Director, Special Liaison Office to the Africa Union Commission (AUC) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)

IntroductionEstablished 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 MigrationApplications 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 IOM Member States that are not represented among staff members in the Professional and higher categories: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, 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, Tonga, Tuvalu, VanuatuSecond tier candidates include:All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM and female candidates.Organizational Context and ScopeIOM is the leading organization in the field of migration and has a staffing complement of 15,000+ staff in more than 580 locations worldwide. The IOM Special Liaison Office (SLO) is accredited to the African Union (AU) and the United Nations Economic Commission (UNECA) in Addis Ababa and maintains strategic liaison functions with UN liaison offices, diplomatic missions, and International Non-Governmental Organizations.The SLO in Addis plays a key role in positioning IOM to facilitate orderly, safe, and humane migration in Africa, working closely with the AU, its organs and specialized institutions, UNECA and relevant institutions at the continental level. Furthermore, the SLO Addis coordinates with IOM Regional Offices (ROs) across Africa, which in turn work closely with the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) - which are critical to the function of the African Union. Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Staff, the Director of the Special Liaison Office to the AU and ECA is accountable and responsible for the management of the representation of IOM towards all AU institutions, and ECA and directly manages the liaison, fundraising and positioning of IOM with the African Union and its member states. Additionally, the Director represents IOM at the UN Liaison Team and the Humanitarian Coordination Forum, in Addis Ababa as well as other AU-UN initiatives such as the College to College (C2C) platform, an institution established to facilitate dialogue between the two entities (AUC and UN).The Special Liaison Office to the AU in Addis Ababa is staffed with Policy Liaison Officers (PLOs) and Thematic Specialists (TSs), who provide thematic guidance and policy advisory roles to position IOM as a thought leader and go to partner on migration issues on the continent. This includes supporting policy discussions and acting as a convenor/co-convener of strategic and emerging policy discussions on migration at the continental level in coordination with the Regional Offices as needed. In close coordination with the Regional Directors of ROs in Dakar, Nairobi and Cairo, the Director of the IOM Office in New York as well as the Leadership Team in Headquarters (HQ), the Director of the Special Liaison Office (SLO) to the AU and ECA will be responsible and accountable for overseeing the entire bandwidth of IOM relationship with the AU and ECA and their respective Member States.Continental PositioningThe Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM), the UN Agenda2030 for Sustainable Development, the African Union's Agenda 206 and key continental and continental policies and legislative frameworks and priorities on migration inform the work of the SLO Addis Ababa. In this context, the SLO has three distinct but interconnected roles that position IOM at the continental level:* Thought leader and advisor: The SLO shapes and steers continental policy and political discussions on safe, orderly and humane migration through strategic, insightful, evidence-informed advocacy with the AU, UNECA and other continental institutions. * Convenor at the continental level: The SLO is pivotal to the IOM ecosystem as a convener/co-convener of strategic and emerging policy discussions on migration at the continental level. * Go-to partner in Africa: The SLO is key in facilitating policy, capacity building and programmatic support required by the AU and UNECA to advance Africa’s continental migration agenda, in alignment with IOM’s strategic priorities.ResponsibilitiesStrategy and Vision1. Lead and oversee the implementation of the IOM Strategic Plan through the strengthening and holistic management of the relationship with the African Union, its institutions and other relevant institutions on the continent.Advocacy and Coordination2. Lead IOM’s strategic engagement with the AU, its Organs and Specialised Institutions, UNECA and other continental institutions to facilitate the mainstreaming of migration in relevant policy, political and programming priorities at continental level.3. Lead in the improved understanding of IOM's mandate, advocate for inclusion of migration in key strategic documents and policy decisions ensuring alignment with and contribution to the GCM objectives, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the AU Agenda 2063 among other related regional frameworks.4. As co-convenor of the Continental GCM Review for Africa, together with partners and the Continental Network, lead the contribution to regional/sub-regional GCM reviews and Member States briefing ahead of continental and international forums in coordination with ROs and IOM HQ.5. Analyse migration issues, AU and UNECA processes and decisions, and emerging trends on the continent and prepare internal analytical briefing papers/updates to HQ and ROs.6. Inform the Executive Office (EO), relevant HQ departments and ROs, as appropriate, and in advance, of upcoming continental events or programmes, coordinate IOM's participation and contribution to the processes and ensure due follow up for implementation of decisions.7. Enhance IOM's visibility at the continental level by promoting IOM’s initiatives in engagements with key counterparts including Member States, International Organizations, Civil Society, the Private Sector, and other partners.8. Engage directly with UN Development Coordination Office (UNDCO) Africa