Regional Thematic Specialist (Climate Action and Mobility) (P4) Dakar, Senegal (*Open for applications from internal & internal-equivalent candidates)

📌 ### 📌 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 This Vacancy Notice is part of IOM’s competitive mobility exercise, open for applications from only. Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Regional Director (DRD) for Operations, the overall supervision of the Regional Director (RD), and the guidance of the Climate Action Division (CAD) in Headquarters (HQ), the Regional Thematic Specialist on Climate Action and Mobility (CAD RTS) provides advice and support to the implementation of institutional policies from HQ to Country Offices (COs) across the Region. Specifically, Regional Thematic Specialist provides oversight, quality control, and thematic and operational support to promote consistent, cohesive, and quality evidence-based programming. Together with other Regional Thematic Units (RTUs), the Regional Thematic Specialist on Climate Action and Mobility contributes to thought leadership on saving lives and protecting individuals on the move, driving solutions to displacement, and facilitating regular pathways for migration. The Regional Thematic Specialist will also lead the CAD RTU, which will provide thematic oversight and support on regional efforts to address the immediate and long-term impacts of climate change on human mobility while advocating sustainable and inclusive solutions on a regional scale in collaboration with CAD HQ. Special focus will be placed on leveraging IOM’s expertise and role in the new Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage and access to climate financing and technical support to Member States on National Adaptation Plans (NAP) and National Determination Commitments (NDC) especially for Small Islands Developing States and Least Developed Countries that experience interconnected social, environmental and economic challenges. The CAD RTU will also identify regional opportunities and risks, foster knowledge sharing, encourage policy and research development, and support cross-thematic collaboration internally. Externally, the CAD RTU offers advocacy, policy, and technical programme recommendations to regional entities, Member States, and relevant migration fora, spearheaded by IOM’s Regional Office (RO) and CO leadership. For both IOM teams and partners in the Region, the CAD RTU is the go-to source for climate action and mobility expertise and guidance. 1. Lead and manage the CAD RTU in the delivery of regular thematic guidance and technical support to COs in the contextualization of the strategic plan. 2. Assist and provide substantive inputs to the DRD for Operations by articulating IOM's strategic plan to external stakeholders or in fora, discussions, and platforms, based on CAD HQ and Global Offices' (GO) guidance. 3. Lead the CAD RTU's delivery of technical assistance on thematic and cross-cutting priorities based on identified or requested needs in collaboration with CAD HQ and COs. Coordinate across regional units, relevant COs, and HQ for crisis responses, focusing on Climate change and human mobility, protection, life-saving actions, and recovery. 4.

a. In coordination with CAD HQ and Staff Development and Learning Unit, provide thematic training and capacity building to COs and RO staff as well as external partners as requested.

/>b. Spearhead the consultation, development, consensus-building, implementation and oversight of global Climate migration and displacement governance frameworks across member states, international organizations, and civil society on the global stage.
c. In coordination with and in support of COs, strengthen the technical and institutional capacity of national governments and local actors, to absorb, account for, report on, allocate, and leverage climate finance effectively. 5. Develop and maintain partnerships with a diverse range of regional actors, including donors, regional political and economic bodies, UN, private sector, non-government institutions, academic institutions, community-based organizations, international financial institutions, international organizations, and Member States, to promote IOM’s Strategic Plan. 6. In coordination with HQ, GOs, Country Offices for Partnerships and Advocacy (COPAs), COs, and the Regional Project Development Officer (RPDO), advocate programmatic priorities with new and traditional donors, including the private sector. 7. In coordination with the RPDOs, facilitate the project development and reporting process through technical inputs, review, approval, and endorsement in line with IOM’s Project Handbook. 8. In coordination with the Regional Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation Officer (RPMEO), hold regular bilateral discussions with COs thematic focal points to assess challenges, opportunities, and trends. Flag issues and opportunities to senior regional and HQ staff, and guide CO adjustments. Actively support COs integrate audit, evaluation and donor feedback. 9. In coordination with the Risk and Compliance Officer, provide oversight and support to COs on the identification, management, and treatment of risks pertaining to DHRR, in line with IOM's Risk Management Framework and Policy (IN/213 Rev.1). 10. In coordination with the RPDO and Climate Mobility Innovation labs Unit, contribute to and facilitate the use of knowledge sharing platforms, and disseminate Climate Action innovative and best practices related to CAD. 11.
a. Promote policy coherence and inclusive partnerships to mainstream climate mobility in relevant agendas, including biodiversity, water management, mountains, oceans/seas, human rights, protection, security, gender, health, urbanization, SDGs, youth engagement, diaspora empowerment, local actors’ mobilization.
b. Scale up advocacy, policy, and partnership in early warning (EW4AI), and climate and environmental action at policy and advocacy levels, in support of priorities identified by affected countries in national or regional and global climate strategies.
c. Support CAD HQ in the mainstreaming of human mobility considerations in climate change, environmental and disaster policy agendas, including via its work on UNFCCC Constituted Bodies, Workstreams, Initiatives and Fora (WIM Excom, AC, SNLD, COP, NAPs, NDCs, climate funds, etc.), as well as the UNCCD, UNEA and Sendai Framework policy processes, and the engagement with the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF). 12. In coordination with different climate change fora including UNFCCC, IPCC, IDMC and others in collaboration with CAD HQ, as well Global Data Institute (GDI), and the Regional Data Hub (RDH), analyse and disseminate Climate Action thematic data to inform evidence-based strategic planning, resource mobilization, policymaking, and programming. 13. Convene and maintain a community of practice in the region for thematic focal points in COs, with involvement of CAD HQ functional homes as relevant, to promote sharing of new practices, innovative approaches, partnerships, training opportunities, and other areas of regional thematic interest. 14. Lead engagement in inter-regional, continental, and multi-country initiatives, programmes, and strategies with corresponding RTS, Global Thematic Specialists (GTS), and COs focal points; where necessary, coordinate the involvement of HQ functional homes. 15. In line with the IOM Strategic Plan and corresponding custodianship outlined in the Regional Office Terms of Reference, promote, integrate, and mainstream cross-cutting priorities in all areas of CAD’s work in the Region. Fu