Closing date: 10 Dec 2009 -- (CLOSED)
Location: Switzerland - Geneva
OPEN TO INTERNAL & EXTERNAL CANDIDATES
Classification: Official, Grade P5
Type of Appointment: Fixed-term, one year with possibility of extension
Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible
Reference Code: VN 2009/70 (O) - EXT
IOM has a proactive recruitment policy to increase the representation of nationals of non-represented member states. Qualified applicants from the following countries will be favorably considered:
Angola, Armenia, Bahamas, Belize, Benin, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Estonia, Gabon, Gambia, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Jamaica, Kyrgyzstan, Libya, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malta, Mauritania, Mongolia, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Paraguay, Rwanda, Slovenia, Somalia, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Yemen, Zambia
General Functions:
The position of the Ombudsperson within the Office of the Director General serves as an independent person to address employment-related problems of staff members. The function operates in accordance with the Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics of the International Ombudsman Association. The role of the Ombudsperson is to mediate in conflicts of any nature related to employment with IOM, inter alia matters pertaining to conditions of employment, administration of benefits, managerial practices as well as professional and staff relations matters. The successful candidate will have direct access to the Director General and Deputy Director General, as needed, for the performance of his/her functions.
As a designated neutral or impartial dispute resolution practitioner, the successful candidate's two main functions will be to: (1) provide assistance in the informal resolution of conflicts and other issues and (2) monitor trends and emerging issues.
By representing the Organization's commitment to fundamental fairness, he/she should consider the interests and rights of all parties to a dispute with the aim of achieving fair outcomes.
In particular, he/she will:
1. Assist staff members individually to resolve problems or grievances relating to the terms and conditions of their employment, their working conditions and/or their relations with supervisors and colleagues.
2. Advocate civility and mutual respect as the most productive avenue to successful problem solving and prevent conflicts from escalating.
3. Review a wide variety of problems, such as situations requiring communication or negotiation help and advise on which policies, procedures or regulations apply in any particular situation.
4. Endeavour to effect reconciliation or ameliorate conditions through fact-finding, discussion and involvement of all interested parties, in problems or grievances brought to his/her attention.
5. Maintain strict confidentiality concerning matters that are brought to his/her attention by not sharing records of people's names, affiliations or grievances.
6. Maintain close liaison with and/or consult, as required, with the administrative services concerned (e.g. Department of Human Resources Management, Legal Services, the Occupational Health Unit, the Gender Issues Coordination, the supervisor concerned, the Office of the Inspector General and the Staff Association Committee).
7. Initiate the necessary enquiries with a view to advising/recommending to the Director General on possible preventive action, if or when he/she identifies problems liable to impair staff morale.
8. Report to supervisor concerned, and/or to the Director General and/or to the Chairman of the Staff Association Committee in contentious cases when unable to effect reconciliation and if he/she considers it appropriate.
9. Prepare periodic reports on organizational trends and activities identifying patterns or problem areas in the Organization's policies and practices and recommend revisions or improvements; based on anonymous aggregate data, submit a yearly report on his/her activities to the Director General and to the Staff Association Committee containing statistical information and trends on the number of cases or problems, including an overall assessment of the work done and general comments on any relevant aspect of the Ombudsperson's functions.
10. Serve as an organizational resource in formulating or modifying policy and procedures, raising issues that may surface as a result of a gap between the stated goals of the Organization and the actual practice; make appropriate recommendations for policies or practices that would reduce or eliminate recurring problems; identify problems or trends that affect the entire Organization and recommend strategies and practices for turning conflict to synergy in the Organization.
11. Design and conduct training programmes for the Organization in dispute and conflict resolution and other related topics which will create a trusting environment in which conflict is minimized, in collaboration with the Staff Development and Training Unit, and with the Staff Association Committee.
12. Support the work of the Gender Issues Coordination to prevent and address sexual and gender discrimination and harassment and ensure equal treatment and the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
Desirable Qualifications:
Education and Experience
a) University degree in Behavioural Sciences, Law, Communications, Public Administration, Social Sciences, other related fields or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience;
b) ten years work experience in an international oriented organization on mediation and conflict resolution;
c) experience dealing with discrimination and harassment; field experience an asset.
Competencies
a) Excellent negotiation and mediation skills;
b) ability to analyze text and situations, give advice, exercise judgment and write objective reports;
c) a thorough understanding of the principles of conflict prevention and resolution, and experience in implementing conflict resolution programmes along with a demonstrated personal commitment and capacity to embody those principles;
d) knowledge of the Ombuds function including current and emerging practices in mediation, dispute resolution, and familiarity with international organizations' administrative policies and procedures;
e) outstanding communication skills
with individuals at all organizational levels;
f) excellent networking, organizational knowledge and problem-solving skills;
g) ability to gather information, analyze it and if necessary, help the inquirer develop appropriate options and actions;
h) approachability and ability to establish friendly rapport with individuals from a variety of backgrounds and cultures;
i) impartiality, discretion and integrity;
j) ability to deal fairly, comfortably and responsibly with staff at all levels as well as with potential external inquirers;
k) demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity and capacity to apply a gender lens to all activities implemented by the Office.
Languages
Fluency in speaking English and at least one of the following: French or Spanish.
Other factors:
The post is at 100% working time. The person selected, if an internal candidate, will be released from his or her normal duties to the extent necessary and the Organization guarantees that the Ombudsperson will not suffer any handicap in his/her career as a consequence of holding this post. The employment conditions are subject to the relevant provisions of IOM's Staff regulations and Staff Rules.
The person appointed/ selected, if an internal candidate, will have his or her Standard Assignment Length ("SAL") measured from the date he or she assumes the position. At the completion of the SAL, the incumbent will be a staff member eligible for Rotation.
If the chosen candidate is not an internal candidate at the time of appointment, the candidate will serve for one five-year term. Upon expiration of the term of office, the candidate shall not be appointed as an official or employee of the Organization for a period of five years.
NOTES:
1. A written exam will be part of the selection procedure.
2. The tenure of contract of staff members holding a regular contract will remain unchanged.
Reference Code: RW_7Y72AQ-35
