Programme Officer (Community Engagement and Research)

Position Title : Programme Officer (Community Engagement and Research)

Duty Station : Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh

Classification : Professional Staff, Grade P2

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

Estimated Start Date : As soon as possible

Closing Date : 10 February 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.

IOM is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. Read more about diversity and inclusion at IOM at www.iom.int/diversity.

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.

For the purpose of this vacancy, the following are considered first-tier candidates:

1. Internal candidates

2. Candidates from the following non-represented member states:

Antigua and Barbuda; Aruba (Netherlands); Botswana; Cabo Verde; Comoros; Congo (the); Cook Islands; Cuba; Curaçao; Fiji; Guinea-Bissau; Guyana; Holy See; Iceland; Kingdom of Eswatini; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the); Latvia; Libya; Luxembourg; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Montenegro; Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Samoa; Sao Tome and Principe; Seychelles; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Timor-Leste; Tonga; Tuvalu; Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:

All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states.

Context:

Research & Consultation unit under the Protection Unit of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Cox’s Bazar, will conduct a series of qualitative consultations within the Rohingya Humanitarian Response, in partnership with other operational actors, to improve operational activities and better assist beneficiaries. These consultations cover a range of operational and policy related issues and are conducted with respect to strict “do no harm” research ethics and data protection principles. This consultative work’s goal is also to further enhance the capacity of Rohingya volunteer researchers who have limited English language skills. Research consultations are routine designed, adapted, and implemented with capacity development sessions to ensure high quality data collection.

In addition, Research & Consultation team will contribute to enhancing community-based protection mechanisms and programs in the camp context and thereby mitigate and respond to emerging Protection threats and risks the Rohingya may face.

Within the Protection unit, the team will provide technical support for design and implementation of protection-based community engagement & community outreach activities. In addition, the provision of technical support and trainings to the Protection unit and other IOM units on topics such as on culture, language, engagement, and facilitation is also a key function of the team. The aim is to increase the quality of community engagement and help raise community voices across all IOM managed camps.

Under the overall supervision the Head of Humanitarian Assistance and Operations, and the direct supervision of the Protection Coordinator of IOM Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, the successful candidate will coordinate Rohingya-led qualitative research and community engagement teams focusing on the inclusion of the affected populations experiences, needs, and preferences into humanitarian decision-making.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Coordinate and contribute to the development of the research and community-based protection capacity of core team members, including staff and Rohingya volunteers, and monitor and follow up on capacity development activities provided to other units and organizations.

2. Logistically organize and conduct qualitative research consultations with affected population, maintaining data protection policies, ethical research practices, and rigorous methodological standards related to data collection and analysis.

3. Generate consultation reports using established and rigorous qualitative data research methods. As relevant, produce audio materials, information tools and other digests to disseminate key findings to the affected population and humanitarian actors.

4. Contribute to the Protection Unit’s effort to strengthen community-based protection mechanisms by drafting community-led curriculums and activities proposals that promote active participation of the beneficiary population, and two-way exchange of information in a culturally acceptable, gender-sensitive and accessible way.

5. Facilitate the communication of community perceptions and experiences to relevant units across IOM and check that technical support is provided that adjusts programs and approaches based on community’s experiences, needs and preferences.

6. In line with research findings, provide coordination and technical support to other IOM units as outlined and approved by the Programme Manager (Protection), research new opportunities consistent with the IOM strategy in Cox’s Bazar and ongoing activities, and recommend programmatic improvements.

7. Facilitate good and effective coordination on research initiatives with other IOM units, organisations and research institutions, and support the development of research projects and partnership agreements in close coordination with the Grants Unit and review and dissemination protocols.

8. In close coordination with Program Support Unit (PSU) and Protection Manager, draft and facilitate the timely submission of project reports according to IOM and donor formats as required. Draft regular updates, programme summaries, press releases and other relevant materials.

9. Perform such other such duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Social Sciences, Political Science, Cultural Anthropology, Social Science Research Methods, Development and Cooperation, Journalism, International Relations or a related field from an accredited academic institution with two years of relevant working experience; or

• University degree in the above fields with four years of relevant working experience.

Experience

• Experience with qualitative research methods, ethics & practices. Prior experience processing & reviewing qualitative data & related methodologies in foreign languages (South Asia advantageous);

• Experience in participatory research & program design programming;

• Experience in implemented multi-year development programs with large community engagement, training, and inclusion components;

• Experience in curricular design for community engagement programming & facilitation trainings;

• Experience with gender transformative approaches, protection mainstreaming and inclusion programming;

• Experience with complaints and feedback mechanisms, including trainings and processes related to code of conduct complaints;

• Experience working in South Asia, experience working with Rohingya population.

Skills

• Ability to work effectively under pressure in hardship situations and harmoniously in a team with colleagues from varied cultures and professional backgrounds.

• High degree of judgment and initiative; ability to work with a high degree of independence within assigned areas.

• Familiarity with minimum standards for GBV and Child Protection in humanitarian settings, or counter-trafficking in crises, are advantageous.

• Demonstrated ability to supervise and manage staff at an operational level in humanitarian emergencies.

• Excellent critical thinking and analytical skills.

• Excellent knowledge of the IOM project management cycle.

• Good knowledge of UN and bilateral donor programming.

• Ability to write and speak clearly and concisely in English.

• Strong computer skills with ability to use qualitative analysis software (preferred).

• Strong cross-cultural communication and interpersonal skills.

• Proven high-level representation skills, such as speaking at meetings and providing situational analysis.

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 (French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian or Chinese).

For all applicants, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of Rohingya, Bangla, Burmese, Chittagonian, or South Asian Language will be added as advantage.

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

Notes

1 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.