Senior Global Thematic Officer (P)

Introduction

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 ensuring a workplace where all employees can thrive professionally, while working towards harnessing the full potential of migration. Read more about IOM's workplace culture at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration

For the purpose of this vacancy, the following are considered first-tier candidates:

1. Internal candidates
2. Candidates from the following IOM Member States that are not represented among staff members in the Professional and higher categories: 
   Bahamas, Barbados, Comoros, Congo (the), Cook Islands, Dominica, Federated States of Micronesia, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Holy See, Iceland, Israel, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Namibia, Nauru, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:
All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM.

 

Organizational Context and Scope

Under the direct supervision of the Head, Global Programs Unit (GPU), and the overall supervision of the Chief of Global and Domestic Programmes, the Senior Global Thematic Officer supports the International Organization for Migration’s (IOM’s) strategic thematic engagement with the US Government. The successful candidate will build, manage, and maintain the direct relationship between IOM and US Institutions, Bodies, and Agencies to enhance IOM’s position in policy discussions, support resource mobilization efforts, and provide evidence-based advice and recommendations regarding respective humanitarian and related migration topics, policies, and programmes. Specifically, the successful candidate will focus on  engagement of the US Department of State, including the Bureau of Disaster and Humanitarian Response (DHR), the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM) and the assistance offices of regional bureaus. The successful candidate will work in alignment with relevant internal and external frameworks, policies, strategies, and workplans; guides and supports IOM Country Offices (COs) worldwide and Regional Thematic Specialists (RTSs) in the Regional Offices (ROs) in their advocacy on USG-related thematic issues; and in the development, contracting, compliance, and implementation of USG-funded projects. 

The successful candidate has the following functions: policy advocacy, liaison, and donor compliance on projects funded by the US Government implemented outside the United States. This includes resource mobilization and secondary project review to support and expand IOM’s global US-funded portfolio. Additionally, the incumbent supports offices implementing USG-funded projects on knowledge management and learning, and capacity building for COs and ROs.

Given the USG’s prioritization of lifesaving assistance, this position has a strong thematic focus on humanitarian programming. However, the successful candidate will supervise team members representing a wide range of IOM thematic areas and programs. 

Coordination: Supervise and support team with liaison and secondary review responsibilities for USG-funded programmes implemented outside the US. 

Strategic Engagement 

1. Policy and Advocacy: Lead thematic advocacy and communicate IOM’s policies and strategic position to US Institutions, Bodies, and Agencies, grounded in guidance from HQ in close coordination with the Office of Partnership, Advocacy and Communications (OPAC), Global Office leadership, and relevant ROs and COs.  
2. Liaison and Engagement: As delegated by the Head, Global Programmes Unit (GPU), the Global Office Director and/or the Chief of Global and Domestic Programmes, represent IOM and coordinate a liaison team to engage with US Institutions, Bodies, and Agencies. Additionally, provide thematic guidance to COs on engagement with US donors in coordination with relevant RTS. 
3. Strategic Planning: Provide strategic guidance to the development, expansion, implementation, and/or revision of strategic plans, frameworks, and agreements in line with IOM’s global and Global Office Washington DC’s priority areas, in coordination with DHRR HQ and relevant GO Washington colleagues, ROs, and COs.