Job Identification (Referenceย Number):ย 17241
Position Title:ย Rapid Response Emergency Response Officer
Duty Station City: Athens
Duty Station Country: Greece
Grade: P-3
Contract Type: Special Fixed Term (Up to 6 Months)
Recruiting Type:ย Professional
Vacancy Type:ย Special Vacancy Notice
Initial duration:ย 6 Months with Possibility of Extension
Closing date: 04 November 2025
Introduction:ย ย ย
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 atย IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration
This is an expedited recruitment process open only to:
a) internal candidates and
b) former IOM staff members who were separated in the last 12 months due to the structural adjustment process.
This process is not open to external applicants; their applications will not be considered at this time.ย
Context
IOM is committed to supporting regional institutions and Member States to reduce exposure and vulnerability to risks, enhance communitiesโ resilience and augment the capacity of crisis response agencies. The Department of Humanitarian Response and Recovery (DHRR) in IOMโs Headquarters provides direct support to the Organizationโs crisis-related work, including emergency preparedness, response, risk reduction and support to recovery, transition, and peacebuilding processes. IOM supports capacity building and long-term risk reduction efforts in order to strengthen national responses and assure the operational presence required for rapid response and scale-up during sudden onset disasters or manmade conflict. This enables life-saving responses, the ability to provide real time displacement monitoring, support for recovery efforts and the identification and establishment of durable solutions for affected communities. As a part of these efforts, IOM is establishing a Global Rapid Response Team (RRT) based in Athens in order to support emergency response capacities worldwide.
The Rapid Response Emergency Response Officer will be responsible for the emergency response aspects of the Rapid Response Team managed by DHRR HQ.ย
Under the overall supervision of Senior Emergency Preparedness ย and Response Officer (Emergency Coordination and Response Unit - ECRU) and the direct supervision of the Rapid Response Crisis Coordinator, and in close coordination with the Emergency Response Officer, the Rapid Response Emergency Response Officer will be responsible and accountable for supporting and providing guidance to Country Offices in establishing or scaling up IOMโs emergency operations in countries affected by crisis. The candidate will be responsible for coordinating with the Preparedness and Humanitarian Response Division in HQ and the respective EPC teams in the Regional Offices. The Chief of Mission of the country of deployment will supervise and be responsible for the day-to-day work of the Emergency Response Officer during deployments.
The Rapid Response Teams are expected to deploy to assigned emergency situations anywhere in the world, ideally within 72 hours, for periods in general not exceeding two months, subject to extension in exceptional circumstances. Candidates should be prepared to travel for approximately 2/3 of the working time, while adhering to โdowntimeโ guidelines.
The position is based in Athens, Greece, where part of DHRR HQ is delocalized.ย
Deploy in emerging risks countries informed by the strategic foresight and preparedness dashboard, to rapid onset and/or major emergencies, in support to Country Offices to start-up or scale-up emergency response operations. This includes enhancing country office capacity to prepare, respond, setting up systems and monitoring progress towards enhanced response emergency capacity, in close coordination with the Chief of Mission, the Regional Office, and Headquarters.Under the day-to-day supervision of the relevant Chief of Mission during deployments, support the management of operational, financial and administrative aspects of the emergency programs including recruitment of new staff and expansion of the emergency portfolio.In close coordination with Country and Regional offices, contribute to the assessment, strengthening and/or development of the overall strategy of the emergency response in the country of deployment. ย Collaborate for a comprehensive emergency response including good and effective coordination of emergency projects activities: Coordinate emergency needs and other assessments, in partnership with other agencies, sectors, governments, etc., where applicable;Contribute to establishing or expanding emergency response programmes, including, for example, establishing Shelter/NFI pipelines, overseeing distributions, establishing or scaling up Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) or other data operations, establishing or scaling up other sectoral programming;Facilitate inclusive and effective coordination of response efforts ย by regularly convening and leading coordination meetings, and participating in all relevant coordination mechanisms;Support inclusive resource mobilization efforts, including liaison with governments, donors, partners; and,ย Liaise with programme managers, sector coordinators, relevant sectors and humanitarian actors to ensure timely, safe and unimpeded access by emergency programmes to populations in need.Work in close collaboration with the CoM and Country Office staff to ensure that all the components of the emergency response and the regular recovery and development activities operate in a coherent and mutually supportive manner, including by ย developing synergies and cohesion with