Special Assistant to The Director General

Position Title**: Special Assistant to the Director General**
Duty Station**: Geneva, Switzerland**

Classification**: Professional Staff, Grade P4**
Type of Appointment**: Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension**
Estimated Start Date**: As soon as possible**

Closing Date**: 03 October 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

Applications are welcome from first
- Antigua and Barbuda; Barbados; Comoros; Congo (the); Cook Islands;_
- 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_

**_ Context:_**

The Director General (DG) of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is elected by the
Council for a five-year term. The DG exercises constitutional authority to manage the
Organization and carry out activities within its mandate by formulating coherent policies and
ensuring that programme development is consistent with strategic priorities. The DG appoints
two Deputy Directors General and a Chief of Staff for the duration of the term.

In close cooperation with the Director General and under the direct supervision of the Deputy
Chief of Staff, the Special Assistant to the Director General will provide overall support to the
DG in their travel, coordination, policy, and management functions.

**_Core Functions / Responsibilities:_**

1. Work closely with the DG to support in the accomplishment of the mandate, objectives, and
leadership of the Organization.

2. Ensure prompt, effective follow
- up on all matters delegated by DG.

3. Oversee the overall workflow supporting the DG’s external engagements, ensuring that
materials are tasked, completed and endorsed and delivered to the DG in a timely manner.

4. Serve as final reviewer of all materials supporting DG’s external engagements, including
public remarks, talking points, travel materials, presentations, and media briefs.

5. Provide strategic, organizational and conceptual context to the DG to support operational and
strategic decision-making, in close coordination with the Chief of Staff, Deputy Chief of Staff and
the Executive Assistant to the Director General.

6. Coordinate with HQ, Regional Offices (ROs) and Country Offices (COs) colleagues to
communicate, advance and deliver on DG requests, priorities, and engagements.

7. Ensure Executive Office (EO) policies, processes, and resources are appropriate and
implemented consistently across all EO principals, special advisors and assistants, and
executive support.

8. Accompany DG on engagements as requested; take notes, disseminate, and follow up on
action points as appropriate.

9. Accompany DG on travel as requested to include logístical support as requested, managing
scheduling, resolving challenges, taking and disseminating notes, and following up on action
points as appropriate.

10. Advance any ad hoc special projects or events to advance the DG priorities when
requested.

11. Develop and implement guidance and training for IOM staff on EO needs, processes, and
expectations.

12. Directly supervise 1-2 EO Interns.

13. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

**_ Required Qualifications and Experience:_**

**Education**
- Master's degree in Political Science, Social Science, Law, International Relations, Public

Relations, Journalism 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**
- Experience with executive support in headquarters and field locations.
- Experience in liaising with government and diplomatic authorities and international institutions.
- Experience in writing executive briefings, reports, and recommendations required.
- Sound knowledge of migration issues; knowledge of IOM institutions an advantage.

**Skills**
- Proven ability to collaborate with staff and stakeholders at various levels;
- Excellent communication and writing skills;
- Ability to analyse complex problems and rapidly identify and convey clear solutions; and,
- Excellent organizational skills in both digital and physical fora.

**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