Switzerland: Programme Officer (GFMD Support Unit)

Organization: International Organization for Migration
Country: Switzerland
Closing date: 15 Oct 2014

OPEN TO INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL CANDIDATES

Classification: Official, Grade P2

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

Estimated Start Date : As soon as possible

Reference Code: VN2014/77(O)-EXT

Established in 1951, IOM is the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of migration and 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.

Context:

The Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) is a voluntary, inter-governmental, non-binding and informal consultative process open to all Member States and Observers of the United Nations. Its purpose is to address the multi-dimensional aspects, opportunities and challenges related to international migration and its inter-linkages with development, to bring together government expertise from all regions, to enhance dialogue, cooperation and partnership and to foster practical and action-oriented outcomes at the national, regional and global levels. As host agency, IOM provides administrative support for the GFMD Support Unit (SU), which nevertheless remains strictly independent of IOM.

Under the overall guidance of the GFMD Chair and the direct supervision of the GFMD SU Head, the Programme Officer is involved in the administration of the GFMD Platform for Partnership (PfP) and the development and implementation of the GFMD communications and social media plan. S/he contributes to the preparation and organization of GFMD preparatory meetings in Geneva, thematic meetings and other GFMD initiatives. In coordination with relevant units, s/he organizes the recruitment of interns and short-term staff, including their initial selection, preparation of assignments and supervision.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Coordinate the development and implementation of the GFMD Communication Plan, including the use and management of social media tools, periodic newsletters and other relevant communications.
2. In coordination with the web portal administrator, gather, prepare and send out official communications of the GFMD using appropriate GFMD institutional email accounts and, where applicable, post these on the GFMD web portal and relevant social media platforms; coordinate SU efforts to ensure, to the extent possible, receipt of each official communication by the Friends of the Forum.
3. Ensure that the database of GFMD Focal Points, GFMD Experts and other relevant contacts is maintained and kept up to date.
4. Support the enhancing and maintenance of the GFMD web portal and GFMD social media platforms, draft articles/latest news and update existing text to ensure that GFMD key activities, outcomes and knowledge generated, especially through the PfP, are communicated in a timely way to GFMD stakeholders and the broader global community.
5. Support the administration and handle communications of the PfP, including the Policy and Practice database.
6. Prepare reports, updates and briefings, as required by the SU Head and/ or GFMD Chairmanship.
7. Manage designated tasks in the organization of GFMD thematic and preparatory meetings in Geneva, and the Forum meeting in the host country, including follow-up actions such as report writing.
8. Organize the recruitment of interns and short term staff required in the lead up to meetings, and support the SU Head in the supervision of such staff for the duration of their assignments.
9. Perform any other administrative, financial or logistical functions as requested by the SU Head and/or the GFMD Chairmanship.

Required Competencies

Behavioural

• Takes responsibility and manages constructive criticism;
• Works effectively with all clients and stakeholders;
• Promotes continuous learning; communicates clearly;
• Takes initiative and drives high levels of performance management;
• Plans work, anticipates risks, and sets goals within area of responsibility;
• Displays mastery of subject matter;
• Contributes to a collegial team environment;
• Incorporates gender-related needs, perspectives, and concerns, and promotes equal gender participation;
• Displays awareness of relevant technological solutions;
• Works with internal and external stakeholders to meet resource needs of IOM.

Technical

• Effectively applies knowledge of migration and development issues within organizational context;
• Correctly frames migration and development issues within their regional, global and political context;
• Works with internal process and external shareholders to meet resource needs of GFMD, as allowed under IOM rules.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Master’s degree in Political or Social Sciences, Development Studies, Communications, Migration 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 development, implementation and management;
• Experience in liaising with government actors on national and international level;
• Experience in liaising with international organizations, preferably in the UN context;
• Experience in drafting reports;
• Experience in managing data, online communications and social media channels;
• Ability to draft correspondence and communicate effectively in English and French;
• Experience in communicating through different media the added value and wealth of information generated by an evolving process/ organization.

Languages

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of written and spoken French and/or Spanish an advantage.

NOTE:

1. The Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) Support Unit is hosted by, but works independently of IOM. The selected candidate’s employment will be with the GFMD Support Unit. He/she will not be considered as an IOM internal candidate for the purpose of applying to other vacancies within IOM, and there is no expectation of employment with IOM outside of the GFMD Support Unit.

How to apply:

Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications via PRISM, IOM e-Recruitment

system, by October 15, 2014 at the latest, referring to this advertisement.

For further information, please refer to:

http://www.iom.int/cms/en/sites/iom/home/about-iom-1/recruitment/how-to-...

In order for an application to be considered valid, IOM only accepts online profiles duly filled in and submitted with a cover letter not more than one page specifying the motivation for

applications.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. You can track the progress of your application in your personal application page in the IOM e-recruitment system.