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.
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:
Bahamas, Barbados, Cabo Verde, Comoros, Congo (the), Cook Islands, Dominica, Federated States of Micronesia, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Holy See, Iceland, Israel, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Namibia, Nauru, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Vanuatu
Second tier candidates include:
All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM.
Organizational Context and Scope
Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Mission (COM), and the technical supervision of the Regional Health Assessment Programme Coordinator (RHAPC) and in coordination with the Head of Programmes and the Regional Migration Health Specialist for your region, the Chief Migration Health Officer will be responsible for the development, implementation, and management of the Health Assessment and other health programmes.
Health Assessment Portfolio
Organize and supervise the migration health assessment process to fulfil the technical requirements of the resettlement countries in the areas of:
1. Medical examinations
2. Imaging
3. Laboratory testing
4. Vaccinations
5. TB management
6. Treatment and referrals
7. Pre-departure procedures and medical movements
8. Documentation, certification and information transmission
9. Other technical areas as may be required
Ensure that the infrastructure and equipment of Health Assessment Programme (HAP) premises meet professional standards of quality and safety and are sufficient and adequate for the provision of the services.
Ensure that human resources and HAP organizational structure are sufficient and adequate for the planned levels of health assessments and that the staff have the necessary qualifications and skills. Establish a sufficient network of external human resources, such as consultants and medical escorts, to support the health assessment process and travel assistance. In coordination with the Human Resource Unit, ensure that all medical personnel maintain valid licenses to practice.
Ensure that the regulatory government authorities are informed about IOM’s health activities and that the IOM medical facilities have obtained approval to provide health assessments and related services.
Establish and maintain efficient, client-centered procedures and ensure a high level of integrity at all stages of the HAP process, including client information and appointment system, payment, registration, pre- and post-test counselling, examination, testing, treatment and referrals, submission of health assessment results, pre-departure and other procedures. Establish and maintain a system enabling clients to provide feedback.
Establish and maintain a system of quality improvement for each service area. Undertake quality control activities on a regular basis; practice observation and regular supervisory visits to all facilities/teams involved in the health assessment operations. desk audits and use self-assessment tools. Use data analysis and a web reporting system to monitor performance indicators. Ensure implementation of the global IOM Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs); create and implement country-specific SOPs for each service area. Ensure proper reporting and management of incidents according to the Guidance Note for Incident Management.
Incorporate additional public health interventions in the HAP context. Such interventions may include surveillance for communicable diseases, outbreak preparedness and response, health education and health promotion, public health services for host communities, liaison with public health institutions, and other activities.
Supervise health and non-health staff as well as external consultants involved in the health assessment process; ensure that performance evaluations for health staff are completed in a timely manner. Ensure that all staff are aware of the IOM Standards of Conduct under Article 42, and continuously reinforce these standards. Inform in due time the COM and the IOM Ethics Committee of any issues regarding staff misconduct.
Establish the HAP staff development strategy and ensure that the appropriate plan is implemented. Within that plan, apart from attendance at external educational events, initiate, organize, and deliver various professional in-house trainings.
Liaise with external service providers to negotiate agreements in coordination with the Resource Management Officer (RMO). To the extent possible, exercise quality control over outsourced services and take corrective measures if necessary.
Liaise with relevant partners at government level, immigration and health authorities of the receiving countries, as well as other international UN and non-UN agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), donor community and national partners.
Maintain confidentiality and security of migration health data in accordance with the IOM Data Protection Principles.
Organize systematic collection, processing, and analyses of migration health data. Ensure data quality. Provide periodic, as well as ad hoc reporting to the Migration Health Division (MHD) for Migration Health (MH) activities.
Oversee the financial aspects of the health programmes in close coordination with the mission's finance staff: supervise budget preparation and ensure monitoring of MH projects, suggest adjustments and cost-effective solutions, and review financial reports.
Provide oversight and coordinate procurement of medical equipment, vaccines, medications, and other medical supplies in coordination with the resource management unit.
Organize and supervise activities of mobile medical teams, if applicable.
Other Health Activities
In coordination with the Head of Office (HOO)/COM, reinforce partnerships and liaise with the Migration Health (MH) sector with the Ministry of Health, health institutions and academia, as well as other relevant leading agencies. Incorporate multi-sectoral approaches to partnerships, as well as capitalize on IOM strengths across all service areas within the overall framework of IOM’s 12-point Strategy adopted by IOM Member States (June 2007).
Conceptualize, develop and implement appropriate migration health-related projects that may benefit migrants, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and host communities as well as conflict/natural disaster affected population in coordination with relevant Units, the Regional Thematic Specialists (RTSs) and other colleagues.
Facilitate the integration of health assessment activities into the overall migration-related programming of the Country Office through close collaboration with the various units at the Country Office level.
Advise IOM colleagues on the link between the Health Assessment Programme with the two other core MHD programme areas - Health Promotion and Assistance to Migrants, and Migration Health Assistance to Crisis-Affected Populations.
Identify opportunities for expanding migration health activities and programmes by informing embassies and consulates of IOM’s migration health work and lobbying for IOM Migration Health Assessment Centres (MHACs) becoming panel sites for Migration Health Assessments (MHA), responding to announcements for calls for proposals by drafting project concept notes and/or proposals and liaising with UN agencies and the Ministry of Health to identify project development opportunities.
Perform such other duties as may be assigned.
Required Qualifications and Experience
Education
University degree in Medicine from an accredited academic institution with preferred specializations: internal medicine and its subspecialties, Paediatrics, Anaesthesiology, Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynaecology; and a minimum of nine years of relevant professional experience, of which at least three years of managerial responsibilities; or,
University degree in Medicine from an accredited academic institution with preferred specializations: internal medicine and its subspecialties, Paediatrics, Anaesthesiology, Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, plus Master’s Degree in Community or Public Health, Medical Specialization in Infectious Diseases, Tropical Medicine, or other related fields from an accredited academic institution, with seven years of relevant professional experience, of which at least three years of managerial responsibilities.
Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.
Experience
Professional continuous clinical experience, preferably in a multidisciplinary hospital setting or at IOM/similar international clinic context;
Experience in Migration Health Assessments;
Demonstrated progressive experience in health programme management;
Experience in project development, management, and report writing; and,
Experience in migration health emergency response is an asset.
Skills
Effective managerial and leadership skills;
Proven abilities to establish partnerships with government institutions, health institutions, and other partners;
Knowledge of public health;
Demonstrable knowledge of patient safety and infection prevention and control;
Organizational skills; and,
Communication skills.
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:
Core Competencies – behavioural indicators Level 3
Managerial Competencies – behavioural indicators Level 3
Notes
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. 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.
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.
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