Expedited SVN: Rapid Response Crisis Coordinator (P) (Internal Applicants Only)

Job Description

Job Identification (Reference Number): 17242
Position Title: Rapid Response Crisis Coordinator
Duty Station City: Athens
Duty Station Country: Greece
Grade: P-4
Contract Type: Special Fixed Term (Up to 6 Months)
Recruiting Type: Professional
Vacancy Type: Special Vacancy Notice
Initial duration: 6 Months with Possibility of Extension
Closing date: 26 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

This is an expedited recruitment process open only to:

a) internal candidates and

b) former IOM staff members who were separated in the last 12 months due to the structural adjustment process.

This process is not open to external applicants; their applications will not be considered at this time. 

Context

IOM is committed to supporting regional institutions and Member States to reduce exposure and vulnerability to risks, enhance communities’ resilience and augment the capacity of crisis response agencies. The Department of Humanitarian Response and Recovery (DHRR) in IOM’s Headquarters provides direct support to the Organization’s crisis-related work, including emergency preparedness, response, risk reduction and support to recovery, transition, and peacebuilding processes. IOM supports capacity building and long-term risk reduction efforts in order to strengthen national responses and assure the operational presence required for rapid response and scale-up during sudden onset disasters or manmade conflict. This enables life-saving responses, the ability to provide real time displacement monitoring, support for recovery efforts and the identification and establishment of durable solutions for affected communities. As a part of these efforts, IOM is establishing a Global Rapid Response Team (RRT) based in Athens in order to support emergency preparedness and response capacities worldwide.

The Rapid Response Crisis Coordinator will be responsible for the emergency response aspects of the Rapid Response Team managed by DHRR HQ.

Under the overall supervision of Senior Emergency Preparedness and Response Officer and direct supervision of the Senior Emergency Preparedness and Response Officer (Emergency Coordination and Response Unit - ECRU), and in close coordination with the Emergency Response Officer, the Rapid Response Crisis Coordinator will be responsible and accountable for supporting and providing guidance to Country Offices in establishing or scaling up IOM’s emergency operations in countries affected by crisis. The candidate will also be responsible for coordinating the Rapid Response Team during deployments, in coordination with the Preparedness and Humanitarian Response Division in HQ and the respective DHRR teams in the Regional Offices. The Chief of Mission of the country of deployment will supervise and be responsible for the day-to-day work of the Coordinator during deployments.

The Rapid Response Teams are expected to deploy to assigned emergency situations anywhere in the world, ideally within 72 hours, for periods in general not exceeding two months, subject to extension in exceptional circumstances. Candidates should be prepared to travel for approximately 2/3 of the working time, while adhering to ‘downtime’ guidelines.

The position is based in Athens, Greece, where part of DHRR HQ is delocalized. 

