IOM
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Chief of Mission (D) - Call for Expression of Interest
Position details
- Vacancy type: Vacancy Notice
- Recruiting type: Director
- Contract type: Fixed-term (1 year with possibility of extension)
- Initial contract duration: 1 year with possibility of extension
- Office or unit: Country Office
- Location: Juba, South Sudan
- Application deadline: 2026-09-03T21:59:00+00:00
Context
Introduction
Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations and the leading UN agency in the field of migration. Working closely with governmental, intergovernmental, and non-governmental partners, IOM promotes humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It saves lives and protects people on the move, drives solutions to displacement, and facilitates pathways for regular migration, while providing services and advice to governments and migrants.
IOM is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive, and supportive workplace where all employees can thrive professionally and feel valued. By creating such an environment, IOM aims to better harness the full potential of migration and strengthen its support to people on the move.
IOM invites candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply and provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process when required. Learn more about IOM’s workplace culture at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration.
Eligibility for this call for Expression of Interest (EOI) is limited to internal and external candidates who are currently part of the Pathways Pool. The selection for this assignment will be carried out through the Pathways Pool process.
Organizational Context and Scope
IOM is the leading organization in the field of migration and has a staffing complement of 15,000+ staff in more than 580 locations worldwide.
Under the overall guidance of the Director General and direct supervision of the Regional Director (RD) as well as in close cooperation with relevant Units at Headquarters (HQ), the Chief of Mission (CoM) will be responsible and accountable for the activities of IOM, overseeing and providing policy, administrative, programme, and financial support to the Country Office (CO). In programme countries, the Chief of Mission also reports to the Resident Coordinator (RC) with respect to the IOM contributions to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) objectives and the collective results of the UN development system towards the achievement of the 2030 Agenda at the country level, in accordance with the Management and Accountability Framework.
Responsibilities
Strategic country programme development and planning
1. Direct IOM's overall mandate and strategy at the country level by spearheading strategic planning, results orientation and operational excellence, project development and implementation, following appropriate consultation with the Regional Office (RO) within the overall regional framework, Headquarters, Member States and other relevant stakeholders. Ensure IOM policies are appropriately reflected in national priority setting by securing IOM’s involvement in migration policy discussions at national level. Support the regional and international processes and dialogues on migration as relevant. Ensure the participation of government officials in these initiatives as relevant.
2. Stimulate, catalyse and support project development through a comprehensive resource mobilization strategy which includes multilateral and bilateral donors, national and local government and public/private partnerships. Assess the appropriateness and effectiveness of programme development strategies and fundraising and recommend process improvements. In programme countries, work closely with the Resident Coordinator (RC) to contribute to joint resource mobilization efforts.
3. Direct and lead appropriate and effective programmes in line with IOM’s Strategic Vision and Strategic Results framework, as well as the Common Country Analysis (CCA) and the UNSDCF. Ensure accuracy of results reporting and recommend process improvements, including the systematization and transfer of capacities and experiences in support of IOM’s global knowledge management. This includes incorporating lessons learned into the next planning cycle.
4. Advise RO and HQ, as well as the Office of the RC, on national policy and migration trends in the country and in the region, as well as governments' migration policies affecting the activities of IOM, and prepare proposals for appropriate action.
5. Advocate and support the authorities and key stakeholders on the development of appropriate policies and strategies on migration management, including mainstreaming into the national plan and budget, as well as into the joint UNSDCF. Support their proactive engagement in the global/regional processes such as, for example, the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD), the implementation and follow-up of the Global Compact for Migration (GCM) for Orderly, Safe and Regular Migration and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, as well as the Secretary-General’s Action Agenda on Internal Displacement
6. Advocate for and promote risk management plans aligned with IOM’s framework and policy. Ensure that risks to the Country Office’s objectives are regularly assessed, with priority risks identified, and risk treatment plans are in place and embedded in the Country Office’s activity plans.
Country programme oversight and accountability
7. Direct and monitor project planning, design and implementation of IOM activities in line with the UN Management and Accountability Framework, where appropriate. Evaluate IOM's operational activities and prepare recommendations with a view to increasing their effectiveness.
8. Supervise the implementation and ensure high-quality performance of a large variety of migration-related projects, as relevant, also as part of increasing their impact within the UNSDCF.
9. Report regularly to the Director General, Regional Director and other interested partners on progress achieved and developments. Prepare regular and special reports including narrative, impact, policy, financial, evaluation and statistics covering IOM activities, including as part of the interagency platform UNINFO. Prepare briefings and background information requested by the Regional Office, HQ, the Government, and other entities.
UN inter-agency engagement
10. Participate actively within the UNCT under the leadership of the Resident Coordinator (RC), with a view to ensuring full consideration of all relevant migration-related issues in the CCA and UNSDCF processes and the coordination of the UN Migration Network.
11. Play an integral role in policy discussions with internal and external stakeholders, and participate in UN Country Team (UNCT) meetings.
12. Actively pursue opportunities for joint programming, where relevant to IOM’s role within the UNSDCF and IOM’s country and regional strategy and the IOM Strategic Vision.
13. Report to the RC on issues linked to the implementation of programmes stemming from the UNSDCF and led by IOM, the individual IOM activities as relevant to CF results, and the collective UNCT results based on the UNSDCF (or the UN Development Assistance Framework, where relevant).
