Senior Specialist (Immigration and Visa) At International Organization for Migration

Position Title : Senior Specialist (Immigration and Visa)

Duty Station : Geneva, Switzerland

Classification : Professional Staff, Grade P4

Type of Appointment : Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date : As soon as possible

Closing Date : 31 August 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. External female candidates:
3. Candidate 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 of IOM and female candidates.

Context:

Within the Department of Migration Management’s (DMM) Immigration and Border Management (IBM) Division, the Immigration and Visas (IV) Unit provides immigration and visa policy advice and expertise, as well as technical and operational solutions related to immigration, consular and visa-related matters.

The work of the Unit focuses on facilitating safe, orderly and regular migration and mobility as described in the following: a) the IOM Constitution (in relation to providing migration services including processing); b) the IOM Strategy (in relation to providing secure, reliable, flexible and cost-effective services for persons who require international migration assistance); c) the UN Sustainable Development Goals (in particular Goal 10, Target 7 which seeks to facilitate orderly, safe and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies); and d) the Global Compact for Migration (in particular Objective 3, which references the need to facilitate accurate information and access to visas with pathways that respond to the needs of migrants; and Objective 5 (focused on enhancing the availability and flexibility of pathways for regular migration).

The unit includes the following parts: 1) Policy, Research and Data; 2) Project Development, and; 3) Operations. In accordance with IOM’s overall thematic Immigration and Border Management (IBM) strategy, the Senior Specialist, Immigration and Visa, leads the Organization’s work on immigration and visa policy guidance and expertise and develops technical and operational solutions related to immigration, consular and visa-related matters, to include facilitated travel to visa holders.

