Context/Reporting line:

IOM Iraq, through its various programme units, implements a wide variety of activities related to post-conflict recovery and durable solutions in Iraq. The Transition and Recovery Division works to remove the initial obstacles to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) return and reintegration in Iraq’s post-conflict areas and lay the foundation for longer-term recovery, economic development and reconstruction in general. TRD’s work areas include policy and coordination, including oversight of IOM’s leadership role in Iraq Durable Solutions coordination mechanisms; data including research and the Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM); and operational activities such as housing and infrastructure reconstruction, livelihoods, cash for work and community engagement, in addition to direct support in facilitating voluntary returns for IDPs who have faced protracted displacement.

IOM’s Peace building and Stabilization Division (PSD) in Iraq aims to address the drivers of conflict and displacement through a community-driven and led approach to promote resilience, social cohesion, and improved mental and emotional wellbeing among conflict-affected populations. PSD programming spans a broad range of areas, including protection and MHPSS, transitional justice (with a focus on support to GoI mechanisms to deliver reparations to survivors of CRSV), HLP and legal assistance to access civil documentation, social cohesion, and community infrastructure.  

Under the general guidance of the Head ,Transition and Recovery Division, the overall supervision of the Senior Programme Coordinator ( Durable Solutions and Community Engagement), the administrative supervision of the Head of Sub Office (HoSO)  and the  direct supervision of the Programme Coordinator(Transition& Recovery) and in close coordination of  the  Field Coordinator (Social Cohesion), the National Durable Solutions Field Officer is responsible for representing IOM in the Mosul and Sinjar ABC groups and co-chairing the work of the two groups in collaboration with other focal point organizations.

The overarching objective of Area-Based Coordination (ABC) groups under the leadership of the Durable Solutions Technical Working Group (DSTWG), is to facilitate area-level planning, implementation, and coordination. Jointly with the relevant local authorities, the ABC will support and guide localized mapping of needs, interventions and gaps and the implementation of the national durable solutions strategy and operational framework. Specifically, this objective will be accomplished through the creation and implementation of area-level Durable Solutions Plans of Action (POAs), established in priority areas, driven by actors who are committed to supporting a localized DS response and building on guidance produced by DSTWG at national level.

The position is based in Mosul or Sinjar office and will be responsible for working with the Area-Based Coordination groups in Sinjar and in Mosul, with travel among program locations and offices as needed.

Core Functions / Responsibilities

1. Act as chair of two DSTWG Area-based Coordination groups in Mosul and Sinjar and reporting on IOM’s work.
2. Be regularly present in and familiar with locations when IOM durable solutions programme interventions are being implemented to develop a solid understanding of IOM’s programming.
3. When on deployment in specific field locations, meet with staff and local authorities as required to develop a solid understanding of issues and challenges in target locations.
4. Ensure regular coordination with IOM field management and teams on information related to the work of ABC groups,
5. Ensure timely reporting of activities and progress to the ABC group and to IOM management including programmatic gaps and duplications identified within ABC areas of operations.
6. Maintain close correspondence with other organizations and coordination structures at the governorate level and relevant IOM colleagues for the coordination and implementation of returns and durable solutions related interventions in the assigned area.

Co-chair responsibilities

The Sinjar and Mosul ABC co-chair responsibilities will represent at least 80% of the tasks for the Durable Solutions Field Officer. As per standard DSTWG guidance, “focal point organizations will be responsible for a series of objectives related to outreach as well planning, implementation and monitoring of DS POAs at area level.” Below are described the key responsibilities specific to the coordination role:

Outreach

1. Engage and coordinate with governorate and local authorities relevant to the development and implementation of DS POAs, with support from DSTWG.
2. Identify and coordinate with key stakeholders who should be engaged in DS POAs among UN agencies, national and international non-governmental, civil society and community-based organizations and private sector, as well as existing working groups, coordination platforms and other mechanisms relevant to DS in the area.
3. Support the identification and mapping of actors and their activities (humanitarian, stabilization, development, peacebuilding) at the Governorate, district, sub-district, locality level whichever is the most relevant.
4. Convene regular meetings of member organizations and local authorities as required for planning, implementation, and monitoring of DS activities at the area level. Separately, and wherever possible through existing mechanisms, regularly meet and update the broader set of organizations implementing DS activities in the area.

