Senior Project Assistant at the International Organization for Migration (IOM)

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) - Established in 1951, IOM is the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of migration and 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.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Senior Project Assistant

SVN No.: SVN2021.53
Location: Lagos, Nigeria
Organizational Unit: Migration Management (Mental Health & Psychosocial Support/MHPSS)
IOM Classification: G7
Type of Appointment: Special Short Term (SST) 6 Months with possibility of extension
Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Context

• Working under the overall supervision of the Project Manager (MM) and Head of Sub Office Lagos, and direct supervision of Project Officer (MM/ MHPSS), the successful candidate will be responsible for the implementation and monitoring of the MHPSS component within the Migration Management activities under IOM Lagos coverage area, with a special focus on strengthening local actors’ capacities especially at state level to provide mental health and psychosocial support as part of the reintegration support services.

Core Functions / Responsibilities

• Oversee the provision of specialized assistance and leadership for planning and implementing the MHPSS component within the AVRR program, Migration Management unit in Lagos Nigeria by tracking and monitoring the implementation progress to verify the projects objectives are achieved and suggesting corrective actions;
• Coordinate and provide training to identified IOM colleagues and other partners’ staff involved with returnees on MHPSS support, including Psychological First Aid Training, and other relevant PSS trainings (e.g; understanding emotional issues among returning migrants, positive communication skills, basic MHPSS concepts, etc).
• Lead the team in designing and implementation community level sensitization activities on MHPSS issues through psychosocial and recreational activities adapted to the needs, age and abilities of migrants.
• Oversee the provision of reintegration assistance within case management, specifically for vulnerable cases of returning migrants, and ensure the documentation and filing of all vulnerable cases for reference and monitoring including regular update of beneficiaries’ information.
• Manage the day-to-day implementation and functioning of the AVRR programme and activities, within the component of MHPSS.
• Liaise and strengthen partnerships with relevant governmental, non-governmental (NGOs), international organizations as well as other relevant stakeholders
• Oversee the provision of specialized assistance and leadership for planning and implementing the MHPSS component within the AVRR program, Migration Management unit in Lagos Nigeria by tracking and monitoring the implementation progress to verify the projects objectives are achieved and suggesting corrective actions;
• Coordinate and provide training to identified IOM colleagues and other partners’ staff involved with returnees on MHPSS support, including Psychological First Aid Training, and other relevant PSS trainings (e.g; understanding emotional issues among returning migrants, positive communication skills, basic MHPSS concepts, etc).
• Lead the team in designing and implementation community level sensitization activities on MHPSS issues through psychosocial and recreational activities adapted to the needs, age and abilities of migrants.
• Oversee the provision of reintegration assistance within case management, specifically for vulnerable cases of returning migrants, and ensure the documentation and filing of all vulnerable cases for reference and monitoring including regular update of beneficiaries’ information.
• Manage the day-to-day implementation and functioning of the AVRR programme and activities, within the component of MHPSS.
• Liaise and strengthen partnerships with relevant governmental, non-governmental (NGOs), international organizations as well as other relevant stakeholders

Educational Qualification and Experience

• University Degree in clinical psychology or other branch of Psychology/ Counselling with seven (7) years in the field of mental health and psychological support; in particular, assistance to migrants is valued
• Diploma in the above fields with five years of relevant working experience
• Demonstrated Knowledge on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Program. Knowledge on counselling skills and protection mechanisms and mainstreaming within case management;
• Experience and demonstrated interest and knowledge in the field of migration, trafficking of human beings, smuggling of migrants;
• Excellent reporting and communication skills;
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, PowerPoint, Good knowledge of information technology and proficiency in Microsoft Office applications especially Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Publisher, and SharePoint;
• Knowledge on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Program. Knowledge on counselling skills and protection mechanisms and mainstreaming within case management;
• Knowledge of traditional, social practices and cultural norms as well as general migration related issues in the country;
• Solid knowledge of project development, administration and evaluation concepts and procedures;
• Proven ability to establish and maintain strong working relations with relevant Government counterparts, international organizations, civil society organizations/NGOs, and private sector entities;
• Experience in supporting all aspects of project management and familiarity with international standards and EU regulations is advantageous, preferably within the United Nations or within the international humanitarian field.
• Experience in liaising with governmental authorities, relevant government counterparts, other national / international institutions and other private sector entities

Languages:

• Fluency in English and working knowledge of the local language.

