Programme Officer (Access)

Position Title : Programme Officer (Access)

Duty Station : Gaziantep, Turkey

Classification : Professional Staff, Grade P2

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

Estimated Start Date : As soon as possible

Closing Date : 14 April 2022

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; Aruba (Netherlands); Botswana; Cabo Verde; Comoros; Congo (the); Cook Islands; Cuba; Curaçao; Fiji; Grenada; Guinea-Bissau; Guyana; Holy See; Iceland; Kingdom of Eswatini; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the); Latvia; Libya; Madagascar; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Montenegro; Namibia; Nauru; Palau; 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:

As a member of the UN Humanitarian Country Team in Syria and all concerned neighbouring countries (Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, and Turkey), the IOM Director General has activated the L3 Emergency SOPs to enhance organizational humanitarian assistance and priorities related to IDPs, refugees and returnees, and is actively participating in the emergency response within this rapidly changing humanitarian context. The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) voted on and passed an amended renewal UNSC Resolution 2585, which authorises the UN to deliver cross-border aid into Syria, allowing UN and its partners to provide cross border assistance from Turkey to Northern Syria.

Under the overall supervision of the Head of Sub Office – ESEM (East, Southeast, Mediterranean) Turkey Region in Gaziantep and the direct supervision of the Senior Programme Coordinator (Cross-Border), the Programme Officer (Access) will contribute to the development and management of an Access Unit as part of the Cross Border Programme, contribute technical inputs for the development of an Access Strategy and recommend practical measures (e.g. IOM Areas of Operation and Access Mapping, IPs Access reporting, Access Capacity Building) to facilitate meaningful and principled humanitarian access across IOM Turkey Country Office’s (CO) projects in North West Syria.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Supervise, monitor and coordinate the activities of the IOM North West Syria (NWS) Cross Border Access Unit, which acts as a support unit for the IOM Cross Border Operations in access related matters.

2. Contribute technical inputs for the development of, and implement and maintain an IOM Access Strategy in close coordination with all Cross-Border programme and support units. Provide technical inputs by focusing on outlining the IOM approach to humanitarian access and how the meaningful and principled humanitarian access is enabled on overall programme and project level.

3. Monitor and analyse contextual developments, as well as assess trends and constraints impacting the operational environment in NWS, and provide up to date information to the Senior Programme Coordinator, Project Managers and Program units to enhance conflict sensitivity of the NWS Cross Border Programme. To this end, draft and share periodic briefs and reports in close coordination with Senior Programme Coordinator.

4. Liaise with XB IOM Implementing Partners to assist in enhancing awareness about principled humanitarian access, its importance and the need for transparent reporting access constraints. This includes maintaining relationships of trust through regular communication, organization of meetings and workshops with IPs, etc.

5. Promote and contribute to the capacity building activities for Implementing Partners to improve the identification of access constraints and the formulation of adequate responses at the field and HQ levels through regular engagement with IPs, as well as workshops and trainings.

6. Document and process all access constraints encountered in the field through the IOM Access Constraints Reporting tool. Track and follow up on timely and transparent submission by all Implementing Partners.

7. Report access issues encountered, including any forms of aid diversion, to Senior Programme Coordinator (Cross-Border), the affected programmes and OCHA’s Access Monitoring & Reporting Framework (AMRF), immediately upon occurrence.

8. Recommend responses to access incidents so that action can be taken in an efficient and timely manner in coordination with IOM project teams. Depending on the nature of the access incident, this can include consultations with other stakeholders, guidance to Implementing Partners on action points and direct/indirect negotiation with involved parties.

9. Maintain and contribute to the development of IOM internal information management systems in close coordination with all operational units and Information Management Unit of Gaziantep Sub-Office

10. Participate in the monthly Access Working Group and other relevant technical fora, and liaise with other UN and NGO partner counterparts on matters of access, risk mitigation and any developments on Access in NW-Syria. Contribute technical inputs for the formulation of AWG positions, strategies, best practices and guidance documents.

11. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Social Sciences, International Relations, Business Administration, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with two years of relevant professional experience ; or

• University degree from an accredited academic institution with four years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• Proven experience in the field of Access;

• Experience in emergency operations and liaison with other UN and non-UN humanitarian actors; and,

• Working experience in the Region is an advantage.

Skills

• Knowledge of the humanitarian architecture, especially in relation to access (actors relevant to humanitarian access, North West Syria context); Understanding of complex social-political environments;

• Knowledge of the Syrian conflict and its impact on the affected population;

• Good organizational and coordination skills; and,

• Proven ability to organize large-scale, fast-paced, responsive programs activities.

Languages

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

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

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

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.

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 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. 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. 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.