Position Title: Regional Programme Coordinator

Duty Station: Dakar, Senegal

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P3

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

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 10 July 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. Candidates from the following non-represented member states:

Antigua and Barbuda; Barbados; Botswana; Cabo Verde; Comoros; Congo (the); Cook Islands; Fiji; 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; 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.

Context:

Migrants face extreme risks along the Atlantic/Western and Central Mediterranean Migration Routes. Crossing the Mediterranean is by far the deadliest route, with over 28,547 missing migrants recorded since 2014, in addition to those who perish along the desert. Migrants also face other significant protection risks, including violence, exploitation, and abuse at the hands of smugglers, traffickers, and others. Conflicts along these migratory routes (e.g., Southern Libya and Northern Mali) compound these risks.

To meet these challenges IOM, with support from the European Union (EU), launched the Migrant Protection, Return and Reintegration Programme for Sub-Saharan Africa (MPRR-SSA) in 2022 in 16 countries (Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, the Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, and Somalia).

The programme aims, through a rights-based approach, to provide protection and assistance along the migratory routes, provide voluntary return to countries of origin and sustainable reintegration support for migrants in Sub-Saharan Africa. Building upon the experience and lessons learned under the EU-IOM Joint Initiative for Migrant Protection and Reintegration and its Individual Measure, the MPRR-SSA programme follows a route-based, protection-centred approach to support migrants in situations of vulnerability along the Atlantic/Western and Central Mediterranean Migration Routes in Sub-Saharan Africa with assistance, including vulnerability assessments, assisted voluntary return, and individual reintegration support. Individual reintegration assistance focuses on providing timely and tailored support to address potential situations of vulnerability and individual needs in the short- to mid-term, along economic, social, and psychosocial dimensions.

To guarantee ownership and sustainability, the MPRR-SSA ensures continuity of care and aims at preventing protection gaps by optimizing stakeholders’ engagement and active participation. It relies on the structures established or reinforced with the support of the EU-IOM Joint Initiative such as technical working groups and national referral mechanisms, under the leadership of government counterparts.

The programme also leverages a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to not only cater for returnees’ needs, but also consider the potential contributions of reintegration to sustainable development and vice-versa. The programme interventions play a crucial role in enhancing overall migration governance and tackling social, psychosocial, and economic obstacles in key areas of return. By doing so, the MPRR-SSA contributes significantly to the attainment of national development objectives and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Under the overall supervision of the Regional Director of IOM Regional Office for West and Central Africa and the direct supervision of the Senior Regional Programme Coordinator, the Regional Programme Coordinator will be responsible for supporting the overall oversight and coordination of the Migrant Protection, Return and Reintegration Programme for Sub-Saharan Africa (MPRR-SSA). In addition, the Regional Programme Coordinator will be directly responsible for supporting the programme’s management, with a specific focus on operations and financial management.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Provide overall oversight of the Migrant Protection, Return and Reintegration Programme for Sub-Saharan Africa (MPRR-SSA) implementation and financial performance in consultation with the IOM Sub-Regional Office in Brussels and in coordination with the Senior Regional Coordinator.
2. Provide overall direction and strategy of the Programme for effectiveness and advise regional Senior Management accordingly.
3. Support and guide all technical, operational, reporting, financial and administrative management responsibilities for the MPRR-SSA in line with IOM’s policies and procedures, as well as donor requirements and in coordination with the Senior Regional Coordinator.
4. Ensure timely and appropriate follow-up to project implementation in specific countries.
5. Directly supervise the MPRR-SSA Central Coordination Unit Thematic staff, (reintegration, protection, psychosocial support, and technical support) and ensure that guidance is shared with the implementing Country Offices accordingly.
6. Coordinate with the Country Offices as appropriate to ensure timely implementation of Programme activities, adequate financial consumption and accurate data records in MiMOSA with the support of the Thematic Specialists, Resources Management Officers and Information Management Officers.
7. Provide consistent review and competent advice to the Senior Regional Coordinator on the overall progress and performance of the programme and its financial well-being, in coordination with the Resources Management Officers.
8. Provide technical inputs to regional strategic planning exercises and provide support for country-level strategic planning and resource mobilization vis à vis the EU and EEA Member States, as required and in collaboration with the Regional Thematic Specialists in the Sub-Regional Office in Brussels.
9. Identify opportunities and ensure the development of new projects/programmes and activities at the regional level in relation to expressed governmental needs and donors’ priorities and in line with IOM’s mandate and strategy.
10. Support the Senior Regional Coordinator in ensuring appropriate coordination and information-sharing related to the MPRR-SSA programme with the donor and relevant stakeholders, within and across regions, with relevant Departments at HQ and other IOM Country Offices, including on donor priorities and overall strategic approaches.
11. Undertake frequent duty travel to countries where programme activities are implemented, Brussels and other relevant locations to meet and liaise with donors and stakeholders, as requested.
12. Participate in relevant seminars, workshops and meetings, as well as other events aimed at promoting IOM’s image and activities.
13. Act as Officer in Charge (OiC) in the absence of the Senior Regional Coordinator.
14. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Political or Social Sciences, Business Administration, Migration Studies, International Relations, Law 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

• Previous work experience related to migration in Sub-Saharan Africa is required;
• Minimum 5 years of experience in project development and management, in particular on Migrant Assistance and Protection and Return/Reintegration project with a Government or UN agency, or a regional or international organization;
• Minimum 5 years of experience in managing and overseeing returnees’ reintegration is essential;
• Previous experience in managing EU funding necessary;
• Minimum 5 years of experience in liaison with governments and diplomatic authorities as well as international institutions; and,
• Minimum 5 years of experience in resources and staff management.

Skills

• Proven ability to establish and maintain strong working relations with relevant Government counterparts, international organizations and private sector entities;
• Excellent written and verbal communications;
• Familiarity with budget/financial administration; proven resource management skills;
• Proven outstanding negotiating, leadership and facilitation skills;
• Solid knowledge of IOM’s institutional settings; and,
• Solid knowledge of European donors, in particular the EU.

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 is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of French is a strong 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 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 2

• 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 2

• 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.