Chief, Migration and Displacement Data… at International… · Berlin

IOM, UN Migration Agency in Berlin, Germany is looking for a Chief, Migration and Displacement Data and Research Analytics Division who will be responsible for the overall management and strategic direction of the Division and the Institute, leading institutional efforts on migration and displacement data analytics, strategic research and foresight, and ensuring that artificial intelligence, data, knowledge management and research and analysis efforts are directly aligned with IOM's operational needs and strategic objectives.

Introduction

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations and the leading UN agency in the field of migration. Working closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners, IOM promotes humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It saves lives and protects people on the move, drives solutions to displacement, and facilitates pathways for regular migration, while providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

IOM is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive and supportive workplace where all employees can thrive professionally and feel valued. By creating such an environment, IOM aims to better harness the full potential of migration and strengthen its support to people on the move.

IOM invites candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply and provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process when required. Learn more about IOM’s workplace culture at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration

Applications are welcome from first- and second-tier candidates, particularly qualified female candidates as well as applications from the non-represented member countries of IOM. For all IOM vacancies, applications from qualified and eligible first-tier candidates are considered before those of qualified and eligible second-tier candidates in the selection process.

For the purpose of this vacancy, the following are considered first-tier candidates:

1. Internal candidates
2. External female candidates
3. Candidates from the following IOM Member States that are not represented among staff members in the Professional and higher categories: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Comoros, Congo (the), Cook Islands, Dominica, Federated States of Micronesia, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Holy See, Iceland, Israel, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Namibia, Nauru, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu.

Second tier candidates include: All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM.

Organizational Context and Scope

International Organization for Migration (IOM) is the pre-eminent source of migration and displacement data for action, which help save lives and deliver solutions; data for insight, which help facilitate regular migration pathways; and data for foresight, which help drive anticipatory action. IOM has the systems and data fluency to collect, safely store, analyse, share and apply disaggregated data and evidence across the mobility spectrum. Our extensive data and research repositories underpin evidence-based policies and practices. Data is central to the internal decision-making and management of the Organization.

IOM’s Department of Data, Insight and Policy spearheads institutional efforts on migration and displacement data analytics, strategic research and foresight, and shapes IOM’s work on evidence- and rights-based migration policy and law and knowledge management. The Department supports delivery of IOM’s strategic objectives and related enablers, ensuring that artificial intelligence, data, policy, migration law, knowledge management, research and analysis efforts and seed funding are directly aligned with operational needs. The Department comprises the Migration and Displacement Data and Research Analytics Division, including the Global Data Institute, the Migration Policy Division and the IOM Development Fund Secretariat.

The Migration and Displacement Data and Research Analytics Division (MDDRAD) delivers on enhanced and refined analysis of migration and displacement dynamics at the global level, leveraging high-quality IOM assets, such as the World Migration Report (WMR), displacement data analysis, strategic foresight and anticipatory action modelling, utilising internal IOM expertise as well as key partnerships with external experts from across sectors.

Under the overall supervision of Deputy Director general for Operations, the direct supervision of the Director of DDIP and secondary supervision of the Chief of Mission in Germany, the Chief, Migration and Displacement Data and Research Analytics Division, also concurrently serves as the Head of the Global Data Institute (GDI), is responsible for the overall management and strategic direction of the Division and the Institute, leading institutional efforts on migration and displacement data analytics, strategic research and foresight, and ensuring that artificial intelligence, data, knowledge management and research and analysis efforts are directly aligned with IOM's operational needs and strategic objectives.

Responsibilities

1. Sets 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 the DDIP Director, the Deputy Director General for Operations, and the Leadership Team.

• Set the strategic vision and direction of MDDRAD and the Global Data Institute, translating IOM's broader institutional strategy into a clear, ambitious, and operationally grounded divisional agenda positioned at the frontier of global migration and displacement evidence.
• Lead the development and periodic review of the Division's multi-year strategic workplans and frameworks, ensuring responsiveness to evolving global migration dynamics, institutional priorities, and the external data and research landscape, including especially on global migration data, artificial intelligence, strategic foresight, and knowledge management and innovation.
• Lead MDDRAD and GDI's contribution to IOM's intellectual and analytical leadership in the global migration data space, ensuring the Division's strategic positioning is coherent with and reinforces the broader DDIP architecture, including its policy, insight, and communications functions.
• Champion strategic foresight and anticipatory action modelling as core institutional capabilities, leading the development of forward-looking analytical frameworks that enable IOM and its partners to anticipate and respond to emerging migration and displacement trends.
• In support of the DDIP Director, champion evidence-based decision-making across IOM, advising senior leadership on the strategic use of data and evidence in shaping programmatic priorities, advocacy positions, and policy engagements.

2. Oversees the effective and accountable management of the Division's human, financial, and institutional resources, maintaining the highest standards of quality and rigour across all flagship knowledge products, analytical platforms, and publishing outputs.

