Organizational Context and Scope

Under the direct supervision of the Regional Thematic Specialist on Humanitarian Response and Recovery (DHRR RTS), the overall supervision of the Deputy Regional Director for Operations, and the guidance of the Humanitarian Operations Division (HOD) in Headquarters (HQ), the Regional Humanitarian Operations Officer coordinates and supports the implementation of institutional policies from HQ in Country Offices (COs) across the Region. Specifically, the Regional Humanitarian Operations Officer provides oversight, quality control, and thematic coordination and support to promote consistent, cohesive, and quality evidence-based programming for humanitarian response.

Under the leadership of the DHRR RTS and together with other Regional Thematic Units (RTUs), the successful candidate contributes to thought leadership on saving lives and protecting individuals on the move, driving solutions to displacement, and facilitating regular pathways for migration. Under the DHRR RTU, the Regional Humanitarian Operations Officer identifies regional opportunities and risks, monitors crises and trends related to mobility dimensions, fosters knowledge sharing, encourages policy and research development, and supports cross-thematic collaboration internally. Externally, the successful candidate also provides advocacy, policy, and programmatic recommendations regarding humanitarian response to regional entities, Member States, and relevant migration fora, spearheaded by IOM’s RO and CO leadership.

Responsibilities and Accountabilities

1. Coordinate building the capacities of COs in the Region in humanitarian programming through training (formal and on-the-job) and expert thematic guidance in line with the Humanitarian Operations Division (HOD) under the Department of Humanitarian Response and Recovery (DHRR).

2. As delegated by the DHRR RTS, participate in regional meetings/working groups relevant to HOD and develop country-specific or regional initiatives related to crisis response in collaboration with relevant COs and Regional Thematic Units (RTUs) in the RO, including the Protection RTU (PXD RTU).

3. Coordinate knowledge management efforts in coordination with the Regional Project Development Officer (RPDO), the DHRR RTS, and HQ, including the collection of information, best practices and lessons learned from COs for regional reporting and knowledge sharing and relevant improvement in the region.

4. As delegated by the DHRR RTS, facilitate and coordinate the review, endorsement, and monitoring of project proposals developed by COs in the Region in line with the responsibilities of the DHRR RTU.

5. Maintain regular coordination with relevant HQ Departments, Divisions and Offices, as well as Global Offices (GOs), Country Offices for Partnership and Advocacy (COPA), and liaison offices, to facilitate review, endorsement, and monitoring of proposals, reports and overall resource mobilization efforts in the Region relevant to HOD.

6. Monitor and assess humanitarian crisis and trends in the region, in collaboration with the DHRR RTS, other RTUs, COs, HOD, DHRR, and GOs, to support IOM‘s strategic positioning, resource mobilization, programming excellence and project implementation.

7. Provide guidance and technical and thematic knowledge to COs in the development and implementation of HOD-related activities as requested and including travel as needed, in coordination with the DHRR RTS, particularly as it relates to humanitarian operations.

8. Facilitate coordination, prioritization and operational planning relevant to HOD in the region including through the use of the Migration Crisis Operational Framework (MCOF).

9. Coordinate the development and support of regional, multi-country and cross-border planning, initiatives, programmes and projects relevant to humanitarian operations.

10. Coordinate resource mobilization efforts for IOM’s humanitarian operations in the Region through evidence-based advocacy in conjunction with the DHRR RTU, HQ, Global Offices, Liaison Offices, among others.

11. Coordinate the development of regional thematic guidance notes, information sheets and policy documents in coordination with COs, RTUs, HQ and other IOM offices as relevant.

12. Coordinate the development and maintenance of partnerships in Region, including with the governments, UN, special political missions, NGOs, private sector, civil society, academia and others as relevant.

13. Promote the use of a data-driven and evidence-based approach to IOM humanitarian programming in the region, in close coordination with the Regional Data Hub (RDH) and COs, particularly as it relates to IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix operations (DTM).

14. Undertake travel to COs in the Region to advise and guide the development and implementation of HOD-related activities and support risk monitoring in close coordination with the DHRR RTS.

15. Oversee and support the integration of cross cutting priorities in CO programming related to humanitarian operations in the Region.

16. In the absence of the DHRR RTS, ensure the continued functioning of the DHRR RTU by managing and responding to requests from internal or external partners.

17. Perform any other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience

EDUCATION

• Master’s degree in International Relations, Political Science, Social Science, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with at least five years of relevant professional experience; or,

• University degree in the above fields with at least seven years of relevant professional experience.

EXPERIENCE

• Demonstrated experience in humanitarian operations and related areas relevant to project development and management, thematic capacity building, and liaison;
• Experience working in non-OECD countries managing humanitarian operations;
• Experience in liaison, resource mobilization, and advocacy with governmental and diplomatic officials, national and international institutions and organizations, civil society, and private sector actors;
• Experience working in an international, inter-governmental, or non-governmental organization, United Nations, or government; and,
• Experience in the design and implementation of capacity building related to humanitarian operations.

SKILLS

• Ability to understand complex contexts and fast-changing migration and displacement dynamics and ability to frame them in their regional, global, and political contexts;
• Proven track record of successful engagement with donors, developing projects, and mobilizing resources for IOM priority areas;
• Demonstrated ability to effectively coordinate with a diverse teams of specialists;
• Strong analytical skills combined with the ability to effectively summarize, present, and communicate findings;
• Demonstrated knowledge and expertise of relevant international standards and classifications relevant to humanitarian operations; and,
• Proven agent of change or willingness to foster a culture of learning and knowledge management.