Job Description

Job Identification (Reference Number): 18559
Position Title: Director, UN Network on Migration Secretariat
Duty Station City: Geneva
Duty Station Country: Switzerland
Grade:  D1
Contract Type: Fixed-term (1 year with possibility of extension)
Recruiting Type:  Director
Vacancy Type:  Vacancy Notice
Initial duration: 1 year with possibility of extension
Closing date: 05 February 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

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. External female candidates:

                3. 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 and female candidates.

Context:

IOM is committed to bringing together the United Nations (UN) system in supporting the implementation, follow-up and review of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM). To this end, the UN established a Network on Migration (Network) to ensure effective, timely and coordinated system-wide support to Member States, with IOM serving as both Coordinator and Secretariat.  In carrying out its mandate, the Network prioritizes the rights and wellbeing of migrants and communities of destination, origin, and transit, placing emphasis on issues where a common UN system approach adds value and from which results and impact can be readily gauged. The Network respects the principles of the GCM and is guided, inter alia, by the UN Charter, international law, and the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development.   

 Established by the Director General of IOM, the Network Secretariat is responsible for servicing all aspects of the work of the Network.   

Under the overall supervision of the Director General and direct supervision of the Senior Director of the Office for Partnerships, Advocacy and Communications (OPAC), the Director, UN Network on Migration Secretariat will be responsible and accountable for the following duties: 

Responsibilities

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Oversee all aspects of the work of the Network Secretariat in line with its Terms of Reference (https://migrationnetwork.un.org/about), ensuring strategic coherence, results-based management, and alignment with UN system-wide priorities.
2. Provide authoritative and expert  policy advice to the Senior Director/OPAC, IOM’s Leadership Team and Network entities on supporting the effective implementation of the GCM, including on emerging migration trends, risks, and political sensitivities.
3. Identify opportunities to advance GCM implementation for the Network, including through events, meetings, papers, consultations, innovative partnerships, and cross-pillar UN initiatives. 
4. Lead and ensure effective functioning of the Network and its Executive Committee at the global level, both through working level and Principals, including through providing strategic guidance for short, medium and long-term objectives, and monitoring implementation of Network decisions.  
5. Oversee the GCM's capacity building mechanism, including the Migration Multi-Partner Trust Fund, the Demand-driven Facility and the Migration Network Hub.
6. Establish and maintain strong communities of support for the GCM among Member States, including Champion countries  and stakeholders, including through resource mobilization efforts, strategic advocacy, and sustained political engagement.
7. Ensure the GCM and Network are embedded into IOM, working closely with Heads of Divisions, Regional Directors and Chiefs of Missionto promote operational integration.
8. Oversee the conceptualization and preparation of biannual Secretary-General reports on the GCM; and quadrennial GCM regional reviews and the International Migration Review Forum. 
9. Manage secretariat staff, JPOs, secondees and interns, ensuring effective allocation of assignments, providing regular constructive feedback and mentoring, and fostering an inclusive, high-performing team culture.  
10. Represent IOM and the Network in senior-level meetings, including with Member States, UN leadership, international organizations, and strategic partners.
11. Perform such other duties as may be assigned. 

Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education:

• Master’s degree in International Studies or a related field from an accredited academic institution with fifteen years of relevant professional experience.

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

Experience:

• Demonstrated experience in working in a multilateral system, preferably in a UN context, with deep familiarity of the UN system, its secretariat, agencies, funds, programmes and organizations; working also closely with international agencies, NGOs and other stakeholders, and governments; 
• Demonstrated experience in building relationships and fostering partnerships with UN system entities, particularly through inter-agency mechanisms; 
• Demonstrated ability in supporting multilateral processes and overseeing development of system-wide policy positions (e.g. through preparation of Secretary-General reports); 
• Demonstrated experience in representative work, including public speaking; and,   
• Ability to make decisions and/or provide technical/substantive advice, based on sound analysis and information gathering.   

Skills:

• Demonstrated management skills including with a large diverse team in different locations; ability to empower staff members to deliver outputs; ability to address challenges and conflicts as needed; 
• Strong analytical, drafting and negotiation skills; strong written and oral communications skills with ability to communicate complex issues to a variety of audiences; 
• Ability to work independently against tight deadlines; 
• Experience with strategic planning and budgetary oversight; 
• Ability to anticipate and mitigate against issues; and,   
• Solid computer skills. 

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.

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 endorsed by the 

Appointments and Postings Board 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

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