Migration Health Policy Specialist (P3) Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Position Title: Migration Health Policy Specialist

Duty Station: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P3

Type of Appointment: Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 03 July 2024

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 a diverse and inclusive work environment. Read more about diversity and inclusion at IOM at www.iom.int/diversity.

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. Candidates from the following non-represented member states:

Antigua and Barbuda; Barbados; Botswana; Cabo Verde; Comoros; Congo (the); Cook Islands; Fiji; Guinea-Bissau; Holy See; Iceland; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the); Madagascar; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Samoa; Sao Tome and Principe; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Tonga; Tuvalu; Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:

All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states.

Context:

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) delivers and promotes comprehensive, preventive, promotive and curative health programmes that are beneficial, accessible, and equitable for migrants, displaced populations, other mobile populations, and host communities. Bridging the needs of both migrants and IOM Member States, IOM in close collaboration with partners contributes towards the physical, mental, and social well-being of migrants and displaced populations, enabling them and host communities to achieve social and economic development.

The Special Liaison Office in Addis (SLO), based on the IOM Continental Strategy for Africa and the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) objectives, aims to strengthen its efforts to address the nexus between migration and health within and across Africa, building on the African Union Health Strategy (2016–2030), the Migration Policy Framework for Africa (MPFA) and Plan of Action (2018–2030) and other relevant Regional Economic Commissions (RECs) and international health policy frameworks.

Under the overall guidance of the Director for the Special Liaison Office in Addis (SLO) to the African Union (AU) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the direct supervision of the Senior Liaison Officer to AU, via technical coordination with Migration Health Division (MHD) in Headquarters (HQ), the Migration Health Policy Specialist will be the thematic focal person responsible and accountable in leading SLO Addis engagements on migration and health at a continental level.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Lead and coordinate on continental policy development support, programming and engagements on migration and health, including through liaising with relevant directorates of the African Union Commission, its specialized technical institutions, namely the Africa Centre for Communicable Disease Prevention and Control (Africa CDC), UNECA and other health related stakeholders including within the UN system.
2. Drive advocacy efforts and proactively identify opportunities to advance migration dimensions on public health in AU policies and programmes, including but not limited to migration-sensitive health systems development and inclusion of migrants into universal health coverage (UHC), strengthening cross-border disease surveillance, information sharing and coordination and migration health data in the African region, in line with global health security and the 2005 International Health Regulations (IHR).
3. Advocate and create awareness for the inclusion of migrants and mobile population health issues within AU programmes and strategies.
4. Monitor the implementation of IOM migration and health related policies, frameworks, programmes related to the UN, AU and other continental initiatives, as well as other relevant IOM Regional offices and regional bodies, and the implementation of key priorities and action plan of the MPFA and the IOM Continental Strategy. Assist with the evaluation of activities and projects for continental scope as required.
5. Provide technical support in strengthening continent-driven migration and health platforms including research, cross-border public health surveillance, monitoring, and evaluation, for a collective and consultative establishment of a strategic research agenda and the creation of a community of practice of Africa experts on migration health.
6. Explore innovative approaches to strengthen cross-border coordination and public health surveillance among Member States and key partners as well as community-based surveillance in border areas, leveraging on Africa CDC’s strategic framework on cross-border surveillance, IOM’s Health, Border and Mobility Management (HBMM) Framework and Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) and migrant health data.
7. Develop policy papers, background notes, and prepare responses to ad-hoc requests from IOM HQ in coordination with Africa Regional Offices, donors, continental, and global partners.
8. Enhance coordination and maintain a flow of information sharing and collaboration with HQand the MHD RTSs in Africa, updating on relevant AU initiatives for integrating migration health into policy and programming.
9. Stay abreast of dynamics in migration health, ensuring coordinated approaches with health-focused agencies including pertaining to WHO Africa Regional Office and other partners.
10. Develop proposals, resource mobilize and manage continental projects/programmes on migration and health to ensure the mainstreaming of continental policies to practice.
11. Support the development of multisectoral and multidisciplinary partnerships framework to enhance effective engagement of communities and sectors outside of health with the intention to address social determinants of health.
12. Represent SLO Addis at a technical level on migration and health-related issues and provide talking points or background information upon request.
13. Perform such other related duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in in Medicine, Social Sciences or other relevant Health Sciences from an accredited academic institution plus an additional Master’s level degree in Public Health, International Health or a related field from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience; or,
• University degree in the above fields with seven years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• Proven experience in communicating scientifically to specialized audiences, technical guidance and briefing notes, as well as clearly communicating on public health matters to a general audience, experience developing and delivering trainings in the public health domain;
• Professional experience of which at least five years are at an international level, involving migration health or global health issues, and demonstrated experience working on public health in Africa;
• Proven track record of working closely with the African Union Commission is a strong advantage;
• Experience in liaising with governmental and diplomatic authorities as well as with national and international institutions; and,
• Experience in organizing consultations, workshops and seminars with high level stakeholders.

Skills

• Proven ability to establish and maintain strong working relations with relevant Government counterparts, regional, continental and international organizations and private sector entities;
• Excellent leadership, coordination, and information management skills;
• Detailed knowledge of the UN System, NGOs and other regional, continental and international organizations/institutions;
• Strong conceptualization, analytical and writing skills;
• Strong communication, organizational and interpersonal relationship skills;
• Ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure with minimum supervision;
• Ability to establish and maintain partnerships with development partners, government counterparts, UN agencies, African governments, regional and continental entities, and other relevant stakeholders;
• Sound and proven understanding of internal and international migration issues in Africa sub-regions and continental;
• In depth knowledge of the broad range of migration related subject areas dealt with by the Organization; and,
• Knowledge of UN, African Union and multilateral donor programming.

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 any AU language(s) is an added value.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Notes

Accredited Universities are the ones listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database (https://whed.net/home.php).

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 2

• 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 2

• 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.

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link.

https://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/about-iom/iom_revised_competency_framework_external.p df

Competencies will be assessed during a competency-based interview.

Other:

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 endorsed by the Appointments and Postings Board 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, and background verification and security clearances. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required for individuals hired on or after 15 November 2021. This will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.

Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.