Position Title : Chief, Climate Action Unit
Duty Station : Geneva, Switzerland
Classification : Professional Staff, Grade P5
Type of Appointment : Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension
Estimated Start Date : As soon as possible
Closing Date : 22 September 2024
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 a diverse and inclusive work environment. Read more about diversity and
inclusion at IOM at www.iom.int/diversity.
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. Candidate from the following non-represented member states:
Antigua and Barbuda; Barbados; Comoros; Congo (the); Cook Islands;
Guinea-Bissau; Holy See; Iceland; Kiribati; Lao People's Democratic
Republic (the); Madagascar; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated
States of); Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Samoa; Sao
Tome and Principe; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Tonga;
Tuvalu; Vanuatu
Second tier candidates include:
All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM and
female candidates.
Context:
IOM has been engaged in migration, environment, climate change and disaster risk reduction
efforts since the early 1990s. IOM’s vision is to support States in their efforts to achieve safe,
orderly, and regular international migration and to ensure that all people on the move and those
internally displaced by the adverse impacts of climate change, environmental degradation, and
disasters, are assisted and protected. In this regard, IOM`s activities reinforce local and national
initiatives to prevent and prepare for disasters and related population movements, provide
emergency assistance and protection where displacement cannot be avoided, and foster
post-disaster recovery solutions and resilience-building.

In line with IOM’s Strategic Plan 2024-2028, the Climate Road Map and the Institutional
Strategy on Migration, Environment and Climate Change 2021-2030, IOM’s Climate Change
programming is informed by the following
three broad objectives in managing environmental migration, intervening at each stage of the
migration cycle:
1. “Solutions for people to move” - Managing migration in the context of climate change,
environmental degradation, and disasters due to natural hazards.
2. “Solutions for people on the move” - Assisting and protecting migrants and displaced persons
in the context of climate change, environmental degradation, and disasters due to natural
hazards.
3. “Solutions for people to stay” - Making migration a choice by building resilience and
addressing the adverse climatic and environmental drivers that compel people to move.
Under the overall supervision of the Deputy Director General for Operations and direct
supervision of the Director of Climate Action, the Chief, Climate Action Unit, in collaboration with
other Climate Action Division (CAD) colleagues, (Regional Thematic Units) RTUs and relevant
units, will lead and set strategic engagement and policy advocacy to international fora notably
the Conference of Parties for different UN conventions on Climate, Desertification and
Biodiversity, advancing international Climate Mobility Frameworks, and overseeing IOM’s
policies, partnerships and programmes related to climate mobility and actions, Early Warning
(EW4AI), Platform for Displacement (PDD) within UN system on climate and environmental
action at policy and advocacy levels for displaced persons and migrants. Leveraging IOM’s
powerful advocacy, operational expertise and evidence, also champion IOM’s role in the new
Loss & Damage Fund, new and existing climate funds and the Migration Multi-Partner Trust
Fund (MPTF) among other finance related partnerships and initiatives.
Core Functions / Responsibilities:
1. Stimulate, catalyze and lead the climate change, environment, disasters, climate security,
desertification and biodiversity engagement of IOM at strategic level to advance the organization
position and vision for human mobility in these contexts with member states, international
bodies and civil society.
2. Develop and promote high-level relationships and liaison with key UN agencies, Academia,
Private sector, expert organizations, strategic stakeholders, and the media to, inter alia, promote
consensus and commitment, and generate and secure new funding to avert, minimize and
address issues related with human mobility dimensions of a broad climate action agenda.
3. Advise on Climate Action supports to States and other actors to develop rights-based
migration policies and practices that integrate issues of climate change, environmental
degradation, and disasters, including via its work on implementing the GCM and through the UN
Network on Migration (UNNM) and the Migration Multi-Partner Trust Fund (M-MPTF), the
Platform on Disaster Displacement (PDD), IOM’s Governing Bodies (Council, IDM, SCPF) and
other global fora and bodies.
4. Lead with the CAD team at global and regional offices, the mainstreaming of human mobility
considerations in the scope and work of UNFCCC Constituted Bodies, Workstreams, Initiatives
and Fora (WIM Excom, AC, SNLD, COP, NAPs, NDCs, climate funds, etc.), as well as the
UNCCD, UNEA and Sendai Framework policy processes, and the engagement with the Climate
Vulnerable Forum (CVF) among others.
5. Drive and promote, policy coherence and inclusive partnerships to mainstream climate
mobility in other relevant agendas, including biodiversity, water management, mountains,
oceans/seas, human rights, protection, security, gender, health, urbanization, SDGs, youth
engagement, diaspora empowerment, local actors’ mobilization, among others.

