Position Title: Project Officer

Duty Station: Niamey, Niger

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P2

Type of Appointment: Special short-term graded, 6 months with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 07 July 2024

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; Fiji; 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; Samoa; Sao Tome and Principe; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Tonga; Tuvalu; Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:

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

Context:

Niger is a country of origin and transit for migrants to North Africa and Europe. Following the increasing need to support migrants stranded in the country, including those in distress in the desert in the Agadez region, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), with funding from the European Union, established the Migrant Resource and Response Mechanism (MRRM) in 2016 to: provide direct humanitarian assistance and protection services to migrants stranded along migration routes in Agadez, Arlit, Assamaka, Dirkou and Niamey; support the voluntary return and sustainable reintegration of migrants in their countries of origin; foster better collaboration between countries of origin, transit and destination; and increase national migration management capacities and partners’ understanding to promote community development as an alternative to irregular migration.

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission (CoM) of IOM Niger and the direct supervision of the Senior Programme Coordinator (MPA), and in close collaboration with the relevant heads of units, the Project Officer will support the planning, implementation, and coordination of the MRRM activities, including scheduling, reporting and compliance control.

The Project Officer will also monitor reintegration assistance provided in countries of origin through programmes managed by IOM Niger and the monitoring of these activities.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. In coordination with the Senior Programme Coordinator (MPA), provide administrative support to the MRRM, including through monitoring of timely administrative processes.
2. Coordinate project-related activities with relevant support units – Finance, Logistics and Procurement, among others, for their smooth implementation.
3. Monitor and coordinate the IOM reintegration caseworkers and assistants in charge of Niger-funded reintegration activities in other countries, and project clerks providing administrative support to the MRRM, and provide them with training, counselling and guidance.
4. Oversee the appropriate management of beneficiaries’ data, including entering case data into IOM databases, including MiMOSA, and proper filing in accordance with IOM Data Protection Principles.
5. Monitor the development and implementation of project modalities, provide technical guidance regarding compliance to programme implementing partners and staff and implementing entities and liaise with Countries of Origins (CoOs) for the monitoring of reintegration funded through IOM Niger Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) programmes.
6. Maintain relationships with local actors including stakeholders, government officials, business community, diaspora communities, civil society, UN and International/National Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) partners on the MRRM activities.
7. Monitor and follow up on the proper documentation and reporting of the MRRM activities and projects carried out; ensure supportive documents for the projects are recorded in the database and draft portions of donor reports concerning MRRM activities.
8. Undertake duty travel as required to provide technical guidance to project staff and implementing partners and to compile field monitoring reports highlighting implementation challenges and solutions.
9. Facilitate and encourage the integration of cross-cutting issues such as gender and age sensitivity, and the protection of vulnerable groups in the MRRM’s activities.
10. Compile lessons learned from past activities and projects, experiences from various locations, and beneficiary feedback for the revision of strategies and action plans.
11. Contribute to resource mobilization efforts, identifying potential new project opportunities and contributing to the preparation of project proposal.
12. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Political or Social Science, Business Administration, 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 in IOM administrative and financial management, budget monitoring and administrative control procedures;
• Experience in project management, preferably in migration and/or other displacement situations;
• Experience in project formulation and implementation at the national and international levels; and,
• Experience in liaising with relevant support Units.

Skills

• Good database management skills;
• Ability to work in dynamic, fast paced environment;
• Good writing skills in French and English required;
• Good knowledge of human and financial resources management; and,
• Strong communication, organizational and interpersonal relationship skills.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish. All staff members are required to be fluent in one of the three languages.

For this position, fluency in English and French is required (oral and written).

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.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 background verification 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.