Deputy Director-General, E9

Organization Profile

Around the world, the number of missing persons is rising – as a result of conflict, climate change, organized crime, migration and other causes.  By some metrics, the world is experiencing the highest number of conflicts since 1946.  Conflict and natural disasters, including wildfires, hurricanes and floods, have fueled migration, which in turn has been accompanied by a surge in human trafficking and slavery.

The International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP), a treaty-based intergovernmental organization with Headquarters in The Hague, the Netherlands, is seeking an experienced, dynamic and committed individual to join a highly motivated team working on this global challenge. ICMP’s overall strategy is based on upholding international law and securing the rights of families of the missing to truth, justice and reparations. 

The position of Deputy Director-General (DDG) has been established as part of ICMP’s commitment to strengthening its operational functions and integrating these functions across all its programs. The DDG will be responsible for ensuring that all activities are carried out in alignment with ICMP’s program and organizational strategy; they will play a leading role in ensuring that ICMP’s strategic culture is nurtured so as to deliver inclusive and effective planning; and they will work in conjunction with a range of senior management positions that are currently being developed.

About the Position

Reporting directly to the Director-General (DG), the DDG will perform the functions of Chief Operations Officer, leading all core operational and administrative services. The DDG will be a key member of ICMP’s Senior Leadership Team, working in collaboration with the DG to ensure that strategic objectives are effectively implemented. The DDG will oversee and optimize ICMP’s human, financial, and physical resources in order to enhance operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness. By maintaining a lean and high-performing operational structure, the DDG will ensure that ICMP has the operational and organizational requirements to fulfill its mandate.

Key responsibilities:

• Operational Leadership and Management: The DDG serves as ICMP’s Chief Operations Officer and ensures operational effectiveness and integrity across all core operations and administration. The DDG is responsible and accountable for the effective leadership, management, direction and oversight of a wide range of operational services.
• Continuous Innovation and Change Management: The DDG fosters innovation and change management, spearheading efforts to promote a culture of agility, continuous learning, and improvement. This includes fostering inclusion and diversity, aligning with ICMP's broader human rights mandate, and leading the development of policies to ensure regulatory compliance and organizational agility.
• Strategic Coordination and Strengthening: The DDG plays a critical role in ensuring communication and coordination across ICMP programs to facilitate continuous improvement and problem-solving. By leading taskforces and specialist groups, the DDG drives organizational strengthening, maximizes operational impact, and ensures efficient work practices.
• Program Oversight: The DDG collaborates with the DG and senior managers to oversee the effective and compliant allocation of resources, ensuring alignment with ICMP’s strategic goals. This includes close coordination with Geographic and Horizontal Programs to deliver accurate financial information for institutional budget preparation and implementation support.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: The DDG oversees internal monitoring and evaluation processes, ensuring that programs are evaluated for effectiveness and aligned with ICMP’s strategic objectives.
• Human Resources Strategy: The DDG plays a key role in shaping and implementing HR strategies that align with ICMP’s mission and support organizational growth. By fostering a workplace culture focused on engagement, satisfaction, and performance, the DDG enhances productivity and retention.
• Safety, Security, and Well-Being: The DDG ensures the highest standards of safety and security for ICMP staff and assets, developing and implementing risk management policies and ensuring access to necessary security training.
• Operational Excellence: The DDG empowers cross-cutting support services to operate in line with international standards and oversees the implementation of advanced processes, including IT systems and enterprise-resource planning tools.
• Strategic Financial Management: The DDG ensures that administrative and financial services adhere to global standards, overseeing financial planning, budgeting, and resource alignment for ICMP programs.
• Partnerships and Donor Relations: The DDG strengthens relationships with key partners and donors, ensuring that external support is effectively utilized to advance ICMP’s programs.
• Knowledge Leadership: The DDG plays a critical role in positioning ICMP as a knowledge leader in addressing the global challenge of missing persons.

Qualifications

• Advanced University degree in public administration, business administration, financial management, law or other relevant fields.
• At least 15 years of progressively responsible professional experience, including relevant experience in a senior management role leading a team of professionals from diverse fields of expertise in an international and/or multinational environment which should include the following:
  • Experience in budget design, preparation and negotiation, liaison with internal and external auditors, management of organizational finances and/or financial reporting in an international organization
  • Management of a human-resources service in an international organization
  • Experience with project management, planning and organization and monitoring and evaluation
  • Experience with organizational health and safety or security processes and activities
  • Experience leading and managing teams and staff in an international environment, including recruitment, retention, and performance management, as well as individual and team development.
• Demonstrated track record in developing and implementing process optimization and efficiency improvement programs.
• Demonstrated track record of supporting program operations, particularly field operations.
• Ability to work effectively and inclusively in high stress environments.
• Experience in the implementation of ERP systems.
• Experience in administration that may include fields such as travel and/or procurement, in an intergovernmental or international environment.
• Experience and knowledge related to the issue of missing persons is a strong advantage.
• Ability to work in a second language, particularly one directly relevant to ICMP’s global operations, is an asset.

Other Requirements

• Professional fluency in written and spoken English, with excellent drafting skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft applications.
• Proven ability to interact positively with colleagues regardless of culture, nationality, or gender.
• Willingness and ability to travel at short notice and to work flexible hours, including weekends and evenings.
• Commitment to the underlying objective of helping authorities and families of the missing to account for missing persons in an impartial and transparent manner.
• Physical and mental resilience, with the ability to operate effectively in hostile environments.

Benefits

This is a full-time position with a competitive base salary at the E9 level on the ICMP professional salary scale. Benefits include post adjustment, six weeks of paid leave, and extended health and dental benefits. The position is eligible for expatriate benefits, including relocation allowance, education allowance for eligible dependent children, and dependent health insurance coverage.

This position is based in The Hague, the international city of peace and justice. The Hague offers a comfortable lifestyle and appeals to those with a wide range of interests. To learn more about living in The Hague, please click here. ICMP staff enjoy exemption from income tax and social security deductions in the Netherlands (staff members are responsible for any income tax in their home country).

Job posting date:  27 January 2025

Job closing date: 27 March 2025

Expected start date: will be determined, open to negotiation

Review of applications is ongoing; if you are interested in the position, apply as early as possible.
 

ICMP is committed to maintaining an environment of mutual respect, where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants. ICMP believes that diversity and inclusion among our staff are critical to our success as a global organization, and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented individuals from a thoroughly diverse range of candidates. ICMP is proud to be part of the International Gender Champions network. 

Please note that the employment offer may be made at a lower grade based on the qualifications and professional experience of the selected applicant.