Rapid Response Emergency Response Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) was established in 1951 and is a Related Organization of the United Nations. It is the leading UN agency in the field of migration, working closely with governmental, intergovernmental, and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all, providing services and advice to governments and migrants. The organization is committed to ensuring a workplace where all employees can thrive professionally while harnessing the full potential of migration. IOM operates in numerous countries worldwide, focusing on various aspects of migration management, including emergency response, humanitarian assistance, and development initiatives.

Job Overview:
The Rapid Response Emergency Response Officer will play a crucial role in the emergency response aspects of the Rapid Response Team managed by the Department of Humanitarian Response and Recovery (DHRR) at IOM Headquarters. This position requires the officer to support and provide guidance to Country Offices in establishing or scaling up IOM’s emergency operations in crisis-affected countries. The officer will coordinate with various divisions and teams within IOM, ensuring effective emergency preparedness and response. The role involves deploying to emergency situations globally, ideally within 72 hours, and requires the officer to be prepared for significant travel, approximately two-thirds of the working time. The officer will be responsible for enhancing country office capacity to prepare and respond to emergencies, ensuring that all components of the emergency response operate cohesively with existing recovery and development activities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Rapid Response Emergency Response Officer include: deploying to emerging risk countries to support emergency response operations; managing operational, financial, and administrative aspects of emergency programs; coordinating emergency needs assessments and establishing emergency response programs; facilitating effective coordination of response efforts; supporting resource mobilization efforts; liaising with program managers and humanitarian actors; monitoring and evaluating project activities; ensuring compliance with IOM and donor regulations; contributing to public information efforts related to emergency response; maintaining liaison with key government institutions and NGOs; participating in donor meetings; identifying opportunities for new project proposals; integrating IOM’s cross-cutting priorities into emergency programming; providing guidance to staff; undertaking frequent field travel; and ensuring proper handover and reporting at the end of deployments.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in Political or Social Sciences, International Relations, Humanitarian Affairs, or a related field from an accredited institution, along with five years of relevant professional experience. Alternatively, a University degree in the same fields with seven years of relevant experience is acceptable. Experience in emergency settings, program management, and liaising with government authorities and NGOs is essential. Familiarity with IOM/UN administrative and financial management is also required, along with a solid understanding of conflict sensitivity and the ability to apply conflict analysis tools throughout the project cycle.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master’s degree in relevant fields such as Political or Social Sciences, International Relations, or Humanitarian Affairs from an accredited academic institution. Candidates with a University degree in these fields must have additional years of relevant professional experience to qualify for the role. Accredited institutions are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database, ensuring that candidates have received their education from recognized and reputable sources.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have substantial experience in emergency settings and complex environments, with a strong background in program management and knowledge of IOM/UN project life cycles. Candidates should have experience in liaising with government authorities, inter-governmental institutions, and NGOs, as well as familiarity with Camp Coordination and Camp Management, ES/NFI, Shelter, DTM, and socio-economic recovery. A solid understanding of conflict sensitivity as a core principle is also necessary, along with the ability to adjust programming based on potential influences on conflict dynamics.

Languages:
Fluency in English and French is mandatory for all applicants, both oral and written. Working knowledge of another UN official language, such as Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish, is considered an advantage. The proficiency of required languages will be evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments to ensure candidates meet the language requirements effectively.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as a Special Short Term Graded contract, with an initial duration of 6 months and the possibility of extension. The recruitment process is expedited and is open only to internal candidates and former IOM staff members who were separated in the last 12 months due to structural adjustments. Candidates must be mobile and willing to travel frequently. The selection process may also be used to staff similar positions in various duty stations, and recommended candidates will remain eligible for appointment in similar positions for a period of 24 months. The appointment is subject to medical fitness certification, residency or visa requirements, and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security clearances. IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with its aims and objectives, including discrimination and harassment.