Back Call for Applications: Project Officer

Call for Applications

Position Title: Project Officer

Duty Station: Nicosia, Cyprus

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade UG

Type of Appointment: Special short-term ungraded, Six months with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 21 April 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.

Internal and external candidates will be considered for this vacancy. For the purposes of this vacancy, internal candidates are defined as staff members holding a regular, fixed-term or short-term graded or ungraded contract, including Junior Professional Officers (JPOs), staff on Special Leave Without Pay (SLWOP), and staff members on secondment/loan released by the Organization, unless otherwise specified in their contract. Staff members holding a regular, fixed-term or short-term graded contract will not retain their contract type if appointed to an ungraded position.

Context:

IOM in close cooperation with the Government of Cyprus will provide support in responding to the migrant situation in the country by the large and continuous migratory flows that have been placing heavy pressure in the reception and accommodation scheme, as well as relevant protection-centred services.

In this framework, the primary role of the Project Officer will effectively implement all appropriate responsibilities and assigned projects, according to the IOM standards, ensuring quality, cost effectiveness, transparency, and compliance with all IOM rules and regulations.

Under the overall supervision of the Regional Director and the direct supervision of Regional Response Coordinator and Chief of Mission in Greece, and in close coordination with the Head of Office (HoO) in Cyprus, and in close coordination with the Regional Thematic Specialist (RTS) at the Regional Office (RO) and relevant Divisions/Departments /Units at Headquarters (HQ), the Project Officer will be responsible and accountable for managing the below mentioned functions:

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Manage the overall implementation of the Project(s), including the oversight of the financial, administrative, and technical aspects, in line with IOM’s policies and procedures, as well as donor requirements.
2. Provide operational management, guidance, and technical supervision to the project staff, assisting on programmatic strategy and implementation. Oversee the project progress specifically aimed at increasing effectiveness and recommending appropriate action.
3. Monitor the progress against Project’s strategic objectives, benchmarks, and provide advice with respect to improvements and corrections; oversee the establishment of a common Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Framework that incorporates regular reporting requirements and impact evaluation strategies, in close coordination with M&E Officer in the Country Office.
4. Identify priority areas for project development and contribute to the development of new projects by selecting and summarizing background information, analysing the local context and segments for new project proposals.
5. Supervise the staff assigned to the project, as well as Consultants/ Implementing Partners (IPs) recruited to support and/or undertake specific activities. Plan, develop, organize, and deliver capacity building activities to build capacity of staff, partners, government officials, and other humanitarian actors.
6. Monitor and oversee the compliance with project partners, project staff and implementing entities. Liaise with Government entities, Implementing Partners (IP), United Nations (UN) agencies and other stakeholders in the Project.
7. Oversee the coordination with other units in the Country Office for a smooth implementation of all project activities.
8. Ensure adequate information management on project related activities including visibility by providing regular updates, summaries, press releases and other relevant materials, in coordination with the donor and relevant unit at HQ.
9. Produce quality progress Financial, Narrative, and other reports related to the Project activities. Oversee the elaboration and dissemination of reports for donors, government, and other relevant stakeholders by ensuring timely submission and compliance with donor and IOM requirements.
10. Participate in relevant conferences, workshops, steering committees, and technical working groups, as well as other forums; ensure the coordination and presentation of IOM activities.
11. Represent the Country Office at the relevant UN working groups and activities to encourage the mainstreaming of migration related issues into United Nations Development Assistance Frameworks (UNDAF).
12. Undertake duty travel as required to oversee, monitor, and support the project implementation.
13. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in International Relations, Political Science, Humanitarian Affairs, Economic Development, Business or Public Administration, International Studies 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 in programme conceptualisation, development, monitoring, reporting and evaluation.
• Experience in project development and capacity-building activities.
• Experience in liaising with governmental and diplomatic authorities as well as with national and international institutions.
• Experience in organizing consultations, workshops, and seminars with high level stakeholders.

Skills

• Familiarity with financial and business administration.
• Sound and proven understanding of internal and international migration issues in the country and in the Region.
• In depth knowledge of the broad range of migration related subject areas dealt with by the Organization.
• Knowledge of UN and bilateral donor programming.
• Proven ability to establish and maintain strong working relations with relevant Government counterparts, international organizations, and private sector entities.
• Excellent leadership, coordination, and information management skills.
• Detailed knowledge of the UN System, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and other international organizations/institutions.
• Knowledge of migration data, labour migration patterns in European Economic Area (EEA) and ability to negotiate with government authorities.
• Good knowledge of human and financial resources management.
• Proven conceptualization, analytical and writing skills.
• Sound and proven communication, organizational and interpersonal relationship skills.
• Ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure with minimum supervision.
• Ability to establish and maintain partnerships with development partners, government counterparts, UN agencies, local authorities, and other relevant stakeholders.

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 is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of Greek and/or another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish) 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

• 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

• 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.

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.