Senior Programme Associate (Coordination Northeast Syria Returns)

Context/Reporting line:

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), alongside UNICEF and the Government of Iraq, recently inaugurated the UN-GoI Technical Working Group. This working group represents the primary site of coordination between all-of-UN and all-of-Government to facilitate the return of Iraqi nationals from North-East Syria back to Iraq – making it the primary site for the implementation of the Global Framework for United Nations Support on Syria / Iraq Third Country National Returnees. This Working Group (GF TWG here-on-in) enables ongoing discussions, coordination and direct/technical assistance to the Government of Iraq. For IOM, chairing the working group means working to ensure it is set up successfully, meets the commitments within the TWG TOR, which ensures working to coordinate the support provided to government across the returns process.

In this context, IOM is seeking an experienced candidate to provide support to the co-chair of the TWG and play a key role in supporting or leading on specific areas of work related to the technical working group and its various activities, which span coordination and liaison, managing the coordination meetings themselves, project support on various issues (including working with other teams on reintegration issues), and other tasks. The incumbent will have strong project management skills and be able to support the co-chair in planning and implementing activities, events and projects related to the TWG and general coordination with the government of Iraq on the returns process from North-east Syria. This role requires a person with flexibility to work on multiple completing priorities required in a coordination context.

Under the overall supervision of the Deputy Chief of Mission and the direct supervision of the UN-GoI Technical Working Group Coordinator, the incumbent will be responsible for the tasks mentioned below:

Core Functions / Responsibilities

1. Lead the logistical and administrative organizing of TWG meetings in Baghdad, including coordination with logistics and admin teams in organizing the meetings, send invitations and arrange other needed processes.
2. Engage in liaison and coordination with government counterparts on issues related to the return of Iraqi nationals from North-East Syria in areas relevant to the Technical Working Group, on both logistical and technical issues related to the return process (in coordination with the TWG Co-Chair).
3. Support on advocacy engagement with the Government counterparts or others on different points of advocacy and technical engagement that are part of the returns process.
4. Support consultants who are working with the TWG team at IOM with various needs, including logistical support, engagement with relevant stakeholders and other forms of support as needed.
5. Draft any required Note for File (NFFs), meeting minutes and other documents and reports as needed. Ensure organizing and keeping of project files and documents in an established filing system so that they are easy to locate and track.
6. Draft status reports or situational updates required by the Technical Working Group and its membership, as directed by the TWG co-chair.
7. Coordinate, review and edit draft and / or conduct translation from English to Arabic or Arabic to English of TWG communications and reports made by translators hired by the team.
8. Support in financial management tasks related to small projects undertaken by the TWG, ensuring up to date internal records.
9. Support in project management tasks, including with support to civil society partners, internal partners and others.
10. Manage and draft TWG contributions to narrative and progress reports as required by IOM and/or the donors and as needed by the TWG Co-Chair
11. Take on additional tasks as required by the organization and manager to support the day-to-day running of the TWG.

Required Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in international development, public administration, diplomacy, humanitarian action, or other relevant fields from an accredited academic university or institute with 5 years of relevant professional experience; or
• Completed High School diploma from an accredited academic institution with 7 years of relevant professional experience in the above fields.

Experience and Skills:

• Experience in communicating and working with a wide range of actors, including people of culturally diverse backgrounds, government and authorities, humanitarian actors (UN agencies and NGOs).
• Experience working in development or humanitarian programming (specifically in International or National NGO/UN) is an asset.
• Computer literacy with specific proficiency in Microsoft applications.
• Reliable, efficient, high level of professionalism, and organizational skills.
• Sound financial management skills and ability to manage small project funds to facilitate events/projects.
• Ability to prepare clear and concise reports and communicate well in written formats.
• Adaptability and a willingness to take on various tasks.
• The ability to work under pressure and to assimilate information quickly and act decisively.

Languages:

• Fluency in English, Kurdish and Arabic is required.

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

https://jobs.my-soc.org/apply/20250521092501/nTIYQFlKhBLbU4VorJN8jps1m