Project Officer (PSEA) at International Organization for Migration (IOM): (Deadline 19 July 2022)

VACANCY NOTICE

Open to Internal & external candidates 

Established in 1951, IOM is the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of migration and 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.

Context: 

Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) by aid workers is a grave violation of human rights and IOM is committed to combat any kind of SEA by its staff, related personnel and partners.

IOM’s zero tolerance policy also extends to IOM third party contracted staff, suppliers, service providers and implementing partners. With over 16,000 staff and over 6,000 related personnel, operating in 450 Offices, and 165 countries throughout the world, the impact of sexual exploitation and abuse on victims and within IOM’s operating environments, and the reputational risk it poses for the Organization needs to be addressed and remains a key priority.

The prevention of and response to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) continues to gain momentum not only within the United Nations (UN) and Interagency Standing Committee (IASC) common systems but also amongst governments, institutional partners, media and the general public. Increased action is no longer a choice but a necessity, and the rights of the victim must be at the forefront.

Over the past decade, IOM has increasingly been seen as a strong player supporting the prevention and response to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Sexual Harassment within the UN, IASC, and amongst the humanitarian community.  While significant progress has been made to prevent and respond to SEA within the Organization such as through the development of innovative PSEA trainings, the development of a misconduct platform to report SEA, and extensive interagency collaboration on PSEA, more needs to be done within country and at the programmatic level and the role of the PSEA Officer will support these efforts.

In 2021, IOM developed its strategic approach toward the prevention of and response to sexual exploitation and abuse and sexual harassment focusing on five priority areas: 1) Leadership and Organizational Culture; 2) Institutional Accountability and Transparency; 3) Capacity-Development, Training, and Communication; 4) Quality and Accessible Victim Assistance; 5) Partnership and Coordination.

In line with IOM policy and procedures, IOM Rwanda is committed to the prevention of and response to SEA across its programmes. This is a key priority area for IOM Rwanda, who works extensively with and for beneficiaries to provide humanitarian assistance and tailored services, including, yet not limited to: resettlement assistance to refugees, humanitarian assistance to people/communities affected by natural hazards and disasters, risk communication and community engagement activities (also in the context of disease prevention and control), psychosocial support to cross-border traders, assisted voluntary return and reintegration, and counter trafficking interventions.

Under the overall guidance of the IOM Chief of Mission, the direct supervision of the Programme Support Coordinator and technical support from the PSEAH Unit and other experts, the incumbent will be responsible for supporting and facilitating the technical oversight and day-to-day management of IOM’s prevention of and response to sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA) activities in Rwanda. As the technical PSEA Focal Point in Country, the PSEA Programme Officer (PSEA)/Project Officer (PSEA) will need to support the aspects of implementation of PSEA activities in direct close coordination with the Chief of Mission, both internally and as an active member of the interagency PSEA Network. While the incumbent will support the PSEA agenda within the Country Office and  will contribute technical inputs to PSEA within programming (special emphasis on but not limited to resettlement and health assessment programming), the accountability for PSEA remains with the Chief of Mission.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

PSEA COORDINATION:

• Provide inputs for the development of an operational PSEA Work Plan for IOM Rwanda, in line with IOM’s PSEA Strategy, the IASC’s PSEA Minimum Operating Standards (MOS), and the UNCT country level framework and work plan, through strategic workshops with IOM Heads of Units and other senior management at the country and programmatic levels, as assigned; assist the Programme Support Coordinator in ensuring  the resulting work plan is detailed and operational with clear actions, roles and responsibilities to deliver on the actions, timeframes, technical and resource requirements, and internal reporting requirements.
• Provide technical inputs for the inclusion of PSEA within IOM Country Office Strategy, programming, risk mitigation and management, planning, reporting, monitoring and evaluation and budgeting; Contribute to the development of PSEA programming and liaison with relevant donors, as assigned.
• Actively participate to the in-country interagency PSEA Network (support in the development of the collective PSEA workplan, risk management plan, PSEA Strategies, etc.), as well as actively participate within IOM internal and other interagency PSEA communication and coordination initiatives.
• Participate and provide inputs to the PSEA Network to develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), and establish an inter-agency Community-Based Complaint Mechanism, incorporating existing IOM complaint and feedback mechanisms (CFM) and in line with PSEA and GBV good practice;
• Participate and provide technical assistance in the establishment of an inter-agency community-based complaints mechanism (in coordination with the Accountability to Affected Populations Unit in HQ), in coordination with the interagency PSEA Network, programme managers and relevant IOM units, as well as with communities and implementing partners, as appropriate;
• In close coordination with the Programme Support Coordinator and relevant colleagues, work closely with Focal Points at the IOM Regional Office in Rwanda and HQ to check that IOM Rwanda’s prevention, mitigation and response mechanisms are in line with IOM’s global PSEA Strategy;
• Provide specific assistance to IOM Teams, programmes and units to ensure the mitigation of SEA risks are developed, embedded and strengthened within all IOM programming and within HR practices; and,
• At all possible opportunities (during relevant trainings, in staff and programme meetings, through newsletters, in email messages, etc) continually share key messages on PSEA, including mandatory reporting requirements within the Country Office and programming, in close coordination with the Programme Support Coordinator and relevant colleagues.

