IOM is the leading organization in the field of migration and has a staffing complement of 15,000+ staff in more than 580 locations worldwide.
Under the overall guidance of the Regional Director (RD) and direct supervision of the Sub-Regional Director as well as in close cooperation with relevant Units at Headquarters (HQ), the Chief of Mission of Country Office with Coordinating Functions (COCF) will be responsible and accountable for the activities of IOM, overseeing and providing policy, administrative, programme, and financial support to the Country Office (CO). In addition, the Chief of Mission (COCF) is overall responsible and accountable for the operations within the country cluster and directly supervises the CoMs/ HoOs. The Chief of Mission (COCF) will establish priorities for project development and resource mobilization; stimulate, direct and support project development; provide monitoring and backstopping support in the Cluster of Offices. In programme countries, the Chief of Mission also reports to the Resident Coordinator (RC) with respect to the IOM contributions to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) objectives and the collective results of the UN development system towards the achievement of the 2030 Agenda at the country level, in accordance with the Management and Accountability Framework.
Responsibilities
Strategic country cluster programme development and planning
1. Develop, clarify, contribute to and promote IOM’s overall mandate and strategy and spearhead strategic planning, results orientation and operational excellence, project development and implementation following appropriate consultation with the Sub-Regional Office and the Regional Office (RO) within the overall regional framework, Headquarters, Member States and other relevant stakeholders.
2. Play an integral role in policy discussions and apply approved policies in the national activities, in line with IOM’s Strategic Plan.
3. Stimulate, catalyse and support project development through a comprehensive resource mobilization strategy which includes multilateral and bilateral donors, national and local government and public/private partnerships. In programme countries, work closely with the Resident Coordinator (RC) to contribute to joint resource mobilization efforts and support countries within the country cluster as may be required.
4. Ensure appropriateness and effectiveness of programmes in line with IOM’s Strategic Plan and Strategic Results Framework, as well as the Common Country Analysis (CCA) and the UNSDCF. Ensure accuracy of results reporting and recommend process improvements including the systematization and transfer of capacities and experiences in support of IOM’s global knowledge management. This includes incorporating lessons learned into the next planning cycle.
5. Advise the Sub-Regional Office, RO and HQ as well as the Office of the RC on national policy and migration trends in the country and in the region as well as governments’ migration policies affecting the activities of IOM and prepare proposals for appropriate action. Support countries within the cluster to ensure information is adequately shared.
6. Advocate and support the authorities and key stakeholders on the development of appropriate policies and strategies on migration management including mainstreaming into the national plan and budget, as well as into the joint UNSDCF. Support their proactive engagement in the global/regional processes such as, for example, the, Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD), the implementation and follow-up of the Global Compact for Migration (GCM) for Orderly, Safe and Regular Migration and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, as well as the Secretary General’s Action Agenda on Internal Displacement.
7. Advocate for and promote risk management plans aligned with IOM’s framework and policy. Ensure that risks to the Country Clusters’ objectives are regularly assessed, with priority risks identified and risk treatment plans are in place and embedded in the Country Cluster’s activity plans.
Country programme oversight and accountability
8. Provide expert support and monitor the project design and implementation.
9. Take full responsibility for the successful execution of on-going operational programmes and the development of new ones including a strategy for identifying new opportunities.
10. Supervise the implementation and assure high quality performance of a large variety of migration related projects, also as part of increasing their impact within the UNSDCF.
11. Contribute to the regional and international processes and dialogues on migration. Ensure the participation of government officials in these initiatives.
12. Establish priorities for project development and resource mobilization; support project development; provide monitoring and backstopping support in the Cluster of Offices in the context of subregional strategies, policies and consultative processes.
13. Ensure oversight of programmes implemented within the cluster are in line with IOM’s Strategic Plan and in line with IOM’s accountability principles.
UN inter-agency engagement
14. Participate actively within the UN Country Team UNCT under the leadership of the Resident Coordinator (RC), with a view to ensuring full consideration of all relevant migration-related issues in the CCA and UNSDCF processes and the coordination of the UN Migration Network.
15. Play an integral role in policy discussions with internal and external stakeholders, participating in (UNCT) meetings, and ensure approved policies are appropriately integrated in and represented by IOM’s activities.
16. Actively pursue opportunities for joint programming, where relevant to IOM’s role within the UNSDCF, IOM’s country and regional strategy, and the IOM Strategic Plan.
17. Report to the RC on issues linked to the implementation of programmes stemming from the UNSDCF and led by IOM, the individual IOM activities as relevant to CF results, and the collective UNCT results based on the UNSDCF (or the UN Development Assistance Framework, where relevant).
