Position Title: Special Assistant to the Director General
Job Code: VN 2024 561
Duty Station: Geneva, Switzerland
Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P4
Type of Appointment: Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension
Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible
Closing Date: 03 October 2024
Context:
The Director General (DG) of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is elected by the Council for a five-year term. The DG exercises constitutional authority to manage the Organization and carry out activities within its mandate by formulating coherent policies and ensuring that programme development is consistent with strategic priorities. The DG appoints two Deputy Directors General and a Chief of Staff for the duration of the term.
In close cooperation with the Director General and under the direct supervision of the Deputy Chief of Staff, the Special Assistant to the Director General will provide overall support to the DG in their travel, coordination, policy, and management functions.
Core Functions / Responsibilities:
- Work closely with the DG to support in the accomplishment of the mandate, objectives, and leadership of the Organization.
- Ensure prompt, effective follow- up on all matters delegated by DG.
- Oversee the overall workflow supporting the DG’s external engagements, ensuring that materials are tasked, completed and endorsed and delivered to the DG in a timely manner.
- Serve as final reviewer of all materials supporting DG’s external engagements, including public remarks, talking points, travel materials, presentations, and media briefs.
- Provide strategic, organizational and conceptual context to the DG to support operational and strategic decision-making, in close coordination with the Chief of Staff, Deputy Chief of Staff and the Executive Assistant to the Director General.
- Coordinate with HQ, Regional Offices (ROs) and Country Offices (COs) colleagues to communicate, advance and deliver on DG requests, priorities, and engagements.
- Ensure Executive Office (EO) policies, processes, and resources are appropriate and implemented consistently across all EO principals, special advisors and assistants, and executive support.
- Accompany DG on engagements as requested; take notes, disseminate, and follow up on action points as appropriate.
- Accompany DG on travel as requested to include logistical support as requested, managing scheduling, resolving challenges, taking and disseminating notes, and following up on action points as appropriate.
- Advance any ad hoc special projects or events to advance the DG priorities when requested.
- Develop and implement guidance and training for IOM staff on EO needs, processes, and expectations.
- Directly supervise 1-2 EO Interns.
- Perform such other duties as may be assigned.
Required Qualifications and Experience:
Education
- Master's degree in Political Science, Social Science, Law, International Relations, Public Relations, Journalism or a related field from an accredited academic institution with seven years of relevant professional experience; or,
- University Degree in the above fields with nine years of relevant professional experience.
Experience
- Experience with executive support in headquarters and field locations.
- Experience in liaising with government and diplomatic authorities and international institutions.
- Experience in writing executive briefings, reports, and recommendations required.
- Sound knowledge of migration issues; knowledge of IOM institutions an advantage.
Skills
- Proven ability to collaborate with staff and stakeholders at various levels;
- Excellent communication and writing skills;
- Ability to analyse complex problems and rapidly identify and convey clear solutions; and,
- Excellent organizational skills in both digital and physical fora.
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 IOM’s other official languages (French and Spanish) or other official UN languages (Arabic, Chinese, and Russian) are advantageous.
Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.
