International Organization for Migration→
Head of Partnerships and Pipeline Unit (P) at International… · Geneva
Job Description
Head of Partnerships and Pipeline Unit (P)
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
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:
- Internal candidates
- Candidates from the following IOM Member States that are not represented among staff members in the Professional and higher categories: 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, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Vanuatu
Second tier candidates include:
All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM.
Organizational Context and Scope
The Private Sector Partnerships Division (PSP) sits within the Department of Strategy and External Engagement with the overall oversight of the Director General. PSP builds partnerships with the private sector that enable IOM's strategic priorities and engage the private sector as a key stakeholder in migration through impactful and innovative partnerships. PSP leads strategic outreach and engagement with the private sector and provides Headquarters, Regional and Country Offices with assistance and expertise relating to initiating, establishing and maintaining partnerships with the private sector. PSP is responsible for the development and implementation of IOM’s Private Sector Strategy which provides a framework for how IOM engages with the private sector to support safe, orderly and regular migration. PSP oversees engagement with the private sector, establishes and coordinates IOM’s private sector partnerships due diligence process, builds staff capacity in private sector partnership-building and oversees the Goodwill Ambassador programme and celebrity partnerships.
The private sector engagement strategy sets forth a proven approach based on three main pillars – impact, income and innovation. The strategy assists IOM to enhance partnerships with the private sector to foster change in corporate values and practices; enhance protection of migrants’ rights; generate innovative technical partnerships that capitalize upon business expertise and capabilities; and grow flexible funding that can support programme implementation and impact globally and advance implementation of the Global Compact for Migration.
Under the direct supervision of the Director of Private Sector Partnerships Division, the successful candidate will lead global private sector pipeline performance, fundraiser oversight and conversion of high-value corporate and foundation opportunities into realized partnerships and income. The incumbent will provide strategic guidance, tools and quality assurance to PSP fundraisers, Regional Offices and Country Offices to build disciplined, realistic and priority-aligned pipelines that support flexible income and institutional priorities.
Private Sector Partnerships:
1. Lead and oversee the global private sector fundraising pipeline, providing active performance oversight of fundraisers, their portfolios and opportunity progression to improve pipeline quality, forecast accuracy, expected value realization and achievement of annual income targets.
2. Identify, prioritize and advance high-value private sector engagement opportunities for global partnerships, ensuring fundraisers receive clear guidance on prospect qualification, donor cultivation, proposal development and conversion strategy.
3. Originate, shape and lead private sector partnerships, including multi-year opportunities, flexible income streams, create compelling cases for support and fundraising campaigns that diversify revenue and strengthen IOM’s value proposition.
4. Establish and maintain pipeline management tools, dashboards, templates and guidance that enable PSP fundraisers and offices to assess opportunity strength, forecast pipeline value, track progress and make evidence-based decisions on priority prospects.
5. Review fundraiser pipelines regularly, challenge assumptions on probability, value and timing, and provide targeted advice to unblock stalled opportunities and strengthen conversion of corporate and foundation prospects.
6. In coordination with the Department of Financial Management, Legal, and PSP team, ensure internal financial and legal frameworks at IOM are conducive to private sector income collection and allocation of flexible funding, including oversight of PSP Sustainability Rate implementation.
7. Provide strategic support to Country Offices and Regional Offices in the development of private sector partnership opportunities, ensuring local and regional pipelines are realistic, well-positioned, properly resourced and connected to global PSP priorities and tools.
8. Identify and prioritize high-value private sector opportunities for global outreach, ensuring alignment between headquarters priorities, regional pipelines and fundraiser portfolios.
9. Coordinate with regional private sector focal points and taskforces to promote consistent pipeline standards, portfolio planning and opportunity development across regions.
Capacity Building:
10. Supervise and guide the Global Partnerships and Pipeline Unit to drive disciplined pipeline management, fundraiser accountability, donor pipeline health and revenue realization, including oversight of core donor toolkits, fundraising packs, forecasting guidance and events mapping resources.
11. Provide fundraisers with structured coaching, deal review, proposal guidance and portfolio-level advice to strengthen opportunity origination, donor engagement, solicitation strategy and follow-through from cultivation to agreement.
12. Coach PSP Officers, Regional Offices, Country Offices and the PSP Peer Support Group through expert advice, training and practical tools on fundraising, pipeline management, CRM use, proposal development, account planning and PSP Sustainability Rate compliance.
13. Oversee the development and continuous improvement of practical fundraising tools, playbooks, templates, training materials, cases for support, campaign assets and pipeline review processes that enable consistent PSP standards and stronger private sector opportunities.
14. Support Country Offices in identifying realistic private sector prospects, packaging country-level priorities into fundable propositions and connecting local opportunities to regional and global PSP support, due diligence and donor engagement processes.
15. Lead unit objectives with the PSP team, including pipeline prioritization, forecast discipline, account ownership, follow-up standards and reporting practices.
16. Coordinate Regional Task Forces to strengthen playbooks, accountabilities, PSP funding flows, communities of practice and knowledge management tools.