PREVENTION:

• Analyze, compile and draft specific country-wide SEA risk assessment report to identify locations and programmes with the highest SEA risk; Check that the appropriate mitigation and response strategies within IOM programming and operations.

• Participate in the development of a training plan and coordinate the delivery and organization of PSEA trainings for IOM staff and related personnel, implementing partners, key institutional stakeholders; Support the work of identified PSEA Focal Points within Country to deliver key messaging and trainings as appropriate.

• On a yearly basis, provide an update on the number of staff, non-staff trained, contractors, implementing partners, and service providers trained in the Country Office on PSEA, in an effort to track compliance and facilitate the management of training delivery and refresher courses, in coordination with HR. Support the registration of all participants (staff and non-staff) within the IOM system and the delivery of certificates;

• Participate to the development of communication and awareness-raising strategies and tools to ensure appropriate PSEA messaging and knowledge on prohibited behaviours as well as how to report allegations of misconduct, including SEA within communities and amongst beneficiaries; facilitate the  localization of SEA messaging; and,

• Map existing community engagement projects in Country Office and work with project leads to insert PSEA messages and/or gather community input where appropriate.

RESPONSE:

• Participate and provide inputs for the development of PSEA proposals and  support the mainstreaming of PSEA within IOM programming; coordinate closely with institutional partners, governments, donors, and communities on PSEA needs and responses, as assigned.

• Support the development and provide inputs to reporting on PSEA and communication to highlight IOM’s PSEA work within programming.
• Provide inputs for the development and mapping of Country-specific interagency victim assistance pathways and/or existing IOM programmes to refer victims for assistance and other support services.

• Coordinate referrals for victim assistance in coordination with gender-based violence and/or protection colleagues and support the strengthening of victim services within country and/or programming;

• Undertake duty travel as required; and,
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Master’s degree in Law, International Relations, Psychology, Social Sciences, Development Studies and Planning or a related field from an accredited academic institution; or,

• University degree in the above fields with two year of relevant professional experience.

Experience 

• Experience in the fields of sexual exploitation and abuse, protection, child protection, gender-based violence, accountability to affected populations (AAP), gender mainstreaming and/or humanitarian affairs;

• Coordination experience within the UN system and amongst interagency partners, including governments, NGOs, and communities;

• Experience in organizing and facilitating PSEA trainings, in particular capacity-building, and communication materials to promote behavior change;

• Experience undertaking PSEA risk assessments, in coordination with communities, partners, and

• UN and other key stakeholders;

• Demonstrated ability to work across a wide variety of sectors/teams on cross-cutting themes

• Good written and oral communication skills, effective in representation and liaison with external partners;

• Experience in policy and proposal development and the creation of standard operating procedures and tools; an

• Ability to organize work, work independently and prioritize work under pressure, coordinate multiple tasks, maintain attention to detail, and coordination with a variety of stakeholders

• Knowledge and understanding of IOM’s institutional approach on PSEA and related strategies, policies, rules and regulations;

• Knowledge of the UN system and architecture;

•  Knowledge of mainstreaming best practices and partnership models to ensure coordination of the same across a diversified range of actors; and,

• Ability to work with and maintain strict confidentiality, when necessary

Languages

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French,Arabic and Spanish is an added advantage

Required Competencies

The incumbent is expected to demonstrate the following values and competencies:

Behavioural 

The incumbent is expected to demonstrate the following values and competencies:

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: work strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.

Other

Appointment will be subject to certification by the Organization’s (IOM’s) Medical Officer, based on medical examination(s), that the candidate is medically fit for appointment and verification of residency, visa and authorizations by the Government of Rwanda, where applicable.

This application is open to all Rwandese citizen and any other foreign national as long as such an applicant has a right of residence and right to work in Rwanda at the time of application (IOM will not be responsible in securing such Visas or authorisations from the Government of Rwanda, any applicant of foreign nationality must provide authentic certification from Government of Rwanda in regard to right of residency and right to work in Rwanda at the time of application).

How to apply:

Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications to [email protected] by 19 July 2022 at the latest, referring to this advertisement.

The subject of your e-mail MUST indicate the Position title, reference code and the candidates’ names. 

In order for an application to be considered valid, IOM will only accept applications which should include a cover letter (not more than one page) and complete Personal History Form (PHF) highlighting the required education and experience

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Posting period:

From 06.07.2022 to 19.07.2022