based in Addis Ababa, UN Liaison Team, and coordinate IOM's presence and voice at the UN Regional Collaborative Platform (RCP) meetings, retreats and annual UN meetings, disseminating information to HQ and ROs, as relevant.Communication and Information Sharing9. Share regular information/updates with the EO, relevant HQ departments, ROs and Country Offices (COs), on evolving issues/trends within the continent.10. Establish open communication channels with IOM COs, through the respective ROs, on key continental initiatives by providing information that is of relevance to their country contexts whenever possible.11. Communicate, recommend and monitor actions to HQ, ROs and COs in response to or in anticipation of opportunities, risks, and potential challenges to be mitigated for IOM at continental level.12. Lead and institutionalize strategic information, knowledge and experience- sharing frameworks by fostering collaboration between AU, UNECA, relevant organizations and IOM specialised entities.Cooperation and Partnership13. Lead on the liaison with the AU, its organs and specialized institutions, UNECA, African Development Bank (AfDB), relevant AU continental institutions, Secretariat, Africa Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) among others through sharing and consolidating information internally with relevant stakeholders.14. In coordination with the ROs, strengthen regional cooperation on migration governance with continental organizations and institutions, inter-governmental partners, and non-state actors.15. Create strategic partnerships with relevant continental bodies (including the private sector) with a view to identifying opportunities for IOM as well as develop and foster catalytic partnerships that reinforce attainment of migration objectives and priorities in Africa.16. Lead and create synergies with relevant Regional Consultative Processes (RCPs) and Inter-State Consultation Mechanisms on Migration (ISCMs)in Africa such as the Pan African Forum on Migration (PAFoM), the AU-Horn of Africa Initiative on Countering Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants (AU-HoAI) by providing technical expertise, policy guidance, and capacity building, in coordination with Africa Capacity Building Center in Moshi as may be requested by respective ROs.Policy and Strategy Development Support17. Represent IOM in initiatives led by AU, UNECA and other relevant partners related to the development and implementation of rights - based and gender- responsive continental strategies and policy frameworks on migration across thematic sectors, in coordination with HQ and ROs.18. Lead the development, implementation, and regular review of the Continental Strategy for Africa and corresponding Plan of Action, in line with the IOM Strategic Plan and the Strategic Results Framework (SRF), ensuring timely information sharing and consultation processes with relevant stakeholders within and outside of IOM.19. Ensure IOM’s representation in key policy and coordination processes at the AU, UNECA and other continental institutions.20. Ensure coherence and application of approved policy and strategic guidelines and directives at the continental level, in accordance with the IOM Constitution and Council Resolutions, IOM Strategic Plan, other relevant UN resolutions and regional priorities and strategies.Programme Development and Implementation21. Lead and oversee the implementation of the IOM Strategic Plan through the strengthening and holistic management of the relationship with the African Union, its institutions and other relevant institutions on the continent.Representation and strategic partnerships22. In coordination with the Regional Director of IOM RO for West and Central Africa in Dakar, maintain relationships with continental bodies such as the African Development Bank in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire and AU institutions such as the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) Secretariat in Accra, Ghana.23. Establish strategic working relationships and develop joint advocacy towards the AUC and , UNECA in coordination with the Chief of Staff and in coordination with the Regional Directors of IOM ROs , for events of global importance and/or regional emergencies which require coordinated outreach with other UN entities, where necessary.24. Lead and maintain bilateral relationships between AU and IOM leadership team as stipulated in the MoU.25. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.Required Qualifications and ExperienceEducation* 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 with the Africa Union Commission (AUC), United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and Diplomatic Missions accredited to them and administrative budget; * Extensive experience in diplomacy, fundraising and public relations, as well as in liaising with governmental and diplomatic authorities and international institutions; * Extensive experience leading strategic implementation processes in diverse regions; and, * Demonstrated experience developing and managing high-performing diverse teams.Skills* Excellent communication skills, both oral and written; * Intrinsic knowledge and understanding of the AUC, UNECA and IGAD and its institutions; * 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 the AUC , UNECA and , UN and bilateral donor programming; * Knowledge of Monitoring and Evaluation procedures and Frameworks; * Effective resource management skills, sound knowledge of financial and business administration and of the principles and practices of management; and, * Good level of computer literacy.LanguagesAll 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). Fluency and working knowledge of French is an added advantage.A working knowledge of any other official language of the African Union (Arabic, Kiswahili, Portuguese, and Spanish) is desirable.Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.Required CompetenciesIOM’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. * Ma…