Under the overall supervision of the Director, Department of Migration Management and direct supervision of the Head, Immigration and Border Management Division, the successful candidate will perform the following responsibilities.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Advise and lead globally on developing and strengthening IOM’s strategy and policy guidance as it relates to immigration, visa and consular issues, and innovative operational solutions in support of Member State policies and objectives, in close cooperation and collaboration with Regional Directors, Chiefs of Missions, Departments and HQ colleagues and/or IBM Regional Thematic Specialists (RTS) in IOM Regional Offices (ROs) and Country Offices (CO). Ensure that technical guidance addresses emerging issues and is tailored to Member State needs, effectively manages risk and sustains IOM leadership in the sector.
2. Provide overall management of the IV Unit. Manage current and possible future HQ-led projects in the IV field in accordance with IOM policies and procedures. This includes formulating the substantive programme of work, establishing clear priorities for the coherence, visibility, resource mobilization and partnership requirements of the Unit, as well as leading and guiding the global IV management team at IOM offices in HQ, the Manila Administrative Centre (MAC) and across all IOM Regions.
3. Build the capacities of concerned IOM staff in the thematic area through a combination of on the job mentoring, provision of specific technical guidance, and formal trainings, with a specific focus on readmission, regularization and legal pathways for migration.
4. Manage and direct the development and implementation of key institutional IV policy and operational thematic internal guidance notes, information sheets, and policy documents in coordination with ROs, COs and relevant HQ Divisions, including official IOM documents such as annual reports, guidance notes, preparations for the Blue Book, the Standing Committee on Programme and Finance (SCPF) and IOM Council meetings.
5. Formulate strategic policy direction and operational advice to ROs and COs in developing, implementing and monitoring IV programming. In coordination with the IBM RTS network, provide HQ-level consultation, oversight and final endorsement of multi-regional and global IV projects, support endorsement of national projects, when needed, draw lessons learned from implementation and translate these into future projects.
6. Oversee and manage the standardization, harmonization and quality assurance in relation to the global operational solutions developed to facilitate more efficient and cost-effective legal migration and mobility pathways based on analysis and interpretation of Member State legislation and needs (e.g. work, study, family reunification, humanitarian and other visa schemes). Ensure existing procedures and workflows are streamlined and implemented according to MS and partner guidelines. Develop new procedures, share effective practices and problem solve where necessary.
7. Strengthen institutional capacities, knowledge and accountabilities for IOM’s IV engagements. Contribute to enhancing the IV capacities of HQ and field staff with guidance for methodologies on efficient and cost-effective operational solutions, and on joint IV project planning with MS, UN, private sector and other counterparts.
8. Establish and maintain close relationships and liaisons with immigration, visa, consular and related authorities of MS for new and existing programme agreements. Liaise, engage and consult with government focal persons regarding the technical and operational aspects, and the strategic development of IV programmes through meetings, information sharing, thematic trainings and joint programme planning, in coordination with ROs and COs.
9. Lead effective partnership building efforts with key UN and other international organizations, private sector and civil society counterparts relevant for IV issues and with key donors for IV projects globally, as well as develop synergies with other agencies active in IV related programming. When beneficial to IOM, its MS and migrants, lead the IV team in innovative partnerships with suitable private sector partners, ensuring proper coordination, due diligence, analysis and risk assessment.
10. Serve as the IBM Focal Point for IV related synergies within IOM between thematic areas and departments (Border and Identity Solutions, Labour Migration, Operations and Emergencies, Resettlement, Counter Trafficking, Irregular Migration, Migration Health, etc.) in close coordination with other HQ divisions, ROs and COs.
11. Provide oversight for budget preparation and endorsement, as well as financial performance and reporting regarding IV projects. Advise on potential administrative, budgetary and financial consequences of developments in CO operational activities. Oversee IV human resources matters, including but not limited to recruitment and appointment, performance evaluation, staff development, career development and succession planning, in accordance with global IV needs and working closely with HRM.
12. Serve as the focal point for reports from COs implementing IV projects, request and analyze data, and ensure that timely follow-up actions are taken, and feedback is provided to ROs, COs, donor relations and results-based management teams. Lead the IV team at HQ and across COs in maintaining the security and confidentiality of all IV policy and operational actions per IOM’s Data Protection Principles, as well as the data and privacy standards of MS and other partners. Proactively implement fraud prevention measures in all aspects of programme delivery in accordance with IOM policies and MS and partners’ fraud prevention measures
13. Undertake duty travel on a regular basis to assist IV operations, including but not limited to, monitoring and evaluating IV operations. Represent IOM during technical meetings and extensively communicating with immigration, visa and consular authorities of receiving/host countries, private sector partners and donors.
14. Provide input and advice to the Head of the IBM Division on overall IOM policy and programming in the IBM field with a focus on IV, serve as the Officer in Charge of the IBM Division when required, and perform such other duties as may be assigned.
15. Perform such other duties as may be required.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Political or Social Sciences, Business Administration, Migration Studies,

International Relations, Law, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with seven years of relevant professional experience in the field of migration issues, including operational and field experience, IOM project development and management; or,

• University degree in the above fields with nine years of relevant professional experience in the field of migration issues, including operational and field experience, IOM project development and management.

Experience

• Progressively responsible migration management experience with proven subject matter specialization in facilitating legal pathways for migration and mobility, covering policy development, operationalization of policy requirements, and financial management of public-private sector programmes;

• Demonstrated expertise in, and proven ability to conceive, global IV programmes that address regular migration and mobility pathways including for work, study, family reunification and humanitarian reasons;

• Proven global track record of building strategic alliances with external stakeholders in the private sector in relation to immigration, visa and consular matters, is mandatory. Excellent knowledge of negotiating, establishing and managing the technical and financial aspects of global migration management operational solutions in cooperation with governmental authorities and private sector partners;

• Substantive experience in human resource management across global, regional and national level teams, while maintaining public and private sector partnership requirements for multi-year and multi-country global programmes;

• Diverse working experience comprised of field operations and/or emergency settings within IOM or the UN system, a distinct advantage.

Skills

• Demonstrated ability for senior level representation in IV-related technical and policy discussions with senior officials in government, international organizations and the private sector, in bilateral and multilateral meetings, conferences, etc.;

• Familiarity with migration management methodologies and approaches aimed at strengthening the nexus between complementary and regular migration pathways bridging the humanitarian-development divide for safe and orderly migration.

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 and working knowledge of French and/or Spanish is required (oral and written).

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

Notes

1

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 3

• 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 endorsed by the Appointments and Postings Board 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.

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.