Senior Project Associate

Vacancy Notice No: SVN#NP/06/24

Open to Internal and External Candidates

Position Title: Senior Project Associate

Duty Station: Jajarkot or West Rukum district, Karnali Province, Nepal 

Classification: General Service Staff, Grade-6

Type of Appointment: Special Short Term, 6 months with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: May 01, 2024

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.

Organizational Context and Scope

On 3 November 2023, Nepal’s deadliest earthquake since April 2015 struck Jajarkot District in Karnali Province in the west of the country. The 6.4 magnitude earthquake, which was followed by over 300 aftershocks, killed 154 (84 females and 70 males, including 81 children)2, injured 366, and displaced tens of thousands of people, forcing many to sleep outside in freezing overnight temperatures for fear of aftershocks. According to the National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC), approximately 62,011 households were damaged (completely and partially) and 250,000 people were affected (127,750 females and 122,250 males, including 69,575 children), with Jajarkot and Rukum West districts bearing the brunt of the damage. Despite the earthquake's relatively low magnitude, the high levels of damage and casualties were caused by substandard construction of homes and as it occurred at night when most people were asleep in their homes.

In February 2024, the Joint Recovery Action Plan: Western Nepal Earthquake was launched by the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office Nepal with three pronged objectives 1) Support livelihoods and the continuation of basic service delivery 2) Create enabling environments for long term recovery and reconstruction of affected communities 3) support the current season and build resilience to natural shocks in 2024. Under the Joint Recovery UN Project, IOM is leading the Shelter Recovery interventions planned from May 2024 until January 2025. 

Under the guidance from Chief of Mission and overall supervision of the National Program Officer/Head MECR (Migration, Environment, Climate Change and Risk Reduction) and the direct supervision of the Shelter Expert, the successful candidate will provide support to Shelter and Settlements interventions for the Jajarkot earthquake recovery operation.

Core Functions / Responsibilities

1. Facilitate community meetings and consultations to understand the needs and preferences of the affected population to promote active participation of community members in decision-making processes related to shelter and settlement designs.
2. Promote and facilitate the inclusion of marginalized groups, such as women, children, elderly, and persons with disabilities, in the planning and implementation phases.
3. Participate in assessments of social, cultural, and economic factors influencing shelter and settlement requirements.
4. Support in collaborating with government agencies, UN agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other relevant stakeholders to align project objectives with broader development goals.
5. Establish effective communication channels with local authorities and community leaders to facilitate smooth project implementation.
6. Coordinate with technical experts, including architects and engineers, to integrate social considerations into shelter designs and construction plans.
7. Provide training sessions for community members on disaster preparedness, shelter maintenance, and safe construction practices.
8. Build the capacity of local organizations and community-based groups to sustainably manage shelter and settlement initiatives beyond the project duration.
9. Support the establishment of community-based mechanisms for conflict resolution and dispute mediation to promote social cohesion and resilience.
10. Assist in integrating gender mainstreaming, environmental sustainability, and protection principles into all aspects of shelter and settlement programming.
11. Support to ensure the accessibility of shelter facilities for persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, including through the provision of inclusive infrastructure and services.
12. Collaborate with National PSEA Officer to implement, monitor, and report on protection related interventions.
13. Perform any duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Sociology, Law, Anthropology, Community Development, International Development, or a related field with four years of relevant experience.

Experience

• Relevant experience working in humanitarian assistance, community development, or social services, with a focus on shelter and settlement projects (especially into the reconstruction).
• Proven experience in conducting social assessments, community consultations, and participatory needs assessments in diverse cultural settings.
• Experience in designing and implementing social interventions for vulnerable populations, including refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and host communities.
• Demonstrated experience in project management, including planning, budgeting, monitoring, and evaluation of social components within shelter programs.
• Experience in capacity building and training facilitation for community members, local organizations, and government stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of social dynamics, cultural norms, and power structures within displaced communities, with the ability to apply culturally sensitive approaches in program implementation.
• Proficiency in qualitative and quantitative research methods, data analysis, and report writing to inform evidence-based decision-making.
• Familiarity with international standards and guidelines related to shelter, settlement, and protection, such as Sphere standards, Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS), and the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) guidelines.
• Knowledge of gender equality and social inclusion principles, with experience mainstreaming gender considerations and promoting the participation of marginalized groups in project activities.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills, with the ability to interact effectively with diverse stakeholders, including community members, government officials, and humanitarian partners.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including empathy, cultural sensitivity, and conflict resolution abilities, to foster trust and collaboration within communities.

Skills

• Computer literate (MS office, and social media engagement, community mobilization skills, etc.);
• Database management systems, familiarity of Monitoring and evaluation software is advantage. 
• Familiarity with social media and social engagement tools on community development.
• Knowledge of relevant knowledge management skills, coding languages for data analysis and system development may be beneficial.

Languages

• Fluency in English and Nepali is required (oral and written).

Required Competencies

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.

Other

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment. Only Nepali Nationals will be considered for this position.

How to apply:

Interested Candidates are requested to submit their application indicating clearly the position applied, VN number and CV with three references to the following address: Human Resource Department, International Organization for Migration, P.O. Box 25503, Lazimpat Road, Panipokhari, Kathmandu or email to iomnepaljobs@iom.int by 01 May 2024. Only short-listed candidates will be called for interview.

Posting period:

From 24.04.2024 to 01.05.2024