Project Officer (MHPSS)

Position Title: Project Officer (MHPSS)

Duty Station: Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh

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: 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.

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; 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; Seychelles; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Timor-Leste; 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 Deputy Chief of Mission and the technical supervision of the Head of the IOM Mental Health, Psychosocial Response and Intercultural Communication Section, and the direct supervision of the Migration Health Emergency Programme Coordinator in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh the successful candidate will be responsible and accountable for implementing IOM’s emergency psychosocial support project in selected camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1.Provide direct oversight to IOM’s emergency psychosocial support project in Cox’s Bazar including:

• Recruitment of consultants and project national staff.
• Development of strong partnerships with government counterparts including the Mental Health Department under the Directorate General for Health Services as well as emergency and development partners (e.g. Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Working Group);
• Facilitation of initial and subsequent monthly training for community leaders and communitycounsellors.
• Coordination of all project activities including in kind support to communities such asrecreational activities.
• Provision of guidance and coordination support for Site Management and Psychological FirstAid (PFA) trainings for humanitarian workers and organizations.
• Monitor and approve all budgetary expenses.

2. Provide strategic guidance and technical advice on mainstreaming Mental Health andPsychosocial Support (MPHSS) considerations into Site Development and Site Management activities, such as trainings. This should include trainings to introduce the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) MHPSS Guidelines for Camp Coordination and Camp Management Actors, offering advice to sector actors and camp managers on mainstreaming psychosocial activities and Do No Harm rules as well as supporting the organisation of a referral mechanism between Site Management and the various MHPSS actors-coordination mechanisms.

3.In coordination with the Site Management Sector, facilitate field-based trainings on the IASCMHPSS Guidelines for Camp Coordination and Camp Management Actors, and Psychological First Aid for humanitarian actors with direct interaction with beneficiaries.

4.Monitor and evaluate the progress of all psychosocial projects through the establishment of a mechanism for surveillance, data collection and analysis. Field visits will also be undertaken in order to monitor project activities and increase effectiveness through the recommendation of specific actions.

5.Responsible for all project reporting, including monthly, interim, and final reports, in collaboration with the Migration Health and Programme Support Units.

6.Identify gaps and opportunities for further MHPSS programming including capacity building of current MHPSS infrastructure. This includes developing concept notes and proposals to respond to unmet needs and providing information for fundraising purposes.

7.Liaise closely with other IOM counterparts providing Health, Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Shelter/Non-Food Items (NFI), Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM), Communicating with Communities (CwC) and Site Management to ensure psychosocial issues and concerns are mainstreamed throughout all IOM programming.

8.Represent IOM at the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Working Group and other coordination related meetings, actively liaising and coordinating with national and international partners and development assistance authorities, agencies, or organizations regarding strategic planning on MHPSS matters. Key counterparts at central and field levels will include the Bangladesh Directorate General of Health Services, World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Non-governmental organization (NGOs) health actors, and the donor community among others.

9.Undertake field assessments in IOM areas of work on as needed basis.

10.Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Psychology, Anthropology, Pedagogy, Psychosocial Support, Social Work 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.
• Professional chartered status in psychology and/or social work is an advantage.

Experience

• Field-based experience in community-based psychosocial support programmes in refugee and IDP camps and/or in humanitarian settings in emergencies;
• Field-based experience in working with humanitarian agencies (Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM), Health and Protection) in emergencies in low- and middle- income countries;
• Participation in IOM corporate psychosocial support training is an advantage;
• Understanding of cultural diversity and cultural diversity competence;
• Knowledge of United Nations and non-governmental organization humanitarian community, including IASC, clusters, Consolidated Appeals Process (CAP), Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), and similar mechanisms; and,
• Previous experiences in Bangladesh, the region and in L3 emergencies is an asset.

Skills

• Familiarity with case management minimum standards for GBV and Child Protection in humanitarian settings, or counter-trafficking in crisis;
• Demonstrated ability to supervise and manage staff at an operational level in humanitarian emergencies;
• Excellent knowledge of the IOM project management or humanitarian funding cycles;
• Good knowledge of UN and bilateral donor programming;
• Strong computer skills; and,
• Proven high-level representation skills, such as speaking at meetings and providing situational analysis.

Languages

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

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