Durable Solutions Working Group Coordinator

Position Title: Durable Solutions Working Group Coordinator

Duty Station: Erbil, Iraq

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: 22 November 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.

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; Botswana; Cabo Verde; Comoros; Congo (the); Cook Islands; Dominica; Fiji; Grenada; 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; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Tonga; Tuvalu; Uzbekistan; Vanuatu

Second-tier candidates include:

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

Context:

In Iraq, IOM is the co-lead agency for several working groups within the Iraq Durable Solutions architecture. At strategic level, IOM co-leads the Durable Solutions Task Force (DSTF), and at technical level, IOM leads the Returns Working Group (RWG), and co-leads the Durable Solutions Technical Working Group (DSTWG). IOM also actively participates in, and in some cases leads, a number of area-based working groups (ABCs).

The Durable Solutions architecture is responsible for assuring inter-agency coordination as well as close partnership with the government on issues related to the resolution of displacement in Iraq, a “nexus” structure bridging humanitarian, development and peace.

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission in Iraq, direct supervision of the Deputy Chief of Mission (Peace and Development) and in coordination with Head of Divisions and thematic Programme Managers, the Durable Solutions Working Group Coordinator will be responsible for supporting IOM’s leadership roles within the Durable Solutions architecture.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Support the ongoing management of the durable solutions architecture in Iraq including by serving as co-chair of the Durable Solutions Technical Working Group (DSTWG) and the Returns Working Group (RWG) and by carrying out Secretariat functions for the Durable Solutions Task Force (DSTF).
2. Support IOM co-chairing of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) Program Working Group (PWG) 5 on Durable Solutions including related information management.
3. Develop and coordinate policies, approaches, tools and operational recommendations aimed at contributing to the achievement of durable solutions in Iraq – based on the international durable solutions framework and principles for humanitarian action – in collaboration with members of the WG, namely UN Agencies (representing humanitarian and recovery portfolios), International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, International non-governmental organizations (INGOs) and National NGOs.
4. Lead on the development and review of governorate and area-based durable solutions plans, including through supporting Area-Based Coordination focal points and DSTWG liaison officers in facilitating and organizing national, regional and governorate level consultation/panels on situation/needs of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and affected populations through the active engagement of relevant government authorities, donors and humanitarian/development actors.
5. Provide technical guidance and support, in coordination with Durable Solutions Task Force members and DSTWG co-chairs, to government counterparts in the development and implementation of the national plan for durable solutions, including leading technical meetings with relevant ministries on behalf of DSTWG.
6. Coordinate closely with humanitarian, stabilisation and development organisations as well as the relevant staff in the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General (DSRSG) Office, recovery, stabilisation and development actors, in order to support programme prioritization, strategy development and resource mobilization to advance durable solutions in Iraq.
7. Support stakeholder mapping and programme cohesion including coherence between government and non-governmental actors’ actions to ensure support for displacement-affected populations is contributing to the overall durable solutions framework and strategy.
8. Actively promote synergetic partnerships between actors contributing to the overall goal of durable solutions.
9. Coordinate and actively engage with national and sub-national coordination structures, starting from ABCs and including Governorate coordination meetings (GCMs) and Development Support Office (DSO) representatives to identify gaps and enhance synergies.
10. In close coordination with the DSTF Co-chairs, actively engage in key advocacy initiatives and provide policy recommendations to enhance and promote durable solutions for the affected population, as well as support the DSRSG/ Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator (HC/RC) Office’s efforts and advocacy regarding durable solutions vis-à-vis the Iraq government, donors and partners as required, , including through development of Communication with Communities (CwC) and outreach materials supporting durable solutions.
11. Support and backstop IOM’s leadership of the Durable Solutions Task Force, such as preparing agendas and minutes, talking points, making presentations on technical work areas relevant to durable solutions and related points.
12. Lead and develop durable solutions training for government and non-government actors to expand the awareness and understanding of durable solutions principles and international frameworks, with application to the Iraq context.
13. Respond to gaps in analysis and monitoring by developing and maintaining a mapping and response analysis for durable solutions activities in Iraq; and in close coordination with the Monitoring & Accountability Sub-Group, support the development and implementation of a monitoring system to measure progress towards durable solutions in target communities.
14. Supervise the staff working under the RWG and DSTWG, including the sub- national coordinators/ liaison officers and the field staff.
15. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Political or Social Sciences, Development Studies, Human Rights, International Relations, Law or a related field from an accredited academic institution with seven years of relevant professional experience; or
• University degree in the above fields with nine years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• Experience working in a coordination capacity, in international humanitarian and development contexts.
• Experience working on durable solutions and IDP response is an asset.
• Experience at the international level with specialized international agencies (UN agencies, international organizations, and specialized international non-governmental organizations (NGOs)), preferably in emergency, recovery, migrant/refugees/IDPs assistance, and humanitarian assistance in the Middle East and/or North Africa.
• Experience in liaising with government authorities and international institutions.
• Experience developing or delivering training, in international contexts.
• Experience with report writing.

Skills

• Knowledge of UN, IOM, international organizations, and NGO mandates and programmes in the area of internal displacement, refugee responses and durable solutions and humanitarian assistance.
• Proven ability to supervise, coach, and direct staff and manage operations in transitional contexts.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish.

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

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 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 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.

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