Job Identification (Reference Number): 16211
Position Title: Head, Financing and MDBs Engagement Unit
Duty Station City: Geneva
Duty Station Country: Switzerland
Grade: P-4
Contract Type: Fixed-term (1 year with possibility of extension)
Recruiting Type: Professional
Vacancy Type: Vacancy Notice
Initial duration: 1 year with possibility of extension
Closing date: 9 September 2025
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
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. External female candidates:
3. Candidates from the following non-represented member states:
Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Comoros, Congo (the), Cook Islands, Dominica, Federated States of Micronesia, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Holy See, Iceland, Israel, Kiribati, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Madagascar, Marshall Islands, Namibia, Nauru, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu
Second-tier candidates include:
All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM and female candidates.
Context:
The main objective of the Resource Mobilization Division (RMD) is to increase financial support to advance IOM Country Offices as stipulated in its Strategic Plan. The Division’s core function involves building and maintaining relationships with donors, diversifying IOM’s resource base, and enhancing IOM’s collective resource mobilization efforts.
Given IOM’s decentralized structure, donor engagement and resource mobilization functions are shared by different organizational and geographic units. As such, the Division plays a pivotal role in streamlining and enhancing these functions. The Division adds strategic value by not only coordinating these efforts but also by offering essential guidance, developing and disseminating knowledge, and reinforcing organizational capacity to raise funds. As such, the Division serves as a central hub to ensure a cohesive and effective approach to donor engagement and resource mobilization within IOM’s decentralized structure.
The Head, Financing and MDBs (Multi-Lateral Development Banks) Engagement Unit within RMD is responsible for the management of key forums, strategic meetings, and events that enhance institutional engagement with IOM’s donors at Permanent Mission and capital levels. This pillar also shares responsibilities of liaison with donor counterparts in Permanent Missions and through the Global Resource Mobilization Network (GRMN) which is comprised of IOM’s Country Offices for Partnerships and Advocacy (COPAs) and Country Offices located in donor capitals. In addition, the Financing and MDBs Engagement Lead will oversee the institutional hub for Innovative and Climate Financing as well as Multi-Lateral Development Banks Engagement in an effort to support and diversify resource mobilization capacity building efforts through its work with key functions in Regional Offices and Headquarters.
Under the direct supervision of the Director of RMD, the incumbent will be responsible and accountable for managing the Financing and MDBs (Multi-Lateral Development Banks) Engagement unit in support of the overall objectives of the Resource Mobilization Division.
- Manage the Financing and MDBs engagement unit and all its various workstreams.
- Support all strategic planning efforts linked to resource mobilization with COPA Chiefs of Mission ensuring sustained support and investment in COPAs and that fundraising efforts are optimized in alignment with donor market trends.
- Support the Director of the Resource Mobilization Division in the oversight of key institutional processes such as budgeting, approval of work plans, and strategy development and ensure that resources are available to support COPA’s resource mobilization objectives.
- Support the coordination of the Global Resource Mobilization Network (GRMN) comprised of COPAs, RDs and key donor capitals to ensure coordination and knowledge sharing around donor liaison efforts to support the implementation of IOM’s Resource Mobilization Strategy, driving global best practices, information sharing, and fundraising expertise.
- Liaise with colleagues across departmental units, to ensure streamlined approaches to information sharing/messaging vis a vis IOM’s programmatic priorities, Response Plans, and thematic strategies, ensuring the COPAs are equipped with the proper tools to amplify messages in capitals.
- Lead the development of IOM’s innovative and climate finance workstream, ensuring that IOM’s operational model is fit for developing new resource mobilization funding mechanisms, support capacity building efforts to ensure that key internal stakeholders support the development of innovative finance across IOM. Spearhead relationship with key actors within the development finance sector.
- Coordinate all efforts to advance relations with multilateral development banks, ensuring an institutional approach to relations with MDBs, disseminating key information and specific guidance around engagement which aims at enhanced financing to IOMs mandate and stakeholders.
- As the institutional Focal Point for a whole-of organization approach towards leveraging partnerships with International Financial Institutions (IFIs) and MDBs to support IOM’s strategic priorities and operational requirements, ensure and coordinate attendance at MDB events, advise on participation and ensure correct representation, including bilateral meetings at the principal level. Advocate for MDB participation in IOM events as appropriate.
- Strengthen organizational coherence by guiding and expertly advising other IOM Departments, Regional and Country Offices on the engagement with MDBs. Ensure the implementation of the IOM institutional approach on IFIs / MDBs.
- Support the fundraising among IFIs / MDBs for IOM operations on migration and its interlinkages with other domains (development or humanitarian).
- In coordination with the Director of the Division, support recruitment, supervise, and support the professional development of all relevant staff.
- Perform such other duties as may be assigned.
Education
- Master’s degree in Political, Social Sciences, or International Relations, 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.
Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.
Experience:
- Demonstrated experience in donor relations or liaising with governmental or diplomatic authorities, or carrying out the above work in the context of donor relations;
- Demonstrated experience in resource mobilization across a variety of donor types (traditional donors, corporate donors, philanthropic foundations), supporting private public partnerships and blended finance efforts;
- Demonstrated experience developing and implementing institutional resource mobilization strategies and initiatives to guide work towards overarching objectives ;
- Demonstrated experience managing internal networks to drive forward knowledge management, global best practice in fundraising and/or partnership in all areas under the responsibility of the pillar, facilitating knowledge exchanges, relevant stakeholder consultations and a collaborative approach to the development of tools and guidelines;
- Demonstrated experience leading and supporting the development and implementation of capacity building strategies across key existing and emerging areas of resource mobilization related work;
- Demonstrated experience advising senior leadership, COPAs, OPAC teams and other stakeholders on resource mobilization objectives, frameworks, and new approaches; and,
- Experience in management of project budgets and managing staff in an intercultural environment.
Skills:
- Knowledge of IOM internal systems and processes an advantage;
- Excellent communication skills (written and verbal);
- Excellent capacity-building and management skills;
- Excellent writing skills;
- Familiarity with the political economy of the global aid system, including the interests and concerns of donors;
- Ability to work in a multicultural environment with due diplomatic sensitivity; and,
- Ability to prioritize, manage, and deliver tasks under pressure.
Languages:
IOM’s official languages are English, French, and 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:
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 three 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.
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.
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.
For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies
