Introduction
Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations and the leading UN agency in the field of migration. Working closely with governmental, intergovernmental, and non-governmental partners, IOM promotes humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It saves lives and protects people on the move, drives solutions to displacement, and facilitates pathways for regular migration, while providing services and advice to governments and migrants.
IOM is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive and supportive workplace where all employees can thrive professionally and feel valued. By creating such an environment, IOM aims to better harness the full potential of migration and strengthen its support to people on the move.
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:
- Internal candidates
- Candidates from the following IOM Member States that are not represented among staff members in the Professional and higher categories:
All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM.
Organizational Context and Scope
IOM has been engaged in migration management in Guinea for over two decades, supporting both national authorities and vulnerable populations through various programmes in migration, development, and humanitarian sectors. The Head of Programmes position is a senior management role within IOM's Country Office in Guinea. This critical position ensures the strategic and operational alignment of IOM's migration-related programmes in Guinea, which face complex and interconnected migration challenges. The Head of Programmes leads a broad portfolio that includes migration management, youth employment, immigration governance, public health, climate change, crisis response, disaster risk reduction, and peacebuilding. This role requires close coordination with national governments, UN agencies, donors, and local communities to ensure that programmes are relevant, impactful, and sustainable.
In addition to overseeing IOM's operations in Guinea, the Head of Programmes will lead the UN Network on Migration for Guinea, driving collaborative efforts to implement the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration. This requires building partnerships among UN agencies, government authorities, and civil society to address migration challenges comprehensively.
Given the extensive scope of this position, the Head of Programmes must work with high levels of autonomy under the supervision of the Chief of Mission, exercising strategic judgment to drive the mission's objectives while adhering to IOM’s global standards, donor agreements, and local contexts. Strong leadership, innovative thinking, and the ability to manage complex, multi-country operations are essential for this role.
• Lead the development and implementation of country strategies for Guinea, ensuring programmatic interventions are cohesive and aligned with migration-related challenges. Areas of focus include:
• Labor Migration and Youth Employment: Oversee initiatives aimed at promoting job creation and skills development for vulnerable youth populations.
• Immigration and Border Governance (IBG): Lead IBG projects, including capacity-building for national authorities in border management and counter-trafficking.
• Crisis Response and Disaster Risk Reduction: Direct crisis response efforts and manage disaster risk reduction initiatives.
• Community Stabilization and Peacebuilding: Lead peacebuilding projects focusing on community cohesion, particularly in conflict-affected regions.
• Migration Health: Ensure the effective delivery of Migration Health Assessment Center (MHAC) services and public health support for mobile populations.
• Coordination and Integration: Harmonize programming across Guinea to achieve regional impact.
• Human Resources and Capacity Development: Supervise and mentor program staff, fostering a learning environment for continuous knowledge-sharing and capacity-building.
• Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL): Oversee robust monitoring systems to track program outcomes, ensuring transparency and accountability.
• Donor Engagement: Lead resource mobilization efforts to secure funding from key donors, including the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the European Union (EU), Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), Swiss Development Cooperation, and others.
• Partnership Development: Build relationships with government counterparts, UN agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), the private sector, and civil society organizations to enhance IOM’s impact.
• Coordination with UN and Humanitarian Agencies: Represent IOM at UN forums and inter-agency meetings, ensuring migration issues are prioritized in development and humanitarian agendas...
• Cross-Border Initiatives: Develop cross-border projects, particularly in peacebuilding, migration governance, and community stabilization, aligning efforts with Guinea and neighboring countries.
• Policy Leadership: Support capacity-building and policy dialogues on migration governance at the national and regional levels.
• UN Network on Migration Leadership: Lead the UN Network on Migration for Guinea, aligning with the Global Compact for Migration. Foster collaboration with UN agencies, government representatives, and civil society to support migration priorities.
• Migration Policy and Data: Lead migration data collection efforts, ensuring evidence-based approaches inform national and regional migration policies.
• Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA): Ensure robust PSEA mechanisms across all IOM projects and lead staff training on safeguarding.
• Oversee the management of programme-related budgetary, financial, and administrative functions in coordination with the Resources Management Unit (RMU).
• Ensure compliance with donor requirements, conducting programme assessments and evaluating impact.
• Perform such other duties as may be assigned
Education
- Master's degree in Political or Social Sciences, Business Administration, Migration Studies, International Relations, Law, or a related field with seven years of relevant professional experience; or,
- University degree in the above fields with nine years of relevant experience.
Experience
- Proven experience managing large, complex programs in migration management, governance, peacebuilding, immigration and border management, youth development, counter-trafficking, or similar fields;
- Demonstrated ability to lead and supervise multidisciplinary teams;
- Familiarity with the West African context and migration issues;
- Strong resource mobilization and donor engagement experience;
- Demonstrated staff management experience, including staff evaluations; and,
- Extensive experience in training and capacity building.
Skills
- Proven leadership in strategic program development and implementation;
- Excellent partnership-building skills with government, UN agencies, and civil society;
- Familiarity with IOM/UN project management cycles and donor requirements;
- Knowledge of UN and bilateral donor programming;
- Capacity to interface with government officials and stakeholders on migration issues; and,
- In-depth knowledge of migration-related issues and policies.
Languages
For this position, fluency in English and French is required (oral and written).
Working knowledge of another official UN languages (Arabic, Chinese, 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.
Required Competencies
Notes
Appointment will be subject to all clearances, including medical and security, as well as accreditation, and any residency or visa requirements. Vacancies close at 23:59 local time in Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.
IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, including sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and any forms of discrimination. IOM is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children.
IOM conducts reference checks and background verification, including through system-wide databases such as ClearCheck, to help ensure that candidates have no record of misconduct, including on sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse, or fraud. Candidates are expected to uphold these standards and principles at all times.
IOM does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process—whether for application, interview, processing, training, or otherwise—and does not request any information related to bank accounts.