Programme Manager (MHPSS) at International Organization for Migration - IOM

Context

• Since the beginning of 2014, north-east Nigeria has witnessed an increase in violence perpetrated by non-State armed groups (NSAGs), causing a major humanitarian crisis.
• The intensification of attacks has resulted in prolonged insecurity, exacerbating the plight of vulnerable civilians, and triggering waves of forced displacement as well as the violation of human rights.
• The COVID-19 pandemic has further aggravated the already dire living conditions and the number of people in need of humanitarian assistance in north-east Nigeria rose from 7.9 million at the beginning of 2020 to 8.4 million in 2022. According to IOM’s Displacement
• Tracking Matrix (DTM) Round 40, dated March 2022, the total number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) has increased to nearly 2.2 million. For those displaced and affected by the crisis, the situation on the ground remains critical as the majority of them still heavily rely on humanitarian assistance.
• These populations face grave protection risks and abuse such as exploitation, family separation, restrictions on freedom of movement and violence, including gender-based violence and have experienced multiple trauma.
• In the current context of insecurity and displacement, a generalized climate of anxiety and mistrust can be observed, which has an impact both on people's mental health and on resilience capacities at the community level.
• There are emotional and relational changes within the population and the following effects of individual stress and breach of the social fabric in conflict zones are noticeable: fear, distrust, and reduction of social interactions.
• Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission (CoM) and the direct supervision of the
• Head of Sub Office & Emergency Coordinator, the direct technical supervision of the Head,
• Mental Health Psychosocial Response and Intercultural Communication Section, as well as the protection Focal Points in HQ and RO, the successful candidate will be responsible for managing the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), Protection and Prevention of
• Counter-Trafficking portfolio as part of IOM’s humanitarian response in north-east and Central
• Nigeria, in line with the IASC Guidelines on MHPSS in Emergency Settings and the IOM Manual on CB MHPSS in Emergency and Displacement.

Core Functions / Responsibilities

• Manage the overall implementation of the programme in a timely manner.
• Supervise and monitor technically and administratively the programme team (Mobile Teams,
• Project Officers, Project Assistants, National coordinators and consultants).
• Provide technical guidance and oversight to the activities of the IOM programme and of local non-government organizations (NGOs) supported by the programme, including the implementation of needs assessments, intervention protocols, direct assistance provisions and education, in strict adherence to the project scope and activities as set forth in the approved project proposals, and IOM Manual on CB MHPSS in Emergency and Displacement.
• Coordinate the promotion of human rights and protection principles and standards or policies ensuring that all internal units, sectors and WG fulfil their responsibilities in mainstreaming protection.
• Coordinate the implementation and monitoring of IOM programmes and activities ensuring that identified protection needs, including an Age, Gender, and Diversity (AGD) approach, are adequately addressed.
• Ensure the proper coordination of working groups under IOM’s MHPSS and Protection programme is in place (MHPSS working group, and others as per project scope.
• Oversee and organize the implementation of capacity building activities of staff, mobile teams, humanitarian actors, government officials and NGOs’ personnel. Liaise with academic national and international partners, when needed, including security forces.
• Develop curricula for the above, as well as tools to monitor the quality of the interventions including MHPSS/Protection strategy for the Northeast Nigeria
• Ensure and facilitate close coordination and liaison with all governmental and non-governmental counterparts. In particular:
  • Liaise with national authorities and professionals, including Ministry of Social Affairs, Ministry Women Affairs, Ministry of Health (MoH) and Academic institutions, both at Central and Borno, Adamawa, Kaduna, Nasarawa and Plateau state level;
  • Ensure IOM Nigeria CO’s participation and representation in Mental Health of Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) working group, Protection Sector, GBV subsector, Child protection subsector, Preventing Counter Trafficking Task Force, and other relevant protection related coordination meetings.
  • Administratively supervise and coordinate with the IOM Chair of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC)-Government of Nigeria (GoN) MHPSS Coordination group.
  • Work closely with the Ministry of Public Health in Nigeria to share relevant data also to ensure country’s ownership and an exit strategy.
• Respond to information requests and coordinate the development of further project proposals based on emerging and identified needs in the psychosocial and protection domain in Nigeria, within and beyond the emergency response as well as durable solutions.
• Facilitate, in strict coordination with the Global MHPSS Section, Protection Section at IOM Headquarters (HQs) and RO, the largescale information sharing and publication of all the projects in the unit.
• Ensure proper documentation of every activity of the project including regular reporting to the donor as required in the donor agreement.
• Ensure donors visibility including focus on funding and budgetary aspects of the programme.
• Ensure the integration of cross-cutting issues related to the gender, children, and other vulnerable groups, are considered and mainstreamed in the programme.
• Undertake frequent duty travel to hardship areas.
• Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience
Education:

• Master's Degree in Psychology, Social, Anthropology Work or a related field from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience; or
• University Degree in the above fields with seven years of relevant professional experience.

Experience:

• Experience in designing, managing psychosocial, protection and prevention of counter-trafficking support programmes in an emergency situation and transition and recovery contexts;
• Experience in providing psychosocial support in an emergency situation as well as in mainstreaming psychosocial approach into the response to vulnerable populations;
• Experience in a complex humanitarian emergency or post-conflict environment.
• Experience in facilitating training and developing curricula;
• Experience in coordination, community-based approaches that are customized to address a range of vulnerabilities across diverse groups to prevent main risk factors such as human trafficking;
• Experience in clinical supervision of mental health professionals and social workers is an asset;
• Participation in IOM corporate programme in Psychosocial Interventions in Emergency and displacement will be considered an asset; and,
• Experience of working in the field and familiarity with the region will be advantages.

Skills:

• Proficient in MS Office applications and basic knowledge of SPSS;
• Knowledge of Protection principles and IOM policies and procedures;
• Knowledge of data-driven approaches that guide collective action across local agencies and institutions and the priorities of the response in the programme;
• Commitment to help persons of concern and willingness to cooperate with counterparts;
• Good analytical skills; and,
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills in a multi-cultural setting.

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 (French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian or Chinese).
• For all applicants, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of Arabic is an advantage.
• The proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

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.

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. 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.