Required Competencies
The incumbent is expected to demonstrate the following values and competencies:

Values:

• Inclusion & respect for diversity
• Shows respect and sensitivity towards gender, culture, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, political conviction and other differences.
• Encourages the inclusion of all team members and stakeholders while demonstrating the ability to work constructively with people with different backgrounds and orientations.
• Promotes the benefits of diversity; values diverse points of view and demonstrate this in daily work and decision making.
• Challenges prejudice, biases and intolerance in the workplace.

Integrity & transparency:

• Upholds and promotes the Standards of Conduct and Unified Staff Regulations and Rules.
• Delivers on commitments; manages the organization’s resources reliably and sustainably.
• Embraces and encourages transparency, balancing this with the need for discretion and confidentiality as appropriate.
• Maintains impartiality and takes prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour.
• Does not abuse one’s position and acts without consideration of personal gain. Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns.

Professionalism:

• Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter and willingness to improve knowledge and skills.
• Seeks to raise professional standards in self and others through daily work and activities.
• Adapts quickly to change and is decisive and versatile in face of uncertainty.
• Shows self-control and persistence when faced with difficult problems, and remains calm in stressful situations.
• Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results.

Core competencies:
Teamwork:

• Fosters a sense of team spirit by developing a shared understanding, accountability and enthusiasm for the team’s work.
• Displays a high level of cultural awareness, sensitivity to different ways of working and leverages individual strengths in order to build a better team.
• Shares credit for team accomplishments and ensures that the contribution of others is recognized.
• Helps create a positive team spirit, putting aside personal considerations to help the team achieve its goals.

Delivering results:

• Produces high-quality results and workable solutions that meet clients’ needs.
• Anticipates constraints, identifies solutions and takes responsibility for addressing critical situations.
• Monitors own and others’ work in a systematic and effective way, ensuring required resources and outputs.
• Aligns projects with Organization’s mission and objectives and demonstrates a good understanding of the impact of team’s and own work on external and internal counterparts.

Managing and sharing knowledge:

• Disseminates and shares knowledge openly and actively contributes to knowledge/network communities for topics relevant to area of expertise.
• Encourages knowledge-sharing across units/departments and ensures that knowledge is captured, recorded and disseminated appropriately.
• Builds networks for the effective communication and exchange of knowledge and ideas and puts others into contact with various sources of knowledge.
• Contributes to an environment that is conducive to innovation and learning.

Accountability:

• Proactively seeks responsibility in delivering towards the goals of the Organization.
• Plans and organizes work with a clear and deliberate focus, ensuring commitments are easily identified and progress is widely communicated.
• Stands by the actions of team or department, publicly accepting ownership.
• Takes responsibility of own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Communication:

• Speaks and writes clearly and effectively.
• Seeks to share information with others, with due respect for diversity and the confidentiality of specific sensitive information.
• Listens and seeks to understand without bias, and responds appropriately.
• Shares information and keeps others up to date; actively seeks others' views and ideas and respects their contribution.

Managerial competencies:
Leadership:

• Assigns responsibilities fairly and manages performance, taking account of individual strengths, workloads and interests.
• Is inclusive in decision-making and actively seeks feedback from team members and colleagues in order to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Takes sound and timely managerial decisions that are consistent with the Organization's vision and purpose.
• Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of stakeholders to understand needs and gain support.

Empowering others & building trust:

• Delegates appropriately to make the most of others’ talents, clarifying expectations and allowing autonomy in important areas while providing necessary support.
• Encourages others to take responsibility for their performance; promotes ownership, responsibility and accountability for desired results at all levels.
• Creates an atmosphere of trust and confidence in which others can talk and act without fear of repercussion.
• Gives proper credit to others, shows appreciation and rewards achievement and effort.

Strategic thinking & vision:

• Aligns own actions to the Organization’s vision, values and mandate.
• Translates strategic direction into short and medium-term plans and objectives for own team; revises objectives to reflect changes in organizational goals.
• Identifies key issues/priorities in complex situations and how they may be related to one another.
• Clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals

Other:

• Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment.
• Only candidates residing in the country of the duty station within commuting distance of the duty station will be considered.

Appliaction Closing Date
6th July, 2021.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online
And
Submit their applications via email to: [email protected] indicating position applied on subject line.

Note

• In order for the applications to be considered valid, IOM only accepts applications with a cover letter not more than one page specifying the motivation for application, addressed to Human Resources, International Organization for Migration (IOM) and with a subject line SVN2021.53. Lagos Senior Project Assistant (Mental Health & Psychosocial Support/MHPSS).
• All applications should include a functional email address, mobile numbers, and detailed curriculum vitae (CV).
• Please note that this position is open only to Nigerian National and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.