Mission and objectives

The International Organization for Migration is the leading inter-governmental organization promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all, with a presence in over 100 countries, and supporting 174 member states to improve migration management. In 2019, IOM provided support to 30 million persons, including 23 million persons on the move (internally displaced persons, migrants and refugees) and 7 million host community members.

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. The Organization works to help ensure the orderly and humane management of migration, to promote international cooperation on migration issues, to assist in the search for practical solutions to migration problems and to provide humanitarian assistance to migrants in need, be they refugees, displaced persons or other uprooted people. The IOM Constitution gives explicit recognition to the link between migration and economic, social and cultural development, as well as to the right of freedom of movement of persons. It also operates in the four broad areas of migration management: migration and development, facilitating migration, regulating migration, and addressing forced migration. Cross-cutting activities include the promotion of international migration law, policy debate and guidance, protection of migrants’ rights, migration health and the gender dimension of migration.

IOM works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners.

Context

Brief context of the project 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.

The Philippines is a country experiencing the multi-faceted dimensions of migration. IOM Philippines has a holistic approach to the mobility continuum, whether in emergency or in development settings. While labour migration is an integral part of the social and economic fabric of the country, The Philippines also experiences internal displacement due to both natural disasters and conflict. IOM works to provide humanitarian assistance to displaced populations in a safe and dignified manner.

IOM’s programme portfolio in the country includes labour migration, peace and development, migration health, socio-economic resilience, disaster risk reduction and climate resilience, combatting modern slavery, assistance to victims of trafficking, and emergency and recovery assistance for crisis-affected populations.

In this context, the UN Volunteer Specialist, will be assigned to the IOM Philippines Country Office, specifically as a Climate Action Officer, working on a cross-cutting basis across IOM’s programmatic areas to strengthen and mainstream climate action across all facets of IOM’s work. The Climate Action Officer will support the design and delivery of policies and programmatic interventions that support the priorities of the Government of the Philippines on climate change, as well as the sustainable adaptation and resilience of communities to the impacts of climate change through a people-centred approach.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Programmes, the UN Volunteer Specialist will undertake the following tasks:

Partnership Building

• Support the development of strategic partnerships relating to climate change and human mobility, including with government bodies, civil society and private sector.

• Participate in relevant fora relating to climate change, including within the framework of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2024-2028, as well as other relevant interagency fora and coordination mechanisms, particularly to ensure the inclusion of mobility considerations and representation of IOM interests and priorities.

• Provide technical support to relevant agencies of the Government of the Philippines in their efforts to strengthen policy and programming relating to climate change and human mobility, including as host of the Loss and Damage Fund.

Project/Programme Development

• Contribute to the design and development of new projects/programmes on climate action in line with donor priorities and in close coordination with government authorities, international and regional institutions, and partner organizations in civil society, the public and private sector.

• Provide technical support to programme/project teams to ensure the mainstreaming and integration of climate action across different IOM thematic units.

• Organize regular briefing sessions and coordination meetings on thematic issues relating to climate change to support programme expansion and strengthening.

• Regularly liaise with IOM’s Regional Office and Headquarters Climate Action Division in order to contribute to, learn from, and apply new developments and innovations in climate action and human mobility from the Philippines context, as well as to identify potential funding opportunities.

Knowledge Management

• Contribute to the development and implementation of data and research initiatives relating to climate change, including supporting development of research/assessment ideas, design, methodologies, analyses and reports.

• Draft narrative and strategic documents that articulate IOM’s approach and contributions to priority issues relating to climate change, including their linkages to institutional and global UN

commitments.

• Contribute to the development and implementation of internal and external capacity building initiatives relating to climate change and cli

mate action.

• Actively participate in conferences, workshops, seminars, and learning exchanges relating to climate change a

nd mobility.

• Provide regular analyses and recommendations to the Chief of Mission, Head of Programmes and Programme Managers on strengthening IOM’s strategic and programmatic approach towards climate action, in alignment with national, regional and global priorities.

Communication

• In close coordination with the Project Support Unit of IOM Philippines, contribute to the development of strategic communication materials on climate change and human mobility.

• Support efforts to ensure the visibility of IOM Philippines’ climate action initiatives amongst relevant stakeholders in the country and the region.

• Perform any other related duties as assigned.

Furthermore, UN Youth Volunteers are required to:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);

• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;

• Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;

• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;

• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Youth Volunteers;

• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Results/Expected Outouts:

As an active IOM team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to IOM and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including:

• Strategic partnerships relating to climate change and human mobility are developed

and strengthened.

• New projects/programmes and initiatives on climate action and human mobility are developed and initiated.

• Climate action is effectively mainstreamed and integrated across different areas of IOM programming in the Philippines.

• IOM programme/project teams have increased capacity to ensure the continued mainstreaming climate action across different are as of programming.

• Improved availability of data relating to climate change and human mobility through development and implementation of data and research initiatives relating to climate change

• Strategic communication materials on climate change and human mobility are developed and disseminated

Relevant experience

3 years

Languages

English, Level: Working knowledge, Required

Filipino, Level: Working knowledge, Required

Skills and experience

• Experience in design/development of policies, programmes or projects relating to climate change and/or migration;

• Experience in coordination and liaison, particularly with Government bodies, UN agencies and civil society

• Experience in communications and strategic writing;

• Experience in fundraising and resource mobilization, particularly relating to climate action

• Experience in research and knowledge management, and knowledge of data and statistical software/tools is an added advantage;

• Experience of working in a multi-cultural setting;

• Familiarity with IOM’s programme and experience in the region is an advantage;

• Knowledge of regional and international inter-governmental mechanisms and agreements relating to climate change, disaster risk reduction and migration is an advantage;

• Knowledge of UN and NGO mandates and programmes in the area of migration, displacement, climate change adaptation and development is an advantage.