Regional Community Stabilization Officer

Position Title: Regional Community Stabilization Officer

Duty Station: Dakar, Senegal

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: 15 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:

IOM with support from the European Union (EU), under the “Joint Initiative for Migrant Protection and Reintegration”, has developed targeted interventions in 13 countries (Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal and The Gambia) to protect the security, dignity and rights of migrants along this important and dangerous migration route to help in improving the reintegration of returnees through an innovative approach. As part of the Joint Initiative, community stabilization activities have been prioritized in regions of Burkina Faso and of Niger demonstrating nascent or overt intra-communal tensions. Community stabilization interventions in these areas will seek to assist local authorities and communities, including migrant and internally displaced populations, in Niger and Burkina Faso in order to (re)establish stability and security, prevent further forced migration, restore trust among community members, vulnerable populations and local authorities, laying the foundations for durable solutions, lasting peace and sustainable development.

Under the overall supervision of the Regional Director for West and Central Africa and the direct supervision of the Senior Regional Thematic Specialist for Emergency and Post-Crisis for West and Central Africa, and in close coordination with the Regional Coordination Unit of the IOM-EU Joint Initiative for Migrant Protection and Reintegration, the successful candidate will monitor and support the implementation of community stabilization programming.

S/he will work as a focal point for the coordination and implementation of cross-border community stabilization interventions in West and Central Africa (WCA), checking on and providing technical guidance for regional coherence in methodology, implementation approach and reporting. S/he will provide technical guidance to IOM country offices (CO) on the application of community stabilization principles and provide recommendations to enhance regional coherence. S/he will also be responsible for collecting, collating and disseminating lessons learned from cross-border community stabilization programming to country offices, regional counterparts as well as IOM’s community stabilization Community of Practice.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. In close coordination with the Regional Department of Operations and Emergencies (DOE) team, provide technical support to country offices in their application of IOM community stabilization guidance and methodologies.

2. In coordination with the Regional DOE team, work with IOM Country Offices to facilitate regional coherence in implementation of cross-border community stabilization and peacebuilding initiatives.

3. Support IOM CO to facilitate high-level quality of deliverables by providing technical guidance and remote monitoring support of compliance to programme partners, technical advisers, programme staff, surge personnel, implementing partners and service providers, as needed.

4. Monitor operational, administrative and budgetary aspects of the Joint Initiative cross-border community stabilization programming. Monitor progress against projected expenditure forecasts and implementation plans, including collecting regular updates of implementation in the areas of intervention, drafting regular reports to the Sr. Regional Thematic Specialist on Emergency and Post-Crisis to identify remedial action to propose to CO where challenges are encountered.

5. In close coordination with the Regional DOE team, work with IOM CO to gather and disseminate lessons learned in community stabilization programming, with specific attention to cross-border programming, and programming in areas of high instability. Share lessons learned more broadly within IOM’s community stabilization Community of Practice and with the Regional Coordination Unit of the Joint Initiative, highlighting replicable practices.

6. Assist the Sr. Regional Thematic Specialist on Emergency and Post-Crisis with the analysis of crisis situations, coordination, prioritization and operational planning, and recommend areas of intervention to the Regional DOE team, Regional Coordination Unit of the IOM-EU Joint Initiative, and to CO.

7. Review regional reporting on cross-border stabilization programming, checking on required revisions and harmonization of the monthly and interim reporting for timely submission to the Regional Coordination Unit of the Joint Initiative. Check if outcome-level accomplishments are captured and contextualized, and that lessons learned, and challenges are well monitored, and bring issues or gaps to the attention of the supervisor, or the relevant CO as appropriate.

8. In close coordination with COs, compile and generate a yearly report on community stabilization under the Joint Initiative.

9. Support the Regional DOE team in providing capacity building, training and general support to Country Offices (COs) implementing cross-border community stabilization programming in the region. Participate in the Regional DOE team’s capacity building of IOM staff on community stabilization, social cohesion and peacebuilding.

10. Contribute to the development, review and implementation of complementary regional projects and multi-country programmes and projects focusing on community stabilization, social cohesion, resilience and peacebuilding.

11. As requested by CO and the Regional Coordination Unit of the Joint Initiative, provide technical inputs to support the Regional DOE Team’s liaison with the EU and EU Member States representing cross-border synergies on community stabilization programming.

12. As requested by the Sr. Regional Thematic Specialist on Emergency and Post-Crisis, participate in relevant regional working group meetings, related fora, and other stabilization-related events (meetings, presentations, discussions, visits, negotiations etc.).

13. Undertake frequent travel to countries, with the aim of providing information and support, project/programme monitoring and reporting, liaison with counterparts, and project implementation.

14. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Political or Social Science, International Relations, Peace and Conflict Studies 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 community stabilization, reintegration and capacity building related activities in a developing country and post-conflict context;

• Experience in programme management, preferably in migration and/or other displacement situations;

• Experience in project formulation and implementation at national and international levels;

• Experience in liaising with governmental authorities, and with other national and international institutions;

• Experience in emergency setting with strong knowledge of IOM/UN project life cycles;

• Strong combination of training and experience in the field of operations, and solid working experience in complex environments;

• Broad field experience in the areas of Shelter and non-food items (NFIs), water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and logistics;

• Experience of working in conflict situations and heading field offices or sub-offices is a distinct advantage.

Skills

• Familiarity with the region is an asset;

• Familiarity with IOM/UN administrative and financial management.

Languages

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

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

Previous applicants do not need to re-apply.

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.

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.

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.