14. Where a Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) exists, participate actively in the HCT once established, contributing actively and providing support to the inter-agency planning process and the overall humanitarian strategy. Ensure that IOM’s obligations within the humanitarian cluster system are carried out, including reporting and capacity, and report regularly if the cluster system is activated.
15. Proactively engage with the UN/HCT on issues related to the prevention of and response to sexual exploitation and abuse and sexual harassment (PSEA/SH), as well as xenophobia and discrimination, to strengthen the interagency collective response.
Resources Management
16. Direct the operational, human resources, administrative, budgetary, and financial activities of the Country Office and oversee those of the Project offices in accordance with the Organization's rules and procedures.
17. Exercise oversight of financial management, expenditure, and budget preparation and ensure appropriate and timely reporting to donors and prepare briefings and background information requested by the RO and HQ, the Government and other entities.
18. Ensure establishment and strengthening of internal controls aimed at preventing fraud and mismanagement in all activities.
Knowledge management
19. Facilitate knowledge generation and management through the identification of best practices and lessons learned to ensure more comprehensive and efficient delivery.
20. Coordinate the Country Office's intra-programmatic knowledge products development and knowledge service delivery and contribute to UN interagency knowledge management platforms as relevant.
21. Conduct regular field visits and create relationships with regional and local authorities, as relevant, represent IOM at events and meetings, and monitor programme activities within the country where IOM operates.
22. Facilitate learning through the organization of competency advancement training initiatives.
Representation and strategic partnerships
23. Develop partnerships within and beyond the UNCT, and promote liaison with governmental authorities and diplomatic missions, international organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society, the private sector, and public media in the country, particularly with a view to identifying migration-related areas for developing common activities/ projects in a complementary manner.
24. Support regional and international processes and dialogues on migration. Ensure the participation of government officials, as relevant, in these initiatives.
25. Develop and promote liaison with diplomatic missions, international organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), public media and other relevant stakeholders in the region, particularly with a view to identifying migration-related areas for developing common activities/projects in a complementary manner, and identify needs and priorities for cooperation and project development as well as for fundraising purposes.
26. Identify needs and priorities for cooperation and project development as well as for fundraising purposes.
27. Support the Regional Office and, when relevant, HQ in the preparation and implementation of high-level meetings, with a view to ensuing high level participation of the Government.
28. Represent the Organization at national and international conferences, events, and meetings.
29. Develop public relations and media activities to promote IOM's image and programmes.
Other
30. Ensure that safety and security management of IOM personnel, facilities and assets are addressed, in coordination with the Regional Field Security Officer, and that safety/security oversight in COs is provided. Ensure establishment and regular maintenance of Business Continuity Plans (BCP) and risk mitigation and management mechanisms are in place.
31. Lead the PSEA/SH Strategy for IOM at the country level, ensuring that PSEA/SH is mainstreamed in all operations and programming and is a part of the organizational culture, including but not limited to PSEA/SH awareness raising and training for staff and partners, safe and accessible complaints and referral mechanisms exist within programming and within the office environment, and policies on the reporting of sexual and other types of misconduct are followed.
32. Perform such other duties that may be assigned.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications and Experience
Education
Master’s degree in Political or Social Science, International Relations, Business Administration, 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
Extensive experience in general management as well as project and resources management;
Extensive experience in diplomacy, fundraising and public relations, as well as in liaising with governmental and diplomatic authorities and international institutions; and,
Significant experience in delivering large and diverse programmes in complex settings in a range of migration programming, both in the context of emergency and development programming.
Skills
Excellent communication skills, both oral and written; Ability to prepare and deliver speeches on various activities of the Organization;
Excellent liaison and negotiation skills;
In-depth knowledge of the broad range of migration-related subject areas dealt with by the Organization;
Knowledge of UN and bilateral donor programming;
Knowledge of Monitoring and Evaluation procedures and Frameworks;
Effective resources management skills, sound knowledge of financial and business administration and of the principles and practices of management;
Ability to deliver during crisis response; and,
Good level of computer literacy.
Languages
For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written).
Working knowledge of another official UN languages (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.
Required Competencies
IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.
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.
Notes
The eligibility criteria for expressing interest in roles covered by the Pathways Pool have been widened, as outlined in the Pathways Pool guidelines.
- Current staff members who are members of the Pathways Pool will now also be able to express interest in relevant roles at lower-level grade(s);
- Current staff members who are not members of the Pathways Pool may also express interest in roles covered by the Pathways Pool if the positions they encumber are due to be abolished as part of structural adjustments and if they meet certain requirements (as per Pathways Pool guidelines section 4). However, they will have to undergo a Fast-Track Pathways Assessment if they are being considered for the role.
For any questions, please contact pathwayspool@iom.int.
Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile. Please refer to this link for guidance on IOM Job Category. Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.
Appointment will be subject to all clearances, including medical and security, as well as accreditation and any residency or visa requirements. Vacancies close at 23:59 local time in 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, harassment, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and any forms of discrimination. IOM is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children.
IOM conducts reference checks and background verification, including through system-wide databases such as ClearCheck, to help ensure that candidates have no record of misconduct, including on sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse, or fraud. Candidates are expected to uphold these standards and principles at all times.
IOM does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process—whether for application, interview, processing, training, or otherwise—and does not request any information related to bank accounts.
IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM WAVE 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.