Chief of Party/Programme Manager

Position Title: Chief of Party/Programme Manager

Duty Station: San Salvador, El Salvador

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P3

Type of Appointment: Special short-term graded, nine months with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 10 November 2022

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.

Context:

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission (COM) and the direct supervision of the Deputy Chief of Mission in El Salvador, the Chief of Party/ Programme Manager (CoP) will oversee programme implementation and provide support to operations for the successful implementation of Scholarships for Educational Opportunities Project, which is a multi-year programme funded by the United States Agency for International Cooperation (USAID). The Programme aims to mitigate irregular migration from El Salvador by increasing equitable access to formal educational opportunities for potential migrants and returnees to engender hope, prosperity, and positive self-worth in their lives.

The intervention will seek to accomplish three main objectives: 1) Incorporate at least 6,450 Salvadoran returnees, potential migrants and their families into formal and non-formal education, skills development, job training, and placement; 2) Improve safe, eco-friendly, and inclusive learning environments in selected Regional Centres, Technical Education Institutions (MEGATECs in Spanish) and 90 High Schools; 3) Demonstrate the impact of human capital investment to mitigate irregular migration through decision-making activities.

The Chief of Party/ Programme Manager will be responsible for the overall management of the project, including oversight to implementing partners, and technical support to different components. They will be the primary liaison with USAID/El Salvador, the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology (MINEDUCyT in Spanish), and other local organizations and partners.

The CoP will maintain and strengthen the necessary operational structures and processes in order to ensure transparent and accountable grant development, implementation, operations, and reporting. They will also supervise field operations, to ensure the proper financial, procurement, and general operational protocols and reporting needs are being met by implementing partners, in accordance with IOM rules and regulations and donor expectations.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Oversee the successful implementation of the “Scholarships for Educational Opportunities Project” nationwide and provide technical and managerial support, as needed.
2. Backstop the financial, administrative, and logistical aspects for all programme activities and ensure compliance to IOM standards and operating modalities for programme implementation.
3. Monitor and follow up on the successful execution of the implementing agreements with multiple partners, promoting new opportunities and potential beneficiaries, and supporting education programs, including job placement opportunities for scholarship recipients.
4. Liaise with donor counterparts regarding day-to-day project implementation.
5. Provide guidance and advice to ensure that projects implemented by partners or by IOMdirectly are technically sound, sensitive to gender, age, social inclusion, and other relevant considerations, and aligned with the programme’s results framework.
6. Coordinate education related research activities to support the development of high-quality, targeted research, analysis, monitoring and evaluation, in line with the programme objectives.
7. Liaise with counterparts, principally the Ministry of Education, to provide technical and programmatic support and advice.
8. Implement Monitoring and Evaluation systems and promptly alert the supervisor of suspected corruption issues.
9. Provide technical and programmatic inputs to support the development of strategies.
10. Propose recommendations to strengthen administrative structures and processes to ensure smooth activity implementation.
11. Upon delegation, substantively participate in high-level meetings, including with government authorities, the UN Country Team (UNCT) and donors.
12. Share IOM’s work experience on reintegration efforts (especially related to access to education) with official visitors and exchange lessons learned and good practices.
13. Undertake national duty travels, including to remote communities, as required.
14. Perform such other duties that may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Economics, Business Administration, Education, International Development, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience; or
• University degree in the above fields with seven years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• Experience managing and implementing large-scale programs or projects, preferably in El Salvador;
• Experience managing migration programs is a plus;
• Experience in research, data management in education, migrations or related themes;
• Experience in project implementation, support to grants fund management; administrative and related fields;
• Experience in developing and maintaining budgetary disciplines across grant activities;
• Experience managing staff from diverse environments and backgrounds.

Skills

• Sound knowledge and cultural understanding of El Salvador and the Northern Triangle region and conversant on national migration dynamics and politics;
• In-depth knowledge of El Salvador’s education system, workforce development activities, and system improvement;
• Familiarity with and commitment to addressing gender equality in education, as demonstrated by senior-level experience working on education programs that addressed gender-related constraints to education;
• Excellent managerial, interpersonal, and teamwork skills;
• Demonstrated knowledge of the education conditions and policies of El Salvador;
• Excellent communication and writing skills with the ability to analyse complex problems and identify and convey clear, rapid solutions;
• Effective resource management skills;
• Familiarity with political analysis in complex crisis settings; and,
• Proven general analytical skills;

Languages

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

External applicants for all positions in the Professional category are required to be proficient in English and have at least a working knowledge of one additional UN Language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish).

For all applicants, fluency in English and Spanish is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of French is an advantage.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Notes

Accredited Universities are the ones listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database (https://whed.net/home.php).

Required Competencies:

Values – all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these three values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: respects and promotes individual and cultural differences; encourages diversity and inclusion wherever possible.
• 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.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators level 2

• 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 action 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 2

• 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 potential.
• Empowering others & building trust: creates an atmosphere of trust and an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
• Strategic thinking and vision: works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link.

https://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/about-iom/iom_revised_competency_framework_external.pdf

Competencies will be assessed during a competency-based interview.

Other:

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, and security clearances. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required for individuals hired on or after 15 November 2021. This will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.

Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.