Programme Officer (Institutional Capacity Building Initiatives) (P)

Job Description

Job Identification (Reference Number): 18098
Position Title: Programme Officer (Institutional Capacity Building Initiatives)
Duty Station City: Geneva
Duty Station Country: Switzerland
Grade: P-3
Contract Type: Fixed-term (1 year with possibility of extension)
Recruiting Type: Professional
Vacancy Type: Vacancy Notice
Initial duration: 1 year with possibility of extension
Closing date: 08 January 2026

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

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, Federated States of Micronesia, Guinea-Bissau, Holy See, Iceland, 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.

Context

The Planning and Coordination Unit (PCU) sits within the Support and Coordination Unit of the Department of Humanitarian Response and Recovery (DHRR). The Unit drives strategic direction and coherence across DHRR by fostering institutional collaboration, enhancing coordination, and supporting integrated planning and policy alignment in line with IOM’s Strategic Plan 2024–2028, global frameworks, and institutional priorities. Through these efforts, the Unit strengthens the Department’s ability to advance IOM’s mandate in crisis response and recovery. 

Under the overall supervision of the Deputy Director of DHRR and direct supervision of the Head of Planning and Coordination Unit, the Programme Officer is responsible for leading the overall management, coordination and reporting of global, unearmarked and flexible funding initiatives aimed at strengthening IOM's institutional capacity to respond to humanitarian crises and recovery in close coordination with relevant Divisions/Units in the Department as well as other Departments.

Responsibilities

1. Oversee successful implementation of global humanitarian capacity building initiatives through regular monitoring, narrative and financial reporting, and corrective actions.
2. Coordinate and oversee the annual donor budget allocation process within the department in relation to global capacity building initiatives and with other Departments as relevant. 
3. Support and feed into the overall Department annual budget process to ensure consistency and complementarity.
4. Maintain/establish strong partnerships and collaboration with selected donor counterparts and UN agencies for institutional capacity building initiatives in coordination with Resource Mobilization Division and donor capitals.
5. In coordination with the Resource Mobilization Division, oversee the Department’s resource mobilization efforts for institutional capacity building initiatives through developing proposals in coordination with relevant Units/Departments and IOM Country Offices in donor capitals.
6. Oversee evaluations in close coordination with Central Evaluation Unit and relevant Departments/Units.   
7. Provide advice, analysis and inputs to DHRR senior management on matters related to institutional humanitarian and recovery capacity-building initiatives, and on the strategic use of core and capacity-building funds, including through the development and updating of relevant strategies, policies and approaches. Identify Identify best practices and keep a log of lessons learnt to feed into the formulation of new projects and into IOM’s strategic documents as relevant.
8. Promote and facilitate internal information sharing about institutional humanitarian and recovery capacity building initiatives.
9. Undertake duty travels for project/programme assessment, maintain close contacts with counterparts, problem solving, and development of new initiatives, as required.
10. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Qualifications

Education

• Master’s degree in political or social science, Business Administration, International Relations, Law 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 IOM emergency programming with strong knowledge of IOM/UN project life cycles;
• Strong combination of training and experience in the field of operations, and working experience in complex environments; and,
• Experience in liaising with government authorities and local communities, as well as national and international institutions.

Skills

• Familiarity with IOM/UN administrative and financial management;
• Ability to oversee and implement global humanitarian capacity-building projects, including progress monitoring and corrective actions;
• Proven capacity to demonstrate strong financial and narrative reporting skills;
• Strong knowledge in coordinating and managing donor budget allocation processes within multi-departmental settings;
• Strong in conducting and leading project evaluations in line with donor requirements and in collaboration with relevant departments;
• Excellent in providing strategic advice and analysis on institutional humanitarian and recovery capacity-building issues;
• Knowledge in identifying and documenting best practices and lessons learned for future project formulation;
• Competent in coordinating and facilitating internal information sharing to ensure alignment and knowledge transfer across units;
• Excellent at synthesizing and presenting complex information for strategic decision-making; and,
• Proficiency in managing financial resources and ensuring compliance with donor-specific guidelines and organizational policies.

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 three 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.

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.
• 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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