Job Description

Job Identification (Reference Number): 18256
Position Title: Chief, Climate Mobility Innovation Lab Unit
Duty Station City: Rome
Duty Station Country: Italy
Grade: P5
Contract Type: Fixed-term (1 year with possibility of extension)
Recruiting Type: Professional
Vacancy Type: Vacancy Notice
Initial duration: 1 year with possibility of extension
Closing date: 22 January 2026

Introduction

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 ensuring a workplace where all employees can thrive professionally, while working towards harnessing the full potential of migration. Read more about IOM's workplace culture at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration

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. Candidates from the following non-represented member states:

Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Comoros, Congo (the), Cook Islands, Dominica, Federated States of Micronesia, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Holy See, Iceland, Israel, Kiribati, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Madagascar, Marshall Islands, Namibia, Nauru, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Solomon Islands, Suriname, 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:

“Solutions for people to move” - Managing migration in the context of climate change, environmental degradation, and disasters due to natural hazards.
“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.
“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 Mobility Innovation Lab Unit, in collaboration with other Climate Action Division (CAD) colleagues, (Regional Thematic Specialists) RTSs and relevant Climate Mobility Innovation Labs (CMIL), will develop, clarify and articulate IOM’s strategy and operational plans for leveraging transformative change and designing innovative and customized quality solutions using a laboratory approach for climate adaptation and just transition to reduce pressure on ecosystems, drive resilience and sustainability for people and biodiversity, and generate financial return for sustainable development for communities and investors. Under the lab, IOM will lead with diverse partnerships private sector, academia, financial institutions, diaspora alliance and local stakeholders and will develop models and initiatives that allow for new financing with a high return on investment with a focus on depth of transformation, scale and reach a strategic response to the pressing challenges faced by communities affected by climate-induced migration.

The successful candidate will undertake the following duties and responsibilities:

Stimulate, catalyze and lead the establishment of the CMIL in Geneva and supervise the regional labs for the development of bankable climate solutions on climate adaptation and green transition.
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. As IOM's primary Climate Mobility Innovation Lab lead under the CAD Director, oversee alignment with global initiatives.
Represent IOM Headquarters (HQ) in regional Climate Mobility Innovation Lab “Innovation Committees”, make speeches, promote the CMIL’s work and objectives, ensure alignment and present results to the steering committee at global levels.
Advise on the development of the CMIL’s coordination role at global levels , prepare proposals for action, and establish links with Global Compact for Migration (GCM).
Lead, convene, and connect climate mobility and innovation programmes and resources, and bring together key stakeholders including academia, governments, private sector, AI, UN agencies, civil societies, and youth groups.
Direct and supervise the CMIL leads in the regions and ensure the acceleration of existing ideas within IOM for their scale up and replication.
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.
Develop and/or advise on regional and country policies and approaches, and take part in policy discussions, influencing policy engagement on Climate Mobility at global levels based on scientific evidence.
Through evidence-based science and joint messaging across regional levels, support global level policies and their development.
Drive and oversee collaboration across IOM divisions/units for the integration of innovative and tested climate solutions into IOM's sectoral interventions and programmes at emergency, development, and peace nexus levels.
Develop and establish strategic partnerships with and between core Climate Action practitioners in innovation, develop fundraising strategies, and scale up resources from donors and private sector entities in coordination with the Resource Mobilization Divisions.
Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

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.

Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.

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 leadership experience in Climate Change, Migration, and displacement.
Demonstrated experience in climate change, Knowledge management, Innovation, policy development, and planned relocation.
Proven track record in fundraising for complex programs, coordinating inter-sectoral initiatives, and 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

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of Arabic, French, Spanish and/or another official UN language (Chinese and Russian) is an advantage.

IOM’s official languages are English, French and Spanish. All staff members are required to be fluent in one of the the three languages.

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 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

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 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. For this staff category, candidates who are nationals of the duty station's country and who do not have prior experience outside the duty station's country as staff member in the Professional category cannot be considered eligible.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, security clearances.

Vacancies close at 23:59 local time 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, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities.

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.

IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment 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

Apply on Organization Website

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