Responsibilities

1. Deploy in emerging risks countries informed by the strategic foresight and preparedness dashboard, rapid onset and/or major emergencies, in support to Country Offices to start-up or scale-up emergency response operations. This includes enhancing country office capacity to prepare, respond, setting up systems and monitoring progress towards enhanced response emergency capacity, in close coordination with the Chief of Mission, the Regional Office, and Headquarters. 
2. Under the day-to-day supervision of the relevant Chief of Mission during deployments, manage all operational, financial and administrative aspects of the emergency programs including recruitment of new staff and expansion of the emergency portfolio. 
3. In close coordination with Country and Regional offices, assess, strengthen and/or develop the overall direction and strategy of the emergency response in the country of deployment.  
4. Ensure a comprehensive emergency response including good and effective coordination of emergency projects activities:
   • Lead and coordinate emergency needs and other assessments, in partnership with other agencies, sectors, governments, etc., where applicable;
   • Establish or expand emergency response programmes, including, for example, establishing Shelter/NFI pipelines, overseeing distributions, establishing or scaling up Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) or other data operations, establishing or scaling up other sectoral programming;
   • Lead and coordinate the development of a common strategic vision for emergency operations;
   • Ensure that response efforts are inclusive and coordinated by regularly convening and leading coordination meetings, and participating in all relevant coordination mechanisms;
   • Lead inclusive resource mobilization efforts, including liaison with governments, donors, partners; and, 
   • Liaise with programme managers, sector coordinators, relevant sectors and humanitarian actors to ensure timely, safe and unimpeded access by emergency programmes to populations in need.
5. Work in close collaboration with the CoM and Country Office staff to ensure that all the components of the emergency response and the regular recovery and development activities operate in a coherent and mutually supportive manner, including by ensuring synergies and cohesion with existing Country Office structures and programmes.
6. Monitor and evaluate project activities while ensuring proper utilization of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), manuals, guidance notes, Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) tools and methodologies in the implementation of project activities. 
7. Ensure adequate information management and reporting on project activities. Ensure compliance with IOM and donor regulations and obligations as indicated in the funding agreements, project documents, work plans and budgets, with emphasis on timely and accurate reporting. 
8. Ensure IOM visibility through oversight of public information related to emergency response, in close coordination with DMC staff and focal points in the Country and Regional offices. Provide regular updates and develop summaries, press releases and other relevant materials.
9. Develop and maintain strong partnerships and regular liaison with IOM program partners such as key Government institutions, UN agencies, private sector actors and NGOs aiming at enhancing coordination of humanitarian activities, facilitating the implementation of ongoing activities and implementation of joint activities. 
10. Liaise and engage with donor representatives, including periodically briefing them on current and planned programs in order to mobilize necessary financial support.
11. Identify opportunities for emergency response programmes and develop new project proposals in line with IOM humanitarian response strategy and, in coordination with the CoM, Project Development Unit, relevant Regional Thematic Specialists and Project Managers. 
12. Ensure the integration of IOM’s cross-cutting priorities in emergency programming, such as integrity, transparency, and accountability (including Accountability to Affected Populations – (AAP)); equality, diversity, and inclusion (including age, gender, and diversity considerations, comprising of Gender Based Violence (GBV) risk mitigation and disability inclusion); protection centered (including the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse – (PSEA)); and considering environmental sustainability.
13. Represent IOM in humanitarian partner meetings and ensure the adequate liaison with other relevant stakeholders as requested. Provide supervision, guidance and direction to all staff in the emergency response, while at all times ensuring synergies and cohesion with the country office structure. Undertake frequent and regular duty travel to the field to monitor emergency programs and to identify bottlenecks and implement solutions.
14. At the end of each deployment, ensure complete handover, reporting, budget reconciliation and other procedures established for the RRTs and ensure remote support to Country Office in transitioning post deployments as needed.
15. Supervise the RRT Emergency Response Officer providing technical and managerial guidance and assigning the staff to deployments as required, in coordination with the Senior Preparedness and Response Officer.
16. Provide technical and capacity building support to Country Office during time when not on deployment.
17. Maintain close collaboration and coordination with the members of the humanitarian support unit for crises monitoring and with the Preparedness and Humanitarian Response Division, keeping the DHRR Deputy Director and the Chief of Preparedness and Humanitarian Response Division closely informed. 
18. Perform such other duties as may be assigned. 

Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Master’s degree in Political or Social Sciences, International Relations, Humanitarian Affairs or a related field from an accredited academic institution with seven years of relevant professional experience; or,
• University degree in the above fields with nine years of relevant professional experience.

Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database. 

Experience

• Experience in emergency settings and complex environments;
• Experience in programme management with strong knowledge of IOM/UN project life cycles; 
• Experience in liaising with government authorities, inter-governmental institutions, other national and international institutions and national and international NGOs;
• Experience in Camp Coordination and Camp Management, ES/NFI, Shelter, DTM and socio-economic recovery;
• Familiarity with IOM/UN administrative and financial management; and,
• A solid understanding of conflict sensitivity as a core principle and the ability to incorporate it throughout a project cycle, including experience applying conflict analysis tools and adjusting programming according to potential influence on conflict dynamics.

Skills

• Excellent leadership, coordination and communication skills;
• Sound judgment, ability to extract, interpret, analyse and format data and make decision rapidly to resolve operational problems. 
• Capacity to work effectively in high-pressure, rapidly changing environments; and,
• Solid computer skills, including proficiency in MS Office package (Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

Languages

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

For all applicants, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of another UN official 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 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.
   

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 cannot 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

Job info