Position Title : Policy Officer (Internal Displacement)
Duty Station : Geneva, Switzerland
Classification : Professional Staff, Grade P3
Type of Appointment : Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension
Estimated Start Date : As soon as possible
Closing Date : 26 November 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. Candidates 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; Saint Lucia;
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.
Context:
Following the publication of the report of the High-Level Panel on Internal Displacement (Shining
a Light on Internal Displacement: A Vision for the Future), the Secretary General launched the
S.G. Action Agenda. The roll-out of the S.G. Action Agenda by the S.G.’s Special Adviser on
Solutions to Internal Displacement has brought about a series of new platforms, policies, and
coordination bodies at the global level, along with a series of reforms to be carried out within
displacement affected contexts.
IOM has since launched its Strategic Plan for 2024-2028 with Driving Solutions to Displacement
as one of three Organizational priorities for the next five years. The Policy Officer (Internal
Displacement) will support the overall work of IOM as part of the UN system to prevent, better
respond, and solve internal displacement in line with IOM’s Strategic Plan and relevant global
reform initiatives.

The IOM Strategic Plan (2024 – 2028) positions solutions to displacement as a priority for the
next five years. Operationalization of the five-year plan must take place in a coherent manner
across IOM and reflect the broad range of services and activities within IOM’s durable solutions
portfolio as well as recent global reform initiatives on internal displacement.
At the global level, IOM together with DCO, OCHA, UNDP and UNHCR is part of the global
Steering Group which supports the implementation of the S.G. Action Agenda’s
recommendations. The Internal Displacement Solutions Fund (IDSF) is an MPTF structure
established by the Office of the Special Adviser which will be Chaired by IOM in 2025 and
supported by IOM in proceeding years. Additional forums relevant to the long-term reform of
solutions to internal displacement include the Data for Solutions to Internal Displacement (DSID)
working group, High Level Committee on Programmes (HLCP), and the Joint Steering
Committee (JSC), and others identified during the course of the mandate of the Special Adviser.
At the country level, IOM and partner UN Agencies will support the Resident Coordinator (RC)
function at the country level to establish and maintain solutions strategies, coordination
arrangements, government leadership, and financing plans. All components should be as
inclusive as possible and bring on board actors who can contribute to solutions from across the
Humanitarian Development Peace Nexus (HDPN). Building partnerships at the global and
country level on prevention and solutions to internal displacement is a priority for IOM.
Under the overall supervision of the Director of the Department of Humanitarian Response and
Recovery (DHRR), the direct supervision of the Senior Advisor on Internal Displacement, and in
close coordination with relevant Divisions within the Department of Humanitarian Response and
Recovery (DHRR) and other Departments within IOM Geneva, the Policy Officer (Internal
Displacement) will be responsible for policy matters related to the prevention and solution of
internal displacement and, in particular, on IOM’s implementation of Objective 2 of the Strategic
Plan and IOM’s long-term follow up to the S.G. Action Agenda on Internal Displacement and the
Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) follow-up to the Independent Review of the
Humanitarian Response to Internal Displacement.
Core Functions / Responsibilities:
1. Advise IOM’s Senior Advisor on Internal Displacement on policy and programmatic matters
related to prevention, better response, and solutions to internal displacement.
2. Assist with the efforts to ensure the implementation of solutions to displacement and
Objective 2 of IOM’s Strategic Plan puts people first and standardizes approaches that are safe,
voluntary, and dignified through regular integration of IOM priorities on localization, participation,
accountability to affected populations, and protection mainstreaming.
3. Support proper fundraising for a system of deployments and surge support to IOM Country
Offices to support drafting and operationalization of solutions strategies, coordination
arrangements, or action plans.
4. Assist with IOM’s engagement with the Resident Coordinator (RC) function at the country
level and IOM’s leadership within UN Country Teams (UNCT) structures on issues related to
solutions to internal displacement, including the launch and follow-up of secondments and
deployments to RC Offices.
5. For the duration of the mandate period, support IOM’s institutional engagement with the UN
Special Adviser on Solutions to Internal Displacement Solutions, the Office of the Special
Adviser (including ongoing or possible future IOM secondments), the global Steering Group and
its related working groups, and other forums and frameworks established for the implementation
of the S.G. Action Agenda.
6. Provide contribution to IOM’s involvement in the forums and frameworks through which the

