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Mobility VN: Senior Programme Manager (UN Migration Network Secretariat) (P) (Internal Applicants Only)

Switzerland

Opportunity Deadline

17/02/2026

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Job Description

18885
8+ Year
Male, Female, Both
Master Degree
Switzerland

Mobility VN: Senior Programme Manager (UN Migration Network Secretariat) (P) (Internal Applicants Only)

Brief details:

  • Location: Geneva
  • Vacancy No: 18885
  • Employer: IOM International Organization for Migration
  • Deadline: 2026-02-17

Qualifications:

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

This Vacancy Notice is part of IOM’s competitive mobility exercise, open for applications from internal and internal-equivalent candidates only.

Organizational Context and Scope

The United Nations established a Network on Migration (Network) to ensure effective, timely and coordinated system-wide support to Member States to support the implementation, follow-up and review of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM).

The Network consists of members of the UN system for whom migration is of relevance to their mandates.  The Network operates with IOM as the Coordinator and an Executive Committee (EC), which provides overall guidance and set strategic priorities to support Member States in the implementation, follow up and review of the GCM. The Network’s Executive Committee initial members include ILO, IOM, OHCHR, UN DESA, UNDP, UNHCR, UNICEF and UNODC.

In carrying out its mandate, the Network will prioritize the rights and wellbeing of migrants and their communities of destination, origin, and transit. It will place emphasis on those issues where a common UN system approach would add value and from which results and impact can be readily gauged.

A Network secretariat has been established to support the work of the Network, under the overall authority of the Director General of IOM, who serves as the Network Coordinator. The secretariat is responsible for servicing the work of the Network and is based in IOM Headquarters in Geneva.

The European Commission (DG DEVCO) has decided to support IOM in its capacity as Coordinator of the Network, in the roll-out of the strategic deliverables of its workplan which consist of enhancing capacity building efforts for GCM implementation in countries and regions and, establishing a Knowledge Platform and a Connection Hub. Through the EU-UN Migration Capacity Building Programme, the Network will provide joined-up capacity building support to GCM champion countries assisting them in articulating what GCM implementation follow-up and review look like.

IOM, as the Network Coordinator, is primarily responsible and accountable for the implementation of the action. Project management functions will be based on the Network secretariat, which will ensure appropriate coordination with the Executive Committee.

Network secretariat will be responsible for monitoring effective implementation of the decisions taken by the Network, in support of the coordinator and with regards to this action and reporting on it, ensuring consistency of approach across the champion countries, and alignment with the Network objectives and working principles. In champion countries, these activities will be fully embedded into UNCT workplans and ongoing activities.

Under the overall supervision of the Deputy Chief of Staff and direct supervision of the Head, UN Migration Network Secretariat, the Senior Programme Manager (UN Migration Network Secretariat) will authoritatively support relevant national and regional UN Network coordination mechanisms in the implementation of the Network’s workplan, and capacity building activities funded under the EU-UN Migration Capacity Building Programme.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the development, management, coordination of implementation, monitoring and reporting of the EU-UN Migration Capacity Building Programme funded by the European Commission (DG DEVCO) to foster UN-system wide support to GCM implementation, follow-up and review, including liaising with the donor.

They will support strong collaborative approaches on project implementation between all constituent parts of the Network, placing emphasis on effective coordination within and between all core working groups of the Network, existing UN system coordination mechanisms, governments, and relevant stakeholders.

They will provide strategic support to the Secretariat, promoting coherence among all constituent parts of the Network on policy matters, and in particular with regards to support to GCM implementation in regions and countries, with the Executive Committee and in consultation with the Network members.

RESPONSIBILITIES

  1. Develop, implement, monitor and assess operational and administrative activities of the EU-UN Migration Capacity Building Programme in line with IOM policies and donor requirements.
  2. Direct all governance aspects of the Programme, including project teams in countries.
  3. Support in coordination of, and deliver guidance and authoritative advice to core working groups involved in the design and implementation of project activities, including by leading the conception of training and guidance materials, and the roll-out of activities, and coordination and synergies with other existing UN coordination mechanisms.
  4. Support and advise country and regional Networks, including with policy and programming support to governments at national and regional levels towards the implementation of the GCM.
  5. Ensure the national and regional Networks’ inputs into the conception and roll-out of capacity building activities in support of GCM implementation in collaboration with relevant working groups of the Network, including on follow-up and review of the GCM.
  6. Mentor, develop capacity, train and advise project staff in countries for efficient and prompt delivery of capacity building activities funded through the EU-UN Migration Capacity Building Programme, and initiate, plan and oversee the implementation of operational activities.
  7. Provide technical advice and backstopping to local project teams, ensure the reflection and integration of new modalities, policies and practices and strong liaison with all constituent parts of the Network, including reporting to the Executive Committee on a quarterly basis, and involved Regional Offices and Countries Offices of IOM in relation to project activities, their effectiveness and performance.
  8. Prepare or ensure timely preparation and submission of all project reports according to IOM and donor formats as required and organize Project Steering Committee meetings together with the donor. Prepare regular updates, programme summaries, visibility materials and other relevant materials.
  9. Plan and organize all aspects of programme development, including development of country support actions, identification of experts, and monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. Assess the degree of implementation of programme activities and resources, identify deficiencies, take corrective action and explore cooperation possibilities.
  10. Monitor and assess policies, international standards and best practices relating to GCM implementation and provide advice to the Head of the Secretariat and other key stakeholders.
  11. Coordinate, organize and represent the Network secretariat in meetings, workshops and seminars.
  12. Undertake duty travel, including requests by local project teams, and advise and guide project staff, donors, local authorities and other project partners to achieve objectives and to ensure efficient and prompt delivery of capacity building activities. Conceptualize and design alternative capacity building methods where duty travel is restricted for mid- and long-term periods.
  13. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

  • Master’s degree in International Studies 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

  • A minimum of seven years of professional work experience in international development, migration governance, and displacement;
  • Demonstrated experience in inter-agency coordination and good skills to foster collaborative approaches between a wide range of actors;
  • Background, familiarity, or experience in public policy making, political advocacy and intergovernmental decision-making and a good knowledge of EU migration policies, both internal and external dimensions; and,
  • Demonstrated experience in migration policy.

Skills

  • Specific technical knowledge highly desirable:
  • Proven project development and project management skills;
  • Proven analytical and organizational skills, including the ability to prioritize and manage simultaneous critical tasks;
  • Good understanding of international migration issues, trends and policies;
  • Excellent communication skills, especially in a multilingual setting; advanced writing skills particularly important;
  • Proven ability to work effectively and harmoniously within a team of colleagues from varied cultures and professional backgrounds;
  • Strong written and oral communication skills, strong analytical skills, and the ability to speak effectively in internal and external forums;
  • Capacity to work independently under pressure with tight deadlines; and,
  • Capacity to setup, maintain and work effectively in a team(s).

Languages

All IOM staff members in all categories are required to be fluent in one of the IOM’s official languages (English, French, Spanish).

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written).

Working knowledge of another official UN language (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

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

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 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.

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