6. Lead Climate Action Division efforts on advancing the technical capacities on climate mobility
of the organization in collaboration with Regional Climate Action technical units, including with
capacity building, fundraising and communication support, and contributes to and coordinates
institutional processes in this regard.
7. Oversee and convene CAD work in partnership with other structures across IOM to develop
an organization-wide climate lens across IOM on evidence, policy and operational activities and
leverages this work for policy outcomes.
8. Convene and advance Climate Action policy and programmes across different departments
and programmes, at RO and COs to ensure excellence in programme strategy, design and
implementation across all thematic areas related to climate mainstreaming as well as in areas of
programmatic leadership.
9. Spearheading the consultation, development, consensus-building, implementation and
oversight of global climate mobility and displacement governance frameworks across member
states, international organizations, and civil society on the global stage.
10. Lead, convene, and connect advocacy, policy, and partnership in early warning (EW4AI),
and climate and environmental action at policy and advocacy levels, in support of priorities
identified by affected countries in national or regional and global climate strategies.
11. Scale up and operationalize accessible and sustainable financing for adaptation and loss
and damage to avert, minimize and address the adverse impacts of climate change on human
mobility, especially for communities and countries most vulnerable or impacted.
12. Lead the technical and institutional capacity of national governments and local actors, to
absorb, account for, report on, allocate, and leverage climate finance effectively.
13. Drive, advise on and ensure enhanced capacity, strategic thinking, and continuous adaptive
learning on Climate Action and human mobility across regions and countries, and link with
global levels.
14. Develop and establish strategic partnerships with and between core Climate Action
practitioners, develop fundraising strategies, and scale up resources from donors and private
sector entities in coordination with the Resource Mobilization Divisions.
15. Represent Climate Action Unit in different forms and events as requested.
16. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.
Required Qualifications and Experience:
Education

• Master’s degree in Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate Change, Engineering, Emergency

Management, Social Sciences, Environment, International Relations, or a related field from an
accredited academic institution with ten years of relevant professional experience; or,

• University degree in the above fields with twelve years of relevant professional experience with

demonstrated concrete results. Experience

• At least ten years (twelve years for bachelor's degree holders) of senior management and

leadership roles in both the humanitarian and development field with international organisations,
including substantial experience working in developing countries.

• Demonstrated work responsibilities on leadership and field operational experience in Climate

Change, Migration, and displacement policy and implementation, but also on knowledge
management, innovation, policy development, and strategic planing and advocacy.

• Proven track record in fundraising, implementation and supervisions of complex programs, of

coordinating inter-sectoral initiatives, and of delivering capacity-building programs.

• Work experience within the UN system, particularly in leading and/or coordinating, would be a

strong advantage. Skills

• Ability to conceptualize and strategically analyse complex issues related to climate Change

and human mobility.

• Excellent technical writing skills, including the ability to draft policy papers, advocacy

messages, thematic reports, and funding proposals.

• Proven ability to create networks and build relationships with diverse stakeholders, including

governments, UN agencies, academia, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the
private sector.

• Speaks and writes clearly and effectively in English; tailors communication style to different

audiences.

• Proven high-level representation skills – ability to speak at conferences and provide insightful

analysis. Languages
IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish. All staff members are required to be
fluent in one of the three languages.
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
1 Accredited Universities are the ones listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database
(https://whed.net/home.php).
Required Competencies:
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.

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link.
https://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/about-iom/iom_revised_competency_framework_external.p
df
Competencies will be assessed during a competency-based interview.
Other:
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.
The list of NMS countries above includes all IOM Member States which are non-represented in
the Professional Category of staff members.
Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment,
accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and background verification and security
clearances. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be
required for individuals hired on or after 15 November 2021. This will be verified as part of the
medical clearance process.
Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No
late applications will be accepted.
How to apply:
Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications via PRISM, IOM e-Recruitment
system, by 22 September 2024 at the latest, referring to this advertisement.
IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment

system. The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
For further information please refer to: www.iom.int/recruitment
Posting period:
From 09.09.2024 to 22.09.2024
No Fees:
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.
Requisition: VN 2024 549 Chief, Climate Action Unit (P5) Geneva, Switzerland (59135605) Released
Posting: Posting NC59135606 (59135606) Released