National Program Officer-PVE

Context/Reporting line:

IOM Iraq’s PVE program aims at analyzing and addressing underlying drivers, motivations and vulnerabilities to violent extremism that may arise in context of marginalization, exclusion, human rights violations, social isolation, exposure to radical ideologies, and lack of livelihood opportunities. To address these factors, IOM relies on its institutional strengths as building blocks for its efforts to address local conditions that are conducive to violent extremism. Working at the institutional, community and individual levels, IOM Iraq supports a whole-of society approach to understanding and addressing underlying vulnerabilities and building community and individual resiliency.

In this context, IOM’s Peacebuilding and Stabilization Division is supporting the Government of Iraq (GoI) to

roll out its “National Strategy to Combat Violent Extremism,” adopted in 2019 by the National Security Council and Endorsed by Prime Minister in 2021. More specifically, IOM is supporting the GoI’s Implementation Committee to pilot the National Strategy in six locations, working closely with local and regional authorities, civil society organizations (CSOs), communities and other stakeholders to develop and roll out Plans of Action based on priority components of the overarching Strategy. This approach recognizes challenges related to both vertical and horizontal intra-governmental coordination in the Iraq context, and the importance of targeted measures to bridge the policy-implementation gap.

Under the overall supervision of the Head, Peacebuilding and Stabilization Division, and the direct supervision of the Senior Programme Coordinator (Peace Bldg& Stabl the incumbent will lead on implementation of technical assistance to the GoI, Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) and district level PVE sub-committees.

Core Functions / Responsibilities

1. Serve as the primary point of contact between IOM Iraq PVE Program and the National PVE Committee and the 6 district PVE sub-committees.
2. Manages the PVE Senior Program Assistant who is the primary point of contract between IOM Iraq PVE and the KRG PVE focal points.
3. In coordination with the PVE Program Manager and PVE Program Officer, coordinate the design and delivery of technical assistance activities to PVE government stakeholders, managing program assistants, consultants, and implementing partners.
4. Work in partnership with the KRG to develop a policy strategy document which localizes the National PVE Strategy to the Kurdish context.
5. Work in partnership with the Office of the National Security Advisor and the National PVE Committee to support the quarterly conferences on the implementation of the National Strategy.
6. Work in partnership with the mayors’ of the six districts to strengthen implementation of the local PVE Plans of Action through capacity building and overseeing in-kind projects.
7. Strengthen relationships and synergies with other IOM programs, UN agencies, and local and international CSOs working on PVE relevant areas of work.
8. Support the development of capacity building materials, for civil society, government, and other non-government actors. Supports the development of materials and professional skills for the PVE team, trainers, and civil society partners. Provides facilitation support as required during trainings and other capacity building activities.
9. In coordination with the PVE Program Officer and CSO Fund Officer, supports the Wasl Civil Society Fund team by strengthening synergies between CSOs and the district PVE sub-committees as well as providing technical assistance to grantees and the senior program assistants on grantee deliverables.
10. Support and manage, as delegated by the PVE Program Officer, filed research teams working on PVE. This may include tasks such as identification of relevant stakeholders, logistical support for data collection and other tasks that contribute to strengthening IOM PVE programming in the Kurdistan region of Iraq.
11. Attend meetings with government and donor as required, including present key findings and lessons learned from programming and research, facilitate meetings and workshops and discussions.
12. Travel to Baghdad and the six PoA locations (Mosul, Tel Afar, Hawija, Halabja, Zubair, and Fallujah) to attend coordination meetings with relevant government and nongovernment stakeholders.
13. Prepare narrative and progress reports, cost modifications, public information material, and other documents, as required by IOM and/or project donors.
14. Perform such other duties as may be assigne

Education:

• Master’s degree in international relations, Development studies, Social Sciences, Business Management, Public Administration, or any related field from an accredited academic university or institute with 2 years of relevant professional Experience; or
• Bachelor’s degree in the above-mentioned fields with an additional 4 years of relevant experience.

Experience and Skills:

• Demonstrated experience in engaging and liaising with senior government of Iraq and local government officials. 
• Experience in project management, with strong financial management and oversight background. Strong managerial and leadership background, including remote management.
• Relevant experience in prevention of violent extremism or relevant areas such as peacebuilding experience is desired.
• Strong organizational, coordination, and diplomatic skills, with the ability to manage complex stakeholder relationships.
• Experience in communicating and working with a wide range of actors, including government authorities and humanitarian actors.
• In-depth understanding of technical assistance and capacity building approaches.
• Excellent writing and reporting skills, with a focus on creating clear, concise, and official documentation for government partners and donor reporting.

Languages:

• Fluency in English, Kurdish, and Arabic is required.

Behavioral Competencies

• Work prioritization and ability to multitask.
• Shares knowledge and experience.
• Positive, constructive attitude.
• Ability to work and act under pressure with discretion in politically sensitive environment with a minimum of comfort.
• Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view.
• Ready to work independently, under tight deadlines.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural team environment with a positive attitude.
• Highest standards of integrity, discretion, and loyalty.
• Strives for supportive working environment and positive working relationship.

• Creates a respectful office environment free of harassment, retaliation, and promotes the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA).

While this vacancy is open to both Internals and Externals, priority shall be given to qualified Internal applicants.

Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications via this link:

https://jobs.my-soc.org/apply/20240221111514/iP8rcs1IpYH7JnUXNEQkCByWz     

In order for an application to be considered valid, IOM only accepts online profiles duly completed. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.