Project Officer (Operations and Project Management Support)

Position Title: Project Officer (Operations and Project Management Support)

Duty Station: Mogadishu, Somalia

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P2

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

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 01 November 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.

Context:

IOM’s Disengagement, Disassociation, Reintegration and Reconciliation (DDRR) programme is a key component of IOM’s peacebuilding and stabilization portfolio that aims to increase Somalia’s resilience to destabilizing conditions and build national capacity towards sustained peace. The programme aims to contribute to peace and improved security in Somalia through supporting the Federal Government of Somalia’s National Programme on the Treatment and Handling of Disengaged Combatants and Women Associated (National Programme).

In the absence of a peace agreement, and other preconditions usually required for traditional Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) programming, IOM has been supporting the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) in its implementation of the National Programme through a four-pillared approach that reframes traditional DDR in terms of Disengagement, Disassociation, Reintegration and Reconciliation (DDRR). This context specific and context sensitive approach has been developed and implemented alongside local partners to include the national government and regional administrations, to create viable, reliable, gender-responsive, transparent, and nationally owned legal and operational processes to support exit and reintegration pathways for former associates where sanctioned violent extremist groups are involved. In facilitating the reintegration of former associates within these new contexts, IOM works to reduce the risk of recidivism or recruitment into criminal or violent extremist groups by addressing the drivers of conflict and building resilience at the individual and community levels.

Under the overall supervision of the Senior Programme Coordinator (Transition and Recovery Pillar (TRP)) and the direct supervision of the Programme Coordinator (DDRR) the Project Officer (Operations and Project Management Support) will provide operational and programme management support for the day-to-day implementation, coordination, monitoring and reporting of DDRR project activities linked to assigned project grant(s), to include funding from the German Federal Foreign Office, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the United Kingdom.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Support the day-to-day implementation of assigned IOM Somalia DDRR Project(s) in a timely manner, in particular, monitoring the operational, administrative and budgetary aspects and burn rates of project(s) in line with IOM policies and practices, as well as other donor requirements.
2. In close coordination with Mission Resource Management, supervise the DDRR unit’s operation team to identify solutions for goods and service delivery. Provide and consolidate input to project procurement plans and facilitate the timely implementation of approved procurement activities.
3. Assist with the successful implementation of 1) DDRR project activities, 2) the Multi-year Transitional Plan(s) with Government, and 3) Joint Payment System with Government, through effective cooperation and coordination with IOM’s implementing partners, field staff, technical focal points, UN Agencies, and Federal and Regional government counterparts from relevant line ministries. Check that the Transitional Plan(s) with Government are implemented in accordance with agreed timetable, approved standard operating procedures (SOPs), policies, and practices for the treatment and handling of disengaged combatants and women associated with armed groups and bring issues to the attention of the supervisor.
4. Supervise assigned project support staff and monitor the work of consultants. Provide close guidance with respect to cultural and political sensitivities.
5. Draft assigned briefs, reports and other project documents for subsequent internal and external consumption and project evaluation purposes.
6. Maintain relations with DDRR stakeholders, including government officials, UN counterparts and other key players to facilitate project implementation.
7. Participate in relevant coordination forums at country level, Technical Working Group meetings, workshops, etc.
8. Contribute to the development of new project activities by selecting and summarizing background information, assessing the local context for the planning and administration of individual projects, and drafting segments of project proposals.
9. Analyse project progress, implementation reports and overall performance of project activities, and identify and document significant project events, decisions, problems or deviations for the Programme Coordinator and other members of the IOM Somalia senior management team as appropriate.
10. Conduct field visits as required to provide information and support with respect to project management and internal procedures for implementation, monitoring and reporting, and draft comments on designated aspects of project progress as an input to programme monitoring.
11. Contribute to the development of strong Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) and knowledge management systems that promote effective reporting, organizational learning, financial accountability and safeguards, and innovation.
12. Provide technical inputs for the development of process focused learning documents onDDRR activities to contribute to institutional learning and accountability.
13. Work closely with the Project Officers (Women Peace Security, Community Engagement, Reintegration and Reconciliation) and contribute to the design of research and assessment activities that improve the evidence and knowledge base for supporting DDRR and reintegration processes, including as concerns the profiling and assessment of disengaged fighters, Prevention of Violent Extremism (PVE) programming, gender programming and broader context analysis.
14. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Political or Social Science, Gender, Development Studies, International Relations, 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 coordinating multiple projects simultaneously is an advantage;
• Experience in government relations/partnership building, or joint programming with government in post-conflict setting is required
• Experience working with various stakeholders including Federal and regional government as well as UN agencies, NGOs, and donors is required.
• Prior experience working with vulnerable groups in a highly complex conflict area, is required;
• Experience supporting project management with grants with high burn rates of upwards of 6 million or more per year, to include procurement and financial planning is a distinct advantage;
• Project experience related to two or more of the following topics: stabilization, government capacity building, community-led recovery, and conflict mitigation is an advantage;
• Previous work experience in one or more of the following thematic areas a distinct advantage: DDRR, Women Peace and Security, and PVE;
• Prior experience with relevant programming, which could include reintegration, former combatant reintegration, DDR processes, familiarity with DDR best practice of the IDDRS, or PVE related programming.

Skills

• Knowledge of UN and bilateral donor programming;
• Knowledge of Somalia, including socioeconomic and political context;
• Negotiation and diplomatic skills;
• Knowledge of IOM resource management rules and procedures;
• Knowledge of IOM and UN procurement and logistics management and procedures.

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 Somali 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.