Bangladesh: Project Manager (Social Cohesion)

Position Title : Project Manager (Social Cohesion)

Duty Station : Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh

Classification : Professional Staff, Grade P3

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

Estimated Start Date : As soon as possible

Closing Date : 17 May 2018

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 environment. Applications from qualified female candidates are especially encouraged. For the purpose of the vacancy, the following candidates are considered as first-tier candidates:

1. Internal candidates

2. Qualified applicants from the following NMS countries:

Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Congo, Cabo Verde, Czech Republic, Djibouti, Fiji, Micronesia (Federated States of), Gabon, Guyana, Iceland, Comoros, Lesotho, Libya, Montenegro, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Malawi, Namibia, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Seychelles, Slovenia, Suriname, El Salvador, Swaziland, Timor-Leste, Holy See, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Vanuatu, Samoa

Context:

Violence in Rakhine State, Myanmar, which began on 25 August 2017 has driven an estimated

655,500 Rohingya across the border into Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. The large influx of Rohingya is placing tremendous stress on the natural resource base in and around the refugee settlements, with far-reaching impacts on biodiversity, agro-forestry, water sources and air quality. Compounded by climate change, these impacts are generating new disaster risks which threaten lives and livelihoods of both refugees and host communities in an already fragile environment and displacement setting.

The wide-scale influx has left many people facing a severe shortage of cooking fuel. World Food Programme’s (WFP) October 2017 SAFE (Safe Access to Fuel and Energy) Rapid assessment observed that refugees are mostly reliant on the distribution of non-cooked food including rice and pulses to cover their meals with only few organizations supplying cooking fuels for cooking. This set-up leaves substantial gaps for and the displaced populations continue to harvest natural resources to fulfil their energy needs, as currently all but few households are dependent on firewood to prepare their meals. It is reported that people have been unable to prepare their rations, skipping meals multiple times a month or eating undercooked food in response to the increasing wood fuel shortage.

To address these issues IOM, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and WFP developed a Joint Proposal to address cooking fuel demand, environmental degradation and food security for the refugees in camps. The project has two primary objectives, the first of which is to address the urgent cooking fuel needs

of Rohingya refugees and host communities in Cox’s Bazar, by introducing alternative clean cooking fuel and technology to reduce the incessant firewood collection devastating forests in and around the camps. The second primary objective focuses on improving economic livelihoods by rehabilitating the natural resource base while creating empowerment and livelihoods opportunities. Both objectives contribute to bolstering the health and nutritional status of both populations while securing a safe and healthy environment. The objectives address short, medium and longer-term challenges with activities benefitting both the refugee and host community populations, and therefore contributing to foster social cohesion.

Under the overall supervision of the Transition & Recovery Division Coordinator and the direct supervision of the Senior Technical Advisor Energy, Environment and Social Cohesion in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, the successful candidate will be accountable and responsible for managing and coordinating/supporting the implementation of projects and initiatives related to the peace consolidation, stabilization, capacity building and overall livelihood and economic development in IOM targeted areas, as well as developing projects to further expand the community stabilization programme. The portfolio will include direct project management and implementation support to all projects in the Transition and Recovery Division portfolio:

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Substantively contribute to strategic planning of quick impact community stabilization, livelihood and social cohesion activities as well as the development of implementation modalities through close collaboration with relevant government representatives, beneficiaries and other relevant stakeholders.

2. Develop detailed project implementation plans for project or project components, indicating key actions, milestones and deadlines to ensure that projects goals are achieved, and services are delivered to beneficiaries.

3. Review the technical aspects of the livelihood project and design forms, tools, procedures and manuals, using existing IOM Livelihood programme as references, based on the services and assistance that the project will provide. Define Information Management requirements and liaise with Programme Support Unit to create the database for the project.

4. Ensure the implementation of project activities including coordinating financial, administrative, and technical oversight in line with IOM policies and practices, and donor requirements.

5. Coordinate activities internally with other programme officers within the unit and with other relevant units within IOM.

6. Oversee the contracting of services and grants under the Social Cohesion projects. Provide technical guidance and advice regarding compliance to project partners, programme staff and implementing entities.

