Project Officer (AVUMED II) At International Organization for Migration

Position Title: Project Officer (AVUMED II)

Duty Station: Dakar, Senegal

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: 01 February 2023

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; Aruba (Netherlands); Botswana; Cabo Verde; Comoros; Congo (the); Cook Islands; Curaçao; Fiji; Grenada; Guinea-Bissau; Holy See; Iceland; Kingdom of Eswatini; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the); Madagascar; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); 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:

Movements in West and Central Africa (WCA) are complex and perilous. The WCA region has experienced a variety of migration flows caused by population pressure, poverty, poor economic performances and endemic conflicts. Despite the myriad of challenges and risks faced by irregular migrants from WCA, irregular migration remains commonplace. Large numbers of West and Central Africans without the option of migrating regularly have no alternative than interacting with smuggling networks, which significantly increases migrants’ vulnerability to violence, exploitation and abuse.

Against this background, between June 2020 and September 2022, IOM Dakar has implemented two French funded projects: the RDAF Bis project (Regional Direct Assistance Fund for Vulnerable Cases no covered by the European Union’s Emergency Trust Fund) and the AVUMED project (Assistance to Vulnerable Migrants Stranded on the Central Mediterranean Route). RDAF Bis and AVUMED provided a timely tool to address urgent and unforeseen protection assistance needs to stranded migrants, for whom support was not available from any alternative sources or programmes, while also allowing to strengthen Protection staff and partners’ capacities. In addition, AVUMED project rolled out data collection systems on possible cases of trafficking and missing migrants in Mali and Niger, and enhanced promotion of good health and disease prevention in migrant centres in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.

The next phase of AVUMED (AVUMED II) is funded by Spain and seeks to ensure continuation of these activities to contribute to reducing the vulnerability of stranded migrants on West and Central African migration routes. This will be achieved by:

• Coordinating a new regional fund to support stranded migrants in the region;
• Sharing institutional resources on Protection to strengthen IOM staff’s capacities;
• Promoting the inclusion of migrants in national health policies and programmes through a mapping of health policies and developing strategic plans in ten target countries of the region; – Bolstering the evidence base on mobility along the Central Mediterranean Route (CMR) by collecting additional data on trafficking and missing migrants in Mali and Chad.

AVUMED II is complementary to the “Regional Action for Multisectoral Migrant Protection” (RAMMP) project, notably on internal and external Protection-related capacity building. RAMMP will indeed enable to assess Counter-Trafficking (CT) needs in WCA, to map protection services to migrants in Benin, Gabon and Togo, to develop standard SOPs on case management and provide trainings on protection mainstreaming across IOM interventions. Both projects are coordinated by the RO.

Under the overall supervision of the Senior Regional Policy and Liaison Officer (RPLO) at the Regional Office (RO) for West and Central Africa and direct supervision of the Senior Regional Protection Specialist (RTS PXD); in collaboration with relevant units at Headquarters, Regional Office and the Country Offices in West and Central Africa; and in close coordination with the Regional Programme Officer (Protection (PXD)), the Project Officer (AVUMED II) will be responsible and accountable for the coordination and effective implementation of AVUMED II.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Coordinate, supervise and monitor all budgetary, administrative, and technical aspects related to AVUMED II project, checking that they are in line with IOM’s policies and procedures, in close coordination with the Protection (PXD), Regional Data Hub (RDH) and the Migration Health Division (MDH) units and involved Country Offices (COs).
2. Coordinate the regional direct assistance fund and country office requests to use it in close coordination with the Regional Programme Officer (Protection (PXD)).
3. Provide regular guidance on Protection standards and institutional guidelines (including, but not limited to, IN 198, IN 208 and IN 236) to case managers in the region, with a focus on AVUMED II cases, to facilitate adequate identification, needs assessment and assistance provision to beneficiaries.
4. Coordinate the organization of a regional Protection Retreat for protection staff in the region, in close coordination with the PXD RTS and the Regional Programme Officer (Protection (PXD)).
5. Provide technical and administrative support in identifying problems/gaps and propose timely practical actions to respond to particular protection problems in close coordination with the PXD RTS and the Regional Programme Officer (Protection (PXD)).
6. Support knowledge management on the PXD portfolio and facilitate exchanges between

Country Offices, including through a regular monitoring of existing online platforms (MS Teams, etc.).

1. With the support of the Protection Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Officer, contribute to the development of a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) plan, tools and data collection methods for AVUMED II and RAMMP projects.
2. In close coordination with the Protection M&E Officer, compile and analyze programmatic information and data on specific project topics as per internal and external (partners, donors) requests.
3. Regularly monitor budget implementation for AVUMED II and propose adjustments as necessary, with the support of the M&E Officer and in close coordination with PXD, RDH and MDH units.
4. Facilitate timely narrative and financial reporting of AVUMED II project.
5. Undertake duty travel as required.
6. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in International Law, Development Studies, Political Science, International Relations, Social 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 protection of migrants and/or displaced persons including child protection,counter-trafficking, return and reintegration, as well as direct assistance to or interactions with vulnerable groups (at least two years);
• Experience in project management or implementation, preferably in migration;
• Knowledge of Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) and experience in developing M&E toolspreferred;
• Experience in Project Cycle Management (PCM) and Results Based Management (RBM);
• Experience in supporting teams remotely an advantage;
• Experience working with specialized international agencies and Protection Partners (UN Agencies, International Organizations, and International NGOs) an advantage;
• Experience in regional coordination between different stakeholders is an asset; and,
• Experience in liaising with governmental authorities, donors, academia, other national/international institutions, and NGOs is an asset.

Skills

• Sound knowledge and understanding of the importance of protection mainstreaming across other migration issues, including but not limited to health and labour migration;
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills as well as strong strategic and creative thinking;
• Efficiency, flexibility, high level of professionalism and ability to work under pressure and adhere to strict deadlines;
• Ability to work effectively and harmoniously with colleagues from varied cultures and professional backgrounds;
• Ability to coordinate administrative matters;
• Excellent drafting skills in English and French; and,
• Good command of information technology tools (including applications for team collaboration such as Microsoft Teams).

Languages

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

External applicants for all positions in the Professional category are required to be proficient in English and have at least a working knowledge of one additional UN Language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish).

For all applicants, 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 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 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 and who do not have prior experience outside the duty station’s country as staff member in the Professional category 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. 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.