existing Country Office structures and programmes.Monitor and evaluate project activities while ensuring proper utilization of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), manuals, guidance notes, Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) tools and methodologies in the implementation of project activities. ย Coordinate adequate information management and reporting on project activities in ย compliance with IOM and donor regulations and obligations as indicated in the funding agreements, project documents, work plans and budgets, with emphasis on timely and accurate reporting.Contribute to IOM visibility through ย supporting public information efforts related to emergency response, in close coordination with DMC staff and focal points in the Country and Regional offices. Provide regular updates and develop summaries, press releases and other relevant materials.Maintain regular liaison with IOM program partners such as key Government institutions, UN agencies, private sector actors and NGOs aiming at enhancing coordination of humanitarian activities, facilitating the implementation of ongoing activities and implementation of joint activities.Participate in meetings with donor representatives, including periodically briefing them on current and planned ย activities in order to assist in mobilizing ย necessary financial support.Identify opportunities for emergency response programmes and participate in the development of new project proposals in line with IOM humanitarian response strategy and, in coordination with the CoM, Project Development Unit, relevant Regional Thematic Specialists and Project Managers.ย Facilitate the integration of IOMโs cross-cutting priorities in emergency programming, such as integrity, transparency, and accountability (including Accountability to Affected Populations โ (AAP)); equality, diversity, and inclusion (including age, gender, and diversity considerations, comprising of Gender Based Violence (GBV) risk mitigation and disability inclusion); protection centered (including the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse โ (PSEA)); and considering environmental sustainability.Represent IOM in technical and coordination meetings with humanitarian partner ย and ย maintain liaison with other relevant stakeholders as requested.Provide guidance and direction to all staff in the emergency response, while at all times ย developing synergies and cohesion with the country office structure.ย Undertake frequent and regular duty travel to the field to monitor emergency programs and to identify bottlenecks and implement solutions.At the end of each deployment, ensure complete handover, reporting, budget reconciliation and other procedures established for the RRT and ensure remote support to Country Office in transitioning post deployments as needed.Provide technical and capacity building support to Country Office during time when not on deployment.Maintain close collaboration and coordination with the members of the humanitarian support unit for crises monitoring and with the Preparedness and Humanitarian Response Division.ย Perform such other duties as may be assigned.ยRequired Qualifications and Experience
Education
Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.ย
Experience
Experience in emergency settings and complex environments;Experience in programme management with strong knowledge of IOM/UN project life cycles;ย Experience in liaising with government authorities, inter-governmental institutions, other national and international institutions and national and international NGOs;Experience in Camp Coordination and Camp Management, ES/NFI, Shelter, DTM and socio-economic recovery;Familiarity with IOM/UN administrative and financial management; and,A solid understanding of conflict sensitivity as a core principle and the ability to incorporate it throughout a project cycle, including experience applying conflict analysis tools and adjusting programming according to potential influence on conflict dynamics.Skills
Demonstrated high level government and donor liaison;Strong understanding of the UN and IOM Rules Regulations and practices are advantageous;Sound judgment, ability to extract, interpret, analyse and format data and make decision rapidly to resolve operational problems;Strong communication skills and constructive attitude oriented at problem solving;Capacity to work effectively in high-pressure, rapidly changing environments; and,Solid computer skills, including proficiency in MS Office package (Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).Languages
IOM's official languages are English, French and Spanish.ย
For all applicants, fluency in English and French is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of another UN official language (Arabic, Chinese, 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 โ behavioural indicators Level 2
Teamwork: Develops and promotes effectiveย 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 theย 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.
Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.
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.
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.
The list of NMS countries above includes all IOM Member States which are non-represented in the Professional Category of staff members. For this staff category, candidates who are nationals of the duty station's country cannot be considered eligible.
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 systemย (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.