Chief, Migration and Displacement Data and Research Analytics Division (P)

The Chief of the Migration and Displacement Data and Research Analytics Division leads the division and the Global Data Institute, setting strategic direction and managing resources to position IOM as a global reference on migration and displacement evidence. The role involves overseeing data analytics, strategic research, foresight, and ensuring alignment with IOM's operational needs and strategic objectives.

Responsibilities

• Set the strategic vision and direction of MDDRAD and the Global Data Institute, positioning IOM as the global reference on migration and displacement evidence and serving as a senior technical adviser to senior leadership.
• Lead the development and periodic review of the Division's multi-year strategic workplans and frameworks, ensuring responsiveness to evolving global migration dynamics and institutional priorities.
• Champion strategic foresight and anticipatory action modelling as core institutional capabilities.
• Oversee the effective and accountable management of the Division's human, financial, and institutional resources, maintaining high standards of quality and rigour.
• Lead, motivate, and develop a multidisciplinary team fostering a high-performance, inclusive, and collaborative culture.
• Establish clear performance frameworks, workplans, and accountability mechanisms ensuring delivery against strategic objectives and donor commitments.
• Oversee divisional budget planning, financial management, and resource allocation ensuring efficiency and compliance.
• Lead the delivery of flagship knowledge products including the World Migration Report and other core outputs.
• Oversee the Division's knowledge management function ensuring systematic documentation and dissemination of institutional knowledge.
• Promote a workplace culture upholding IOM's standards of conduct and zero-tolerance policies.
• Drive the responsible integration of advanced data science and artificial intelligence into research and data infrastructure.
• Lead the adoption of innovative data collection, processing, and visualization technologies leveraging internal and external expertise.
• Provide technical oversight and guidance to Regional Data Hubs ensuring coherence with divisional standards and priorities.
• Strengthen capacity of Regional and Country Offices to generate and apply high-quality migration and displacement data.
• Provide strategic analytical support to other Departments within the Operations Pillar.
• Represent IOM in relevant multi-partner forums and working groups, leading resource mobilization and cultivating partnerships.
• Engage proactively with governments, multilateral organizations, academic and research institutions, civil society, and private sector actors to build strategic partnerships.
• Serve as senior IOM's voice on data and research at strategic conferences, policy dialogues, and high-level events.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with financing partners for MDDRAD and GDI workstreams.
• Lead development of new initiatives and partnership frameworks in coordination with DDIP Chief Strategy Officer.
• Identify and pursue opportunities for co-investment, joint research, and knowledge-sharing with leading universities, think tanks, and technology partners.
• Perform other duties required to meet overall MDDRAD/GDI and organization-wide mandates, goals, and objectives.

Requirements

• Master's Degree in Political Science, International Relations, Social Sciences or a related field from an accredited academic institution with ten years of relevant experience; or, University degree in the above with twelve years of relevant professional experience.
• A minimum of ten years of progressive senior leadership experience in the migration, displacement, or related international policy field, with a demonstrated track record of leading high-performing teams and delivering results in complex, politically sensitive environments.
• Proven leadership and management of complex organizational units, including strategic planning, performance management, and stewardship of human and financial resources at scale, in diverse institutional contexts such as the UN system, academia, government, or think tanks.
• Demonstrated success in resource mobilization, including cultivating long-term relationships with institutional funding partners and developing compelling funding proposals across a diverse portfolio.
• Strong track record of building and sustaining high-level partnerships with governments, multilateral organizations, academic institutions, civil society, and the private sector, including in politically sensitive and high-stakes contexts.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and creatively, identifying and seizing emerging opportunities and translating complex evidence landscapes into actionable institutional priorities.
• Experience engaging and presenting effectively with senior governmental, diplomatic, intergovernmental, and private sector audiences at the highest levels.
• Exceptional communication and influencing skills, with the ability to translate complex technical content into clear, compelling messaging for diverse audiences.
• Strong problem-solving instincts and sound judgment in navigating ambiguous, politically charged, and operationally complex situations with composure and creativity.
• High degree of personal resilience, adaptability, and cross-cultural sensitivity, with the ability to lead and inspire diverse teams toward shared goals in demanding environments.
• Fluency in English (oral and written) is required.
• Working knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) is an advantage.

Skills

• Migration Policy Implementation
• Displacement Data Analysis
• Strategic Planning
• Performance Management
• Resource Mobilization
• Partnership Building
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Senior Executive Leadership
• Team Leadership
• Financial Resource Management
• Research and Analytics
• Data Analytics
• Foresight Analysis
• International Relations
• Political Science
• Communications Skills
• Influencing Skills
• Proposal Development
• Cultural Sensitivity

Languages

English