Prevention of Violent Extremism (PVE) Project Officer

Context/Reporting line:

Preventing violent extremism remains a major challenge across Iraq. Despite the military defeat of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in Iraq in December 2017, the group remains active in many pockets of the country, including in rural parts of Kirkuk, Salah Al-Din, Diyala, Nineveh, and Anbar governorates. ISIL and other violent extremist groups continue to attract membership and support, exploiting grievances in the communities having to do with (real and perceived) discrimination in political representation, access to services, or human rights, among others. Almost 1.2 million people remain in displacement, including thousands of families who are living in situations where conductions could exacerbate the vulnerabilities which are associated with increased risk of recruitment or mobilization into violent extremist organizations.

In this context, IOM’s Peacebuilding and Stabilization Division is supporting the Government of Iraq (GoI) to roll out its “National Strategy to Combat Violent Extremism,” adopted in 2019 by the National Security Council and Endorsed by Prime Minister in 2021. More specifically, IOM is supporting the GoI’s Implemen­tation Committee to pilot the National Strategy in key locations, working closely with local authorities, civil so­ciety organizations (CSOs), communities and other stakehold­ers to develop and roll out Plans of Action based on priority components of the overarching Strategy. This approach recognizes challenges related to both vertical and horizontal intra-governmental coordination in the Iraq context, and the importance of targeted measures to bridge the policy-implementation gap.

IOM Iraq is currently seeking a PVE Project Officer to support its expanding PVE programme in Iraq. Under the overall supervision of the Prevention of Violent Extremism (PVE) Programme Manager, and the direct supervision of PVE Programme Officer, the successful incumbent will provide backstopping support for the PVE programme and play a key role in ensuring IOM Iraq’s PVE programming daily operations in field sites is robust and sound.

Core Functions / Responsibilities

1. Support PVE team efforts to identify, design and deliver a comprehensive approach to the development of location specific PVE Plans of Action in coordination with IOM’s PVE team and technical partners
2. Working with IOM staff on consultation and engagement with relevant government counterparts.

1. Support the design and development of assessment tools and lead the recruitment, management, and technical support and guidance of field enumerators.
2. Liaise with relevant team members on the training of field Enumerators on assessment tools. This will include conducting team capacity assessments, design training, and the facilitation of necessary logistics to host such training.
3. Identify and hire facilitators and trainers for the PVE capacity building activities for government and civil society partners.
4. Coordinate with PVE unit operations officer and other field team members to identify participants for the PVE consultation meetings and workshops.
5. Travel to different field sites to coordinate with relevant stakeholders and IOM field teams on upcoming PVE activities.
6. Travel to Baghdad for representation and coordination meetings with the National PVE committee and other relevant government stakeholders. to include Justice and Interior ministries and the Directorate of Non-Governmental Organizations (DNGO).
7. Support and manage, as delegated by the Technical Coordinator, Researchers working on PVE.  This may include tasks such as identification of relevant stakeholders, logistical support for data collection and other tasks that contribute to strengthening IOM PVE programming in the Kurdistan region of Iraq.

10. Contribute to narrative and progress reports, cost modifications, public information material, and other documents, as required by IOM and/or project donors.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Science (Economics, Statistics, International Relations, Political Sciences) or any related field from an accredited academic university or institute.

Experience and Skills:

• At least 2 years of relevant professional experience in capacity-building, facilitation, peacebuilding, or similar areas.
• Strong background in social sciences research, especially those relevant to violent extremist organizations.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Excellent facilitation skills.
• Excellent write and reporting skills.

Languages:

• Fluency in English, Kurdish and Arabic is required.

Behavioral Competencies

• Work prioritization and ability to multitask.
• Shares knowledge and experience.
• Positive, constructive attitude.
• Ability to work and act under pressure with discretion in politically sensitive environment with a minimum of comfort.
• Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view.
• Ready to work independently, under tight deadlines.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural team environment with a positive attitude.
• Highest standards of integrity, discretion, and loyalty.
• Strives for supportive working environment and positive working relationship.

• Creates a respectful office environment free of harassment, retaliation, and promotes the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA).

While this vacancy is open to both Internals and Externals, priority shall be given to qualified Internal
applicants.
Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications via this link:

https://jobs.my-soc.org/apply/20220217093045/ctHOsqTfJeiYM5X0LaZ316WG9 

In order for an application to be considered valid, IOM only accepts online profiles duly completed. Only
shortlisted candidates will be contacted.