Project Officer (Protection) at International Organization for Migration - IOM

Requisition: SVN 2021 22
Location: Maiduguri, Borno
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

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 nu ber of people in need of humanitarian assistance in north-east Nigeria rose from 7.9 million at the beginning of 2020 to 10.6 million. According to IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) Round 33, dated August 2020, the total number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) has increased to over 2.1 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 (GBV). Vulnerabilities are exacerbated by pre-existing and emergency induced problems faced by the affected population, in particular for the more vulnerable sub-groups.
• Globally, IOM’s operations are mandated to safeguard the dignity and well-being of all crisis-affected persons, especially women and girls, and aims to ensure that their equitable access to services is prioritized, integrated and coordinated across all IOM crisis operations.
• Furthermore, IOM’s protection interventions are designed to reduce vulnerabilities, including to GBV, by building the capacity of field practitioners to identify, prevent and mitigate risks; and enhancing operational collaboration between IOM sectors, GBV and other specialized Protection actors.
• Embedded in its broader approach to protection, IOM’s work on GBV is guided by the Institutional Framework for Addressing GBV in Crises (GBViC Framework).
• As part of its protection response, IOM’s Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) unit is implementing the project “Strengthening Response Mechanisms and Accountability to Gender-Based Violence in North-East Nigeria” in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe State, and seeking a Protection Officer for its implementation, including capacity building.
• Under the overall supervision of the Head of Sub-Office in Maiduguri (Emergency Response) and the direct supervision of the MHPSS Programme Manager, the successful candidate will undertake the following responsibilities.

Core Functions / Responsibilities

• Ensure the overall implementation of the programme in a timely manner, ensuring strict adherence to project scope and activities as set forth in the approved project proposal.
• Supervise and technically guide the programme team (Project Assistant, Senior Project Assistant and consultants).
• Monitor activities conducted by local non-government organizations (NGOs) funded by the project, including the implementation of needs assessments, intervention protocols, and direct assistance provisions.
• Liaise and coordinate with relevant stakeholders such as government actors, UN agencies, NGOs and civil society in relation to the project activities, including participating in relevant Protection sector, GBV, Child protection working group meetings.
• Contribute with other members of the MHPSS / Protection Unit to capacity building on protection, such as facilitating trainings for project staff, partners (police and civil defense corps), and other humanitarian actors, government officials and other implementing partners personnel, as well as liaising with national and international academic partners, when needed and assisting with developing tools to monitor the quality of the training.
• Provide technical guidance to the MHPSS team and programme manager to monitor the quality of the overall GBV Nigeria’s response activities, checking that they are in line with internal and global standards.
• Act as a protection focal point for the Emergency Unit, including provide technical guidance in developing project proposals and contribute to mainstreaming protection across all IOM crisis response interventions in line with IOM’s internal guidance.
• Support the dissemination of Protection mainstreaming, including GBV, documents among all IOM’s programme staff including tip sheets, guidance notes, communication / awareness tools, protection checklists for specific measures in different Sectors, good practices, and more.
• Support the MHPSS / Protection Unit with protection and GBV related activities / approaches based on engagement with IOM’s multi-sector programme staff and identify challenges where targeted support is required.
• In close coordination with the Programme Manager, provide inputs for the development of key guidance notes and tools on Protection as necessary, and share challenges and good practice with other Units in the mission to help enhance inter-sectorial interventions.
• Encourage the integration of cross-cutting issues such as gender, children, disability, and other vulnerable groups so they are considered across IOM programmes.
• Undertake frequent duty travel to very challenging areas.
• Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience
Education:

• Master's degree in Psychology, Social Sciences, International Relations, Human Rights Law 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 / GBV in emergencies and familiarity with related coordination mechanisms;
• Experience with providing technical guidance and conducting capacity building on protection / GBV principles and approaches for various stakeholders (including non-Protection / GBV specialized staff, partners (e.g., national authorities, implementing partners, etc.);
• Experience in project management and coordination;
• Participation in IOM corporate training in MHPSS an asset.

Skills:

• Ability to formulate relevant programmatic inputs;
• Ability to work quickly and accurately and pay attention to detail;
• Willingness to assist efficiently in a very busy project environment;
• Excellent writing skills with the ability to analyses complex problems and identify and convey clear, rapid solutions;
• Effective resource management skills;
• Strong general analytical 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 French and 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.

NB: 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.