Project Manager (Migrants as Messengers)

Position Title : Project Manager (Migrants as Messengers)
Duty Station : Dakar, Senegal
Classification : Professional Staff, Grade P3
Type of Appointment : Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension
Estimated Start Date : As soon as possible
Closing Date : 27 October 2019

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. Candidates from the following non-represented member states: Antigua and Barbuda; Cabo Verde; Comoros; Cook Islands; Cuba; Djibouti; El Salvador; Fiji; Gabon; Grenada; Guinea-Bissau; Guyana; Holy See; Iceland; Kingdom of Eswatini; Kiribati; Lao People's Democratic Republic (the); Latvia; Libya; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Montenegro; Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Papua New Guinea; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Samoa; Sao Tome and Principe; Seychelles; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Timor-Leste; Tonga; Tuvalu; Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:
All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states.

Context:
Under the direct supervision of the Head of Unit, the successful candidate will be responsible for managing the project Migrants as Messengers in 7 Country Offices (Nigeria, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, The Gambia, Sierra Leone and Liberia). The position will be based at the Regional Office in Dakar. IOM implements innovative approaches and initiatives aimed at positively affecting the knowledge levels, attitudes and behaviours of youth and potential migrants in West and Central Africa. At the community level, these initiatives encourage the public and private sectors to develop new ways to prevent exploitation by building capacity to apply Communication for Development (C4D) practices to outreach activities. One of such initiatives is the IOM’s innovative C4D campaign, Migrants as Messenger. A growing body of research suggests that potential migrants are generally distrustful of
information campaigns on irregular migration and that they are more likely to believe information obtained through trusted social networks. Migrants as Messengers (MaM) addresses this distrust by influencing decisions in migration-prone communities in West Africa through peer-to-peer messaging. The project started in 3 countries in November 2017 and will expand to include 7 countries in the region (Nigeria, Senegal, Guinea, Gambia, Cote d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone and Liberia) over 3 years. It is carried out by volunteer returned migrants using storytelling techniques to record peer interviews broadcast on social media. High quality audio-visual formats and adapted digital platforms for the dissemination of content are essential to the success of the project.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:
1. Manage the project’s regional implementation in all countries, in a timely manner, overseeing its financial, administrative and technical aspects, in line with IOM’s policies and procedures, as well as donor requirements.
2. Ensure proper coordination in the Country Offices and Sub-Offices with other awareness raising initiatives funded under European Union Trust Fund (EUTF), IOM X, or by other bi-lateral donors at country level, in terms of implementation, monitoring and evaluation, reporting, data collection and information elaboration.
3. Supervise all staff assigned to the project, as well as consultants recruited to support and/or undertake specific activities.
4. Maintain strong partnerships with the donor, Government entities, Development Partners, other implementing partners, UN agencies and other stakeholders.
5. Prepare progress and other reports and monitor information exchange on all operational aspects of the project between IOM, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and other stakeholders.
6. Contribute to the development of new projects in awareness raising on irregular migration in relation to expressed governmental needs, donors’ priorities and in line with IOM’s mandate and strategy.
7. Participate in at relevant seminars and meetings, as well as other events aimed at promoting IOM’s image and activities.
8. Undertake site visits and duty travel as required.
9. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education
• Master’s degree in Communications or a related field from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience in field communications and/or advocacy; or
• University degree in the above field with seven years of relevant professional experience in field communications and/or advocacy.

Experience
• Experience in project management, preferably in (digital) communication and/or awareness raising projects with a UN agency, or a regional or international organization;
• Experience implementing similar community organizing, outreach, advocacy and/or awareness raising projects in Sub-Saharan countries;
• Experience in digital content creation;
• Operational and field experience in managing migration projects in the West Africa region is an asset, including project development, advocacy and awareness raising;
• Relevant exposure to the complex social-political environment of the West Africa region;
• Proven ability to establish and maintain strong working relations with relevant Government counterparts, international organizations and private sector entities.

Languages
IOM’s official languages are English, French and Spanish.

For this position, fluency in English and French is required (oral and written). Working knowledge Spanish is an advantage.
1 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 three 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: works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.