Project Associate (Livelihood)

Job Posting Organization:
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) was founded in 1951 and is the leading intergovernmental organization in the field of migration. It works closely with governmental, intergovernmental, and non-governmental partners. The IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It provides services and advice to governments and migrants, including humanitarian assistance to displaced populations and host communities. IOM's main activities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), particularly in the central and eastern regions of the country, are related to stabilization, reconstruction, and restoring state authority. IOM is involved in the resettlement of displaced persons and participates in the coordinated humanitarian response in the context of inter-agency arrangements in this area. It also provides services in emergency or post-crisis situations and others, as needed, for the needs of migrants, thereby contributing to their protection. The Ituri province in southeastern DRC is marked by recurring inter-community conflicts, primarily between the Hema and Lendu communities, as well as the activism of armed groups CODECO and Zaire, which are largely associated with them. In the health zones (ZS) of Angumu, Mahagi, and Rimba, the aftermath of the Hema-Lendu inter-community conflict persists and continues to be fueled by land disputes, mutual distrust, limited access to essential services, and lack of economic opportunities. Although security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security is relatively better there than in other parts of Ituri, these tensions remain a risk to stability and recovery. The presence of these relatively stabilized areas represents a strategic opportunity to develop intervention strategies aimed at improving the living conditions of internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees, repatriated individuals, and host communities, while promoting social cohesion, peaceful coexistence, restoring social capital, and reviving the local economy. The health zones of Angumu, Mahagi, and Rimba have been identified as having pockets of relative stability and housing several displaced sites, thus providing a strategic framework for implementing concrete actions to transition from humanitarian to stabilization and development projects. Building on its humanitarian operations, IOM is committed through the project "Integrated Support for Durable Solutions and Resilience of Communities Affected by Displacement in Ituri" to long-term peacebuilding, recovery, and programming of sustainable solutions for displaced populations by strengthening social cohesion, providing mental health and psychosocial-support" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">psychosocial support (MHPSS), establishing participatory governance structures, and providing sustainable livelihood opportunities in return areas. Funded by the European Union, this project, also known as "Mahagi, Jamii Imara, Kesho Bora: A Strong Community and a Sustainable Future in Mahagi," aims to strengthen the socio-economic and psychosocial resilience of displaced populations, returnees, repatriated individuals, and host communities in the health zones of Mahagi, Angumu, and Rimba through sustainable solutions focused on social cohesion, economic restart, access to essential services, and inclusive governance.

Job Overview:
Under the general supervision of the Chief of Mission and the direct supervision of the project manager, the Project Associate (Livelihood) will support the realization of the economic opportunities study in the agropastoral sector, construction, crafts, services, and trade; preparation of cost estimates and potential tender documents in the vocational training sector, promotion of employment, and income-generating activities. In collaboration with other assistants, participate in social cohesion activities and capacity building of local civil society institutions and organizations. Assist in improving economic opportunities for beneficiary communities, including internally displaced persons, host communities, ex-combatants, and returnees, and access to basic services; Support beneficiaries in identifying economic reintegration projects based on the results of the market study; Support the organization of beneficiaries into groups or cooperatives according to the sectors of sustainable economic reintegration activities and the development of business plans; Support the market study to identify the potential offered by the local market and business opportunities for advisory support to beneficiaries; Support income-generating activities (IGAs), vocational training, on-the-job training, and employment promotion in the primary, secondary, and tertiary sectors; Facilitate community support based on governance mechanisms to select community projects that will be rehabilitated using cash-for-work modalities; Assist community members to further increase their income and rebuild their lives through more sustainable income-generating activities; Ensure the participation of vulnerable youth and women-led households from former IDPs and host communities and ex-combatants in economic development activities; Ensure that the needs of women and youth are taken into account in income-generating activities as well as the interest of youth in obtaining vocational training and becoming active and valued members of their community; Monitor and follow up with partners on initiatives to strengthen the financial resilience of beneficiaries by establishing Village Savings and Loan Associations (AVEC); Facilitate the establishment of cooperatives and small businesses and participate in providing mentoring and guidance support through regular visits and monitoring; Collaborate with local NGOs, existing local businesses/associations, and local business experts, as well as relevant provincial ministries, to strengthen project sustainability and share lessons learned; Provide support based on the value chains and identified economic sectors to connect newly established cooperatives to regional markets; Adhere strictly to the “Do No Harm” principles throughout the project implementation process; Participate in the preparation of weekly and monthly progress reports on activities, including challenges encountered and make suggestions; Perform any other related tasks as requested by the hierarchy.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support the realization of the economic opportunities study in various sectors.
• Prepare cost estimates and tender documents for vocational training and employment promotion.
• Participate in social cohesion activities and capacity building of local civil society organizations.
• Assist in improving economic opportunities for beneficiaries, including IDPs and host communities.
• Support beneficiaries in identifying economic reintegration projects.
• Organize beneficiaries into groups or cooperatives for sustainable economic activities.
• Conduct market studies to identify local market potential and business opportunities.
• Support income-generating activities and vocational training initiatives.
• Facilitate community support for project selection and rehabilitation. 1
• Assist community members in increasing their income through sustainable activities. 1
• Ensure participation of vulnerable groups in economic development activities. 1
• Monitor financial resilience initiatives and establish savings associations. 1
• Facilitate the establishment of cooperatives and provide mentoring support. 1
• Collaborate with local NGOs and businesses to enhance project sustainability. 1
• Provide support to connect cooperatives to regional markets. 1
• Adhere to the “Do No Harm” principles. 1
• Prepare progress reports on activities and challenges. 1
• Perform other tasks as requested by the hierarchy.

Required Qualifications:

• University degree in business administration, social sciences, community development, agriculture (BAC+3), or equivalent in a related field with at least three years of professional experience.
• Secondary school diploma with five years of relevant experience.
• Professional experience in similar jobs with knowledge of livelihoods, economic development, agricultural interventions, and income-generating activities in stabilization contexts.
• Proficient in computer tools and mastery of Microsoft software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Good knowledge of intervention areas and local dynamics is an asset.

Educational Background:
A university degree in business administration, social sciences, community development, agriculture (BAC+3), or an equivalent diploma in a similar field is required. Alternatively, a secondary school diploma with five years of relevant experience is acceptable.

Experience:
The position requires professional experience in similar roles, particularly in areas related to livelihoods, economic development, agricultural interventions, and income-generating activities within stabilization contexts. Candidates should have a solid understanding of the local dynamics and the ability to work effectively with various stakeholders, including local authorities and community members.

Languages:
Mandatory: Proficient in French (oral and written). Desirable: Knowledge of English; Lingala and/or Swahili; local languages are a plus.

Additional Notes:
The position is likely to be full-time and may involve working in challenging environments due to the nature of the humanitarian context in the DRC. The role may require international recruitment, and candidates should be prepared for potential travel within the country. Compensation and benefits will be aligned with IOM standards and policies.