Project Officer (Livelihoods)

Position Title: Project Officer (Livelihoods)

Duty Station: Erbil, Iraq

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: 09 February 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; Aruba (Netherlands); Botswana; Cabo Verde; Comoros; Congo (the); Cook Islands; Curaçao; Fiji; Grenada; Guinea-Bissau; Holy See; Iceland; Kingdom of Eswatini; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the); Madagascar; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); 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:

IOM Iraq is a major actor in post-conflict recovery and reconstruction, with a large, multi-year livelihoods portfolio. More than five years after the liberation of Iraq from the ISIS, there remains significant protracted displacement. For displaced individuals, poverty and lack of access to livelihoods remain key concerns. For those who have managed to return, many remain in poverty and are unable to find decent work. This is particularly the case for marginalized groups such as female-headed households. The graduation approach is a sequenced and time-bound intervention that aims to help people living in extreme poverty to build resilience and engage in sustainable livelihoods, serving as an economic development intervention that targets families facing multiple levels of economic exclusion.

Under the guidance of the Chief of Mission, the overall supervision of the Head of the Transition and Recovery Division and the direct supervision of the Senior Programme Coordinator, the Project Officer will work closely with the Livelihoods technical team and provide technical inputs and guidance to support the design and implementation of the Graduation Approach, including guidance to operations teams, contributing to tool and SOP development, and research and analysis. They will also work in close coordination with other thematic specialists in the livelihoods technical team and field staff to implement projects under the livelihood’s portfolio.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Serve as a focal point for the design and implementation of the Graduation Approach methodology that is aligned with global best practice, in close coordination with the Livelihoods technical team, field operations teams and other relevant IOM Iraq divisions.
2. Provide technical inputs to contribute to the development and implementation of innovative approaches to livelihoods to facilitate sustainable livelihoods and financial inclusion for participants; check that programme design is gender and conflict sensitive, and adopts appropriate AAP methods, and bring issues to the prompt attention of the supervisor.
3. Monitor and document developments, trends, shifts, and attitudes regarding the GraduationApproach globally. Maintain knowledge management systems and check if lessons learned are integrated into programming.
4. Provide regular feedback to the Senior Programme Coordinator on the progress of the programme and provide feedback to help improve programme design and methodology.
5. Facilitate the development of and deliver capacity building and training on case management specific to the Graduation Approach, including technical skills training, life skills coaching, mentorship and information and education and communication (IEC) materials.
6. In close coordination with M&E focal points, participate in implementing the best monitoring systems and in tailoring to the needs of the project. Monitor progress of participating households, collect monitoring data, and help troubleshoot issues related to households’ progress toward achieving Graduation criteria.
7. Research possible linkages, provide information, and facilitate complementarity of IOM Iraq’s livelihoods programme with social protection partners active in Iraq.
8. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Political or Social Sciences, Social Work, Economics, Development Studies, Law, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with two years of relevant professional experience; or,
• University degree in the above fields with four years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• Experience in the design and/or implementation of livelihood interventions, community stabilization, peace-building, and/or social cohesion in conflict and/or post-conflict settings;
• Experience in training delivery, case management and working directly with communities particularly poor populations;
• Experience in liaising and building effective partnerships with donors, government authorities, and/or other national/international institutions, such as research institutions and local and international NGOs; and,
• Experience working in conflict and post conflict settings.

Skills

• Familiarity with the Iraqi context or similar contexts is an advantage; and,
• Familiarity with programmatic issues surrounding relief to recovery transition, including good understanding of early recovery principles.

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 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

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.