National Program Officer

• Under the guidance of the Programme Manager, monitor and coordinate the operational planning and implementation of key livelihoods assistance services delivered under the emergency response, development and recovery portfolio.
• Coordinate the design and roll-out necessary assessments including labour market and value chain assessments, impact assessments on local economies and other surveys that help identify interventions and investment/funding opportunities that enhance the economic inclusion of IOM targeted groups in livelihood activities.
• Design and implement livelihoods needs, market and value chain assessments questionnaires and methodology, including through community engagement mechanisms such as Focus Group Discussions, household surveys, and Key Informant Interviews, with field assistants and enumerators.
• Lead on beneficiary selection process according to the agreed criteria, and identify and supervise relevant skills development activities (business development training, vocational skills, job creation), and provide training and give guidance to the team members on implementing beneficiary targeting and verification process for various activity streams.
• Support the PM in coordinating with relevant line ministries including but not limited to Ministry of State and Frontier Regions and Ministry of Planning.
• Establish and maintain community coordination mechanisms with community leaders and other relevant stakeholders including community groups, national NGOs, women and youth committees, and recommend implementation strategies that are inclusive, participatory and promote local ownership.
• Mobilize this coordination mechanism, to promptly address and identify transition and recovery needs and livelihood initiatives through organizing community-based needs assessments.
• Work closely with the community to enhance mutual understanding between different IOM targeted community groups including refugees/IDPs and host communities and facilitate opportunities for engagement and dialogue.
• Coordinate community consultations to prioritize Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) in coordination with the area-based coordinator and technical team members.
• Plan and coordinate the organization of community-based social cohesion events and educational and recreational activities to promote social cohesion, such as community awareness sessions and community mobilization activities to promote peace and reconciliation for various age groups, including children and youth.
• Closely monitor and supervise the implementation of livelihoods activities and corresponding staff.

Reporting

• Support the programme manager with reviewing, editing and translating of social cohesion key messages, standard operating procedures, and other project documents, as needed.
• Monitor and report any challenges and/or gaps identified to propose adjustments to plans and implementation schedules.
• Provide inputs for the timely preparation of donor reports and provide information for case studies and reports on project implementation and best practices as well as needed.
• Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

EDUCATION

• Master's degree in Social Sciences, Environment and Sustainability, Communication, Economics or related fields from an accredited academic institution; or
• Bachelors degree in the above fields with two years of relevant professional experience.

EXPERIENCE

• Experience training and facilitating workshops on livelihoods and social cohesion.
• Experience in participatory action planning, community-based project implementation, and community engagement.
• Relevant experience in managing community response projects (livelihoods, social rehabilitation, community development, employment generation, youth entrepreneurship).
• Previous experience working on peacebuilding/social cohesion in the area will be considered an advantage.
• Experience in liaising with government authorities, other national/international institutions and NGOs, and building effective partnerships with private sector.
• Familiarity with UN system is an advantage.

SKILLS

• Familiarity with computer programs, including MS Office suite.
• Advanced English writing and communication skills.
• Proven ability to supervise, train, and direct staff and manage operations in complex post-conflict contexts.

Languages

REQUIRED

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 (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish).

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

DESIRABLE

Working knowledge of provincial languages is an advantage.