Job: Project Officer (Visa Application Centre (VAC)) & UK/CANADA

Location: Geneva 
Deadline: Wednesday, 18 September 2013

Description

OPEN TO INTERNAL AND NON-REPRESENTED

MEMBER STATES CANDIDATESPosition

Title: Project Officer (Visa Application Centre (VAC)) –UK/CANADA

Duty Station: Geneva, Switzerland

Classification: Official, Grade Equiv. P2Type of Appointment: Special Short-Term, nine months with possibilityof extensionEstimated Start Date: As soon as possibleClosing Date : September 18, 2013Reference Code : SVN2013/40(O)-INTEstablished in 1951, IOM is the leading inter-governmental organization in the field ofmigration and works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmentalpartners. 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 has a proactive recruitment policy to increase the representation of nationals of non-represented member states. Qualified applicants from the following countries will befavorably considered:Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Belize, Benin, Cambodia, Cape Verde,Cameroon, Czech Republic, Central African Republic, Comoros, Cyprus, Djibouti, ElSalvador, Gabon, Gambia, Guyana, Holy See, Israel, Jamaica, Kyrgyzstan, Lesotho,Libya, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro,Micronesia, Mongolia, Namibia, Nauru, Niger, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay,Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Slovenia,Somalia, South Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Timor Leste, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago,Vanuatu, Venezuela, YemenApplications from qualified female candidates are especially encouraged.

BACKGROUND:

The United Kingdom Visas and Immigration Department have embarked on a major changeprogramme (entitled Next Generation Outsourced Visa or NGOV) designed to transform theway that it operates its visa application system. Nine years ago the UK instituted a GlobalVisa Application Centre network and they are now looking to further develop this with theaward of another 5 year (plus 4 year option) duration contract. The contract has now beenawarded to VFS Global who has in turn sub-contracted IOM to establish and operate a totalof 58 VACs globally along with the recently awarded Canada VAC contract. The VACnetwork will provide applicants with more convenient channels for visa submissions andimproved access to enhanced administrative services, including capture of biometrics, alldelivered in accordance with strict UK and Canada performance benchmarks and privacyrequirements.IOM's Immigration and Border Management Division's ongoing work in improving migrationmanagement includes developing Immigration and Visa Support Solutions (IVSS) forgovernments and migrants worldwide. IOM operated VACs handle all of the time-consumingadministrative tasks of the visa application process and aim to ensure that only properlycompleted visa applications are submitted. Such outsourcing partnerships result in reducedcosts and workloads for the Immigration Departments of Member States and faster visaprocessing times, as well as improved service standards for visa applicants. Perhaps mostimportantly, such partnerships enable immigration officers to make more informed decisionsbased on complete information, while focusing on their core function; making visa decisions,and not handling administrative tasks, while focusing on their core function; making visadecisions.

Context & Scope:

Under the overall supervision of the Senior Specialist, IVSS (Immigration & VISA SupportSolutions) and the direct supervision of Global Programme Coordinator (Visa ApplicationCentre (VAC)) in Geneva, Switzerland.The successful candidate will support and deputize for the Global Programme Coordinatorthe coordination, rollout and usual operations of the UK and Canada VAC Network for IOM.The position includes responsibility for ensuring the timely and cost-effective roll-out and go-live of the VAC network, updating of project plans and liaison with VFS, IOM missions andother VAC staff. S/he will be responsible in the financial oversight, as well as security,stakeholder relations, performance and client service management for the entire network.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Manage day-to-day activities of the VAC - ensuring smooth and efficient operations.

2. Develop and maintain good quality relationships with the project partner, VFS Globaland UK Diplomatic Missions.

3. Liaise and coordinate with wider key stakeholders.

4. Ensure adherence to all processes as per the Service Level Agreement.

5. Responsible for ensuring that regional managers are able to meet the UK and CIC'srequirements in terms of quality, schedules and security.

6. Responsible for advising on overall security at the VACs.

7. Responsible for ensuring that VACs are staffed adequately as per the staffingguidelines.

8. Lead and develop team members. Ensure all team members receive the requiredtraining and amenities to perform their tasks as required.

9. Responsible for overall employee management in terms of productivity, attrition, etc.

10. Prepare, analyze and use the key management information.

11. Develop and monitor budgets in consultation with the Country and Regional manager.

12. Identify and develop responses to risk, issues and opportunities as they arise and toescalate to the Global Manager as appropriate.

13. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Competencies

Behavioural

a) takes responsibility and manages constructive criticism;

b) works effectively with all

clients and stakeholders;

c) promotes continuous learning; communicates clearly;

d) takes initiative and drives high levels of performance management;

e) plans work,anticipates risks, and sets goals within area of responsibility;

f) displays mastery of

subject matter;

g) contributes to a collegial team environment;

h) incorporates gender-

related needs, perspectives, and concerns, and promotes equal gender participation; i)displays awareness of relevant technological solutions;

j) works with internal and external

stakeholders to meet resource needs of IOM.

Technical

a) effectively applies knowledge of migration issues within organizational context;correctly frames migration issues within their regional, global, and political context.b) Required Qualifications and Experiencea) completed advanced university degree from an accredited academic institutionpreferably in Business, Liberal arts or a related field;b) two years of professionalexperience (or four years for candidates holding a first level university degree) in regionalproject management, government liaison, immigration related operations, management andservice delivery;c) has had led teams of 5+ personnel;d) cross domain knowledge(client service, stakeholder relations, IT, finance).

Languages

Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of French and Western Europeanlanguage an advantage.

How to apply:

Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications via PRISM, IOM e-Recruitmentsystem, by September 18, 2013 at the latest, referring to this advertisement.For further information, please refer to:http://www.iom.int/cms/en/sites/iom/home/about-iom-1/recruitment/how-to-apply.htmlIn order for an application to be considered valid, IOM only accepts online profiles duly filledin and submitted with a cover letter not more than one page specifying the motivation forapplications.Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. You can track the progress of your applicationin your personal application page in the IOM e-recruitment system.Posting period:From 04.09.2013 to 18.09.2013Requisition: SVN 2013/40 (O) - Project Officer (Visa Application Centre (VAC)) – UK/CANADA –Geneva, Switzerland (54509894) ReleasedPosting: SVN 2013/40 (O) - Project Officer (Visa Application Centre (VAC)) – UK/CANADA – Geneva,Switzerland (54509897) Released

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