Regional Coordinator (COVID-19) At International Organization for Migration

Position Title: Regional Coordinator (COVID-19)

Duty Station: Cairo, Egypt

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P2

Type of Appointment: Special short-term graded, nine months with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 29 July 2021

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 a diverse and inclusive work environment. Read more about diversity and inclusion at IOM at www.iom.int/diversity.

Applications are welcome from first- and second-tier candidates, particularly qualified female candidates as well as applications from the non-represented member countries of IOM. For all IOM vacancies, applications from qualified and eligible first-tier candidates are considered before those of qualified and eligible second-tier candidates in the selection process.

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

1. Internal candidates
2. Candidates from the following non-represented member states:

Antigua and Barbuda; Botswana; Cabo Verde; Comoros; Cook Islands; Cuba; Fiji; Gabon; Guinea-Bissau; Guyana; Holy See; Iceland; Kingdom of Eswatini; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the); Latvia; Libya; Luxembourg; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Montenegro; Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Samoa; Sao Tome and Principe; Seychelles; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Timor-Leste; Tonga; Tuvalu; Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:

All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states.

Context:

In response to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the 17 countries of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, IOM Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) based in Cairo, Egypt (RO Cairo), supports, through its country offices, the Ministry of Health to strengthen health service capacity at the border points to effectively prevent, detect and respond to the infectious diseases and other public health threads. IOM also provides integrated surveillance and disease control training for the frontline health staff working in border areas, necessary medical and health commodities for the border posts, analyses and reports on population mobility trends in priority health zones to inform preparedness efforts, as well as risk communication assistance to sensitize cross border population and neighbouring communities. IOM’s approach for preparing and responding to disease outbreaks and future health threats is also anchored in IOM’s Health, Border and Mobility Management (HBMM) Framework. The framework links an understanding of population mobility with disease surveillance and provides a platform to develop country-specific and multi-country interventions emphasizing health system strengthening along mobility corridors in line with the 2005 International Health Regulations (IHR). IOM is an active partner of the Ministry of Health in supporting Point of Entry Surveillance during outbreaks.

Under the overall supervision of the Regional Director of RO Cairo, under the direct supervision of Regional Migration Health Specialist in RO Cairo and in close coordination with Epidemiologist in RO Cairo, other relevant colleagues relevant to COVID-19 response in RO Cairo, Senior Migration Health Emergency Response Officer for Africa and Middle East (SMHERO), Regional Health Assessment Coordinator in Amman, Jordan, Migration Health Division (MHD) Regional Thematic Specialists (RTS) in other regions, and MHD headquarters, the successful candidate will be a regional technical focal point for COVID-19 preparedness and response in 17 countries in the MENA region, including providing guidance for the management and coordination of regional COVID-19 programmes in line with IOM’s COVID-19

Global Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan (SRP), World Health Organization (WHO)’s Global and Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office (EMRO) SRPs, as well as for other relevant strategic plans and priorities including Humanitarian Response Plan, country response plan, etc.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Assist in coordinating the overall regional COVID-19 response, both internally (including MHD and non-MHD such as Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM), Department of Operations and Emergencies) and externally (including but not limited to Ministry of Health (MOH), World Health Organization (WHO), non-health sector partners, and private sector) at the regional level to help align IOM’s overall preparedness and response with the Strategic Response and Recovery Plan (SRRP).
2. Assist the MHD Regional Thematic Specialist (RTS) in providing oversight of IOM’s daily operations within the region in relation to the COVID-19 outbreak response and International Health Regulations (IHR) and Point of Entry (PoE) activities within the region and act as liaison focal point for cross border activities in close collaboration with SMHERO, MHD RTSs of RO Nairobi (RO for East and Horn of Africa), RO Dakar (RO for West and Central Africa), RO Bangkok (RO for Asia and the Pacific) and RO Vienna (RO for South-Eastern Europe, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia).
3. Provide technical support to IOM country offices and regional offices as required in project monitoring and evaluation (M&E), as well as on the technical aspects related to project implementation.
4. Upon approval, disseminate updated guidelines, reports, webinars, and other information related to COVID-19 and response operation to IOM CO’s.
5. In close coordination with the logistics and supplies coordinators/team in the region, facilitate the provision of logistical needs for COVID-19 response operations.
6. Contribute to the development and dissemination of Point of Entry (POE) specific standard operating procedures (SOPs) for detection, notification, isolation, management and referral. Provide training to immigration and border/port health staff as required on SOPs to manage ill travelers and on infection prevention and control.
7. Coordinate closely with external partners including the Ministry of Health, the WHO, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the COVID-19 response team, and others to coordinate cross border preparedness activities and IHR.
8. Take minutes of meetings, track the progress of joint activities, and coordinate closely with the COVID-19 taskforce members.
9. Implement and provide inputs for an action plan to strengthen epidemic preparedness and response capacity in countries in close coordination and technical guidance of the Regional Thematic Specialist.
10. Track and follow up on the scale up of Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services in displacement settings. Support country offices in the development of protocols for handwashing and waste disposal that are fit for purpose for the needs of migrants and related communities.
11. Liaise, contribute to technical discussions and coordinate with national and international health and development assistance authorities regarding planning and response measures for COVID-19; key counterparts may include the Ministry of Health, WHO, the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), and other stakeholders including donors.
12. Contribute to IOM resource mobilization by drafting segments of donor proposals, including providing technical inputs on needs, gaps, potential implementing partners, and budget estimates.
13. Monitor and update the MENA COVID-19 funding tracker database and COVID-19 vaccine migrant inclusion mapping database and if necessary follow up with relevant colleagues in country offices.
14. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, International Development or a related field from an accredited academic institution with two years of relevant professional experience, or

• University degree in the above fields with four years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• Experience in project coordination/management, project development, and/or resource mobilization at international organizations including UN and INGOs;

• Experience in disease outbreak response including COVID-19;

• Experience working in hardship duty stations in humanitarian crisis, natural disasters, and resource-limited setting as an asset; and,

• Experience in mobility data collection such as Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) is an asset.

Skills

• Excellent computer skills, especially in MS Office applications such as MS Word, MS Excel, MS Access, Internet Explorer.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish.

External applicants for all positions in the Professional category are required to be proficient in English and have at least a working knowledge of one additional UN Language (French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian or Chinese).

For all applicants, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of Arabic

and/or French is an advantage.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Notes

Accredited Universities are the ones listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database

(https://whed.net/home.php).

Required Competencies:

Values – all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these three values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: respects and promotes individual and cultural differences; encourages diversity and inclusion wherever possible.

• Integrity and transparency: maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.

• Professionalism: demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators level 2

• Teamwork: develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.

• Delivering results: produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner; is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.

• Managing and sharing knowledge: continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.

• Accountability: takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own action and delegated work.

• Communication: encourages and contributes to clear and open communication; explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Managerial Competencies – behavioural indicators level 2

• Leadership: provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example and demonstrates the ability to carry out the organization’s vision; assists others to realize and develop their potential.

• Empowering others & building trust: creates an atmosphere of trust and an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.

• Strategic thinking and vision: works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. https://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/about-iom/iom_revised_competency_framework_external.pdf

Competencies will be assessed during a competency-based interview.

Other:

Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile. Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

This selection process may be used to staff similar positions in various duty stations. Recommended candidates will remain eligible to be appointed in a similar position for a period of 24 months.

The list of NMS countries above includes all IOM Member States which are non-represented in the Professional Category of staff members. For this staff category, candidates who are nationals of the duty station’s country and who do not have prior experience outside the duty station’s country as staff member in the Professional category cannot be considered eligible.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.