Rapid Response Programme Support Officer (P3) Dakar, Senegal

Position Title: Rapid Response Programme Support Officer

Duty Station: Dakar, Senegal

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P3

Type of Appointment: Special short-term graded, 9 months with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 19 August 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; Guinea-Bissau; Holy See; Iceland; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the); Latvia; Madagascar; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Samoa; Sao Tome and Principe; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Tonga; Tuvalu; Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:

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

Context:

IOM is committed to supporting regional institutions and Member States to reduce exposure and vulnerability to risks, enhance communities’ resilience and augment the capacity of crisis response agencies. The Emergency and Post-Crisis Unit (EPC) in IOM’s Regional Offices provide direct support to the Organization’s crisis-related work, including emergency preparedness, response, risk reduction and support to recovery, transition, and peacebuilding processes. IOM supports capacity building and long-term risk reduction efforts in order to strengthen national responses and assure the operational presence required for rapid reaction and scale-up during sudden onset disasters or manmade conflict. This enables life-saving responses, the ability to provide real time displacement monitoring, support for recovery efforts and the identification and establishment of durable solutions for affected communities. As a part of these efforts, IOM is creating Regional Rapid Response Teams (RRRTs) in order to support emergency response capacities in the Region.

The IOM Regional Office for West and Central Africa (ROWCA) in Dakar, Senegal is one of the 6 IOM Regional Offices (RO) that oversees and provides strategic and technical support to IOM activities within the Region. In close collaboration with the other IOM’s Regional Offices, the Rapid Response Programme Support Officer will be responsible for providing program support as part of the rapid response deployment support managed by the Regional Office in Dakar, Senegal.

Under the overall supervision of the Deputy Regional Director for Operations and direct supervision of the Senior Regional Thematic Specialist (EPC), and in close coordination with the Regional Rapid Response Coordinator and Regional Programme Support Unit, the Rapid Response Programme Support Officer will be responsible for deploying to emergencies, individually or as part of the Rapid Response Team, and while deployed coordinating and implementing Programme Support related activities. The Chief of Mission of the country of deployment will supervise the day-to-day work of the Program Support Officer during deployments.

The Rapid Response Teams are expected to deploy to new emergency situations anywhere in the world, ideally within 72 hours, for periods in general not exceeding two months, subject to extension in exceptional circumstances. Candidates should be prepared to travel for approximately 2/3 of working time, while adhering to ‘downtime’ guidelines.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Deploy in rapid onset and/or major emergencies, in support to Country Offices to start-up or scale-up program support functions. This includes enhancing country office capacity to design and develop new programmes/projects based on solid results framework, increase reporting compliance and expand visibility and resource mobilization, in close coordination with the Chief of Mission, Rapid Response Crisis Coordinator, Regional Office, Headquarters, as well as with Government counterparts and other relevant public/private sector partner organizations.
2. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of all projects and programmes implemented by the Country Office of deployment.
3. Coordinate the operational, administrative and financial aspects of all ongoing projects, including oversight responsibility of projects implementation, in coordination with the RM unit as required. Liaise between IOM financial officials and Programme Managers to ensure that the latter are observant of IOM and Donors’ financial requirements.
4. Coordinate the development of IOM emergency appeal, Crisis Response Plans, as well as contribute to the development of inter-agency documents and reporting on emergency response and engagement with UNOCHA on the Humanitarian Needs Overview/Humanitarian Response Plan. Ensure IOM is successfully providing input into and reporting in line with the Grants Management System and the Financial Tracking System and the Online Projects System.
5. Coordinate the development of internal and external reporting tools, such as situation and progress reports, to provide up-to-date information on the situation and IOM’s response to senior management at the Regional Office and HQ and donors, partners and other relevant stakeholders.
6. Assess programme implementation modalities and assist in achieving maximum efficiency in programme delivery as well as measure and share results with senior staff and counterparts.
7. Ensure the integration of IOM’s cross-cutting priorities in emergency programming, such as integrity, transparency, and accountability (including Accountability to Affected Populations – (AAP)); equality, diversity, and inclusion (including age, gender, and diversity considerations, comprising of Gender Based Violence (GBV) risk mitigation and disability inclusion); protection centered (including the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse – (PSEA)); and considering environmental sustainability.
8. Ensure continuous review of project implementation strategies as well as provide guidance and suggest corrective measures and actions to be taken as necessary.
9. Direct and oversee monitoring activities to assess project’s implementation as well as to generate data and inform/identify in advance implementation challenges, formulate solutions and ensure timely delivery of activities within the established timeframe.
10. Identify, train and supervise reporting, project development and monitoring and evaluation team members, placing emphasis on the development of new team members and training on humanitarian systems and donor protocols.
11. Undertake frequent and regular duty travel with the aim of project/programme assessment, liaison with counterparts and donors, problem solving and the development of new initiatives, as required.
12. Contribute to the process of establishing functional governmental and non-governmental relevant platforms to raise awareness on issues relevant to IOM’s mandate and (country), to promote project/programme related activities, as well as to strengthen existing referral structures and/or assistance mechanisms.
13. Represent the Rapid Response Crisis Coordinator/Chief of Mission in inter-agency meetings when related to the development and implementation of joint programmes, in coordination with Programme Managers as well as in any other meetings, as requested by the Chief of Mission/Rapid Response Crisis Coordinator.
14. At the end of each deployment, ensure complete handover, reporting, budget reconciliation and other procedures established for the RRRTs and ensure remote support to Country Office in transitioning post deployments as needed.
15. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Political or Social Sciences, International Relations, Humanitarian Affairs 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 working in IOM country offices on project development, reporting, donor liaison or related topics, in particular in crisis settings is an advantage;
• Experience in coordinating with various programme units and ability to establish and maintain working relations with government counterparts, UN agencies;
• Experience in the field of Migration or Development, preferably in a post conflict and other hardship locations;
• Experience in Project design; and,
• A solid understanding of conflict sensitivity as a core principle and the ability to incorporate it throughout a project cycle, including experience applying conflict analysis tools and adjusting programming according to potential influence on conflict dynamics.

Skills

• Demonstrated high level government and donor liaison;
• Strong understanding of the UN and IOM Rules Regulations and practices are advantageous;
• Sound judgment, ability to extract, interpret, analyse and format data and make decision rapidly to resolve operational problems;
• Strong communication skills and constructive attitude oriented at problem solving;
• Capacity to work effectively in high-pressure, rapidly changing environments; and,
• Solid computer skills, including proficiency in MS Office package (Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

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 Spanish and/or 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

Previous candidates do not need to re-apply.

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.

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 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 and who do not have prior experience outside the duty station’s country as staff member in the Professional category 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.