Project Coordinator (Housing and Settlements)

Position Title : Project Coordinator (Housing and Settlements)

Duty Station : Erbil, Iraq

Classification : Professional Staff, Grade P3

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

Estimated Start Date : As soon as possible

Closing Date : 04 October 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.

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; Barbados; Botswana; Cabo Verde; Comoros; Congo (the); Cook Islands; Dominica; Fiji; Grenada; Guinea-Bissau; Holy See; Iceland; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the); Madagascar; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Seychelles; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Tonga; Tuvalu; Uzbekistan; Vanuatu

Second-tier candidates include:

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

Context:

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission (CoM), the Head of the Return and Recovery Unit, and the direct supervision of the Infrastructure Coordinator and in close coordination with the Senior Programme Coordinator for Durable Solutions and Community Engagement and the relevant Regional Coordinators, the Project Coordinator (Housing and Settlements) will be responsible for managing, providing technical advice and overseeing the implementation of the Housing and Settlements activities of Transition and Recovery Division’s (TRD’s) Durable Solutions (DS) programme.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Manage and ensure the implementation of TRD’s activities related to Housing and Settlement for the achievement of DS objectives, particularly as it relates to non-engineering related matters.
2. Ensure correct implementation of existing methodologies and guidelines related to Housing and Shelter interventions, and update or develop methodologies and tools to guide the implementation in light of findings of monitoring of activities.
3. Provide technical oversight and quality control of IOM housing operations including those of IOM implementing partners, and identify implementation mechanisms and approaches that are feasible, appropriate, and effective in the context of Iraq for the shelter activities.
4. Provide technical advice and oversight for the adoption of participatory urban planning approaches to inform IOM housing rehabilitation and reconstruction and infrastructure interventions in target areas.
5. Engage and provide substantive technical support to DS programming and DS coordination regarding strategies, policy dialogues and technical approaches to urban planning and settlements for the achievement of durable solutions, particularly in urban settings.
6. In coordination with IOM Legal team, ensure that guidance and correct approaches to Housing Land & Properties (HLP) verification are followed and carry out regular monitoring of activities and processes to ensure due diligence and the protection of HLP and tenure rights in ongoing shelter interventions across all governorates targeted.
7. In collaboration with technical teams – DS, Infrastructure and HLP teams – and with operations teams, develop and follow up on implementation plans and coordinate execution of planned activities, providing technical advice and support to the relevant activity components.
8. Ensure timeliness and efficiency by regular and periodical monitoring and assessment of progress and budget utilization throughout implementation of the project activities; take corrective action if necessary.
9. Ensure participation in the Durable Solutions Technical Working Group (DSTWG ) sub-group on Shelter and HLP and in other relevant shelter-related coordination initiatives and collaborate with relevant IOM colleagues for the coordination and implementation of returns and durable solutions related interventions.
10. In coordination with the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) team, advise on monitoring and evaluation approaches which enable the production of real time reports on the effectiveness and efficiency of projects.
11. Prepare or coordinate the preparation of donor reports, funding proposals and other information materials, including reviewing and editing inputs from field teams. Provide substantive support in developing the shelter and housing component of the Unit and programme strategy.
12. Conduct regular field visits (approximately 50% of the time) to assigned sites (beneficiary locations) to ensure the implementation of shelter and housing programme activities efficiently, effectively and with flexibility, and to resolve issues.
13. Ensure the integration of cross-cutting issues such as gender, protection mainstreaming, disability inclusion in the housing and shelter activities through monitoring and adaptation of programme approaches to ensure appropriate mainstreaming.
14. Establish and maintain contact with authorities on housing as well as urban planning and settlement programs and advocacy.
15. Undertake duty travel as required, for project site review and other duties of concern to the project.
16. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Architecture, Urban Planning, Civil Engineering, 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

• Demonstrated combination of training and experience in housing and shelter field of operations, and solid experience of working in complex environments;
• Extensive operational and field experience in shelter, housing, and urban development programme development, implementation, and evaluation;
• Experience in conflict/emergency zones and in working in a high-risk environment;
• Experience in liaising with governmental authorities and local communities, as well as national and international institutions;
• Experience in the use of consultative and participatory approaches to programme design and implementation;
• Broad sector knowledge and/or field experience in the areas of housing re-construction, integration of Housing, Land and Property in shelter programs, community-based planning, and community mobilization;
• Previous programme management experience; shelter and displacement management programme experience preferred;
• Previous experience in Iraq or familiarity with the region an asset.

Skills

• Excellent leadership, coordination, and information management skills.
• Familiarity with project management and IOM administrative and financial management.
• Understanding of market-based interventions in shelter response.

Languages

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

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of Arabic 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

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 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.

CoreCompetencies– 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.

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

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

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.