Introduction

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations and the leading UN agency in the field of migration. Working closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners, IOM promotes humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It saves lives and protects people on the move, drives solutions to displacement, and facilitates pathways for regular migration, while providing services and advice to governments and migrants. 

IOM is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive and supportive workplace where all employees can thrive professionally and feel valued. By creating such an environment, IOM aims to better harness the full potential of migration and strengthen its support to people on the move.

IOM invites candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply and provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process when required. Learn 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. Candidates from the following IOM Member States that are not represented among staff members in the Professional and higher categories: 

 Bahamas, Barbados, Cabo Verde, 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, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Vanuatu
 

Second tier candidates include:
All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM.

Organizational Context and Scope

The Office of the Ombudsperson (OOM) serves as an independent function to address employment-related problems of staff members. It operates in accordance with the standards of practice and code of ethics of the International Ombudsman Association: “independence, neutrality, and impartiality, confidentiality, and informality.” The role of the Ombudsperson is to mediate in conflicts of any nature related to conditions of employment, administration of benefits, managerial practices, as well as professional and staff relations matters. As a dispute resolution practitioner, the Ombudsperson provides assistance in the informal resolution of conflicts and other issues and monitors trends and emerging issues. The Ombudsperson office acts as an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) resource for staff members who may also wish assistance with respectful workplace environment issues. The purpose of the Ombudsperson function is to be a mechanism that helps IOM staff to be treated fairly, advocating civility and mutual respect as the most appropriate avenue to successful problem-solving, preventing conflict from escalating and improving staff productivity and morale.

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Ombudsperson, the Conflict Resolution Officer will provide technical support to the Ombudsperson programme; in particular, in a specific region, including but not limited to case management, research, preparation of statistics, reports and presentations.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Master’s degree in Behavioural Sciences, Conflict Resolution, Law, Social Sciences, Human Resources, 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. 

• Ombuds Certification is desirable.

Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.

Experience

• Experience in professional conflict management practice, such as mediation, ombuds, conflict prevention and awareness in the workplace, working with people in conflict situations;

• Experience in case management, from intake to closure;

• Experience working in a multi-cultural setting and in regional contexts;

• Experience in providing and explaining information about policies and rules, and about the context of a concern; 

• Experience building trust, doing outreach and providing feedback; and,

• Experience helping staff to develop options, and then assisting them to evaluate the pros and cons of all the choices for the issues at hand.

Skills

• Computer/software literate, preferably knowledgeable in Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat and Photoshop with experience in maintaining a website;

• Knowledge of current and emerging practices in mediation and dispute resolution, particularly in the Ombudsperson function under IOA Standards of Practice; 

• Ability to keep matters strictly confidential and exercise good discretion in using information; 

• Has the skill for delivering respect by affirming the feelings of each person involved in a concern, while staying explicitly neutral on the facts of a case; 

• Willing to act with courage;

• Capacity to respond as quickly as possible, endeavoring to build rapport; 

• Ability to master active listening;

• Capacity for earning trust, reframing issues, enlightening the context, and facts and feelings that might have been overlooked; 

• Excellence in communication and a willingness to grow; and,

• Ability to offer the option of referrals to other relevant units. 

Languages

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

Working knowledge of another official UN languages (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 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.

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 all clearances, including medical and security, as well as accreditation, and any residency or visa requirements. Vacancies close at 23:59 local time in 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, harassment, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and any forms of discrimination. IOM is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children.

IOM conducts reference checks and background verification, including through system-wide databases such as ClearCheck, to help ensure that candidates have no record of misconduct, including on sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse, or fraud. Candidates are expected to uphold these standards and principles at all times.

IOM does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process—whether for application, interview, processing, training, or otherwise—and does not request any information related to bank accounts.

IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM WAVE 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.