Back National Project Officer

IOM has been working in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) since 2002. Current thematic areas of focus include assisting vulnerable migrants, including victims of trafficking; capacity development of government officials; skills development of migrants, returnees, and aspirant migrants; ethical recruitment; and poverty reduction activities.  

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Mission, IOM Lao PDR, the National Project Officer (NPO) will be responsible for implementing high-quality, results-oriented counter-trafficking-in-persons (TIP) and protection programmes in Laos that will seek to assist the government and non-government stakeholders’ efforts in this area. These include technical, financial, and administrative responsibilities as well as management of partnerships and relationships with the stakeholders and donors. In particular, the incumbent will be responsible for project implementation tasks and its corresponding responsibilities for Building Community Leadership and Resilience against Trafficking for Child, Early, and Forced Marriage (CEFM) through Community Awareness in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). The project aims at developing collective community leadership and ownership to enhance knowledge, awareness, and protective behaviors against TiP by CEFM, in partnership with government authorities and local civil society organizations (CSOs).  

1. Assist in the coordination and monitoring of the operational, administrative, and financial aspects of the counter-human trafficking and protection projects in accordance with IOM policies and practices as well as the donor’s requirements.
2. Be responsible for the effective and timely project implementation; identify gaps and suggest actions and course correction to improve implementation specifically for Building Community Leadership and Resilience against Trafficking for Child, Early, and Forced Marriage (CEFM) through the Community Awareness project. 
3. Participate in the development and adjustment of work plans, project budgets, monitoring & evaluation tools, and standard operation procedures on the counter-human trafficking and protection projects. 
4. Coordinate timely preparation and dissemination of project reports, briefing notes, background documents, project awareness and visibility, summaries, press releases, and other relevant materials in accordance with IOM procedures and donor requirements. 
5. Liaise and coordinate with donors, partners, United Nations agencies, local authorities, and stakeholders and government counterparts as well as the IOM Regional Office, other country offices, and HQ as needed. 
6. Participate and contribute technically to ensure mainstreaming and alignment of migration management and IOM’s mandate into larger national policy dialogue and within the UN system as relevant. 
7. Contribute to the planning, development, organization, and delivery of capacity-building activities and development of resource materials targeting IOM staff, government and civil society partners, implementing partners, and communities. 
8. Serve as a national technical focal point for counter-trafficking and a protection focal point for IOM Lao PDR.
9. Attend relevant conferences, workshops, working groups, interagency coordination meetings, and other forums as a focal point for protection and counter-trafficking efforts.
10. Participate in the preparation of project proposals and a diverse range of communication products, concept notes, and other planning documents. Liaise and strengthen partnerships with stakeholders, specifically government, to identify areas of potential partnerships. 
11. Supervise and provide training and technical guidance to project staff.
12. Undertake duty travel relating to project implementation, monitoring visits, project assessments, liaison with counterparts, etc. 
13. Perform other related duties as required. 

    EDUCATION

    • Bachelor’s degree in Political or Social Sciences, International Relations, Development Studies, Migration Studies, Human Rights, law, or related fields from an accredited academic institution with two years of relevant professional experience; or,
    • Master’s degree in the above-mentioned fields

      EXPERIENCE

      • Experience in liaising with governmental authorities, national/international institutions, United Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations; 
      • Experience in working with migrants, refugees, internally displaced persons, victims of trafficking and other vulnerable groups; and,
      • Prior work experience with international humanitarian organizations or non-government or government institutions/organizations in a multicultural setting is an advantage.
      • Experience in development project implementation, with specific focus on combating human trafficking, protection, and trafficking for Child, Early, and Forced Marriage (CEFM).

        SKILLS

        • In-depth knowledge of social, economic, and political context governing anti-human trafficking, protection and wide range of migration-related subject areas dealt by IOM in Lao PDR
        • Knowledge overseeing international donor-funded programs
        • Knowledge of UN and bilateral donor programming and relations
        • Technical knowledge of counter-human trafficking, protection of vulnerable populations, and trafficking for Child, Early and Forced Marriage (CEFM). 

          Languages

          • IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish. 
          • For this position, fluency in the Lao language (oral and written).

            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.

            📚 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗮 𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯! 🌍🤝 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗨𝗡𝗛𝗖𝗥, 𝗪𝗙𝗣, 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗙, 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗦𝗦, 𝗨𝗡𝗙𝗣𝗔, 𝗜𝗢𝗠 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀! 🌐

            ⚠️ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐰: 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐚 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐍𝐎𝐖!

            Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected, and fairly treated.

            CORE COMPETENCIES—Behavioral indicators— Choose a level.

            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 – Choose a level.

            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.