Chief of Mission at International Organization for Migration - IOM

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade D1
Type of Appointment: Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension
Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Context

• Under the direct supervision of the Regional Director (RD) for Central and West Africa, the overall guidance of the Director General and relevant units in Headquarters (HQ), the Chief of Mission will be responsible and accountable for all activities in the Country Office, overseeing and providing policy, administrative, programme, and obtaining financial support to IOM Country Office in Nigeria.
• The incumbent is the IOM interlocutor with the Federal Government of Nigeria relevant Secretariats, State Governments, UN Country Team, local and international NGOs and other relevant actors such as Academia.
• The Chief of Mission is responsible for liaison with the Government, regarding the full range of IOM services, as well as for keeping the Regional Office (RO) and HQ units informed of relevant government concerns and programmatic developments and responsible for supporting the Government of Nigeria with regard to the Global Compact on Migration, with diplomatic representatives and other Diplomatic representations, as well as, other organizations, overseeing the design and implementation of programming to address the current migration trends from a political and programmatic perspective.
• The Chief of Mission will liaise directly with the RD and Headquarters (HQ) units regarding policy, political and programmatic developments.
• The Chief of Mission will be responsible and accountable for designing, directing and promoting IOM's strategy and programming within the overall regional framework.

Core Functions / Responsibilities
Development and follow up of strategies, policies and programmes:

• Develop, clarify and articulate IOM's overall relations with Nigerian national authorities and strategy, including spearheading policy and project development and implementation in Nigeria with periodic consultation with the Regional Office, Headquarters, Member States and other relevant actors.
• Keep abreast of migration issues and emerging trends and establish close coordination with relevant government ministries and advise the Regional Office and HQ on national policy and government migration policies and make recommendations regarding appropriate course of action for IOM.
• Play an integral role in policy and operational United Nations Country Team (UNCT) inter-agency mechanisms, in particular with a view to positioning migration as a collective concern for relevant UN Agencies including United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), UN Women, World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), United Nations Economic Commission, as well as integrating migration into the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) process.
• Stimulate, catalyse and support project development in Nigeria, assessing the appropriateness and effectiveness of programme development and fundraising and strategies and recommend ways to improve these.
• Direct and monitor project planning, design and implementation in Nigeria and give necessary support to the IOM Sub-Office(s). Evaluate IOM's operational activities in Nigeria and prepare recommendations with a view to increasing their effectiveness.
• Advise RO Dakar and HQ on national policy and migration trends in the country and in the region as well as governments' migration policies affecting the activities of IOM in Nigeria and prepare proposals for appropriate action. Develop and update IOM’s country strategy as guided by IOM’s Migration Governance Framework (MiGOF).
• Ensure that safety and security management of IOM personnel, facilities and assets are addressed, in coordination with the Regional Field Security Officer and that safety/security oversight in Nigeria is provided. Ensure establishment and regular maintenance of Business Continuity Plans (BCP) and risk mitigation and management mechanisms are in place.
• Take full responsibility for the successful execution of ongoing operational programmes and the development of new ones.
• Advocate for and promote the Organization’s position on migration issues of concern and support regional and international processes and dialogues on migration relevant to Nigeria. Ensure participation and engagement of government officials in these initiatives.
• Promote and strengthen relationships and identify opportunities for IOM activities in response to evolving issues and situations.
• Advocate and support the authorities and key stakeholders on development of appropriate policies and strategies on migration management including mainstreaming into national plan and budget. Support their proactive engagement in the global/regional processes and follow up and implementation of the Global Compact for Migration (GCM) for Orderly, Safe and Regular Migration and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) going forward.
• Provide advice and technical assistance to the Government of Nigeria in the context of the migratory flows on the Central Mediterranean Route and the humanitarian crisis in the Lake Chad Basin.
• Supervise the implementation and assure high quality performance of a large variety of projects related to internally displaced persons (IDPs), voluntary returns and reintegration; durable solutions for IDPs and vulnerable populations; technical assistance on border monitoring and border management; migration, environment and climate change; community stabilization initiatives; migration and health; diaspora engagement; and trafficking in persons and smuggling; and ensure the inclusion of cross cutting issues such as gender and protection.
• Support and promote regional and international processes and dialogues on migration relevant to Nigeria. Ensure the participation of government officials in these initiatives.
• Advocate for continued IOM leadership on DDRR for low risk ex-combatants and Durable Solutions for the displaced populations in Nigeria.
• Advocate to increase support for IOM’s management of two of the key enablers in the humanitarian response in Northeast Nigeria (DTM and Humanitarian Hubs).

