Head of Office

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 has a staffing complement of over 20,000 employees and operates in more than 580 locations worldwide. IOM is committed to ensuring a workplace where all employees can thrive professionally while harnessing the full potential of migration. The organization encourages applications from first- and second-tier candidates, particularly qualified female candidates and those from non-represented member countries. The selection process for this assignment will be carried out through the Pathways Pool, which includes both internal and external candidates currently included in the Pathways Pool.

Job Overview:
The Head of Office (HoO) will be responsible for overseeing and providing policy, administrative, programmatic, and financial support to the Country Office (CO) in Beirut, Lebanon. Reporting to the Director General and the Regional Director, the HoO will also collaborate closely with relevant units at Headquarters. The role involves strategic country program development and planning, ensuring that IOM's overall mandate and strategy are promoted and implemented effectively. The HoO will play a crucial role in policy discussions, project development, and resource mobilization, ensuring that programs align with IOM's Strategic Vision and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF). The position requires a proactive approach to engage with national authorities and stakeholders to develop appropriate migration policies and strategies, as well as to advocate for risk management plans aligned with IOM's framework. The HoO will also be responsible for ensuring the successful execution of ongoing operational programs and the development of new initiatives, while maintaining high-quality performance across a variety of migration-related projects.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Head of Office include:

• Directing and monitoring project design and implementation, ensuring successful execution of ongoing operational programs and development of new ones.
• Supervising the implementation of migration-related projects and ensuring their impact within the UNSDCF.
• Participating actively in the UN Country Team (UNCT) to ensure migration-related issues are integrated into the CCA and UNSDCF processes.
• Engaging with governmental authorities, diplomatic missions, NGOs, and civil society to identify migration-related areas for collaboration.
• Reporting regularly to the Director General and Regional Director on progress and developments, preparing various reports covering IOM activities.
• Facilitating knowledge generation and management, coordinating knowledge product development, and contributing to UN interagency knowledge management platforms.
• Ensuring safety and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security management of IOM personnel and facilities, and leading the PSEA/SH Strategy at the country level.
• Performing other duties as assigned by the Director General or Regional Director.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the Head of Office position include:

• A Master’s degree in Political or Social Science, International Relations, Business Administration, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with ten years of relevant professional experience; or a University degree in the above fields with twelve years of relevant professional experience.
• Significant experience in general management, project and resource management, diplomacy, fundraising, and public relations.
• Proven ability to liaise with governmental and diplomatic authorities and international institutions.
• Experience in delivering large and diverse programs in complex settings related to migration programming, both in emergency and development contexts.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, with the ability to prepare and deliver speeches on various activities of the organization.
• Strong liaison and negotiation skills, along with in-depth knowledge of migration-related subject areas.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in Political or Social Science, International Relations, Business Administration, or a related field from an accredited academic institution. Alternatively, a University degree in the aforementioned fields is acceptable if accompanied by twelve years of relevant professional experience. Accredited universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.

Experience:
Candidates should have significant experience in general management, project and resource management, and diplomacy. They should also have substantial experience in fundraising and public relations, as well as in liaising with governmental and diplomatic authorities and international institutions. Experience in delivering large and diverse programs in complex settings related to migration programming is essential, particularly in both emergency and development contexts.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for all applicants, both oral and written. For this vacancy, working knowledge of Arabic and French is a distinct advantage. Additionally, working knowledge of another UN official language (Chinese, Russian, or Spanish) or a language widely spoken in the country context 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:
The position is a fixed-term contract for one year with the possibility of extension. It is classified at the P5 grade level and is a professional recruitment type. The eligibility criteria for expressing interest in roles covered by the Pathways Pool have been widened, allowing current staff members who are members of the Pathways Pool to express interest in relevant roles at lower-level grades. Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile, and any offer made to the candidate 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, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, and discrimination. IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process.