Head of Programmes (P)

The Head of Programmes provides strategic leadership and coordination to ensure coherent, accountable, and needs-based programme delivery across the Country Office portfolio. The role includes oversight of programme development and implementation, monitoring, reporting, stakeholder liaison, staff supervision, and advancing new initiatives within the programme and global context.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic oversight and management to ensure progress toward intended results, promote successful practices for replication, and address underperformance with corrective measures.
• Provide leadership and ensure coordination across and between different organizational units, including other Country Offices implementing project activities, Regional Offices providing technical oversight and guidance, and technical divisions at HQs.
• Consult regularly with key stakeholders, including Unit Heads, Specialists, and Programme staff, to refine strategy, enhance effectiveness, and build synergies with other IOM projects.
• Ensure the Programme implementation reflects current best practices and IOM’s policies and instructions, as advised by relevant technical experts and divisions, and contribute to policy development by preparing policy inputs and sharing lessons learned derived from Programme implementation.
• Represent the Programme in the Steering Committee, raise issues for discussion, provide progress updates, and implement decisions and guidance effectively.
• Ensure Programme compliance with IOM’s project management policies, including HR, financial management, donor reporting, and risk management.
• Support creation of a culture of monitoring, evaluation and learning within the Programme. Encourage identification of lessons learned and best practices, promote action-oriented research, and facilitate real-time incorporation of knowledge and learning into Programme implementation.
• Build relationships with stakeholders, represent IOM at events, highlight achievements, and manage external communication.
• Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Management, Social Science, Law, International Relations, Regional Studies 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.
• Extensive experience in programme formulation, implementation and evaluation.
• Demonstrated managerial experience in staff management.
• Previous work experience in a rapid transition or post-conflict area.
• Experience in project development, implementation, and reporting, including financial and budgetary aspects.
• Proven record of establishing and maintaining good working relationships with governmental and diplomatic authorities, national, regional and international institutions, international agencies (i.e., UN), and civil society organizations.
• Familiarity with inter-agency programme regulations of the UN and other donors.
• In depth knowledge of the broad range of migration related subject areas dealt with by the Organization.
• Sound judgment, ability to analyze information and make decisions rapidly to resolve operational problems.
• Efficiency, flexibility, high level of professionalism and ability to adhere to strict deadlines.
• Strong leadership, management, and coordination capacity.
• Advanced computer skills, and proficiency in spreadsheet and database applications.
• Fluency in English and Spanish (oral and written) required.
• Working knowledge of French is an advantage.

Skills

• Programme Formulation
• Programme Implementation
• Programme Evaluation
• Staff Management
• Project Development
• Project Reporting
• Finance Management
• Budget Management
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Inter-agency Programme Regulations
• Migration policy knowledge
• Operational Decision-Making
• Leadership
• Programme Coordination
• Advanced Computer Skills
• Spreadsheet Applications
• Database Applications Knowledge

Languages

English, Spanish, French