long-term follow-up to prevention and solutions to internal displacement will take place. This
includes close follow-up with the High-Level Committee on Programmes (HLCP), Joint Steering
Committee (JSC), Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development/Development
Assistance Committee (OECD/DAC) forums inclusive of the DAC-UN Dialogue and the INCAF,
and any other platforms identified during the course of the implementation of the S.G. Action
Agenda.
7. In coordination with the Senior Humanitarian Policy Adviser function within IOM, closely follow
and support IOM’s regular contributions to the work of the IASC on topics related to internal
displacement, including all actions taken by the IASC in follow-up to the Independent Review of
the Humanitarian Response to Internal Displacement.
8. Ensure IOM’s consistent engagement with the Internal Displacement Solutions Fund (IDSF),
including proper implementation of IOM’s Chair responsibilities and roll-out of projects at the
country level. Provide support to IOM leadership to act as Chair, mobilize funding, and allocate
resources to UN Country Teams (UNCTs) and Resident Coordinators at the country level. Liaise
with recipient IOM Country Offices to monitor implementation and expand best practices at the
country level.
9. Regularly integrate IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) and Global Data Institute
(GDI) into relevant external platforms on prevention and solutions to internal displacement.
Provide support to internal products and processes led by DTM and GDI that are relevant to the
long-term implementation of the solutions agenda. Monitor the functioning of the Data for
Solutions to Internal Displacement (DSID) working group.
10. In proper coordination with IOM’s partnerships division and under the leadership of the
Senior Advisor on Internal Displacement, strengthen IOM’s external partnerships with key UN
Agencies, including UNDP, OCHA, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNHABITAT, FAO and others relevant to
prevention and solutions to internal displacement. Ensure integration of internal displacement
within global institutional workplans between IOM and UN partners, and lead development of
new institutional arrangements including joint concept notes, plans of action, or partnership
overviews.
11. Deepen engagement with international financial institutions on the topic of prevention and
solutions to internal displacement, ensuring IOM regularly contributes internal
displacement-related content to development finance expert groups and IOM’s bilateral
engagement with IFIs and multilateral development banks.
12. Ensure that internal IOM policies are updated to reflect IOM’s current role and perspective
on response, prevention and solutions to internal displacement, leading new internal policy
initiatives as needed and ensuring that global reform initiatives are adequately referenced in
internal policy and priority-setting forums within IOM.
13. Ensure institutional priorities in the areas of HDPN, climate change, 2030 Sustainable
Agenda, and others are adequately coordinated, embedded and reflected in IOM’s approach to
response, prevention and solutions to internal displacement.
14. Perform other duties as may be assigned.
Required Qualifications and Experience:
Education

• Master’s degree in Political Science, International Relations, Law, Economics, Business

Administration 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 at an international level with specialized international agencies (UN Agencies,

International Organizations, and International specialized non-governmental organizations
(NGOs)), in internal displacement responses, ideally across some or all of prevention and
preparedness, humanitarian action and longer-term recovery, peacebuilding and sustainable
development, in natural hazard and conflict settings; and,

• Experience with UN reform efforts, IASC processes, and UN coordination bodies at the global

level. Skills

• Expertise in policy and programmatic guidance development and roll-out at the global level

directly relevant to internal displacement, crisis, post-crisis, disaster, climate change, and/or
durable solutions;

• Familiarity with UN partners, UNCT/HCT structures, Resident Coordinator / Humanitarian

Coordinator functions;

• Good knowledge of international human rights law, international humanitarian law, and the

broad range of migration and displacement related subject areas dealt with by the Organization;

• Knowledge of UN, IOM, International Organizations and NGO mandates and programmes in

the area of migrant and displaced peoples’ rights and vulnerabilities in humanitarian assistance,
recovery and solutions to displacement;

• Knowledge of operational context an advantage;
• Excellent drafting skills, experience in writing papers, briefings, and reports;
• Excellent coordination and facilitation skills;
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office products particularly Share Point and Teams and other

software used for presentations including Excel, Word, Power Point, Publisher, Adobe, etc.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; and,
• Good level of coordination and diplomacy skills.

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 and French are required (oral and written). Working
knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, 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 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.

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 26 November 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 13.11.2024 to 26.11.2024
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 665 Policy Officer (Internal Displacement) (P3) Geneva, Switzerland (59259184)
Released
Posting: Posting NC59259185 (59259185) Released