Planning

5. Participate in the analysis of the identified needs, gaps and interventions that will contribute to evidence-based planning.
6. Lead the organization of workshops, roundtables and other events with government counterparts and other key partners for the purposes of developing POAs, with support from DSTWG.
7. Define, jointly with identified local authority and government counterparts, priority geographic locations, sectors, population groups and other planning elements related to DS POAs.
8. Coordinate capacity building and sensitization to local authorities and other key stakeholders involved in DS planning.
9. Support joint approaches to efficiently consult and seek feedback from affected groups to facilitate inclusion of perspectives in planning and promote community-based interventions and support accountability mechanisms.
10. Coordinate the efforts of local-level planning for the transition between humanitarian response and Durable Solutions and recovery. This includes working closely with sub-national clusters and other coordination structures covering Mosul and Sinjar.

Implementation

12. Chair ABC coordination meetings with focal points and partner organizations to develop or revise outputs. Circulate minutes of meetings with action points to relevant partners.
13. Facilitate exchange of information on needs, gaps, and ongoing/planned activities, and facilitate the identification of and coordination with potential partners to fill gaps.
14. Ensure regularly updated response and service mapping such that the POA remains updated and relevant.
15. Facilitate across the wider group of interested organizations information exchange and sharing of information related to challenges in implementation, technical work areas, good practices, local dynamics, and other issues as relevant; identify opportunities for joint approaches and collaboration between organizations and with local authorities.
16. Support area-level advocacy around key issues and barriers to durable solutions and, where required, raising key issues to the authorities and the DSTWG.
17. Assist in coordinating efforts of the POA application based on the DSTWG ‘coordination in practice’ guidelines and tools, this includes ‘deep dive’ in priority locations identified in the POA to develop relevant action plans.
18. Monitor implementation and progress of the PoAs, using framework and tools developed with guidance from DSTWG.

Education:

• Master’s degree in political, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Human Rights, International Relations, Law, or any related field from an accredited academic university or institution with 2 years of relevant professional experience or;
• Bachelor’s degree in the above-mentioned fields with 4 years of relevant professional experience.

Experience and Skills:

• Experience in inter-agency coordination and in coordination with Governmental authorities at local and national level.
• Technical understanding and previous experience of working on Durable Solutions programs.
• Proven experience in project writing, monitoring, and reporting, including for multi-sectoral and multi-agency programs.
• Experience in interventions aimed at supporting return and post-conflict recovery.
• Experience in liaising and building effective partnerships with government authorities, other national and international counterparts, including UN agencies, national and international NGOs, coordination fora.
• Proven ability to coordinate, advise and promote collaboration among internal teams and other organizations, particularly in transitional or post-conflict contexts.
• Previous working experience in Iraq or the Middle East and Northern Africa region is advantageous.
• Willing to conduct constant travel within the Area of Responsibility.

Languages:

• Fluency in English and Arabic is required.

Behavioral Competencies

• Work prioritization and ability to multitask.
• Shares knowledge and experience.
• Positive, constructive attitude.
• Ability to work and act under pressure with discretion in politically sensitive environment with a minimum of comfort.
• Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view.
• Ready to work independently, under tight deadlines.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural team environment with a positive attitude.
• Highest standards of integrity, discretion, and loyalty.
• Strives for supportive working environment and positive working relationship.

• Creates a respectful office environment free of harassment, retaliation, and promotes the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA).

While this vacancy is open to both Internals and Externals, priority shall be given to qualified Internal applicants.

Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications via this link:

https://jobs.my-soc.org/apply/20230411084855/Vn0QXcErJjvS4BzWPksbMxwGT

In order for an application to be considered valid, IOM only accepts online profiles duly completed. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.