Senior regional emergency and post-crisis specialist

Context

Under the direct supervision of the Regional Director for the European Economic Area (EEA), the technical oversight of the Director of the Department of Operations and Emergencies (DOE) in Headquarters (HQ), the successful candidate will be responsible for providing technical support for the development and implementation of IOM’s EU-funded emergency and post-crisis activities and services in the European Economic Area region and worldwide. This entails the provision of strong leadership in needs assessment and strategic planning functions in support of emergency and crisis preparedness, mitigation, response in natural disaster and conflict settings and transition/recovery. In close collaboration with the IOM Regional and Country Offices (CO), the Senior Regional Emergency and Post-Crisis Specialist is responsible for providing technical support in all aspects of the regional migration-crisis-management and transition/recovery programming, including the achievement of expected results as a contribution to the areas identified by the IOM Global Strategy (Points 9 and 10) and DOE/EPC strategic plan for migration-crisis management and transition/recovery (under development).

Core functions/ responsibilities

I. Development and follow up of policies, resource mobilization, representation

• Support the development of policies and the implementation of advocacy strategies and plans designed to influence the humanitarian/ conflict /transition / disaster preparedness policies and practice of the European Institutions and key Member States, in coordination with DOE. Identify analysis and policy development on generic international humanitarian/conflict /transition issues, from EU perspectives that are a priority for IOM.
• Monitor EU institutions funding instruments in support to humanitarian/ conflict /transition / disaster preparedness and stabilization, identify and follow up on potential opportunities for resource mobilization in support of national, regional and global programmes, in coordination with Senior Regional Policy and Liaison Officer (SRPLO). In collaboration with DOE, produce funding proposals and briefings in support of resource mobilization efforts.
• Represent RO Brussels and DOE in relevant inter-agency, EU-Led and NATO working groups based in Brussels in the field of humanitarian emergencies, migration-crisis-management and transition recovery issues on matters of technical inter-organizational working groups and participate in task forces within established inter-organizational bodies and networks towards developing common programming principles and approaches and joint programmes.
• Develop and maintain strategic relationships within the relevant EU institutions on an agreed contact management strategy. Organize and manage events in Brussels to support IOM advocacy and partnership building objectives. Support the development of strategic partnerships and alliances relevant to the achievement of overall strategy of the Organization and the DOE and of policies in the region.
• Undertake working and strategic level negotiations with counterparts in multi and bilateral agencies located in Brussels and the EEA region, in coordination with SRPLO, to contribute to the preparation of appeals in coordination with the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Regional Advisers, ensuring that IOM's migration crisis and transition recovery needs are adequately reflected.
• Provide technical support for the production and dissemination of both regular and occasional reports on DOE-related activities in migration crisis management and transition/recovery. Support justification for increased investment in DOE activities in disaster risk reduction, climate change migration and displacement, and displacement- and return-related land issues.
• Review lessons learned from previous EU-funded migration crisis and transition/ recovery programmes in the region and prepare ground for developing appropriate initiatives focusing on relevant thematic areas. Develop and operationalize regional DOE knowledge network on themes and issues that have been identified for the EEA region. In collaboration with DOE in Geneva, ensure that the knowledge network in the region is fully integrated into the DOE global electronic knowledge network.
• Participate in periodic knowledge networking e-discussions of IOM national focal points, project managers and national and regional partners; exchange experiences and lessons on migration crisis and transition/ recovery management.
• Provide relevant substantive inputs to knowledge networking, including responding to CO requests for information on best practice and offering referrals to experts and expert institutions.
• Contribute to IOM knowledge management at the regional level, in coordination with SRPLO.

II. Field support and capacity building

• Review, endorse, and track DOE-related project proposals developed by COs in the region, and provide regular updates to the concerned HQ Division on projects endorsed. In coordination with DOE endorse EU-funded emergency projects developed by Country Offices worldwide.
• Review and endorse narrative donor reports submitted by Country Offices, according to the procedures specified in the IOM Project Handbook.
• Provide technical input for the assessment, design and development of IOM migration- crisis- management and transition/recovery initiatives in line with IOM agreements, policies and standards.
• In line with the EU funding instruments and priorities, support the IOM Country Offices and Regional Offices on programme development in key thematic areas including, amongst others, disaster risk reduction; relief and mitigation assistance in the context of migration crisis; peace-building and durable solutions for displacement including the resolution of land and property issues; civil-military coordination; and climate change migration and displacement.
• In case of natural disasters, provide technical support through inter-agency collaboration for needs assessment and strategic planning and programming of response and recovery interventions in line with the EU priorities.
• Provide technical support to ongoing IOM Country Offices worldwide on EU-funded migration- crisis management and transition/ recovery projects. As necessary, monitor progress towards pre-determined results and advise compliance with EU mechanisms.
• Identify relevant emerging issues; participate actively in the preparation of DOE annual EU activity plans, relating to migration crisis management and transition/recovery including the provision of emergency and post-crisis training to IOM staff and cluster partners with a focus on EU policy and programming guidelines. Support regional strategic planning exercises.
• Act as Officer-in-Charge in the absence of the Regional Director, as required.
• Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Desirable Competencies

Behavioural

• takes responsibility and manages constructive criticism;
• works effectively with all clients and stakeholders;
• promotes continuous learning, communicates clearly;
• takes initiative and drives high levels of performance management;
• plans work, anticipates risks, and sets goals within area of responsibility;
• displays mastery of subject matter;
• contributes to a collegial team environment;
• creates a respectful office environment free of harassment and retaliation, and promotes the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA);
• incorporates gender-related needs, perspectives, and concerns, and promotes equal gender participation;
• displays awareness of relevant technological solutions;
• works with internal and external stakeholders to meet resource needs of IOM.

Technical

• delivers on set objectives in hardship situations;
• effectively coordinates actions with other implementing partners;
• works effectively with local authorities, stakeholders, beneficiaries, and the broader community to advance Country Office or regional objectives.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

• completed Master’s degree in Political or Social Sciences, Business Administration, Migration Studies, International Relations and/ or Law; from an accredited academic institution;
• eight years (or ten years for holders of an undergraduate degree) of operational and field experience in migration related issues, including operational and field experience, project development and management;
• demonstrated expertise in the thematic area relevant to project development;
• demonstrated experience in liaising with governmental authorities, other national/international institutions and NGOs;
• knowledge of monitoring and evaluation; f) experience of regional issues a distinct advantage.

Languages

• Thorough knowledge of English. Good knowledge of French and/ or Spanish an asset.