Project Officer (IBM)

Position Title: Project Officer (IBM)

Duty Station: Multiple Duty Stations

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P2

Type of Appointment: Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 24 February 2021

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; Botswana; Cabo Verde; Comoros; Cook Islands; Cuba; Fiji; Gabon; Guinea-Bissau; Guyana; Holy See; Iceland; Kingdom of Eswatini; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the); Latvia; Luxembourg; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Montenegro; 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:

In Benin and Togo, like most of West Africa, borders cut across contiguous communities and given the regional integration agenda, and historical trading and migratory routes, countries in the region have adopted a “soft-touch” approach to border management—trying to ensure social cohesion between border communities while also ensuring border security. This context comes with inherent challenges, including the existence of numerous non-designated crossing points between cross-border communities and a lack of adherence to immigration regulations. Additionally, the increasing sophistication of transnational organized crime, the rise of violent extremism in the Sahel region; and the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic have raised new challenges to border management agencies (BMAs), especially in terms of regulating the entry and exit of persons and strengthening the resilience of border communities to extremist ideologies; responding to humanitarian crisis; and the screening and referral of persons that might be of public health concern.

To respond these challenges the IOM Benin and Togo missions will be part of a regional approach focused on reinforcing the border management structure at land border and in engaging border communities and other stakeholders in enhancing dialogue to contribute to better safety and stability.

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission of IOM Ghana (resident), Togo and Benin and under the direct supervision of the Senior Program Manager (IBM) and administrative supervision of the Head of Office (HoO), in close coordination with the Immigration and Border Management (IBM) Regional Thematic Specialist (RTS) in the Regional Office for West and Central Africa, the successful candidate will be responsible for the implementation of the IBM projects which will contribute to strengthening the capacity of border management agencies and reinforcing the resilience of border communities to respond to emerging challenges at the border areas.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Support the Senior Program Manager in the implementation of IBM projects in the assignment country including border community engagement, capacity building of border management stakeholders, and infrastructural development of the network of existing border posts, in close coordination with IOM Ghana.

2. Monitor the programme’s budgetary, administrative, procurement and technical aspects in line with IOM policies and procedures and donor requirements and bring conclusions, deficiencies and gaps to the attention of the supervisor along with recommended actions.

3. Support the Senior Program Manager in the design and implementation of contextualized capacity building activities in migration and border management, targeting relevant project stakeholders, institutions, communities, as well as project staff.

4. Supervise the support staff assigned to the project, and monitor the work of consultants/ implementing partners (IPs) recruited to support and/or undertake specific activities.

5. Support and work to strengthen coordination efforts with government entities, embassies, implementing partners, UN agencies, and other stakeholders involved in carrying out IBM activities in the country.

6. Draft project progress and implementation reports, propose and implement action to expedite project delivery, and identify and document significant project events, decisions, problems or deviations.

7. Facilitate adequate information management on project related activities including visibility; regular updates, summaries, press releases and other relevant materials, in coordination with IOM’s Communication team.

8. Contribute to the development of new IBM projects by supporting the development of concept notes and drafting of project proposals.

9. Participate in relevant meetings, conferences, workshops, working groups, interagency coordination meetings, and other forums on immigration and border management.

10. Undertake duty travel relating to project implementation, monitoring visits, project assessments, liaison with counterparts, etc.

11. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Political or Social Sciences, International Relations, 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 project development, management, monitoring and evaluation;

• Experience in the field of migration and border management;

• Experience in liaising with governmental authorities, national/international institutions, United Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations;

• Experience in the field of capacity building with a Government or UN agency, or a regional or international organization;

• Previous experience of working on border management projects is required; and,

• Prior work experience with international humanitarian organizations, non-government or government institutions/organization in a multi-cultural setting is an advantage.

Skills

• Knowledge of the WCA region and regional security realities is required.

Languages

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

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

Duty Stations will be Cotonou, Benin and Lomé, Togo

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 endorsed by the Appointments and Postings Board 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.

Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.