Position Title: Regional Policy and Liaison Officer

Duty Station: Dakar, Senegal

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: 25 November 2024

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; Barbados; Comoros; Congo (the); Cook Islands; Guinea-Bissau; Holy See; Iceland; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the); Madagascar; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Samoa; Sao Tome and Principe; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Tonga; Tuvalu; Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:

All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM and female candidates.

Context:

Under the overall supervision of the Regional Director (RD) for West and Central Africa and the direct supervision of the Deputy Regional Director (DRD) for Operations, the Regional Policy and Liaison Officer connects the different policy positions and workflows from the Department of Data, Insight and Policy Coordination (DIPC) and the Office of Partnerships, Advocacy and Communications (OPAC) in Headquarters (HQ) to both strategic engagement at the regional level and implementation support at the country level.

The Regional Policy and Liaison Officer provides advice and support the implementation of institutional policy from HQ in Country Offices (COs) across the Region. Specifically, the Regional Policy and Liaison Officer provides oversight, quality control, and support to promote consistent, cohesive, and quality evidence-based programming, particularly as it relates to policy development.

The Regional Policy and Liaison Officer leads the Regional Policy and Liaison Unit (RPLU), which along with Regional Thematic Units (RTU) collectively provides policy support and evidence-based thought leadership to both internal and external stakeholders on regional and national and local efforts to save lives and protect people on the move, drive solutions to displacement, and facilitate regular pathways for migration and supporting and advising thematic areas to identify policy processes.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

Liaison and Partnership

1. UN Network on Migration: Manage and support the regional UN Network on Migration (UNNM) and provide technical support and oversight to country-level UNNM in close collaboration with the Network Secretariat.

2. Member State Implementation: Provide advice and technical assistance to COs on the implementation, follow-up, and review of the GCM at CO level, and to engage in quadrennial alternating regional GCM reviews and global GCM reviews.

3. Partnerships with Regional Economic Communities: Under the leadership of the RD and in coordination with the Chiefs of Mission (CoMs), provide advice and technical support to advance regional cooperation on migration and the mobility dimensions of regional integration for Regional Economic Communities (RECs).

4. UN Partnerships: Strengthen and enhance IOM’s interactions with UN agencies at the regional level and support the DRD for Operations in the Regional Collaborative Platform and Regional Forum on Sustainable Development, as well as to regional fora, dialogues, and groups related to UN Reform.

5. Liaison and Partnership Development: Develop strategies and liaise with Member States, regional organizations, NGOs, academia, civil society, parliamentarians, the private sector, international financial institutions the International Red Cross and Red Crescent, and other stakeholders to promote safe, orderly, and regular migration and to promote IOM’s priorities.

6. Resource Mobilization: Develop fundraising strategies, strengthen donor relations and private sector engagement in close coordination with COs and the Regional Project Development Officer (RPDO).

Insights and Policy

7. Strategy Development: In close coordination with the DRD for Operations, RPDO, Regional Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation Officer (RPMEO), and CoMs, the RPLO guides and supports the development of regional, subregional, and country strategies.

8. Partnerships and Advocacy: Collaborate with the DRD for Operations, RTUs, COMs, Country Offices for Partnerships and Advocacy, and other ROs to mainstream migration into policy and to develop CO capacities to contribute to UN processes.

9. Policy Support to Governments: Guide COs in the development of comprehensive local and national migration policies.

10. Sectoral Policy Development: Advise RTUs on mainstreaming migration in sectoral policies.

11. Training and Capacity Development: Coordinate the development and rollout of trainings on migration policies and frameworks.

12. Secretariat Role: Provide policy guidance and technical expertise to Regional Consultative Processes.

13. Research and Data Initiatives: In close coordination with relevant RTUs and the Regional Data Hub (RDH), promote evidence-based policymaking and support greater coherence between the data, data projects, and policy in coordination with the DRD for Operations and other relevant offices.

14. Project Development: Provide advice and support to COs to develop projects with a focus on policy, research, international migration law, and UNNM-related issues as requested.

Cross-Cutting Priorities

15. Mainstream: In line with the IOM Strategic Plan and corresponding custodianship outlined in the Regional Office Terms of Reference, promote, integrate, and mainstream cross-cutting priorities in all areas of the RPLU’s work in the region.

Regional Policy and Liaison Unit Management

16. Manage the RPLU, including overseeing and managing the delivery of the Unit’s specific responsibilities in their entirety as outlined in the RPLU Terms of Reference.

17. Perform any other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in International Relations, Political Science, Social Science, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with at least seven years of relevant professional experience; or,
• University degree in the above fields with at least nine years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• Demonstrated experience in policy development and liaison, and related areas relevant to project development and management, and capacity building;
• Minimum five 5 years’ experience working in non-OECD countries managing projects with policy development components;
• Experience in liaison, resource mobilization, and advocacy with governmental and diplomatic officials, national and international institutions and organizations, civil society, and private sector actors;
• Experience working in an international, inter-governmental, or non-governmental organization, United Nations, or government; and,
• Experience in the design and implementation of capacity building on policy development.

Skills

• Ability to understand complex contexts and fast-changing migration and displacement dynamics and ability to frame them in their regional, global, and political contexts;
• Proven track record of successful engagement with donors, developing projects, and mobilizing resources for IOM priority areas;
• Demonstrated ability to effectively coordinate with a diverse team of specialists;
• Strong analytical skills combined with the ability to effectively summarize, present, and communicate findings;
• Demonstrated knowledge and expertise in IOM’s policies, practices and norms relevant to policy development and liaison; and,
• Proven agent of change or willingness to foster a culture of learning and knowledge management.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish. All staff members are required to be fluent in one of the three languages.

For this position, fluency in English and French is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of Portuguese and Spanish 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

Previous candidates do not need to re-apply.

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 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 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 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 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.p df

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 and who do not have prior experience outside the duty station’s country as staff member in the Professional category 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 background verification 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.