17. Recommend and/or approve opportunities for knowledge exchange across regions, analyze pipeline data regularly by fundraiser, region and thematic area, and recommend resource shifts, management attention or escalation where needed to improve pipeline performance and income realization.
Coordination and Monitoring and Evaluation:
18. Oversee due diligence for prospects and partners in collaboration with Due Diligence Officers, ensure fundraisers integrate risk considerations early in opportunity development, and drive Salesforce/Wave CRM uptake for accurate pipeline tracking, forecasting and management reporting.
19. Prepare regular management analysis on pipeline value, projected income, opportunity conversion, fundraiser performance and key risks, translating data into clear recommendations for PSP leadership and targeted support to offices.
20. Monitor, advise and report on progress against pipeline KPIs under direct responsibility, including pipeline volume, expected value, conversion rates, forecast accuracy, fundraiser follow-up and movement toward flexible cash contributions where appropriate.
21. Work with the PSP Team to prepare narrative and financial reports for private sector donors and coordinate internally so pipeline opportunities, donor commitments and reporting requirements are accurately captured and followed through.
22. Develop reporting mechanisms for timely partner and public impact reporting, while supervising pipeline-related staff performance and follow-up to ensure unit objectives, donor commitments and management expectations are met.
23. Lead, motivate, and develop a high-performing team through effective people management, strategic objective setting, regular performance and development discussions, talent management, and accountability for results.
24. Oversee the preparation and execution of annual workplans, budgets, and resource projections, ensuring priorities, staffing, and financial resources are aligned to achieve divisional goals and partnership targets.
25. Perform such other related duties as required for the successful implementation of the Private Sector Strategy.
Required Qualifications and Experience
Education
- Master's degree in Fundraising, Philanthropy, Nonprofit Management, Business Administration, Marketing, Communications, International Relations, Development Studies, Public Administration, International Development Finance, Social Sciences, Management or a related field from an accredited academic institution with seven years of relevant professional experience; or,
- University degree in the above fields with nine years of relevant professional experience.
Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.
Experience
- Proven experience leading private sector fundraising and partnership development with corporations, foundations and philanthropic partners, including mobilization of multi-million, multi-year and in some cases flexible and/or lightly earmarked income;
- Demonstrated experience overseeing fundraisers, donor portfolios and fundraising pipelines, including opportunity qualification, pipeline review, forecast management, income conversion and follow-up against agreed targets;
- Significant experience identifying, shaping and securing new private sector opportunities, including development of donor propositions, cases for support, campaign concepts and tailored solutions with prospective partners;
- Demonstrated experience building and expanding long-term partner relationships across geographies and sectors, including with corporate, foundation, philanthropic, ESG, CSR and shared-value partners;
- Experienced in working cross-functionally with programme, technical, communications, legal, finance and resource management teams to develop compelling private sector propositions, fundraising materials and partnership solutions;
- At least seven years of relevant experience in private sector partnership building and fundraising, with proven success mobilizing financial resources from corporations and philanthropic foundations with the ability to use CRM, pipeline data or dashboards to assess opportunity value, probability, timing and income forecasts;
- Experience developing, overseeing and institutionalizing fundraising and capacity-building tools, guidance, templates, cases for support, campaign materials, training resources and systems that support consistent prospect qualification, account planning, proposal development, pipeline review, donor follow-up and flexible income generation across multiple offices or regions;
- Demonstrated experience advising Regional Offices, Country Offices or decentralized teams to identify private sector prospects, package priorities into fundable propositions, strengthen donor engagement strategies and move opportunities through the pipeline;
- Experience leading and growing a high performance teams;
- Experience translating pipeline and fundraising performance data into clear management analysis, resource recommendations and targeted support to fundraisers and offices.
Skills
- Proven and successful multi-year track record in private sector partnerships and fundraising with strong ability to meet fundraising targets and hold fundraisers accountable for pipeline quality, follow-up, forecast discipline and conversion;
- Demonstrated ability to analyze fundraising pipelines, assess opportunity value and probability, develop realistic forecasts and translate data into clear management recommendations;
- Ability to advise and support Country Offices and Regional Offices in shaping private sector propositions, strengthening donor engagement strategies and applying global PSP tools and standards in local contexts;
- Ability to develop user-friendly fundraising tools, capacity-building products, cases for support, campaign materials and guidance resources that translate PSP standards into practical steps for fundraisers and non-specialist offices and support growth in flexible income;
- Demonstrated ability to reconcile the needs of the Organization with those of the partner;
- Ability to write, draft, and edit, reports, acknowledgements, briefings, and donor correspondence letters, proposals, grants and appeals;
- Ability to explain complex issues to external donors and present the Organization and diverse operations in an appealing and concise manner;
- Ability to develop Unique Value Proposition for private sector partners;
- In-depth understanding of private sector partnerships, fundraising, philanthropy and UN agencies; and,
- In-depth understanding of migration and business and human rights.
Languages
IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish. All staff members are required to be fluent in one of the three languages.
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.
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