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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
This is an expedited recruitment process, open for applications from internal and internal-equivalent candidates only.
Organizational Context and Scope
Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Mission (CoM) and technical supervision of the Regional Health Assessment Programme Coordinator (RHAPC) and in coordination with the Regional Migration Health Specialist for your region, the successful Chief Migration Health Officer will be responsible for the development, implementation and management of the Health Assessment and other health programmes.
Responsibilities
Health Assessment Portfolio
1. Organize and supervise the migration health assessment process to fulfil the technical requirements of the resettlement countries in the areas of:
1. Medical examinations;
2. Imaging;
3. Laboratory testing;
4. Vaccinations;
5. TB management;
6. Treatment and referrals;
7. Pre-departure procedures and medical movements;
8. Documentation, certification and information transmission; and,
9. Other technical areas as may be required.
2. Ensure that the infrastructure and equipment of Health Assessment Programme (HAP) premises meet professional standards of quality and safety and are sufficient and adequate for the provision of the services.
3. Ensure that human resources and HAP organizational structure are sufficient and adequate for the planned levels of health assessments and that the staff has necessary qualifications and skills. Establish a sufficient network of external human resources, such as consultants and medical escorts, to support the health assessment process and travel assistance. In coordination with the Human Resource Unit, ensure that all medical personnel maintain valid licenses to practice.
4. Ensure that the regulatory government authorities are informed about IOM’s health activities and that the IOM medical facilities have obtained approval to provide health assessments and related services.
5. Establish and maintain efficient, client-centered procedures and ensure a high level of integrity at all stages of HAP process, including client information and appointment system, payment, registration, pre- and post-test counselling, examination, testing, treatment and referrals, submission of health assessment results, pre-departure and other procedures. Establish and maintain a system, enabling clients to provide feedback.
6. Establish and maintain a system of quality improvement for each service area. Undertake quality control activities on a regular basis, practice observation, regular supervisory visits to all facilities/teams involved in the health assessment operations. desk audits and use of self-assessment tools. Use data analysis and web reporting system to monitor performance indicators. Ensure implementation of the global IOM Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs); create and implement country-specific SOPs for each service area. Ensure proper reporting and management of incidents according to the Guidance Note for Incident Management.
7. Incorporate additional public health interventions in the HAP context. Such interventions may include surveillance for communicable diseases, outbreak preparedness and response, health education and health promotion, public health services for host communities, liaison with public health institutions and other activities.
8. Supervise health- and non-health staff as well as external consultants, involved in the health assessment process; ensure that performance evaluations for health staff are completed in a timely manner. Ensure that all staff are aware of the IOM Standards of Conduct under Article 42, and continuously reinforce these standards. Informs in due time the CoM and the IOM Ethics Committee of any issues regarding staff misconduct.
9. Establish the HAP staff development strategy and ensure that the appropriate plan is implemented. Within that plan, apart from attendance to external educational events, initiate, organize and deliver various professional in-house trainings.
10. Liaise with external service providers to negotiate agreements in coordination with the Resource Management Officer (RMO). To the extent possible, exercise quality control over outsourced services and take corrective measures if necessary.
11. Liaise with relevant partners at government level, immigration health authorities of the receiving countries, as well as other international UN and non-UN agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), donor community and national partners.
12. Maintain confidentiality and security of migration health data in accordance with the IOM Data Protection Principles.
13. Organize systematic collection, processing and analyses of migration health data. Ensure data quality. Provide periodic, as well as ad-hoc reporting to Migration Health division (MHD), for MH activities.
14. Oversee the financial aspects of the health programmes in close coordination with the mission’s finance staff: supervise budget preparation and ensure monitoring of MH projects, suggest adjustments and cost-effective solutions, and review financial reports.
15. Provide oversight and coordinate procurement of medical equipment, vaccines, medications and other medical supplies in coordination with the resource management unit.
16. Organize and supervise activities of mobile medical teams, if applicable.
Other Health Activities
17. In coordination with the Head of Office (HoO)/CoM, reinforce partnerships and liaise with the Migration Health (MH) sector with Ministry of Health, health institutions and academia, as well as other relevant leading agencies. Incorporate multi-sectoral approaches to partnerships, as well as capitalize on IOM strengths across all service areas within the overall framework of IOM’s 12-point Strategy adopted by IOM Members States (June 2007).
18. Conceptualize, develop and implement appropriate migration health related projects that may benefit migrants, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and host communities as well as conflict/natural disaster affected population in coordination with relevant Units, the Regional Thematic Specialists (RTSs) and other colleagues.
19. Facilitate the integration of health assessment activities into the overall migration related programming of the Country Office through close collaboration with the various and units at the Country Office level.
20. Advise IOM colleagues on the link between the Health Assessment Programme with the two other core MHD programme areas – Health Promotion and Assistance to Migrants, and Migration Health Assistance to Crisis-Affected Populations.
21. Identify opportunities for expanding migration health activities and programmes by informing embassies and consulates of IOM’s migration health work and lobby for IOM Migration Health Assessment Centres (MHACs) becoming panel sites for MHA, responding to announcements for call of proposals by drafting project concept notes and/or proposals and liaising with UN agencies and Ministry of Health to identify project development opportunities.
22. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.
Required Qualifications and Experience
Education
Bachelor’s degree in Medicine from an accredited academic institution with preferred specializations: internal medicine and its subspecialties, Paediatrics, Anaesthesiology, Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynaecology; and a minimum of nine years of relevant professional experience, of which at least three years of managerial responsibilities; or,
Bachelor’s degree in Medicine from an accredited academic institution with preferred specializations: internal medicine and its subspecialties, Paediatrics, Anaesthesiology, Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynaecology plus Master’s Degree in Community or Public Health, Medical Specialization in Infectious Diseases, Tropical Medicine or other related fields from an accredited academic institution with seven years of relevant professional experience of which at least three years o managerial responsibilities.
Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.
Experience
Professional continuous clinical experience, preferably in a multidisciplinary hospital setting or at IOM/similar international clinic context;
Experience in Migration Health Assessments;
Demonstrated progressive experience in health programme management;
Experience in project development, management, and report writing; and,
Experience in migration health emergency response is an asset.
Skills
Effective managerial and leadership skills;
Proven abilities to establish partnerships with government institutions, health institutions, and other partners;
Knowledge of public health;
Demonstrable knowledge of patient safety and infection prevention and control;
Organizational skills; and,
Communications skill.
Languages
All IOM staff members in all categories are required to be fluent in one of the IOM’s official languages (English, French, 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 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 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
This vacancy is only open to current and former IOM staff members who were separated in the last 12 months due to the structural adjustment process.
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 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
Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications HERE by 17 March 2026 at the latest, referring to this advertisement.