Head of Goodwill Ambassador and Celebrity Engagement (P), Geneva

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.

Job Description IOM is committed to ensuring a workplace where all employees can thrive professionally, while working towards harnessing the full potential of 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.

First‑tier candidates include:

Internal candidates

External female candidates

Candidates from certain IOM Member States that are not represented among staff members in the Professional and higher categories: 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, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu.

Second‑tier candidates include all external candidates, except candidates from non‑represented member states of IOM and female candidates.

Responsibilities and Accountabilities

1. Strategic Leadership&Programme Oversight Lead the design and global roll‑out of IOM’s Goodwill Ambassador and celebrity engagement strategy, ensuring a coherent, well‑governed programme that advances organisational priorities in advocacy, brand positioning and private sector engagement.

2. Goodwill Ambassador Programme Management Oversee the end‑to‑end management of the Goodwill Ambassador programme, including:

Governance, policies and compliance with institutional guidelines.

Structured onboarding, briefing and induction of new Ambassadors to ensure alignment with IOM’s mandate, priorities and standards.

Strategic deployment of Ambassadors across priority themes and regions.

Ongoing performance management, engagement planning and relationship stewardship.

Renewal, rotation and off‑boarding processes, ensuring continuity, reputational safeguarding and positive closure of engagements.

Annual reporting on Ambassador contributions and impact.

3. Talent Identification, Recruitment&Pipeline Development

Define and drive a proactive, globally diversified talent pipeline, identifying, prospecting and recruiting high‑value celebrity supporters and influencers aligned with organisational priorities, audience reach and market relevance.

4. Partnership Development&Strategic Engagement

Design and manage high‑impact celebrity partnerships that deliver on advocacy, visibility and fundraising objectives, including campaigns, events, digital activations and brand collaborations.

5. Fundraising Integration&Value Maximisation

Ensure celebrity engagement is effectively leveraged as a cross‑cutting enabler of fundraising, supporting income‑generating campaigns, donor engagement and partnerships, and contributing to divisional revenue objectives.

Develop and operationalise celebrity and influencer engagement as a strategic fundraising channel, including supporting and driving campaigns that generate measurable income as well as contributing to income targets within the Private Sector Partnerships Division.

6. Due Diligence, Risk&Reputation Management

Lead comprehensive due diligence processes and continuous risk monitoring, ensuring all engagements uphold IOM’s ethical standards, reputational integrity and safeguarding requirements, and proactively mitigating potential risks.

7. Campaign Leadership&Content Strategy

Enable the strategic use of Goodwill Ambassadors and high‑profile supporters across global campaigns, ensuring delivery of high‑quality outputs that drive engagement and impact.

8. Field Missions&High‑Level Engagements

Lead the planning and execution of high‑profile field missions and engagements, ensuring clear advocacy, visibility and partnership outcomes, and effective coordination with Country and Regional Offices.

9. Stakeholder Engagement&Representation

Serve as a senior focal point for engagement with celebrities, agents, managers, partners and internal stakeholders, ensuring professional, consistent and strategic relationship management.

10. Performance Management&Impact Measurement

Establish and oversee frameworks to assess the impact and return on investment of celebrity engagement, including reach, engagement, advocacy outcomes and contributions to fundraising.

11. Internal Leadership&Capacity Building

Manage global focal point networks.

Develop tools, guidance and training on celebrity engagement.

Promote consistent standards and best practices system‑wide.

12. Cross‑Functional Coordination

Act as a key interface across fundraising, communications, media and operations to ensure integrated, well‑coordinated and strategically aligned engagement with high‑profile supporters.

Supervise and mentor staff and consultants, ensuring effective delivery of programme priorities and fostering a high‑performing, collaborative team environment.

14. Other Duties

Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Qualifications Required Qualifications and Experience Education

Master’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Public Affairs, Political Science, 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.

Experience

Progressively responsible professional experience in celebrity engagement, partnerships, communications, or private sector fundraising, preferably within international organisations, NGOs, or the media/entertainment sector;

Demonstrated experience in recruiting, negotiating and managing high‑profile celebrity and influencer partnerships, including in support of advocacy and fundraising objectives;

Proven track record in designing and delivering integrated, multi‑channel campaigns involving broadcast, print, digital, film, photography and social media, with measurable impact;

Experience in developing and executing celebrity‑driven communications and/or fundraising strategies, including events, campaigns and donor‑facing initiatives;

Strong experience working with talent agents, publicists, managers and production teams, including contract negotiation and relationship management;

Demonstrated experience in leveraging celebrity engagement to drive income generation, audience growth and donor conversion is highly desirable;

Experience in international development or humanitarian contexts, including managing high‑level visits and field missions involving high‑profile celebrities.

Skills

Ability to perform effectively under pressure, manage risk and maintain professionalism in high‑visibility and reputationally sensitive situations;

Ability to analyse complex situations and deliver clear, actionable solutions, including under time‑sensitive and high‑stakes conditions;

Strong organisational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple high‑profile stakeholders, competing priorities and tight deadlines in a fast‑paced, high‑pressure environment;

Strong communication and storytelling skills, with the ability to translate complex issues into compelling narratives for media, public audiences and fundraising purposes;

Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills, with a proven ability to build trust and influence across diverse stakeholders;

Excellent drafting and reporting skills, with the ability to produce high‑quality strategic documents, donor‑facing materials and senior‑level briefings with strong attention to detail and accuracy;

Strong analytical and performance measurement skills, including the ability to assess impact, track ROI and inform strategy using data‑driven insights;

Proven diplomacy, tact and sound judgment, with the ability to manage sensitive relationships and represent the organisation effectively with high‑level stakeholders, including celebrities, agents, donors and partners;

Proven ability to operate in complex, multi‑stakeholder environments and to coordinate across global, regional and country‑level teams.

Languages All IOM staff members in all categories are required to be fluent in one of IOM’s official languages (English, French, Spanish). For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, French, Chinese, Russian, Spanish) is an advantage. Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluatedduring the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Values

Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and …