Director, Special Liaison Office to AU & UN Economic Commission for Africa

About the role

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is seeking a senior leader to head its Special Liaison Office in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Reporting to the Chief of Staff, the Director will represent IOM to the African Union Commission (AUC) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), strengthening partnerships and advancing IOM’s migration agenda across the continent.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and manage IOM’s representation to all AU institutions, the ECA and related regional economic communities.
• Oversee liaison activities, fundraising initiatives and strategic positioning of IOM with the African Union and its member states.
• Represent IOM at the UN Liaison Team, the Humanitarian Coordination Forum and other AU‑UN platforms such as the College‑to‑College (C2C) dialogue.
• Coordinate with diplomatic missions, regional bodies and internal stakeholders to ensure coherent policy and program delivery.
• Provide strategic advice to senior management on AU and UN‑Africa engagement.

Required profile

• Master’s degree in Political or Social Science, International Relations, Business Administration or a related field.
• Minimum fifteen (15) years of professional experience in diplomacy, fundraising, public relations or related fields.
• Extensive knowledge of the African Union Commission, UNECA and AU regional economic communities.
• Proven experience working with AU, UN agencies and diplomatic missions.

Required skills

• Strong diplomatic and negotiation capabilities.
• Fundraising and resource mobilization expertise.
• Strategic communication and public‑relations skills.
• Ability to manage multi‑stakeholder partnerships across government and international bodies.