Senior Project Associate - Livelihoods

Job Posting Organization:
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) was established in 1951 and is a Related Organization of the United Nations. It is the leading UN agency in the field of migration, working closely with governmental, intergovernmental, and non-governmental partners. IOM's mission is to promote humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all, saving lives and protecting people on the move. The organization is involved in various aspects of migration, including post-conflict recovery, livelihoods development, and job creation programs. IOM operates in numerous countries worldwide, leveraging its field presence and operational capacity to support community infrastructure and provide vocational training. The organization is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive, and supportive workplace where all employees can thrive professionally and feel valued. IOM invites candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply and provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process when required. Applications are welcome from both internal and external candidates, with a focus on qualified and eligible first-tier candidates during the selection process.

Job Overview:
The Senior Project Associate - Livelihoods will play a crucial role in supporting the implementation, monitoring, and coordination of livelihoods activities, including the Graduation Approach (GA) interventions, within the assigned area of responsibility. This position is based in Kirkuk, Iraq, and may require travel to various regions and governorates within Iraq to support livelihoods activities. The incumbent will work under the overall supervision of the Head of Livelihoods Technical Team and the direct supervision of the Program Coordinator – Livelihoods. The role involves ensuring timely delivery of livelihoods activities, monitoring supported beneficiaries, and following up on the implementation of activities in line with approved guidelines and procedures. The Senior Project Associate will also be responsible for supporting routine quality checks, drafting reports, and conducting monitoring visits to ensure the effectiveness of the livelihoods programs.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Senior Project Associate - Livelihoods include supporting team leaders and livelihoods case managers in tracking the implementation of livelihoods activities, coordinating with the Program Coordinator to travel to project sites for monitoring purposes, and documenting observations. The incumbent will also support routine quality checks and verification of livelihoods activities, monitor program indicators, and compile regular progress updates. Additionally, the Senior Project Associate will assist in delivering orientation sessions for operational teams, coordinate with external stakeholders, draft routine reports, conduct monitoring visits, and review uploaded business plans and program documentation. The role may also involve disseminating updated SOPs and guidance notes to field teams and performing other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Economics, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Public Administration, Psychology, or a related field from an accredited academic institution, along with four years of relevant professional experience. Alternatively, candidates with a completed high school diploma from an accredited academic institution and six years of relevant professional experience will also be considered. Experience in supporting the implementation, coordination, and monitoring of livelihoods, recovery, resilience, or community stabilization activities is essential. Familiarity with field-level operational follow-up and coordination with field teams across multiple locations is also required. Experience working with international organizations, UN agencies, NGOs, or donor-funded programs is advantageous, as is experience in coordinating with local authorities and service providers.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Bachelor’s degree in relevant fields such as Business Administration, Economics, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Public Administration, or Psychology from an accredited institution. Candidates with a high school diploma and extensive relevant experience may also qualify. Accredited universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database, ensuring that candidates have received their education from recognized institutions.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have a minimum of four years of relevant professional experience if they hold a Bachelor’s degree, or six years if they have a high school diploma. Experience should include supporting the implementation and monitoring of livelihoods activities, conducting field-level operational follow-up, and coordinating with various stakeholders. Candidates should also have experience in data collection, reporting, and working with vulnerable communities, applying inclusive and protection-sensitive approaches in program implementation.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for all IOM staff members, as it is one of the organization's official languages. For this position, proficiency in Arabic and Kurdish is considered an advantage. Language proficiency will be evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments to ensure candidates meet the necessary communication requirements for the role.

Additional Notes:
The position may involve a contract duration that is subject to funding confirmation. The selection process may be used to staff similar positions in various duty stations, and recommended candidates will remain eligible for appointment in similar roles for a period of 24 months. Appointment is contingent upon certification of medical fitness, accreditation, residency or visa requirements, and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security clearances. IOM maintains a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations, including discrimination and harassment. The organization does not charge any fees during the recruitment process and only accepts applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment system.