National Project Officer (Climate and Community Governance)

Context/Reporting line:

The impacts of climate change and environmental degradation are increasingly evident in Iraq. Rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns have led to more frequent and severe droughts, desertification, water scarcity, floods, sand and dust storms, soil salinity, and soil pollution. This undermines agricultural productivity, food security, and health, and exacerbates structural drivers of conflict such as unequal access to services, disputes over water and land ownership, political marginalization, and lack of trust in government. This combination of environmental and human security factors contributes to community fragility and may compel people to move. In order to support the Government of Iraq to address these challenges, as well as to build community resilience to the changing environment and to support people in their mobility choices, IOM’s Peacebuilding and Stabilization Division is pursuing a number of complementary programs and research streams.  A key focus is on supporting local governance as it relates to climate change, which entails actions such as strengthening access to services; building trust between citizens and local, sub-national and/or national government; and engaging the government at national and sub-national levels in policy dialogue and development.   

Under the general guidance of the Senior Programme Coordinator (Peace Bldg&Stabl), the overall supervision of the Programme Coordinator (PSD), and the direct supervision of the Climate Security Officer, this position will support two pillars of IOM’s Peacebuilding and Stabilization Division: Pillar I: Research and fieldwork in the areas of climate change, disaster risk reduction, and local governance; and Pillar 2: Engagement with local authorities on issues of local governance in the areas of climate change, climate induced displacement, and disaster risk reduction.

Core Functions / Responsibilities

1. Facilitate engagement with government counterparts at national (Baghdad) level and support IOM colleagues to engage government counterparts at the sub-national level in southern Iraq (provincial and local authorities) on issues related to governance and climate change.
2. Facilitate policy dialogues, workshops, or other engagement between local authorities and community members on issues related to climate and governance.
3. Facilitate scenario-based planning with local government actors and/or civil society from a disaster risk reduction perspective.
4. Facilitate workshops or roundtables on issues related to climate action and/or local governance.
5. Support mapping exercises around civil society actors and academic actors engaged in climate change action, including by conducting interviews or other outreach strategies.
6. Conduct interviews and focus group discussions with community members in locations across Iraq, on topics related to climate change, disaster risk reduction, and community dynamics. 
7. Conduct interviews with local authorities in locations across Iraq, in order to understand local perceptions and capacities related to climate change, disaster risk reduction, and governance capacities. 
8. Conduct duty travel as required – up to 40% of time is expected to be spent on duty travel across Iraq, including overnight stays. 
9. Perform other duties as may be assigned.

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field, including, Sociology, Political Science, Environmental Science. with 2 years of relevant professional experience, or; 
• Post-graduate studies in a relevant field such as, Sociology, Environmental Science or Political Science is an advantage.

Experience and Skills:

• Experience leading or facilitating scenario-based planning from a disaster risk reduction perspective, covering issues such as access to services, service improvements, and incorporating displaced persons into disaster risk reduction planning.  

• Experience working with the concepts of climate security and/or human security. 

• Experience in climate change adaptation and mitigation measures.  

• Familiarity with climate mobility policy and programming. 

• Experience conducting research on the intersection of climate, peace, and security.  

• Experience in high level engagement on climate change and/or peacebuilding and stabilization interventions with government and UN actors.  

• Experience in liaising and  building  effective  partnerships  with  donors  and government authorities and/or other national/international institutions, such as research institutions and local and international NGOs.  

• Experience in capacity building of local organizations and/or grant management. 
• Proven ability to conduct operations in complex post-conflict contexts. 

Languages:

• Fluency in English and Arabic is

Competencies

The incumbent is expected to demonstrate the following values and 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 1

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.

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/20240815145142/ypxEvVl3N2kg0Miza9hu5nUQo       

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