Programme Officer (MPA) at International Organization for Migration

Position Title: Programme Officer (MPA)

Duty Station: El Gedaref, Sudan

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P2

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

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 06 April 2022

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; Aruba (Netherlands); Botswana; Cabo Verde; Comoros;Congo (the); Cook Islands; Cuba; Curaçao; Fiji; Grenada; Guinea-Bissau; Guyana; Holy See; Iceland; Kingdom of Eswatini; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the); Latvia; Libya; Madagascar; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Montenegro; Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Samoa; Sao Tome and Principe; Seychelles; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Timor-Leste; Tonga; Tuvalu; Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:

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

Context:

Situated between North Africa and the Horn of Africa, Sudan is the country of transit and destination for mixed migration flows from the Horn of Africa and West Africa aiming to reach Europe through North Africa, as well as the country of origin for Sudanese who aspire to seek employment in Gulf Cooperation Council countries. In line with IOM’s mandate, IOM Sudan works to uphold the human dignity and well-being of migrants and to advance the understanding of migration issues in the region.

Through its Migrant Protection and Assistance (MPA) programme, IOM Sudan provides vulnerable foreign migrants transiting through, stranded or living in Sudan with a range of direct assistance services. Such services, including medical assistance, psychosocial support, food and non-food items and assisted voluntary return and reintegration (AVRR) to the migrants’ countries of origin, are provided at IOM’s Migrant Resource and Response Centre (MRRC) in Khartoum since its establishment in 2015. Building on the success of the MRRC, in March 2019, IOM Sudan opened a Migrant Resource Centre (MRC) in Gedaref state, one of the key eastern entry points into Sudan, to provide similar services to vulnerable migrants in the state through referral to public and NGO partners. As part of the MPA programme expansion, IOM Sudan opened another MRC in Kassala state in June 2021 as the state is another key entry point of mixed migration flows from the Horn of Africa and there is a clear need for MPA interventions, especially vulnerable migrants with irregular status.

In the west, the MPA programme has its focal points in the IOM sub offices in North Darfur, West Darfur and South Darfur states. Sharing long land borders with Chad and having Central African Republic and South Sudan as immediate neighbouring countries, in these states, there are daily movements of people with the neighbouring countries and regular inflows of migrants from West African countries. There are a significant number of irregular migrants among those inflows who are passing through the region to reach Libya en route to Europe.

Under the overall supervision of the Head of Programmes, the direct supervision of the Regional Coordinator (Eastern Sudan), the technical supervision of the Programme Coordinator, and in close coordination with the MRRC Khartoum team and other relevant programmes of IOM Sudan, the Programme Officer (MPA) will be responsible for coordinating the MPA/MRC activities in Gedaref and Kassala states and in Darfur region.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Provide operational support and technical guidance to the MRC teams in Gedaref and Kassala states to effectively implement and help expand MRC activities in the respective states, including working to strengthen rapport with the local government authorities and assisting in raising the profile of the MRC as the information and coordination hub for migrant protection issues in each state.
2. Provide technical supervision to the MPA focal points based in IOM’s sub offices in North Darfur, West Darfur and South Darfur and guide them through the provision of direct assistance to vulnerable migrants stranded in the states, including those in administrative detention.
3. Contribute to building capacity of the MRC teams and MPA focal points on migrant protection issues, adherence to IOM internal policies and international standards, and adaptation of the MRRC Standard Operating Procedures to the respective contexts through orientations and on-the-job trainings.
4. Coordinate, monitor and follow up on the implementation of donor funded projects that support the operation of two MRCs and MPA activities in Darfur, including contributing to resource planning, monitoring and the drafting of donor reporting, in close coordination with the Programme Coordinator.
5. Research possible new areas for MPA interventions, including through monitoring the work of the MRC teams in Gedaref and Kassala and the MPA focal points in Darfur region, and contribute to the development of new projects to sustain and expand the activities in these locations.
6. Track and monitor the AVRR cases referred from the MRCs and MPA focal points in Darfur region to the AVRR team of MRRC Khartoum and support coordination as required to facilitate the safe and orderly return of the migrants.
7. Closely collaborate with the Programme Officer (MPA/ MRRC Manager) to assist in strengthening the referral between the MRRC Khartoum and the MRCs in Gedaref and Kassala by setting up regular reporting lines and putting in place a common database for all MRCs to share case information efficiently.
8. Provide information and technical guidance to the MRC teams and MPA focal points in Darfur region to help them build working relationships with the relevant government entities, other UN agencies, civil society partners and local service providers.
9. Collect and analyse data and prepare technical inputs for the development of visibility and information products to support resource mobilisation and donor engagement.
10. Participate in relevant meetings with donors, government entities, UN agencies, and non-governmental organizations.
11. Undertake duty travels and field visits as required.
12. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in International Relations, Development studies, Social / Political Science or a related field from an accredited academic institution with two years of relevant professional experience; or

• University degree in the above field with four years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• Experience in project coordination, implementation and donor reporting, including in the areas of direct assistance to vulnerable migrants and community engagement, preferably at a field level;International Organization for Migration

• Experience with working as part of and managing a multi-cultural team;

• Experience working with government entities, donors, UN agencies, and other developmental partners and civil society actors;

• Experience in leading the set-up and/or operation of MRCs in North Africa or the East and Horn of Africa region is a distinct advantage; and,

• Experience in or knowledge of MiMOSA or other relevant data management systems is an advantage.

Skills

• Understanding of migration management and migrant protection issues in Sudan is a distinct advantage;

• Excellent coordination and communication skills with government counterparts, UN agencies,

NGO partners and other stakeholders;

• Demonstrated ability to work independently with limited supervision;

• Resilience and flexibility to work in a challenging environment;

• Ability to work under tight deadlines and produce quality outputs;

• Excellent reporting and communication skills in English.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish.

External applicants for all positions in the Professional category are required to be proficient in English and have at least a working knowledge of one additional UN Language (French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian or Chinese).

For all applicants, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of 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

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 three values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: respects and promotes individual and cultural differences; encourages diversity and inclusion wherever possible.

• 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.

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 action 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 level 2

• 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 potential.

• Empowering others & building trust: creates an atmosphere of trust and an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.

• Strategic thinking and vision: works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link.

https://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/about-iom/iom_revised_competency_framework_external.pdf

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 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 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.