Project Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is an intergovernmental organization that provides services and advice concerning migration to governments and migrants alike. Established in 1951, IOM has grown to become a leading organization in the field of migration, with over 173 member states and offices in more than 100 countries. The organization's mission is to promote humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all, and it works to ensure that migration is safe, orderly, and dignified. IOM is committed to the principles of inclusion and respect for diversity, integrity and transparency, and professionalism, which guide its operations and interactions with stakeholders.

Job Overview:
The Project Officer will play a crucial role in the successful implementation of the OPORTUNIDADES project in Ecuador. This position involves coordinating the project’s activities, ensuring compliance with IOM policies and donor requirements, and providing operational guidance to project staff. The Project Officer will be responsible for monitoring project progress against strategic objectives and benchmarks, and will work closely with the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer to establish a robust M&E framework. The role also includes identifying new project development opportunities and contributing to the creation of project proposals based on thorough assessments of the local context. The Project Officer will supervise project staff and consultants, ensuring that capacity-building activities are effectively delivered to enhance the skills of staff, partners, and government officials. This position requires strong collaboration with various stakeholders, including government entities, UN agencies, and other partners, to facilitate smooth project implementation and compliance with reporting requirements.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Coordinate the overall implementation of the OPORTUNIDADES project, overseeing financial, administrative, and technical aspects in accordance with IOM policies and donor requirements.
• Provide operational guidance and technical supervision to project staff, assisting in programmatic strategy and implementation.
• Monitor project progress against strategic objectives and benchmarks, providing advice for improvements and corrections.
• Develop a common Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Framework in collaboration with the M&E Officer.
• Identify priority areas for project development and contribute to new project proposals.
• Supervise project staff and consultants, planning and delivering capacity-building activities.
• Ensure compliance with project partners and stakeholders, liaising with government entities and donors.
• Coordinate information management related to project activities, providing regular updates and reports.
• Draft quality progress reports for donors and stakeholders, ensuring compliance with requirements. 1
• Participate in conferences, workshops, and technical working groups to represent IOM activities. 1
• Engage in UN working groups to integrate migration issues into UN frameworks. 1
• Undertake duty travel as necessary to support project implementation. 1
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree in international relations, Political Science, Humanitarian Affairs, Economic Development, Business or Public Administration, International Studies, or a related field from an accredited institution, along with two years of relevant professional experience. Alternatively, a University degree in the aforementioned fields with four years of relevant professional experience is acceptable. Accredited institutions are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database. Candidates should demonstrate a strong understanding of migration issues, project management, and capacity-building activities, as well as the ability to liaise effectively with governmental and international entities.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master's degree in relevant fields such as international relations, Political Science, Humanitarian Affairs, Economic Development, Business or Public Administration, or International Studies. Candidates with a University degree in these fields must have a minimum of four years of relevant professional experience. The educational qualifications must be from accredited institutions recognized by the UNESCO World Higher Education Database, ensuring that candidates have a solid academic foundation to support their professional capabilities in managing migration-related projects.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have substantial experience in program conceptualization, monitoring, reporting, and evaluation. Candidates should have a proven track record in project development and capacity-building activities, as well as experience in liaising with governmental and diplomatic authorities. Familiarity with financial and business administration is essential, along with a deep understanding of internal and international migration issues, particularly in Ecuador and the surrounding region. Experience with social cohesion and inclusion programs targeting migrant populations is highly advantageous, as is experience in organizing consultations, workshops, and seminars with various stakeholders. Candidates should also possess in-depth knowledge of migration-related subject areas and familiarity with UN and bilateral donor programming.

Languages:
Fluency in Spanish is required for this position, as it is the primary language of communication within the organization and the region. Working knowledge of English is considered an advantage, as it may facilitate communication with international stakeholders and enhance the candidate's ability to engage in broader discussions related to migration issues. IOM's official languages include English, French, and Spanish, and proficiency in these languages will be evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and oral assessments to ensure candidates meet the necessary language requirements for effective communication in their roles.

Additional Notes:
The position is subject to funding confirmation, and any offer made to the candidate will depend on the availability of financial resources. This selection process may also be utilized to fill similar positions in various duty stations, and recommended candidates will remain eligible for appointment in similar roles for a period of 24 months. National Professional Officers must be nationals of the country of their employment, and they are expected to perform at a professional level with the same standards of recruitment qualifications and performance as International Professional staff. Appointment will be contingent upon certification of medical fitness, verification of residency, visa, and necessary authorizations from the concerned government, where applicable. IOM maintains a zero-tolerance policy regarding conduct that contradicts the organization's aims and objectives, including issues related to sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment, and discrimination. IOM does not charge any fees during the recruitment process and only accepts applications submitted through its online recruitment system.