18. Where a Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) exists, participate actively in the HCT once established, contributing actively and providing support to inter-agency planning process and the overall humanitarian strategy. Ensure that IOM’s obligations within the humanitarian cluster system are carried out including on reporting and capacity and reported upon regularly if the cluster system is activated.
19. Proactively engage with the UN/HCT on issues related to the prevention of and response to sexual exploitation and abuse and sexual harassment (PSEA/SH), as well as xenophobia and discrimination, in order to strengthen the interagency collective response.
20. Ensure Country Offices within the cluster adequately engage with the UN with the same principles as outlined above.
Resources Management
21. Direct the operational, human resources, administrative, budgetary and financial activities of the Country Office and oversee those of the Project offices in accordance with the Organization’s rules and procedures.
22. Ensure adequate support provision to countries within the clusters to ensure resources are adequately managed.
23. Report regularly to the Director General, Regional Director, Sub-Regional Director and other interested partners on progress achieved and developments. Prepare regular and special reports including narrative, impact, policy, financial, evaluation and statistics covering IOM activities, including as part of the interagency platform UNINFO. Prepare briefings and background information requested by the Regional Office, HQ, the Government and other entities.
Knowledge management
24. Facilitate knowledge generation and management through the identification of best practices and lessons learned to ensure more comprehensive and efficient delivery.
25. Coordinate the Country Office’s knowledge products development and knowledge service delivery and contribute to UN interagency knowledge management platforms as relevant.
26. Conduct regular field visits and represent IOM at events and meetings and monitor programme activities within the country where IOM operates.
27. Facilitate learning through organization of competency advancement training initiatives.
Representation and strategic partnerships
28. Develop partnerships within and beyond the UNCT, and promote liaison with governmental authorities and diplomatic missions, international organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society, the private sector, and public media in the country, particularly with a view to identify migration-related areas for developing common activities/ projects in a complementary manner.
29. Support Country Offices within the cluster to establish partnerships and where contextually appropriate spearhead the development of liaison activities with regional or subregional entities.
30. Identify needs and priorities for cooperation and project development as well as for fundraising purposes.
31. Support the Sub-Regional Office and the Regional Office and, when relevant, HQ in the preparation and implementation of high-level meetings, with a view to ensuring high level participation of the Government.
32. Represent the Organization at national and international conferences, events and meetings.
33. Develop public relations and media activities to promote IOM’s image and programmes.
Other
34. Ensure that safety and security management of IOM personnel, facilities and assets are addressed, in coordination with the Regional Field Security Officer and that safety/security oversight in COs is provided. Ensure establishment and regular maintenance of Business Continuity Plans (BCP) and risk mitigation and management mechanisms are in place.
35. Lead the PSEA/SH Strategy for IOM at the country level, ensuring that PSEA/SH is mainstreamed in all operations and programming and is a part of the organizational culture, including but not limited to PSEA/SH awareness raising and training for staff and partners, safe and accessible complaints and referral mechanisms exist within programming and within the office environment, and policies on the reporting of sexual and other types of misconduct are followed.
36. Conduct regular monitoring visits to establish relationships and monitor the quality of project implementation and Country Office management within the countries of the coordination structure.
37. Actively coordinate Country Office cluster functions to deal with specific migration dynamics and supervise the IOM operations and engagements of the Countries within the cluster.
38. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications and Experience
Education
- Master’s degree in Political or Social Science, International Relations, Business Administration, 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.
Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.
Experience
- Significant experience in general management as well as project and resources management;
- Significant experience in diplomacy, fundraising and public relations, as well as in liaising with governmental and diplomatic authorities and international institutions; and,
- Experience in delivering large and diverse programmes in complex settings in a range of migration programming, both in the context of emergency and development programming
Skills
- Excellent communication skills, both oral and written; Ability to prepare and deliver speeches on various activities of the Organization;
- Proven liaison and negotiation skills;
- In-depth knowledge of the broad range of migration-related subject areas dealt with by the Organization;
- Knowledge of UN and bilateral donor programming;
Knowledge of Monitoring and Evaluation procedures and Frameworks; - Effective resources management skills, sound knowledge of financial and business administration and of the principles and practices of management;
- Ability to deliver during crisis response; and,
- Good level of computer literacy.
Languages
All IOM staff members in all categories are required to be fluent in one of the IOM’s official languages (English, French, Spanish).
For this position, fluency in English and French is required (oral and written).
Working knowledge of Flemish is an advantage​.
Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.
How to apply
To apply, interested applicants are invited to submit their applications HERE via the IOM e-Recruitment system by 28 January 2026.
IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment system. The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
For further information please refer to:Â Search Jobs – IOM Careers