7. Coordinate activities with external project stakeholders such as local government counterparts, community representatives, partner agencies, implementing partners, donors and civil society as required, to ensure effective management and implementation of projects.

8. Monitor project implementation progress against project modalities, scope, schedule and budget on a regular basis, to document and evaluate results, increase effectiveness and take appropriate action.

9. Provide regular project progress updates, with key results and challenges to senior management on the status of project and project components, identifying areas for improvement and recommending improvements.

10. Prepare regular internal and external reports, with adherence to project proposals, signed agreements and institutional reporting requirements of IOM and the donors, to provide an objective overview of programme implementation, and staffing and financial issues; Prepare presentations, talking points and briefings on project activities.

11. Identify empowerment and self-reliance opportunities for the refugees and livelihood opportunities for the host communities and contribute to the overall development of community stabilization and social cohesion activities.

12. Establish and maintain relationships with local actors including stakeholders, government officials, business community, civil society, UN and I/NGOs partners on social cohesion activities and support to host communities.

13. Ensure the proper documentation and reporting of projects.

14. Undertake duty travel as required to provide technical and procedural guidance to project staff and implementing partners, to compile field monitoring reports highlighting implementation challenges and solutions, and to resolve problems.

15. Compile lessons learned from past activities, experiences from other project and activities, and beneficiary feedback for the revision of strategies and action plans.

16. Contribute to resource mobilization efforts, identifying potential new project opportunities and contributing to the preparation of project proposal.

17. Carry out other activities that fall in line with the requirements of the unit.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Political Sciences, Social Science, Humanitarian Affairs, Development Studies or a related field from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience; or

• University degree in the above fields with seven years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• Experience in programme coordination and managerial responsibilities preferably in displacement situations on community stabilization, social cohesion and capacity building related activities in a developing country or post-conflict context;

• Experience working in coordination and collaboration with national and local governmental authorities and donors, as well as with both local and international partner institutions and civil-society organizations;

• Good knowledge and experience in different livelihood and income generating activities.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including demonstrated ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries

• Demonstrated ability to manage project cycles; including project formulation, monitoring, reporting and evaluation. Strong writing skill as well as organizational and planning skills;

• Experience in field-work in a challenging environment and willingness to work in a diverse multi-cultural environment and cultural sensitive;

• Good capacities for strategic thinking, planning and management, ability to identify sustainable solutions to problems

• Proven ability to produce quality work accurately and concisely according to set deadlines;

• Practical experience of how to multi-task in challenging environment, prioritize and work independently.

Languages

Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of Bangla is an advantage.

Desirable Competencies:

Behavioral

• Accountability – takes responsibility for action and manages constructive criticisms;

• Client Orientation – works effectively well with client and stakeholders;

• Continuous Learning – promotes continuous learning for self and others;

• Communication – listens and communicates clearly, adapting delivery to the audience;

• Creativity and Initiative – actively seeks new ways of improving programmes or services;

• Leadership and Negotiation – develops effective partnerships with internal and external stakeholders;

• Performance Management – identify ways and implement actions to improve performance of self and others;

• Planning and Organizing - plans work, anticipates risks, and sets goals within area of responsibility;

• Professionalism - displays mastery of subject matter;

• Teamwork – contributes to a collegial team environment; incorporates gender related needs, perspectives, concerns and promotes equal gender participation;

• Technological Awareness - displays awareness of relevant technological solutions;

• Resource Mobilization - works with internal and external stakeholders to meet resource needs of IOM.

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.

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.

Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications via PRISM, IOM e-Recruitment system, by 17 May 2018 at the latest, referring to this advertisement.

For further information, please refer to:

http://www.iom.int/cms/en/sites/iom/home/about-iom-1/recruitment/how-to-apply.html

In order for an application to be considered valid, IOM only accepts online profiles duly completed.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. You can track the progress of your application on your personal application page in the IOM e-recruitment system.

Posting period:

From 04.05.2018 to 17.05.2018

Requisition: SVN2018/117(P)-ProjectManager(SocialCohesion)(P3)-CoxsBazar,Bangladesh (55466895) Released

Posting: Posting NC55466900 (55466900) Released