Programme Officer (Knowledge Management and Research)

Position Title : Programme Officer (Knowledge Management and Research)

Duty Station : IOM Somalia in Nairobi*, Kenya

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 September 2020

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; Djibouti; Fiji; Gabon; Grenada; 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:

Since the formation of the Federal Government of Somalia, the country has made significant progress towards restoring peace and security. However, significant destabilizing factors remain. These include, most notably, the persistent threat of violent extremist group al-Shabaab, particularly in rural areas; recurrent and unresolved clan, land, and resource-based conflicts; weak and nascent institutions; and the internal displacement of more than 2 million individuals.

While the transition, recovery, and development needs of Somalia, after almost 3 decades of civic conflict and violent extremism remain a long term, if not generational process, such progress will be unachievable in the absence of solid foundations for peace and security, particularly at community levels. Currently, several regions remain at risk of deteriorating into clan-based conflict and falling under the occupation of violent extremist groups, in the absence of consolidated, strategic support for stability.

Since 2016, IOM has been supporting the government to lead, and for communities to drive transition and recovery processes in areas impacted by displacement, conflict and violent extremism. These programmes, which are implemented through the Recovery and Durable Solutions (RDS) Unit, is intended to promote stability in fragile and displacement affected areas of Somalia as well as the attainment of durable solutions to internal displacement.

Under the direct supervision and management of the Programme Coordinator and in coordination with the Programme Manager of the Recovery and Durable Solutions (RDS) unit, under the overall supervision of the Deputy Chief of Mission, the successful candidate will be responsible for coordinating the activities of the unit’s core knowledge management pillars. In particular, the Programme Officer (Knowledge Management and Research) will be responsible for consolidating the RDS Unit’s research, communications, and Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) tools and implementing the unit’s Community Stabilization and Durable Solutions research and communications strategy.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Coordinate research and analysis in support of RDS Community Stabilization and Durable Solutions programming with the aim of identifying similarities, patterns, trends, ‘problem clusters’, and gaps and to feed into strengthening and adapting RDS programming, particularly in connection to M&E and lessons learned. Activities: Qualitative and quantitative analysis, case studies, and contracting third party research (including socio-economic, political, security and environmental factors that drive risk and vulnerability).

2. Collate information into new knowledge products in support of strategic priorities, for passing on lessons learned as part of the RDS adaptive management approach, and to provide objective and evidence-based interpretations of data with pragmatic recommendations. Activities: Contribute to the design and production of topic guides, training modules, working papers, research reports, and data visualization media.

3. Contribute to the development of program strategies (with particular attention to the interconnections between community stabilization and durable solutions, and methods for leveraging other IOM units to deliver in hard-to-reach areas) in order to help generate new programmatic opportunities for the RDS Unit and the IOM Somalia Mission. Activities: participate in discussions with key partners, donors, and communities of practice; hold workshops with stakeholders; engage with the broader Durable Solutions and Stabilization community of actors.

4. Liaise with the Durable Solutions/Community Stabilization (DS/CS) program teams and Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Officer and with the Program Support Unit to support programmatic reporting. Activities: work with program staff to capture project achievements and challenges for reporting.

5. Draft or compile regular, high quality unit updates, social media content, sitreps, external reports, factsheets, case studies, briefs and success stories as required, which are appropriate to target audiences, in accordance to donor compliance. Facilitate timely dissemination of products in close coordination with programme manager and M&E team.

6. Contribute to the development of a visibility/communications plan and products for dissemination that increases IOM RDS visibility. Activities: Produce short video documentaries, photo products etc. and draft press notes with accompanying photographs of RDS programme activities.

7. Provide technical guidance on data gathering and interpretation methodologies to support data management activities. Activities: contribute to the development of surveys, secondary data reviews, indicator definition, profiling, Geographic Information System (GIS), data visualization, maps.

8. Provide technical M&E support to help improve monitoring and evaluation during implementation and during the design phase of new projects by recommending enhancements to M&E tools that promote quality assurance.

9. Undertake regular duty travel to Mogadishu office and the field to support monitoring, donor visits, capacity building to national counterparts, and visibility efforts as needed.

10. Perform any other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in International Development, Peace and Conflict Studies, International Relations, Community Development, Monitoring and Evaluation 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 working in international organizations, humanitarian community and familiarity with the community stabilization and durable solutions programming; familiarity with UN system is an asset;

• Experience in project support, reporting, strategic communications and M&E and research;

• Experience in writing technical requirements documents, planning specifications to technical briefs for data capture/ analysis;

• Working experience in Somalia is an asset;

• Working experience with Adobe Could (particularly, InDesign, Illustrator, PhotoShop), producing quality graphic design outputs and with GIS software.

Skills

• In depth knowledge of the broad range of migration related subject areas dealt with by the Organization; and

• Knowledge of UN and bilateral donor programming.

Languages

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

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of Somali, French and/or Spanish 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

1

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…

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.