• Lead, motivate, and develop a multidisciplinary team of data scientists, researchers, analysts, and knowledge management specialists, fostering a high-performance, inclusive, and collaborative divisional culture grounded in mutual respect and professional integrity.
• Establish clear performance frameworks, workplans, and accountability mechanisms across the Division and the Global Data Institute, ensuring delivery against strategic objectives and donor commitments.
• Oversee divisional budget planning, financial management, and resource allocation, ensuring efficiency, transparency, and compliance with IOM's financial regulations and internal controls.
• Lead the delivery of the World Migration Report as IOM's flagship publication and a globally recognized reference on migration and displacement and ensure the quality and continuity of other core divisional outputs including the Missing Migrants Project, Strategic Foresight analytical products, and migration data platforms and dashboards.
• Oversee the Division's knowledge management function, ensuring systematic documentation, curation, and dissemination of institutional knowledge, including through structured communities of practice that connect practitioners across IOM regional and country offices around shared thematic areas.
• Promote a workplace culture that upholds IOM's standards of conduct and zero-tolerance policies, actively modelling and reinforcing respectful, inclusive, and professional behaviour across the Division and in all institutional interactions.

3. Drives the responsible integration of advanced data science and artificial intelligence into MDDRAD and GDI's research and data infrastructure, ensuring GDI/MDDRAD's capabilities remain at the analytical frontier and are directly responsive to operational and field needs across regions and countries.

• Drive the adoption of innovative data collection, processing, and visualization technologies across the Division, leveraging internal expertise and external partnerships with leading academic and technical institutions.
• Lead MDDRAD and GDI's applied Artificial Intelligence (AI) and innovation agenda for migration and displacement data analytics, including the responsible and ethical use of machine learning and the development of guidance and standards to ensure rigorous, rights-based application; and contribute to the broader AI and innovation agenda in coordination with the DDIP Chief Strategy Officer.
• Ensure the Division continuously scans the horizon for emerging analytical methods, data sources, and technological developments that can enhance IOM's evidence capabilities.
• Provide technical oversight and guidance to the IOM Regional Data Hubs, ensuring that global analytical frameworks are responsive to regional and national evidence needs and that Hub outputs are coherent with divisional standards and priorities.
• Strengthen the capacity of Regional and Country Offices to generate, use, and apply high-quality migration and displacement data, promoting a coherent, standards-based approach across the Organization.
• Provide strategic analytical support to other Departments within the Operations Pillar, ensuring robust data and analysis contribute to IOM programming across the full spectrum of the Organization's mandate.

4. Represents IOM in relevant multi-partner forums and working groups, leading resource mobilization and cultivating partnerships that expand GDI/MDDRAD's intellectual and technical reach.

• Represent IOM in relevant inter-agency working groups, intergovernmental processes, and global migration and data forums, advancing the analytical agenda and institutional positioning.
• Engage proactively with governments, multilateral organizations, academic and research institutions, civil society, and private sector actors to build and sustain strategic partnerships that strengthen the global evidence base on migration and displacement.
• Serve as senior IOM's voice on data and research at strategic conferences, policy dialogues, and high-level events, delivering presentations and contributing to global knowledge exchange on migration and displacement data.
• In coordination with the DDIP Chief Strategy Officer, develop and maintain strong relationships with existing and prospective financing partners for MDDRAD and GDI workstreams, positioning the Division's work as essential to the global migration data ecosystem and making the case for sustained, multi-year investment.
• Lead the development of new initiatives and partnership frameworks for GDI/MDDRAD's core workstreams in close coordination with the DDIP Chief Strategy Officer, ensuring alignment with the broader departmental strategy and resource mobilization priorities.
• In coordination with the DDIP Chief Strategy Officer, identify and pursue opportunities for co-investment, joint research, and knowledge-sharing with leading universities, think tanks, data science institutions, and technology partners on migration and displacement evidence, expanding the Division's intellectual and technical reach.

5. Performs such other duties required to meet the overall MDDRAD/GDI as well as organization-wide mandates, goals, and objectives as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• 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.

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. This experience must involve:

• 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; and,
• Experience engaging and presenting effectively with senior governmental, diplomatic, intergovernmental, and private sector audiences at the highest levels.

Skills

• 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; and,
• 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.

Languages

All IOM staff members in all categories are required to be fluent in one of the IOM's official languages (English, French, Spanish).

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written).

Working knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, 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 – behavioural indicators Level 3

• Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective 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 the 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.

Managerial Competencies – behavioural indicators Level 3

• Leadership: Provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example and demonstrates the ability to carry out the Organization’s vision. Assists others to realize and develop their leadership and professional potential.
• Empowering others: Creates an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
• Building Trust: Promotes shared values and creates an atmosphere of trust and honesty.
• Strategic thinking and vision: Works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.
• Humility: Leads with humility and shows openness to acknowledging own shortcomings.

Notes

Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile. Please refer to this link for guidance on IOM Job Category. Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation. 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.

Appointment will be subject to all clearances, including medical and security as well as accreditation, any residency or visa requirements. 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, harassment, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and any forms of discrimination. IOM is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children.

IOM conducts reference checks and background verification, including through system wide databases such as ClearCheck, to help ensure that candidates have no record of misconduct, including on sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse, or fraud. Candidates are expected to uphold these standards and principles at all times.

IOM does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process—whether for application, interview, processing, training, or otherwise—and does not request any information related to bank accounts.

IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM WAVE system (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.