Programme Support Officer

Job Identification (Reference Number): 17248
Position Title: Programme Support Officer
Duty Station City: Geneva
Duty Station Country: Switzerland
Grade: UG
Contract Type: Special short-term ungraded
Recruiting Type: Professional
Initial duration: Four months with possibility of extension
Closing date: 4 November 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

Internal and external candidates will be considered for this vacancy. For the purposes of this vacancy, internal candidates are defined as staff members holding a regular, fixed-term or short-term graded or ungraded contract, including Junior Professional Officers (JPOs), staff on Special Leave Without Pay (SLWOP), and staff members on secondment/loan released by the Organization, unless otherwise specified in their contract. Staff members holding a regular, fixed-term or short-term graded contract will not retain their contract type if appointed to an ungraded position.

Context:

At IOM Headquarters, within the Department of Humanitarian Response and Recovery (DHRR) the Department Support Unit (DSU), under the Planning and Coordination Unit (PCU) serves as one of the core instruments for supporting the Department, Regional Offices and Country Offices for managing preparedness, humanitarian response and recovery.

Under the direct supervision of the Head of the Planning and Coordination Unit, and in close coordination with other units within DHRR (e.g. Institutional Scale-Up unit), the Programme Support Officer will contribute to strengthening departmental compliance, reporting, and knowledge management systems. The incumbent will provide programmatic and analytical support to ensure that DHRR’s activities are implemented in line with organizational standards, donor requirements, and departmental priorities.

Responsibilities

1. Maintain an up-to-date understanding of IOM’s crisis response contexts, including evolving humanitarian needs, institutional response frameworks, and ongoing operations.
2. Support the coordination and implementation of DHRR’s internal and institutional reporting efforts in line with departmental and organization-wide requirements, including but not limited, contributions to the DG’s Daily Brief, departmental submissions to coordination meetings and follow up on action points.
3. Review project proposals, reports and appeals submitted by Country Offices (COs), Regional Offices (ROs) and DHRR divisions to ensure compliance with IOM and donor requirements, quality standards, and alignment with the IOM Project Handbook.
4. Support DHRR divisions with information management and analysis through data extraction from PRIMA.
5. Contribute to donor relations and resource mobilization efforts, including communications, preparation of strategic documents and the organization of donor briefings or events, including senior-level engagements with Member States and donors.
6. Coordinate the content development of DHRR’s internal knowledge and information management platform such as the departmental SharePoint in close coordination with the relevant divisions including other departments.
7. When needed, support the institutional scale-up unit in DHRR with institutional reporting, information/knowledge management, crisis-related products drafting and review, crisis response coordination, and participation in/organization of relevant coordination meetings and workshops.
8. Perform such other duties as may be assigned by the supervisor.

Qualifications

Education:

• Master’s degree in Political or Social Sciences, Law, Human Rights, International Affairs, Migration Studies or a related field from an accredited academic institution with two years of relevant professional experience; or,
• University degree in the above fields with four years of relevant professional experience.

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

Experience:

• Experience in the field of humanitarian response and recovery, especially in the context of disasters, conflict or post-conflict/disaster areas;
• Experience working at an international level with the UN, international organizations and non-governmental organization in complex humanitarian operations;
• Experience in project development and reporting.

Skills:

• Excellent drafting and editing skills with a proven track record;
• Demonstrated ability to communicate with a wide variety of audiences; and,
• Ability to supervise interventions and coordinate administrative activities.

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, 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 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.

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

How to apply

To apply, interested applicants are invited to submit their applications HERE via the IOM Career Gateways by 04 November 2025.