Senior Programme Coordinator (P4) Niamey, Niger

Position Title: Senior Programme Coordinator

Duty Station: Niamey, Niger

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P4

Type of Appointment: Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 31 July 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. External female candidates:
3. Candidate 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 of IOM and female candidates.

Context:

Niger, situated on the crossroad between north, central and western Africa is characterized by a variety of different migratory movements, including transit and return migration. This includes migrants from Niger as well as other African countries, mainly from west and central Africa. Many of the migrants have been victim to abuse and exploitation along their migration routes and hence have various protection needs.

To meet these challenges, IOM, through its Migrant Protection and Assistance Programme, aims to assist migrants to voluntarily return and reintegrate in their country of origin, while guaranteeing their rights and addressing their protection needs.

Niger is one of the 13 countries in West and Central Africa (Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, The Gambia) that are part of European Union (EU), and aims to protect the security, dignity and rights of migrants along migration routes.

This is achieved through different types of interventions including protection and assistance to vulnerable and stranded migrants, provision of direct assistance through search and rescue support, identification, referral and direct assistance to vulnerable migrants, assistance for voluntary return, support for sustainable reintegration in the communities of origin, the dissemination of accurate information on migration to migrants, potential migrants and communities, and the collection of data on migration flows. The programme also aims to strengthen the technical and material capacities of governmental authorities and local organizations so that they can ultimately take over the various activities of the programme, with a view to improving the governance of migration in the region.

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Mission and in close coordination with the Senior Policy and Programme Liaison Officer (SPPLO) in IOM Niger, the EU-IOM Joint Initiative Regional Coordinator and regional thematic specialist on Migrant Protection and Assistance (MPA) in IOM’s Regional Office in Dakar, the Senior Programme Coordinator will be responsible for the overall development, management and coordination of the Migrant Protection and Assistance (MPA) programme in IOM Niger.

The Senior Programme Coordinator will work closely with heads of sub offices, heads of transit centres and relevant project managers who are responsible for the different project components, including those responsible for protection, public health, migration data and research, migration governance, operations and reintegration to ensure the effective coordination and implementation of all project activities.

The Senior Programme Coordinator will also support the Chief of Mission (CoM) and the SPPLO with active liaison and collaboration with relevant partners, including donor agencies, the government of Niger, the United Nations Country Team (UNCT), and Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), in close coordination with the Programme Support Unit (PSU).

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Oversee the effective development and implementation of the MPA Programme, exercising administrative, operational and financial management responsibility for relevant projects.
2. Ensure proper coordination with the Regional Office in Dakar and other IOM Country Offices on the managerial, reporting and operational aspects of the MPA Programme.
3. Coordinate with and/or supervise project managers and project officers overseeing the different components of the programme, including transit centres, domestic and international movements of migrants, reintegration, protection, health, migration governance, and migration data and research.
4. Ensure staff welfare and career development for all staff working for the MPA programme in IOM Niger.
5. Coordinate with the head of the Programme Support Unit (PSU) including the M&E officer, to ensure that all programme data is collected in a precise and effective manner, using MIMOSA and other institutional tools, for reporting to donors and that targets are met in accordance with relevant workplans; ensure the reflection and integration of new modalities, policies and practices, and methods for evaluation, into the project formulation process.
6. Ensure compliance with IOM and donor requirements, including those related to procurement, budget utilization, and human resources, maintaining close contact with relevant IOM Niger support units, such as Resource Management, Human Resources, Procurement, and ITC.
7. Ensure timely and accurate preparation of progress and other programme reports and ensure proper information exchange on all operational aspects of the project between IOM, the programme’s donors and other stakeholders.
8. Establish, manage and strengthen working relationships with external stakeholders, including implementing partners, UN agencies, government officials, and donors. Promote understanding of MPA activities and establish and strengthen partnerships to take over certain activities, providing advice and guidance to achieve programme objectives.
9. Represent IOM at national and regional-level coordination forums and other meetings, conferences and seminars, developing partnerships with governmental and non-governmental stakeholders to ensure strong coordination, information sharing, and government involvement.
10. Establish and strengthen relationships with donors to raise funds, including identifying new project development opportunities and ensuring the preparation of project proposals in line with the strategic objective of IOM Niger.
11. In coordination with IOM’s Public Information officer, lead the development, preparation and roll out of the Programme’s communication and visibility strategy, in line with donor requirements, and undertake initiatives toward the promotion of IOM’s image and activities in the country/region.
12. As a member of the senior management team, advise on the implications of established programme policies and needs on plans, priorities and strategic objectives, and contribute to the development of IOM Niger strategy, ensuring that MPAP contributes, complements and reinforces other programmes managed and implemented by IOM Niger.
13. Ensure gender and protection mainstreaming within all project activities.
14. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Political or Social Science, Business Administration, International Relations or a related field from an accredited academic institution with seven years of relevant professional experience; or,
• University degree in the above fields with nine years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• Professional experience in managing migrant assistance, AVR and/or other migration management projects of a significant size and complexity;
• Solid experience in project development, project management and implementation, including budgetary aspects;
• Experience in liaising with governmental authorities, UN and donors, especially the European Union; and,
• Previous experience in liaising with Regional Offices (RO) and Head Quarters (HQ) an advantage.

Skills

• Good knowledge of working environment and migration dynamics in West Africa including socio-economic and cultural factors a distinct advantage; and,
• Good project management, people management and donor relations skills are required.

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 another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, 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

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 3

• 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 level 3

• 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.

This selection process may be used to staff similar positions in various duty stations. Recommended candidates endorsed by the Appointments and Postings Board 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 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.