Chief of Mission (CoM) (D) Multiple Duty Stations - Call for Applications
Organizational Context
Established in 1951, IOM is a UN-related organization and the leading UN agency for migration. It promotes humane and orderly migration, saves lives, protects people on the move, and drives solutions to displacement. The Chief of Mission (CoM) is responsible for IOM's activities within a country, providing policy, administrative, programmatic, and financial support to the Country Office under the guidance of senior leadership.
Job Purpose
The Chief of Mission (CoM) is accountable for all IOM activities within a country, providing comprehensive policy, administrative, programmatic, and financial oversight to the Country Office. This role operates under the guidance of the Director General and direct supervision of the Regional Director or Sub-Regional Director. The CoM is responsible for setting the strategic direction, ensuring institutional alignment, and translating global and regional priorities into a coherent country-level vision. The position requires a results-oriented approach, focusing on operational excellence and fostering a respectful, inclusive, and supportive workplace to harness the full potential of migration and strengthen support for people on the move.
Responsibilities
The Chief of Mission provides strategic leadership, setting the country's vision and ensuring alignment with IOM's global priorities. They represent IOM to host governments and international institutions, engaging in national policy dialogues and building relationships with stakeholders. The CoM oversees program design, implementation, and results reporting, ensuring financial oversight and fraud prevention. Resource mobilization involves positioning IOM with donors and partners to secure sustainable funding. They manage resources institutionally, ensuring internal controls function effectively. Risk management is a key function, involving anticipation, mitigation, and escalation of various risks. The CoM leads and develops diverse teams, fostering a respectful, inclusive, and safe working environment, and promoting staff wellbeing. They also drive knowledge management, data utilization, and innovation, and lead strategic communications and external visibility efforts, serving as a spokesperson for the organization.
Work Experience
Extensive experience in general management, project, and resource management is required. Significant experience in diplomacy, fundraising, public relations, policy advocacy, and liaising with governmental and international institutions is essential. The role also requires substantial experience in delivering large, diverse programs in complex settings, encompassing both emergency and development migration programming.
Skills
Excellent oral and written communication, public speaking, and speech preparation skills. Political acumen for analyzing complex situations and designing effective actions. Strong people management, liaison, and negotiation abilities. In-depth knowledge of migration-related subjects. Strategic and innovative thinking, particularly in resource mobilization. Familiarity with UN and bilateral donor programming and M&E frameworks. Effective resource management, financial administration, and management principles. Ability to deliver during crisis response. Advanced knowledge of strategic communications, media engagement, social media, public outreach, and reputation management. Practical data and AI literacy for decision-making and advocacy.