Project Officer (Labour Mobility and Social Inclusion) (P)

Introduction

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations and the leading UN agency in the field of migration. Working closely with governmental, intergovernmental, and non-governmental partners, IOM promotes humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It saves lives and protects people on the move, drives solutions to displacement, and facilitates pathways for regular migration, while providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

IOM is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive, and supportive workplace where all employees can thrive professionally and feel valued. By creating such an environment, IOM aims to better harness the full potential of migration and strengthen its support to people on the move.

IOM invites candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply and provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process when required. Learn more about IOM’s workplace culture at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration.

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 IOM Member States that are not represented among staff members in the Professional and higher categories:

Bahamas, Barbados, Comoros, Congo (the), Cook Islands, Dominica, Federated States of Micronesia, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Holy See, Iceland, Israel, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Namibia, Nauru, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Vanuatu

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

Context

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission (CoM) in Cameroon and the direct supervision of the Head of Programmes, and in close coordination with relevant units, Government counterparts, and partners, the Project Officer (Labour Mobility and Social Inclusion) will support the implementation of activities under the Labour Mobility and Social Inclusion Unit within the IOM Cameroon Country Office.

The Project Officer (Labour Mobility and Social Inclusion) will provide technical and operational support for project-funded interventions in the areas of labour migration, migration and trade, skills development and training, skills mobility partnerships, business and human rights, migrant inclusion, access to decent work and social protection, and other migration and sustainable development-related areas in line with IOM mandates.

The position supports project implementation and coordination activities at national and regional levels and contributes to the delivery of project outputs in line with IOM global frameworks, regional priorities, and national development objectives.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities and Accountabilities

1. Support, under the guidance of the Head of Programmes, the implementation of donor-funded projects under the Labour Mobility and Social Inclusion Unit, including programmes on labour mobility, diaspora engagement, skills development, cross-border trade, and socio-economic inclusion, in line with IOM and donor requirements.

1. Support the full project cycle (planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and closure), ensuring timely delivery of outputs, outcomes, and indicators as defined in approved project documents.

1. Assist in the day-to-day implementation and administrative coordination of assigned project tasks, including preparation and regular update of work plans, implementation schedules, procurement plans, risk matrices, and monitoring tools.

1. Provide technical support for the implementation of labour mobility and skills-based interventions, including ethical recruitment, skills partnerships, labour–trade–mobility initiatives, private sector engagement, and diaspora contributions to development.

1. Support the implementation of diaspora engagement activities, including skills transfer, investment mobilisation, entrepreneurship support, and contributions to resilience and regional cooperation initiatives.

1. Work closely with Government counterparts at national, regional, and local levels to support implementation of migration, employment, trade, and social inclusion activities.

1. Support in the implementation of socio-economic inclusion activities, including entrepreneurship support, financial inclusion, business formalization, and capacity building for women, youth, migrants, and small cross-border traders.

1. Support the integration of cross-cutting priorities in assigned tasks, including gender equality, youth empowerment, protection mainstreaming, disability inclusion, conflict sensitivity, and environmental sustainability.

1. Provide day-to-day supervision and guidance to assigned project staff, and support coordination with consultants and implementing partners, including performance monitoring and review of technical deliverables.

1. Support coordination with Resource Management, HR, Procurement, and Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) units to facilitate budget monitoring, compliance, timely procurement, and effective use of project resources.

1. Prepare and consolidate, in coordination with the Head of Programmes, donor deliverables, including narrative and financial reports, technical inputs, concept notes, and funding proposals, and contribute information and documentation as required.

1. Support monitoring, evaluation, and reporting activities, including data collection, results analysis, documentation of lessons learned, and dissemination of good practices.

1. Maintain working relationships with partners and relevant stakeholders, including with UN agencies, development partners, regional organisations, civil society, workers’ and employers’ organisations, and private sector actors.

1. Identify operational risks and implementation constraints and report issues to the supervisor and support the implementation of corrective actions, undertake duty travel as required.

1. Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Master’s degree in Labour Economics, Development Studies, Migration Studies, Law, International Relations, Political Science, Human Rights, Social Sciences, or a related field from an accredited academic institution, with two years of relevant professional experience; or
• Bachelor’s degree in the above-mentioned fields from an accredited academic institution, with four years of relevant professional experience.

Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.

Experience

• Progressive professional experience in labour migration, labour mobility, skills development, employment, social inclusion, or related migration and development fields, with demonstrated application in African contexts;
• Proven experience in project coordination and implementation, including results-based management, donor reporting and compliance, preferably within multi-country or regional programmes;
• Hands-on experience engaging with government authorities, regional institutions, UN agencies, international and national organizations, social partners and private sector actors in Africa;
• Experience supporting initiatives related to skills development, ethical recruitment, migrant worker protection, labour governance, business and human rights, and/or socio-economic inclusion;
• Demonstrated experience working in Central Africa, and/or supporting regional or sub‑regional initiatives (e.g. CEMAC, ECCAS), with understanding of regional integration, mobility and labour dynamics; and,
• Prior exposure to complex operational or border contexts in Africa, is an asset.

Skills

• Solid technical knowledge of labour mobility, migration governance, skills development and employment systems, including understanding of African and Central African contexts;
• Solid familiarity with UN system policies, rules and procedures, including implementation of donor-funded programmes;
• Good analytical and drafting skills, including preparation of reports and programme documentation;
• Good coordination and stakeholder engagement skills, including experience working across ministries, regional stakeholders and implementing partners; and,
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, supervise teams, and deliver quality results in deadline-driven environments.

Languages

All IOM staff members in all categories are required to be fluent in one of the IOM's official languages (English, French, Spanish).

For this position, fluency in English and French is required (oral and written).

Working knowledge of Portuguese and Spanish is an advantage.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Required Competencies

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.

Values - all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these five values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
• 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.
• Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
• Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

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 actions 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, if with direct reports

• 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 leadership and professional potential.
• Empowering others: Creates an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
• Building Trust: Promotes shared values and creates an atmosphere of trust and honesty.
• Strategic thinking and vision: Works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.
• Humility: Leads with humility and shows openness to acknowledging own shortcomings.

Notes

Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile. Please refer to this link for guidance on IOM Job Category.

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.

Appointment will be subject to all clearances, including medical and security as well as accreditation, any residency or visa requirements.

Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.

IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, including sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and any forms of discrimination. IOM is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children.

IOM conducts reference checks and background verification, including through system wide databases such as ClearCheck, to help ensure that candidates have no record of misconduct, including on sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse, or fraud. Candidates are expected to uphold these standards and principles at all times.

IOM does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process—whether for application, interview, processing, training, or otherwise—and does not request any information related to bank accounts.

IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM WAVE system (for internal candidates link here). The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies.