Programme Support Unit Officer (P)

Job Description

Job Identification (Reference Number): 16600
Position Title: Programme Support Unit Officer (P)
Duty Station City: Almaty
Duty Station Country: Kazakhstan
Grade: P-3
Contract Type: Special Short Term Graded (Up to six months with possibility of extension)
Recruiting Type: Professional
Vacancy Type: Special Vacancy Notice
Initial duration: Six months
Closing date: 01 October 2025

Introduction

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 ensuring a workplace where all employees can thrive professionally, while working towards harnessing the full potential of migration. Read more about IOM's workplace culture at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration

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. Candidates from the following non-represented member states: 
   Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Comoros, Congo (the), Cook Islands, Dominica, Federated States of Micronesia, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Holy See, Iceland, Israel, Kiribati, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Madagascar, Marshall Islands, Namibia, Nauru, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:
All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM.

Organizational Context and Scope

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission (CoM) of the Country Office with Coordinating Functions (COCF), working closely with the offices in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, the Programme Support Unit Officer will be responsible and accountable for the management and coordination of the Central Asia Programme Support Unit, and substantively supports, where needed, the project development (PD), monitoring and evaluation (M&E), information management, donor liaison and reporting activities of Sub-Regional Projects, in close coordination with the CoMs/HoOs in the five Central Asian countries, relevant units and Programme Coordinators in Central Asia as well as the Regional M&E and Risk Management Officer, Regional Project Development Officers (RPDO) in Vienna and Brussels, and other relevant Regional Office (RO) and Headquarters (HQ) units.

Responsibilities

Programme Support and Coordination

1. Coordinate requested programme support within the COCF, ensuring alignment with institutional standards and priorities.
2. Manage the inputs for information requests from HQ, the RO, other IOM COs and external partners, such as donors, government, RCO, partner agencies, and implementing partners.
3. Manage the development of policy and technical inputs for strategic documents for Central Asia, including strategies, high-level meetings and engagements, Migration Crisis Operational Framework and other strategic initiatives.
4. Where required, represent IOM/COCF in inter-agency meetings, workshops and conferences, including the United Nations  Programme Management Team (PMT), relevant sectoral and working group meetings, among others.
5. Develop and provide PD, M&E and PRIMA trainings within the COCF and the sub-region, to build technical capacities in these fields. 

Project Development and Donor Liaison

1. Provide technical advice and support for the development and/or coordination of project development, in coordination with the Chief of Mission, the Resources Management Unit (RMU), senior management, project managers, donors, government counterparts and other project partners. 
2. Prepare and/or substantively support the development of concept notes and project proposals to respond to emerging trends and priorities, in compliance with IOM internal guidance and instructions, and in alignment with donor's' strategic priorities in the region as well as IOM strategy and priorities. 
3. Identify and pursue potential funding sources and stay abreast of funding opportunities and cycles. 
4. Coordinate and advise on liaison efforts with donors, UN partners, and governmental and non-governmental stakeholdersg. 
5. Maintain a risk register for the early identification and mitigation of potential risks.
6. Conduct desk research and field visits to inform the development of new project proposals.

Monitoring and Evaluation

1. Advise and support project managers, including those managing sub-regional projects, in the development, implementation and review of M&E plans and tools, ensuring quality and alignment with the projets’ results matrices and project reporting cycle.
2. Coordinate all evaluation processes for COCF and sub-regional projects, in close coordination with project managers. Ensure quality and objective management/coordination of internal and external evaluations (i.e. selection of evaluators, drafting of TOR, review of all deliverables) in compliance with IOM Evaluation Policy. Integrate evaluation as a key part of the project development process. 
3. Ensure the dissemination of M&E findings to relevant stakeholders and that M&E are used for learning, adaptation and accountability purposes.

Reporting and Information Management

1. Ensure quality control and the timely submission of high-quality reports, including donor reports, situation reports, and other relevant reports, in coordination with relevant staff and in compliance with donor policies and procedures and IOMs reporting requirements and standards.
2. Ensure the review and endorsement of all donor reports.
3. Maintain project records and central repository of results for the COCF.
4. Undertake duty travels as required.
5. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Master’s degree in Political or Social Sciences, Migrations Studies, Law and/or International Relations or a related field from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience; or,
• University degree in the above fields with seven years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• Experience in the field of migration issues, project design, management and implementation, and administrative and financial management;
• Experience in programme formulation, implementation and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) with demonstrated high level of expertise within the thematic areas relevant to project development;
• Demonstrated experience in the delevopment and drafting strategic documents, repors, analytical products, programme documents;
• Experience in working and liaising with a wide range of partners, including goverment authorities, UN agencies and international organizations;
• Work experience in the Region is an asset; and, 
• Experience supervising a team is an asset.

Skills

• Technical knowledge of monitoring and evaluation;
• Excellent communication, negotiation skills and report writing skills;
• Effective resources management skills and strategic and creative thinking; and, 
• Ability to work with basic word processing software, e.g. Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the IOM Project Handbook, and proven experience in using the IOM project information and management application, PRIMA FOR ALL.
• Knowledge of regional issues and specifics is a distinct advantage.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish. 

For this position, fluency in English 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.

Required Competencies

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.

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 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 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 2

• 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. 

Notes

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 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. For this staff category, candidates who are nationals of the duty station’s country can be considered eligible.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, security clearances.

Vacancies close at 23:59 local time 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, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities.

IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.

IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment system (for internal candidates link here). The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. 

For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies.

Required Skills

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