Director, Staff Health and Welfare Division (D1) Geneva, Switzerland

Position Title : Director, Staff Health and Welfare Division

Duty Station : Geneva, Switzerland

Classification : Professional Staff, Grade D1

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

Estimated Start Date : As soon as possible

Closing Date : 09 April 2024

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; Barbados; Botswana; Cabo Verde; Comoros; Congo (the); Cook Islands; Dominica; Fiji; Grenada; Guinea-Bissau; Holy See; Iceland; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the); Madagascar; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Tonga; Tuvalu; Uzbekistan; Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:

All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM and female candidates.

Context:

Under the overall supervision of the Director General and direct supervision of the Deputy Director General for Management and Reform, the Director, Staff Health and Welfare Division is accountable for safeguarding the health and wellbeing of IOM’s workforce in addition to fulfilling IOM’s vision to promote and provide the best possible working conditions while preventing work related injuries and illnesses.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Direct and manage the Staff Welfare Unit and Occupational Health and Safety Unit by implementing comprehensive processes and procedures to ensure the Organization has effective tools to minimize preventable staff harm and optimize the occupational safety, physical and mental health conditions and working environment for IOM’s workforce.
2. Manage the Staff Health and Welfare Division by setting strategic objectives, monitor their implementation and manage the budget and human resources.
3. Evaluate the occupational health and safety risks to IOM personnel within the various operations and support the Country and Regional Offices in implementing first line of defence and second line of defence with preventive and mitigating measures.
4. Respond and provide advice and practical information to critical events affecting the health and wellbeing of IOM’s workforce and dependents during epidemics and environmental disasters.
5. Direct and manage complex cases and mental health and long-term sick leave.
6. Lead the design of Health Promotion Programmes to promote health and well-being of the workforce. Monitor health risks of the IOM workforce, including new disease outbreaks in order to adjust response plans and give practical information to IOM workforce on how to protect themselves.
7. Contribute to IOM’s work to foster an inclusive workplace to include people living with disabilities, assist with necessary workplace accommodation.
8. Oversee medical evacuations and medical emergency response including mass casualty and pandemic response. Ensure a 24/7 emergency response mechanism is in place.
9. Act as Medical Advisor on matters pertaining Incapacity & Partial Disability Insurance (IPDI) and Compensation.
10. Liaise closely with the Secretary of the Staff Pension Committee regarding disability cases, reviews and benefits under the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF).
11. Maintain strong working relationships and collaboration with various Departments, Regional and Country Offices in an effort to integrate well-being, health, and safety practices into operational processes and policies.
12. Support and provide advice to Senior Management as appropriate on sensitive matters.
13. Support and provide advice to the IOM leadership team to monitor the effectiveness of workplace culture initiatives, providing regular reports and recommendations for improvement.
14. Represent IOM in Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) and UN Staff/Stress Counsellors Group (UNSSCG).
15. Perform other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Medicine, Medical Science, Psychology, Public Health or related field from an accredited academic institution with fifteen years of relevant professional experience.
• A Doctoral degree in the above fields is an advantage.

Experience

• Extensive clinical experience in medicine of at least fifteen years, some of which in an international context, either in private practice or in a hospital or institutional setting;
• At least five years’ experience of successful management of medical and multidisciplinary teams;
• Experience in emergency management (crisis or disaster medicine), including medical evacuation, and travel medicine;
• Experience in individual occupational health evaluation for fitness to work and medico legal appeal procedures;
• Experience in sick leave management, return to work processes and workplace inclusion for personnel with need of workplace accommodation;
• Experience in working in partnership with other UN agencies and international NGOs.
• Experience in the administrative management of a medical service or within a medical service as head of unit;
• Experience in addressing the medical and psychosocial needs of humanitarian workers; and,
• Experience of setting and implementing a strategic plan and leading change management processes to achieve results with ability to influence and coordinate multiple stakeholders.

Skills

• Knowledge of organizational policies and practices an advantage;
• Demonstrated leadership, management and team building skills;
• Excellent communication skills (oral, written and presentation);
• Strong ability in organizing, prioritizing, scheduling, planning and coordinating complex projects;
• Strong conflict resolution and mediation skills;
• Ability to interact with medical personnel in countries and with staff of all organizations involved; and,
• Analytical skills and ability to make timely and appropriate decision in any medical situation.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish. All staff members are required to be fluent in one of the three languages.

For this position, fluency in English and French is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish) 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 five values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
• 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.
• Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
• Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators level 3

• 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 actions 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 leadership and professional potential.
• Empowering others: Creates an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
• Building Trust: Promotes shared values and creates an atmosphere of trust and honesty.
• Strategic thinking and vision: Works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.
• Humility: Leads with humility and shows openness to acknowledging own shortcomings.

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 background verification and security clearances. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required for individuals hired on or after 15 November 2021. This will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.

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