Resource management and capacity building:

• To meet growing demands in Nigeria, direct the operational, human resources, administrative, budgetary and financial activities of the Country Office and oversee those of the Sub-Office(s) in accordance with the Organization's rules and procedures.
• Exercise oversight of financial management, expenditure, and budget preparation and ensure appropriate and timely reporting to donors and prepare briefings and background information requested by RO and HQ, the Government and other entities.
• Ensure establishment and strengthening of internal controls aimed at preventing fraud and mismanagement in all activities.
• Report regularly to the RD, HQ, Nigerian and US government authorities and other interested partners on progress and developments in Nigeria to attend to the migration flows.
• Ensure the submission of regular and specific narrative, impact, policy, financial, evaluation and statistical reports covering IOM activities; provide briefings for high level delegations and prepare background information requested by RO and HQ, member Governments and other entities.

Resource Mobilization:

• Explore funding opportunities and secure funding and in-kind contributions from different ministries for the organization of activities, as well as, from other donors in the region.

Representation of IOM:

• Develop and promote liaison with governmental authorities at the ministerial and vice-ministerial level and with diplomatic missions, international and regional organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), Human Rights Commissions, civil society, academia and public media in the region, with view to create synergies and identify and developing common activities/projects in the overall migration agenda and priority areas for cooperation and project development, as well as, for fundraising purposes.
• Serve as the IOM Liaison to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission and the ECOWAS Parliament.
• Serve as co-chair of the Humanitarian Hub Steering Committee.
• Represent the Organization at national and international fora and conferences, ministerial level meetings, academic seminars. Represent IOM in high level consultation for a including the Migration Dialogue in West Africa (MIDWA) and play an integral role in migration policy discussions and apply approved policies in national activities.
• Develop public relations and media activities in order to promote IOM's image and programmes. Attend media requests nationally and internationally to present IOM’s position with regard to policies and ongoing initiatives in Nigeria.
• Participate in the UN Country Team, establish and chair the UN Migration Working Group. Establish and maintain the migration agenda as a cross-cutting theme in Nigeria given the present migratory trends and its political significance nationally, regionally and internationally. Contribute to and support Nigeria ’s priorities with regard to the Global Compact and Sustainable Development Goals and provide support to other inter-agency planning processes and the overall humanitarian strategy.
• Support the Regional Office and when relevant HQs in the preparation and implementation of high-level meetings, with a view to ensuing high level participation of the Government of Nigeria.
• Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience
Education:

• Master's Degree in Political or Social Science, International Relations and/or Business Administration or a related field from an accredited academic institution with fifteen (15) years of relevant professional experience.

Experience:

• Experience in diplomacy, fundraising and public relations, as well as, in liaising with governmental and diplomatic authorities and international institutions.

Skills:

• Proven liaison and negotiation skills;
• Demonstrated strategic and creative thinking;
• In-depth knowledge of the broad range of migration-related subject areas dealt with by the Organization;
• Knowledge of programme planning, development, and management;
• Effective resource management skills, sound knowledge of financial and business administration and of the principles and practices of management; ability to motivate, supervise and coach/ direct staff; and,
• Good level of computer literacy.

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).
• Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Notes: 1 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. 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.