Job Description

Position Title: Regional Liaison and Policy Officer

Duty Station: Pretoria, South Africa

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: 26 September 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.

Context:

Under the direct supervision and guidance of the Regional Director for Southern Africa, and in close coordination with relevant HQ Department at Headquarters (HQs), the Regional Liaison and Policy Officer (RLPO) will lead and coordinate within the Regional Office liaison with international, governmental and non-governmental partners, and policy engagement, including internal policy coordination and provision of migration policy advice to governments, the UN system and other relevant stakeholders, as well as providing guidance and support to IOM Country Offices region on these matters.

Core Functions / Responsibilities: * Support the Regional Director (RD) on overall internal policy coordination as well as external relations and IOM positioning, by providing cross-cutting analysis and advice on areas of strategic importance to inform decision-making at the regional and country level, preparing policy documents, briefs, speeches, and presentations on various topics of strategic importance for high-level interventions and representation by the RD.

• In close collaboration with the Regional Thematic Specialists (RTS), Country Offices and, where appropriate, HQ, identify key migration trends and policy issues in the region, including by undertaking evidence-based and forward-looking analysis of the regional migration landscape and relevant policy and legislative frameworks; fostering strategic partnerships with think-tanks, academic and research institutions in the region; and engaging with various regional policy dialogue platforms and experts; as well as serving as the focal point to provide providing inputs to relevant UN Secretary Generalxe2x80x99s reports as well as the UN Special Representative for Africa and other UN policy related documents or reports.
• Serve as the focal point for strategic Regional Planning exercises, and provide support for country level strategic planning, including the development of country strategies and their respective Strategic Results Frameworks (SRF) in close coordination with the Regional Director, COM/ Heads of offices and relevant parts of HQ, as required.
• Maintain regular liaison with international, governmental, and non-governmental partners at the regional level and advise IOM Country Offices on liaision and partnership-building in order to raise the Organizationxe2x80x99s profile, advocate for good migration governance, facilitate implementation of ongoing activities and identify new strategic opportunities.
• Promote cooperation and policy dialogue on migration at the regional level in support of safe,orderly and regular migration. This includes providing technical expertise, policy guidance, capacity development and secretarial support to the Regional Consultative Processes (RCPs) and other Inter-State Consultation Mechanisms (ISCMs) in the region, namely the Migration Dialogue for Southern Africa (MIDSA), MIDCOM (Migration Dialogue for the COMESA Region) and MiDIOC (Migration Dialogue for Indian Ocean Countries); and, in close coordination with relevant country offices, promote systematic inclusion of migration in strategies and programmes of key regional integration bodies, namely the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), including through engagement with the SADC Parliament.
• Fascilitate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) in the Southern Africa region. This includes promoting the alignment of the IOM regional strategy, programming and policy positioning with these frameworks, capacity development of staff and external stakeholders, supporting the Regional Director in engaging with regional UN inter-agency mechanisms, including the Regional UN Sustainable Development Group for Eastern and Southern Africa (R-UNSDG ESA) and the ESA Regional UN Network on Migration, as well as providing guidance and support to the IOM Country Offices, in coordination with RTSs, on GCM implementation and review processes, mainstreaming of migration in UN Sustainable Development Cooperation frameworks (UNSDCFs) and SDG financing, including through an active participation in the UN Network on Migration.
• In close collaboration with the RTS, spearhead delivery of expert advice on regional migration policies and support Chiefs of Missions/Heads of Offices in effectively engaging with governments at national and local levels on development and revision of migration policies and legislation, as well as promoting mainstreaming of migration into sectoral policies.
• Support regional Resource Mobilization Strategy efforts and facilitate donor engagement and liaison, including with the private sector, at the regional level, in close coordination with the Regional Project Development Officer.
• Perform such other duties as may be assigned

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Masterxe2x80x99s degree in Political Science, International Relations, 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 in the field of migration policy and governance, including in providing policy support to governments, as well as other operational field and project development experience;
• Experience liaising with inter-governmental, national and local authorities, other national/international institutions and NGOs;
• Solid knowledge of regional socio-political dynamics, an understanding of continental and regional migration dynamics; sound appreciation of sensitivities and regional norms;
• Knowledge of monitoring and evaluation; and,
• Proven expertise in migration policy development and collaboration with other international organisations and network/partnership building.

Skills

• Diplomatic skills to enable effective representation of IOM in high-level interactions with clients;
• Maturity of judgement to ensure appropriate management of sensitive issues and correct interaction with and advice on interfacing with senior level stakeholders as appropriate;
• Excellent relationship-building skills to support effective partnerships with stakeholders, including donors;
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills; a logical thinker with intellectual curiosity and the ability to think strategically;
• Proven understanding of a wide range of migration issues, trends and policies, and a skillset to identify emerging trends and political developments that can impact on the core mandates and their execution;
• Excellent communication skills, including first rate drafting skills, in particular ability to draft policy papers of publishable quality on varied topics; and,
• Good level of computer literacy.

Languages

IOMxe2x80x99s official languages are English, French, and Spanish.

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of either French or Portuguese 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

Accredited Universities are the ones listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database ( ).

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 xe2x80x93 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 Organizationxe2x80x99s 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 xe2x80x93 behavioural indicators level 3

• Leadership: Provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example and demonstrates the ability to carry out the Organizationxe2x80x99s 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 Organizationxe2x80x99s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.
• Humility: Leads with humility and shows openness to acknowledging own shortcomings.

IOMxe2x80x99s competency framework can be found at this link.

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 stationxe2x80x99s 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.

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