Director, Department of Humanitarian Response and Recovery (D) (Internal applicants only)

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 and humanitarian response.

Job Overview:
The Director of the Department of Humanitarian Response and Recovery (DHRR) will provide strategic leadership and overall direction for IOM’s humanitarian and recovery portfolio. This role is crucial in ensuring that the Organization’s policies, operations, and partnerships advance its global humanitarian mandate and align with intergovernmental priorities and system-wide reforms. The DHRR is responsible for coordinating IOM’s humanitarian assistance and recovery programming, focusing on timely, people-centered protection and assistance to crisis-affected populations. The Director will lead operational activities to advance IOM’s Strategic Plan objectives, ensuring that the Department anticipates and responds to emerging humanitarian crises, trends, and risks, including those related to climate, conflict, and displacement. The position requires a strong focus on policy leadership, humanitarian coordination, and the integration of humanitarian action with development and peacebuilding efforts.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide overall leadership and strategic direction for IOM’s humanitarian and recovery portfolio in line with the IOM Strategic Plan and humanitarian policy frameworks.
• Advise the Director General and Deputy Director General for Operations on policy, programmatic, and operational matters related to humanitarian response and protection.
• Lead IOM’s institutional positioning on humanitarian coordination and recovery, ensuring coherence across the Humanitarian-Peace-Development Nexus (HDPN).
• Oversee the development and implementation of strategic initiatives and operational frameworks to enhance IOM’s global response capacity.
• Ensure effective coordination and guidance to IOM’s Regional Thematic Specialists and Regional Offices.
• Manage Level 3 (L3) or large-scale humanitarian Scale-Up operations, ensuring timely institutional mobilization and cross-departmental coordination.
• Foster collaboration across IOM’s Headquarters, Regional Offices, and Country Offices to ensure quality programming and operational support.
• Provide strategic oversight of the Department’s financial and human resources, ensuring sound management and alignment with institutional priorities.
• Lead knowledge management, monitoring, and evaluation initiatives to enhance evidence-based programming and institutional learning. 1
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Political or Social Sciences, Humanitarian Affairs, International Relations, International law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Humanitarian Law, or a related field from an accredited academic institution.
• Fifteen years of relevant professional experience in humanitarian emergencies and/or crisis settings.
• Proven ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams in fast-paced environments while ensuring an inclusive and safe working environment.
• Sound knowledge of financial and business administration and management principles.
• Outstanding communication, writing, and analytical skills.
• Experience managing IOM funding streams and ensuring donor compliance and reporting requirements.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in a relevant field such as Political or Social Sciences, Humanitarian Affairs, International Relations, or International Humanitarian Law from an accredited institution. Accredited universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of fifteen years of operational experience in humanitarian emergencies and/or crisis and post-crisis settings. This includes experience in the mobility dimensions of crisis, such as legislation, policy, and direct expert advice/support to governments, as well as liaising with governmental and diplomatic authorities and international institutions.

Languages:
Fluency in English (oral and written) is mandatory for this position. A working knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) is considered an advantage. Proficiency in required languages will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Additional Notes:
This position is a fixed-term contract for one year with the possibility of extension. It is open only to internal candidates and former IOM staff members who were separated in the last 12 months due to the structural adjustment process. The role requires international mobility, and any offer made is subject to funding confirmation. The selection process may be used to staff similar positions in various duty stations. Candidates must be medically fit for appointment and meet any residency or visa requirements. IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM.