Field Coordinator (Programme Operations)

Position Title: Field Coordinator (Programme Operations)

Duty Station: Multiple Duty Stations, Ghana

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P3

Type of Appointment: Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 05 July 2023

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:

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.

The Coastal States Stability Mechanism (CSSM) aims to increase state presence and community resilience in remote areas of Benin, Ghana and Togo that are at risk of encroachment by violent extremist organizations. The CSSM is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO) and aligns with the US Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability and the GFFO’s Concept on Foreign and Security Policy Strategy for an Integrated Peace, as well as regional and national efforts to prevent violence. The CSSM will be implemented by IOM in close coordination with GFFO, USAID, as well as with communities in priority zones and all levels of the host Governments.

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission and the direct supervision of the Chief of Party, the Field Coordinator (Programme Operations) will be responsible for performing their role implementing IOM’s activities under the Coastal States Stability Mechanism, spanning multiple West African nations. The incumbent will also receive guidance from, and provide reporting to, IOM Washington in line with the agreed-upon ‘four-corner management model’.

The duty stations for these positions will be located in secondary cities in the northern areas of Benin, Ghana and Togo, and will not be located in country capitals.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Manage, monitor and be accountable for the daily operations and staff in the field.
2. Manage the field team in developing, planning and implementing targeted, high-impact activities which meet the objectives of the programme.
3. Work with field teams to identify and develop activity concepts, in line with programme objectives for onward submission to the Program Development Unit / designated Associate Program Officer (APO) or Program Support Officer.
4. Ensure weekly and monthly targets for activity concepts and commitments are met.
5. Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with local grantees, local government authorities, local contractors, non-governmental organisation, donors, and other key stakeholders.
6. Ensure the successful, implementation of the programme’s community-based, small grant initiatives at the field level in accordance with the overall objectives of the programme by directly supervising programme implementation staff in the identification of local grantees and partners, technical consultants, and other programme implementers.
7. Manage and coordinate with operations staff as appropriate for grant activity implementation to ensure that procurement, finance, logistics, and programmatic aspects of each activity are being implemented on-time and in accordance with the specifications of the approved activity.
8. Coordinate closely with the logistics, financial and procurement teams in the application of standard guidelines and procedures aimed at ensuring an appropriate, efficient, and transparent use of funds.
9. Manage and coordinate, as required, with the programme’s engineering team to ensure the technical quality of proposed, ongoing, and concluding infrastructure activities.
10. Provide regular reporting to the Chief of Party on grant implementation and provide relevant inputs on grant implementation to the Grants Manager.
11. Oversee the collection and submission of weekly bullet points on the local political and security context to the Reporting Officer for inclusion in the bi-weekly report.
12. Coordinate the collection and entry of activity notes for weekly submission to ProgramOfficers (POs) for inclusion in the database for the Grants Management System.
13. Coordinate with the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Manager and Assistants to develop, monitor, evaluate and recommend performance measures for regional and individual activities, including contractors and grantees.
14. Ensure the integration of cross-cutting considerations, such as age, gender, and diversity (including on the inclusion of people with disabilities), accountability to affected populations (including participation, transparency, and complaint and feedback mechanisms), prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse, the Humanitarian-Development-Peace-Nexus, conflict sensitivity and environment considerations.
15. Liaise with IOM’s Staff Security Unit (SSU) and the Mission Security Focal point as/when required, in close conjunction with the management of IOM Country Office and in accordance with the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) requirements.
16. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in International Relations, Law, Management, Development Studies, Planning, Business Administration, Social studies, 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

• Specific work experience with United States Agency for International Development (USAID)funded programs, or on other large donor-funded programmes, preferably with the Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) is desired;
• Experience managing operations and staff in the field, especially in hardship duty stations and remote locations, including with IOM or other development/humanitarian organizations is required;
• Experience managing a team in a position of leadership is required;
• Previous experience in project implementation, community-based and/or small-grants programming, preferably in the areas of stabilization and conflict prevention is required;
• Experience in developing and maintaining budgetary disciplines across a wide range of grant activities is desired;
• Experience in liaising and building effective partnerships with donors and government authorities and/or other national/international institutions is required;
• Experience in capacity building of local organizations and grant management is desired; and,
• A solid understanding of conflict sensitivity as a core principle and the ability to incorporate it throughout a project cycle, including experience applying conflict analysis tools and adjusting programming according to potential influence on conflict dynamics is desired.

Skills

• Strong knowledge and cultural understanding of the region
• Excellent communication and writing skills with the ability to analyses complex problems and identify and convey clear, rapid solutions
• Effective resource management skills
• Familiarity with political analysis in complex settings
• Strong general analytical skills
• Significant reporting and database experience required
• Delivers on set objectives in hardship situations;
• Effectively coordinates actions with other implementing partners;
• Works effectively with local authorities, stakeholders, beneficiaries, and the broader community to advance country office or regional objectives;
• Works effectively in high-pressure, rapidly changing environments;
• Supports adequate levels of information sharing between internal units, cluster partners, IOM, and other emergency response actors;
• Establishes and maintains effective relationships with implementing partners;
• Makes correct decisions rapidly based on available information.

Languages

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

For this position, fluency in English and French is required (oral and written).

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

Notes

The duty stations will be located in secondary cities in the northern areas of Benin, Ghana and Togo, and will not be located in the specific country capital cities.

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 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 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 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 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 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.

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 endorsed by the Appointments and Postings Board 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.