff and the MECR Division, Preparedness and Response Division, Global Data Institute, and the Transition and Recovery Division.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Support MECR initiatives in IOM at the HQ level including the implementation of new and ongoing programming including the IOM Institutional MECC Strategy to 2030.
2. Support capacity development for ongoing DRR projects and programming, in particular to mainstream DRR into policies and strategies.
3. Promote cross sectorial and integrated programming approaches, linking DRR with human mobility, emergency preparedness, the SG Action Agenda for Internal Displacement, WASH, health, Shelter, Food security & livelihoods and emergency and transitional/recovery progamming.
4. Support the organization of trainings for country office staff to develop and maintain proper mechanisms, structures and systems for managing emergencies.
5. Support regional and country offices in implementing disaster response operations. Support emergency responses via remote technical and coordination support and field level deployments.
6. Support IOM regional and country offices in preparation of disaster response, preparedness and disaster risk reduction policies, in line with IOM’s policies and within the context of existing government and UN policy frameworks.
7. Assist in the drafting of DRR related regional and country level strategies, emergency appeals, operational and programme updates.
8. Participate in and contribute to the formulation of IOM specific disaster risk reduction networking and knowledge sharing mechanisms.
9. Support the establishment and growth of donor relationships with core DRR focused entities and governments at IOM HQ level in coordination with DRD, regional and country office focal points.
10. Monitor, analyze and report on DRR related humanitarian developments, disaster relief/management or emergency situations. Contribute to UN system wide DRR initiatives and reporting.
11. Partner with other humanitarian agencies to plan and evaluate humanitarian and emergency assistance programmes and help ensure that the latest findings, lessons learned, policy guidelines, etc. are incorporated into these activities, including gender-related considerations.
12. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Social Sciences, Environment, International Relations 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.

Experience

• Work experience in emergency situations (complex emergency or disaster response) at an international level is required;
• Experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, rehabilitation, development, or other related areas;
• Experience in fundraising for complex programmes; ability and experience in the coordination of inter-sectoral discussions, promoting integration and complementarity.
• Demonstrated experience producing and delivering capacity development programmes;
• Knowledge and experience of working with humanitarian coordination mechanisms, including Humanitarian Country Teams, Inter-Cluster Coordination Groups and Clusters;
• Previous experience in a similar capacity with humanitarian agencies, in particular the UN Common System is desirable.

Skills

• Knowledge of humanitarian delivery considerations, including ensuring accountability to affected people;
• Ability to conceptualize and strategically analyze capacity, including articulation of the humanitarian dimension of complex issues that require coordination within a UN response;
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills and judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve awide range of complex issues/problems;
• Proven ability to create networks and build relationships in conflict affected, dynamic settings with a wide range of stakeholders;
• Speaks and writes clearly and effectively in English; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed;
• Proven high-level representation skills- speaking/presenting at meetings and providing situational analysis;
• Proven capacity to work effectively in small teams.

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 (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish).

For all applicants, fluency in English 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 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

• 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

• 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.

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.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required for individuals hired on or after 15 November 2021. This will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.

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