Community Engagement Officer (P2) Nouakchott, Mauritania

Position Title: Community Engagement Officer

Duty Station: Nouakchott, Mauritania

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: 25 January 2024

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; Barbados; Botswana; Cabo Verde; Comoros; Congo (the); Cook Islands; Dominica; Fiji; Grenada; Guinea-Bissau; Holy See; Iceland; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the); Madagascar; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Tonga; Tuvalu; Uzbekistan; Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:

All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states.

Context:

The International Organization for Migration (IOM), the UN Migration Agency, is the leading UN agency in the field of migration and 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 to migrants and advice to governments, including in the development of coherent and rights-based migration policies and mainstreaming migration into the development agenda.

IOM has been present in Mauritania since 2006 and has been supporting migration governance, migrant protection and community stabilization and resilience building programmes in country while reinforcing regional and international cooperation on migration.

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission (CoM) and the direct supervision of the Project Manager (Migration Governance), the Community Engagement Officer will be accountable and responsible for the coordination and implementation of the IOM Mauritania’s awareness raising, community engagement and communication with community-level activities and the dissemination of accurate information on migration to migrants, potential migrants and communities through comprehensive community engagement and capacity building of staff and local actors. Mauritania being a country of transit and destination for many migrants, with recently noted increased departures of Mauritanian youths to countries such as the United States and European countries, significant attention within these activities will be placed on labour migration, migrant rights and inclusion, irregular migration and regular pathways. Community-level activities will focus as well on social cohesion and dissemination of opportunities for the inclusion of migrants in Mauritanian national programs.

Furthermore, the Community Engagement Officer will be responsible for contributing with technical inputs to project development and implementation, coordination, institutional and donor liaison, as well as project reporting in close collaboration with the Project Manager. Travel to the field for implementation, training, monitoring and evaluation of activities may be required.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Ensure the effective and efficient coordination and implementation of Community Engagement activities, including Awareness Raising and Community Dialogue, for relevant projects, including field assessments, reporting and monitoring and evaluation according to the work plans, project deliverables and budgets, and project benchmarks, implementation strategies, IOM impact evaluation guidelines, technical requirements, and expenditure plans to facilitate timely achievement of project activities and results, in line with IOM’s policies and practices as well as donor requirements.
2. In close coordination with the IOM Mauritania’s Programme Support Unit, the Regional Office for West and Central Africa (Dakar) and Headquarters (HQs), Public Information Unit, and other units as relevant, facilitate the development of activities in targeted locations to inform migrants, refugees, and host communities on migrant rights and inclusion, employment and learning opportunities, irregular migration and regular pathways among other topics.
3. Build the capacity of local actors, relevant project partners as well as IOM colleagues on Communication for Development (C4D), Social Behaviour Change (SBC) and community dialogue by providing training and supporting the creation of training materials.
4. Coordinate and facilitate the effective monitoring of relevant outreach and information activities in target communities, building upon a network of local partners from International Non-Governmental Organisation (NGOs), academia and community leaders, and supporting and encouraging two-way communications and allow for real-time feedback to measure impact of activities.
5. Coordinate and make logistical and administrative arrangements for activities, document gaps/challenges, and propose action to expedite the delivery of outputs.
6. Draft documents/internal reports and brief senior management on related topics, including the development of reports, presentations, talking points, and briefings/updates concerning project activities and other pertinent information as may be requested by the Government, donor(s) and other entities.
7. Provide support in liaising with relevant partners and stakeholders including donors, Governments, UN agencies, communities, among others and participate in meetings on related subjects as required.
8. Supervise a small team by following up on performance and other issues related to HR management, and by providing technical support and guidance to national positions and/or consultants.
9. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Social Science, International Relations, Migration Studies, Communication Studies, Journalism, Communication for Development 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

• International experience in developing and/or implementing community engagement strategies, action plans and performance monitoring frameworks, preferably in the field of migration;
• Experience in implementing participative campaigns with an innovative approach, preferably on the area of migration and youth;
• Experience in training or capacity enhancement activities;
• Experience in project development, management, implementation and/or reporting;
• Previous working experience with INGOs or international organizations is desirable;
• Previous related experience in the West African countries or knowledge of the Mauritania context and/or that of West and Central Africa is an asset;
• Work experience with Government authorities in the thematic area of migration and migrant inclusion and community engagement;
• Experience in liaising with governmental authorities, UN agencies and other national/international development partners and civil society; and,
• Experience in supervising and guiding small to medium size teams.

Skills

• Knowledge of the broad range of migration related subject areas dealt with by the Organization;
• Ability to manage project assistants and works effectively with authorities, stakeholders, beneficiaries, to advance IOM’s objectives;
• Proven capacity in project management and the implementation of programmes in migration;
• Knowledge of preparing project proposals, monitoring and evaluation, and report writing;
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to work in difficult areas/ situations and drive for results;
• Strong analytical and writing skills;
• Understanding of awareness raising interventions and familiarity with Communication for Development (C4D), community dialogue, community engagement and social behaviour change approaches and techniques;
• Strong understanding of digital technology and emerging communications channels including social media platforms, interactive voice response (IVR) and messaging apps; and,
• Good level of computer literacy, including database applications.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish. All staff members are required to be fluent in one of the three languages.

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

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
• 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.
• Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
• Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

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 actions 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 leadership and professional potential.
• Empowering others: Creates an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
• Building Trust: Promotes shared values and creates an atmosphere of trust and honesty.
• Strategic thinking and vision: Works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.
• Humility: Leads with humility and shows openness to acknowledging own shortcomings.

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link.

https://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/about-iom/iom_revised_competency_framework_external.p df

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. 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 background verification 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.