Project Officer (Livelihoods)

Position Title : Project Officer (Livelihoods)

Duty Station : Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh

Classification : Professional Staff, Grade P2

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

Estimated Start Date : As soon as possible

Closing Date : 08 December 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; 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:

Cox’s Bazar district, which ranked amongst the poorest districts of Bangladesh and was lagging behind most national socio-economic indicator averages, has been significantly affected by the massive influx of Rohingya refugees. Hence, the joint humanitarian response does not focus only on provision of life-saving assistance and protection to Rohingya displaced people, but it also includes part of the host community to foster social cohesion and enhance resilience.

In order to strengthen self-reliance, disaster risk management, maintain social cohesion and reduce risks and vulnerabilities, it is crucial to address essential development needs of the district’s population and strengthen the coherence, complementarity and synergies between humanitarian and development efforts.

It is also important to support all residents of Cox’s Bazar to not only transition smoothly from the humanitarian phase to the post crisis era but also to seize the opportunity to accelerate development, access to quality services, restore natural resources and decent livelihood opportunities.

Against this backdrop, and in line with the priorities outlined in the 2020 Joint Response to the Rohingya crisis in Bangladesh, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) continues to maintain a dual strategy; first, ensuring the basic needs of the Rohingya refugees to be effectively addressed and secondly, promoting initiatives that foster social cohesion in order to mitigate the effects of the presence of the displaced people on the host communities.

Under the overall supervision of the Transition and Recovery Coordinator, and the direct supervision of the Project Manager (Social Cohesion), the successful candidate will be accountable and responsible for assisting with and contributing to the design, planning, implementation monitoring and evaluation of projects related to livelihood and economic development in IOM targeted areas of intervention.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Assist in the coordination with relevant actors, including sector leads and technical working groups.

2. Support monitoring implementation of activities against results matrix, procurement and budget expenditure plans and discuss findings with the supervisor to address any associated risks to minimize gaps and maximize effective utilization of project resources.

3. Contribute to the development of transition and recovery livelihood related projects by linking up with existing emergency operations and through close collaboration with other units of mission, national and local authorities, entrepreneurship and relevant authorities.

4. Coordinate community consultations to prioritize Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) with community leaders and relevant stakeholders, and recommend implementation strategies that are inclusive, participatory and promote local ownership.

5. Identify appropriate cash-for-work initiatives based on need for short term employment opportunities on most highly impacted communities including women and youth.

6. Through innovative ways (use of E-commerce platforms, community Information Technology (IT)-Integration services etc.) promote alternative livelihoods.

7. Support the process of knowledge creation and dissemination to publicize and inform stakeholders, donors, etc. on IOM’s activities contributing to social cohesion and peaceful coexistence in the camps and in host communities.

8. Support the Project Manager by providing timely information and insight, to maintain strong partnerships and timely liaison with government, non-government, private sector, international development organizations, the United Nations (UN) System and donors.

9. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Social Sciences, Environment and Sustainability, Communication, Economics or related fields 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

• Relevant experience in managing community response projects (livelihoods, social rehabilitation, community development, employment generation, youth entrepreneurship);

• Experience and familiarity with UN system;

• Experience and knowledge of the region is an advantage.

Skills

• Demonstrated ability to supervise and manage staff at an operational level in humanitarian emergencies.

• Excellent knowledge of the IOM project management cycle.

• Good knowledge of UN and bilateral donor programming.

• Ability to write and speak clearly and concisely in English.

• Strong computer skills.

• 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 any local language, 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 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.