Senior Programme Officer (Health Security) (P)

Job Identification (Reference Number): 16858
Position Title: Senior Programme Officer (Health Security)
Duty Station City: Athens
Duty Station Country: Greece
Grade: P-4
Contract Type: One Year Fixed Term (Up to 1 Year)
Recruiting Type: Professional
Vacancy Type: Vacancy Notice
Initial duration: 1 Year with Possibility of Extension
Closing date: 22 October 2025
 

Introduction:

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 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. Candidates from the following non-represented member states:

Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Comoros, Congo (the), Cook Islands, Dominica, Federated States of Micronesia, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Holy See, Iceland, Israel, Kiribati, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Madagascar, 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.

Context

Under the overall supervision of MHD Director, direct supervision of the Senior Migration Health Advisor in Headquarters (HQs) and in close coordination with Global and Regional Migration Health Division (MHD) teams, the Senior Programme Officer (Health Security) will be responsible for actively contributing to ensuring migration health policies and programmes integrate clinical, public health, and health systems strengthening approaches and are responsive to evolving global health priorities on infectious disease control, health security, pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.

1. Provide expert technical leadership and guidance to IOM’s migration health policies and programmes, including developing or reviewing technical guidelines, protocols, frameworks and tools to address disease risks, health security threats, and specific vulnerabilities of migrants and mobile populations.  
2. Lead and coordinate IOM’s technical support to infectious disease outbreak responses, ensuring alignment with International Health Regulations (2005) and national contexts, and  manage organizational preparedness and response planning, including close coordination with relevant departments/divisions including Department Humanitarian Response and Recovery.  
3.  Lead the monitoring of trends in emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases in close coordination with Regional Offices, provide risk assessments and technical briefs, and guide evidence-based policy, programme design and partner engagement.  
4. For new and emerging project development, provide expert support and advice to the Regional Thematic Specialists (RTSs) and key implementing Country Offices engaged in multi-country and cross border health programming, with a focus on health security, epidemic preparedness and response. This includes development of technically sound and evidence-based programming, partnership development with traditional and non-traditional stakeholder, including the private sector and emerging global financing opportunities, and close coordination with relevant departments/divisions including Climate Action Division and the Department Humanitarian Response and Recovery.  
5. Conduct field visits and rapid deployments in close coordination with the Senior Programme Officer (Health in Emergencies) and RTSs, regional HAP project teams, to strengthen the capacity of IOM teams to deliver robust and scientifically up-to-date country and multi-country migration health programmes on health security, and pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, including supporting rapid response to disease outbreaks. This includes leading after-action reviews to capture lessons learned, and develop practical tools and model practices to improve future responses across IOM operations. 
6. Represent IOM and actively participate in technical and expert working groups on global health security – including GOARN, WHO-led mechanisms for epidemic preparedness and response – to ensure the needs of migrants and mobile populations are integrated and that IOM’s programmes align with the latest global standards and evidence.  
7. Support the start-up and management of new global health security projects and initiatives, including resource mobilization, donor engagement, establishment of project management systems, and coordination with partners to ensure timely initiation of activities and provision of technical oversight and reporting to ensure quality and accountability. 
8. Develop and deliver relevant training on a range of topics relevant to IOM operations on infectious disease control, health security, pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, with the aim of enhancing the quality of proposal development and project implementation and reporting. 
9. Prepare required briefing notes, presentations and guidance materials for engagement with key technical partners and donors of IOM migration health programmes. 
10. Perform such other duties as may be assigned. 

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Master’s degree  in Medicine from an accredited academic institution with seven years of relevant professional experience; or,
• University degree in Medicine from an accredited academic institution plus a Postgraduate level qualification in Epidemiology, Public Health Infectious Diseases, or Tropical Medicine with nine  years of relevant professional experience.

Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database. 

Experience

• Experience in planning and programmatic management of public health programs (in areas such as disease control, outbreak disease preparedness and response, and health service delivery, etc.), preferably in low and middle income settings;
• At least seven years of combined national and international experience in establishing and leading disease prevention and control programme planning, health security and epidemic preparedness, health systems planning and health services delivery, monitoring and evaluation of public health interventions and analytic report writing, at national and international level, including in low and middle income settings;
• Solid field work experience in disease prevention and control in large population or displacement settings, including leadership in outbreak and pandemic response, programme management and coordination, and surge deployments in health emergencies;
• For international experience, experience in international organizations, such as UN agencies and international NGOs or institutions in similar positions is strongly preferred; and, 
• For national experience, at least five years should be hands-on experience in developing and implementing disease prevention and control programs at national level, incorporating ethnically sensitive and human rights approaches to the delivery of health services for vulnerable populations; such experience for migrant health programs and in low to middle income settings would be an asset.

Skills

• Knowledge and understanding of the epidemiology and the determinants of disease, of health service development and delivery, and the impact/effects on individuals and communities, with emphasis on vulnerable populations and organization of people-centered health systems and services; 
• Demonstrated knowledge or skills in latest medical and health technologies for disease prevention, treatment and care through previous programme implementation;
• Proven experience in communicating scientifically to specialized audiences, technical guidance and briefing notes, as well as clearly communicating on public health matters to a general audience, experience developing and delivering trainings in the public health domain;
• Knowledge of surveillance and monitoring systems related to emergency health operations and migration health programmes, with skills in the field of epidemiological or statistical data collection, assessment, analysis and the evaluation and monitoring in a public health context, would be an asset;
• Demonstrated ability to independently design, lead, and implement field epidemiologic investigations and outbreak response activities, including rapid assessments and deployment in emergency settings;
• Understanding of health security frameworks, including International Health Regulations (2005), One Health, and global mechanisms for pandemic preparedness and response, would be a distinct advantage; 
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills; Ability to work effectively and harmoniously in a team and with colleagues from varied cultures and professional backgrounds;
• Strong organizational and people management skills, including building and leading teams;
• Knowledge and skills in project planning, management and evaluation, including resource mobilization and grant management;
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills; and, 
• Demonstrated capacity to adapt experiences, tools and approaches developed in other settings to the local context. 

Languages

IOM's official languages are English, French and Spanish. 

For all applicants, fluency in English and French is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of another UN official language (Arabic, Chinese, 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.

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.

The list of NMS countries above includes all IOM Member States which are non-represented in the Professional Category of staff members. For this staff category, candidates who are nationals of the duty station's country cannot be considered eligible.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, security clearances.

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, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities.

IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.

IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment 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.