Chief of Mission (CoM) 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

Organizational Context and Scope:

IOM, UN Migration Agency in Abuja, Nigeria is looking for a Chief of Mission (CoM) who will be responsible and accountable for the activities of IOM, overseeing and providing policy, administrative, programme, and financial support to the Country Office (CO).

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

Strategic country programme development and planning

• Direct IOM's overall mandate and strategy at country level by spearheading strategic planning, results orientation and operational excellence, project development and implementation following appropriate consultation with the Regional Office (RO) within the overall regional framework, Headquarters, Member States and other relevant stakeholders. Ensure IOM policies are appropriately reflected in national priority setting, by securing IOM’s involvement in migration policy discussions at national level. Support the regional and international processes and dialogues on migration as relevant. Ensure the participation of government officials in these initiatives as relevant.
• Stimulate, catalyse and support project development through a comprehensive resource mobilization strategy which includes multilateral and bilateral donors, national and local government and public/private partnerships. Assess the appropriateness and effectiveness of programme development strategies and fundraising and recommend process improvements. In programme countries, work closely with the Resident Coordinator (RC) to contribute to joint resource mobilization efforts.
• Direct and lead appropriate and effective programmes in line with IOM’s Strategic Vision and Strategic results framework, as well as the Common Country Analysis (CCA) and the UNSDCF. Ensure accuracy of results reporting, and recommend process improvements including the systematization and transfer of capacities and experiences in support of IOM’s global knowledge management. This includes incorporating lessons learned into the next planning cycle.
• Advise RO and HQ, as well as the Office of the RC on national policy and migration trends in the country and in the region as well as governments' migration policies affecting the activities of IOM and prepare proposals for appropriate action.
• Advocate and support the authorities and key stakeholders on development of appropriate policies and strategies on migration management including mainstreaming into the national plan and budget, as well as into the joint UNSDCF. Support their proactive engagement in the global/regional processes such as, for example, the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD), the implementation and follow-up of the Global Compact for Migration (GCM) for Orderly, Safe and Regular Migration and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, as well as the Secretary General’s Action Agenda on Internal Displacement.
• Advocate for and promote risk management plans aligned with IOM’s framework and policy. Ensure that risks to the Country Office’s objectives are regularly assessed, with priority risks identified and risk treatment plans are in place and embedded in the Country Office’s activity plans.

Country programme oversight and accountability

• Direct and monitor project planning, design and implementation of IOM activities in line with the UN Management and Accountability Framework, where appropriate. Evaluate IOM's operational activities and prepare recommendations with a view to increasing their effectiveness.
• Supervise the implementation and ensure high quality performance of a large variety of migration related projects, as relevant, also as part of increasing their impact within the UNSDCF.
• Report regularly to the Director General, Regional Director and other interested partners on progress achieved and developments. Prepare regular and special reports including narrative, impact, policy, financial, evaluation and statistics covering IOM activities, including as part of the interagency platform UNINFO. Prepare briefings and background information requested by the Regional Office, HQ, the Government and other entities.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Political or Social Science, International Relations, Business Administration, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with fifteen years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• Extensive experience in general management as well as project and resources management;
• Extensive experience in diplomacy, fundraising and public relations, as well as in liaising with governmental and diplomatic authorities and international institutions; and,
• Significant experience in delivering large and diverse programmes in complex settings in a range of migration programming, both in the context of emergency and development programming.

Skills

• Excellent communications skills, both oral and written; Ability to prepare and deliver speeches on various activities of the Organization;
• Excellent liaison and negotiation skills;
• In depth knowledge of the broad range of migration related subject areas dealt with by the Organization;
• Knowledge of UN and bilateral donor programming;
• Knowledge of Monitoring and Evaluation procedures and Frameworks;
• Effective resources management skills, sound knowledge of financial and business administration and of the principles and practices of management;
• Ability to deliver during crisis response; and,
• Good level of computer literacy.