Director, Special Liaison Office to the Africa Union Commission (AUC) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)

The Director of the Special Liaison Office to the AU and ECA manages IOM's representation towards AU institutions and UNECA, leading liaison, fundraising, and positioning efforts. The role involves strategic engagement, advocacy, partnership development, and representation at continental and UN forums in Addis Ababa.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the implementation of the IOM Strategic Plan through strengthening and holistic management of the relationship with the African Union, its institutions and other relevant institutions on the continent.
• Lead IOM’s strategic engagement with the AU, its Organs and Specialised Institutions, UNECA and other continental institutions to facilitate the mainstreaming of migration in relevant policy, political and programming priorities at continental level.
• Advocate for inclusion of migration in key strategic documents and policy decisions ensuring alignment with and contribution to the GCM objectives, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the AU Agenda 2063 among other related regional frameworks.
• Lead the contribution to regional/sub-regional GCM reviews and Member States briefing ahead of continental and international forums in coordination with ROs and IOM HQ.
• Analyse migration issues, AU and UNECA processes and decisions, and emerging trends on the continent and prepare internal analytical briefing papers/updates to HQ and ROs.
• Inform the Executive Office, relevant HQ departments and ROs of upcoming continental events or programmes, coordinate IOM's participation and contribution to the processes and ensure due follow up for implementation of decisions.
• Enhance IOM's visibility at the continental level by promoting IOM’s initiatives in engagements with key counterparts including Member States, International Organizations, Civil Society, the Private Sector, and other partners.
• Engage directly with UN Development Coordination Office Africa based in Addis Ababa, UN Liaison Team, and coordinate IOM's presence and voice at the UN Regional Collaborative Platform meetings, retreats and annual UN meetings.
• Share regular information/updates with the EO, relevant HQ departments, ROs and Country Offices on evolving issues/trends within the continent.
• Establish open communication channels with IOM COs through the respective ROs on key continental initiatives.
• Communicate, recommend and monitor actions to HQ, ROs and COs in response to or in anticipation of opportunities, risks, and potential challenges to be mitigated for IOM at continental level.
• Lead and institutionalize strategic information, knowledge and experience-sharing frameworks by fostering collaboration between AU, UNECA, relevant organizations and IOM specialised entities.
• Lead liaison with the AU, its organs and specialized institutions, UNECA, African Development Bank, relevant AU continental institutions, Secretariat, Africa Free Trade Area among others.
• Strengthen regional cooperation on migration governance with continental organizations and institutions, inter-governmental partners, and non-state actors.
• Create strategic partnerships with relevant continental bodies including the private sector to identify opportunities for IOM and develop catalytic partnerships.
• Lead and create synergies with relevant Regional Consultative Processes and Inter-State Consultation Mechanisms on Migration in Africa providing technical expertise, policy guidance, and capacity building.
• Represent IOM in initiatives led by AU, UNECA and other relevant partners related to rights-based and gender-responsive continental strategies and policy frameworks on migration.
• Lead the development, implementation, and regular review of the Continental Strategy for Africa and corresponding Plan of Action in line with the IOM Strategic Plan and Strategic Results Framework.
• Ensure IOM’s representation in key policy and coordination processes at the AU, UNECA and other continental institutions.
• Ensure coherence and application of approved policy and strategic guidelines and directives at the continental level.
• Lead engagements with donors at continental level and develop joint programmes and projects with AU, UNECA and other relevant continental organizations and partners.
• Maintain relationships with continental bodies such as the African Development Bank and AU institutions such as the Africa Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat.
• Establish strategic working relationships and develop joint advocacy towards the AUC and UNECA in coordination with the Chief of Staff and Regional Directors of IOM ROs.
• Lead and maintain bilateral relationships between AU and IOM leadership team as stipulated in the MoU.
• Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Political or Social Science, International Relations, Business Administration, or a related field from an accredited academic institution.
• Fifteen years of relevant professional experience.
• Extensive experience with the Africa Union Commission (AUC), United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), AU Regional Economic Communities and Diplomatic Missions accredited to them and administrative budget.
• Intrinsic knowledge and understanding of the AUC, UNECA and AU Regional Economic Communities and its institutions.
• Extensive experience in diplomacy, fundraising and public relations, as well as in liaising with governmental and diplomatic authorities and international institutions.
• Extensive experience leading strategic implementation processes in diverse regions.
• Demonstrated experience developing and managing high-performing diverse teams.
• Excellent communications skills, both oral and written.
• Ability to prepare and deliver speeches on various activities of the Organization.
• Excellent liaison and negotiation skills.
• In depth knowledge of the broad range of migration related subject areas dealt with by the Organization.
• Knowledge of the AUC, UNECA and UN and bilateral donor programming.
• Knowledge of Monitoring and Evaluation procedures and Frameworks.
• Effective resources management skills, sound knowledge of financial and business administration and of the principles and practices of management.
• Good level of computer literacy.
• Fluency in English (oral and written) is required.
• Fluency and working knowledge of French an added advantage.
• Working knowledge of any other official language of the African Union (Arabic, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Kiswahili) desirable.

Skills

• Diplomatic Relations
• Fundraising
• Public Relations
• Strategic Implementation
• Team Leadership
• Speech Writing
• Liaison and Negotiation
• Migration policy knowledge
• Donor Programming
• Monitoring and Evaluation
• Resource Management
• Finance Administration
• Business Administration
• Computer Literacy
• Bilingual Communication

Languages

English, French, Arabic, Portuguese, Spanish, Kiswahili