Position Title: Senior Programme Coordinator (DDRR)

Duty Station: Geneva, Switzerland

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: 24 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.

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; Dominica; Fiji; Grenada; Guinea-Bissau; Holy See; Iceland; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the); Madagascar; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Sao Tome and Principe; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Tonga; Tuvalu; Uzbekistan; Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:

All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM and female candidates.

Context:

The violent conflict across North East Nigeria and bordering areas in Niger, Chad and Cameroon has created a deepening social, political, security and humanitarian crisis that has displaced approximately 6 million people and affected some 17 million. Since 2017, IOM has supported the Governments of the Lake Chad Basin (LCB) Region in the development of legal, strategic and operational frameworks aimed at supporting the disengagement, rehabilitation and reintegration of eligible individuals from non-state armed groups; reduce recruitment into armed groups; and promoting broad reconciliation and stabilization for sustained reintegration. The programme takes a regional approach to policy and practice, capacity building for regional bodies and governments and direct assistance to rehabilitation and reintegration efforts.

Against this backdrop, IOM is seeking to recruit a Demobilization, Disassociation, Reintegration and Reconciliation (DDRR) Programme Coordinator to work within the Peace and Recovery Division (PRD) providing thematic expertise and overall coordination for related programming in the Lake Chad region and to capture lessons learned and support other Missions facing similar challenges related to the disengagement and reintegration of former associates of UN Sanctioned groups and/or in contexts of on-going conflict The DDRR Programme Coordinator will provide institutional oversight in the thematic areas of work, and liaison support across its engagement with governments, communities and beneficiaries, with the principal task of guiding and coordinating country-level programming efforts, and promoting consistency and continuity to the regional approach. The Senior Programme Coordinator DDRR will advise on the design and implementation of programming in the region and in other similar contexts, and act as the key interlocutor between the donor, regional actors and programme teams at the country level.

Under the overall supervision of the Head of the Peace and Recovery Division (PRD) and the Direct Supervision of the Head of the Peacebuilding Unit in Geneva Headquarters (HQ), the successful candidate will work in close collaboration with relevant Chiefs of Mission, country Programme Managers, and the Regional Emergency and Post-Crisis Specialist for West and Central Africa, to coordinate regional programming initiatives and country-specific efforts related to the implementation of the Demobilization, Disassociation, Reintegration and Reconciliation (DDRR) programme with a focus on Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon, Chad and Burkina Faso.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Contribute to the Peace and Recovery Divisions efforts to advance IOM’s expertise and capacity in programming related to Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR), Disengagement, Disassociation, Reintegration and Reconciliation (DDRR), Prevention of Violent Extremism (PVE) and the reintegration of former associates to UN-sanction groups and their dependents, including by supporting strategic engagements with key international and regional stakeholders; the development of guidance and internal and external communications materials related to peacebuilding, and the provision of technical assistance to IOM field missions on the above-mentioned thematic areas.
2. Provide thematic oversight and coordination of IOM’s conflict reduction, reconciliation and reintegration efforts focusing on the Lake Chad Crisis and the Sahel (Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon and Chad and Burkina Faso), effectively integrating prevention initiatives.
3. Provide direction and guidance to in-country Programme Managers in all operational aspects of planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting of programme activities, ensuring that organizational and donor policies and procedures are always adhered to. In the role of coordinator of DDRR programme efforts, foster consistency and continuity in design and implementation within a regional approach.
4. Directly manage HQ-related portions of DDRR programme budget, and oversee the allocation to and expenditure of country-specific budgets related to projects falling under direct HQ coordination.
5. Regularly provide Head of PRD, Chief of Missions (COMs) and Regional Thematic Specialist(RTS) updates on critical developments related to global trends and the political-security context in West Africa; produce recommendations for operational or strategic improvements, with particular attention to risk management and impact.
6. Support regular donor outreach and liaison in conjunction with relevant IOM offices focusing on programme development, requests for information, and the compilation and handling of regular programme reporting.
7. Develop and foster relationships with relevant international and regional organizations, such as United Nations entities, the African Union, and other stakeholders, and represent IOM at meetings, conferences and other platforms.
8. Working closely with PRD, advise programme managers and Chiefs of Mission in the LCB region and beyond on technical and programmatic approaches with particular attention to risk management and the mainstreaming of conflict sensitivity, drawing from global practice and internal expertise, as well as the tools, guidance and lessons learned generated from IOM’s other global prevention and reintegration efforts, including in Somalia, Nigeria and Colombia, among others.
9. Monitor and ensure regular reviews and assessments of programme performance against programme objectives and targets; identify operational constraints in implementation and ensure that timely and remedial action and course-correction is implemented by programme managers.
10. Advise and assist IOM country teams in their efforts to engage governments on national and policy levels, as well as support operational activities at the individual and community levels aimed at facilitating the disengagement and reintegration of select former combatants.
11. Undertake periodic on-site monitoring and field travel to assess programme performance, risks and opportunities and engage with key programme interlocutors and beneficiaries.
12. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in International Relations, Law, Development Studies and Planning, 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

• Operational field experience in programme formulation, implementation and evaluation relating to disengagement and reintegration of ex-combatants, post-conflict community reconciliation and community-based recovery with security related development undertakings;
• Experience facilitating government-led DDR and DDR-related processes with multiple governmental actors and demonstrating sensitivity to the needs of local ownership;
• Field experience at an international level with specialized international agencies (United Nations Agencies, International Organizations, and International Non-Government Organizations) would be an advantage; international experience in conflict and post-conflict situations required;
• Previous work experience in technical support programmes involving legal or policy formulation, community-led recovery and stabilization programmes, and/or security sector related reforms. Familiarity with DDR practices, principles and operations, and/or conflict reduction components, are preferred;
• Experience in African conflict contexts, and in the LCB region in particular, will be advantageous;
• Previous experience in supervising staff; and,
• Experience in setting clear tasks and teambuilding with staff from diverse environments and backgrounds

Skills

• Awareness of the debates surrounding new challenges in DDR, Screening, Prosecution, Rehabilitation and Reintegration (SPRR), Preventing Violent Extremism (PVE) and related issues; and,
• Familiarity with relevant UN policies and United Nations Security Council Resolutions

(UNSCR) pertaining to rehabilitation and reintegration programming targeting former associates to UN-sanctioned groups and their dependents.

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 are required (oral and written). Working knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, and Spanish) [please delete the language already mentioned as required] 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.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 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.

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.