Programme Officer (Livelihoods and Social Stability) (P), Damascus

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.

Organizational Context and Scope

Under the overall guidance of the Head of Programmes and the direct supervision of the Programme Officer (Durable Solutions) and in close coordination with the Regional Thematic Specialists (RTS) at the Regional Office (RO) for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) in Egypt and relevant Divisions/Departments /Units at Headquarters (HQ), the Programme Officer (Livelihoods and Social Stability) will be responsible and accountable for coordinating, implementing and monitoring livelihoods and social stability programming in IOM Syria. The role will also contribute to linkages with broader durable solutions programming and support integrated recovery and area-based approaches within the Country Office (CO).

Responsibilities

1. Coordinate the planning of livelihoods and social stability approaches by analysing priority areas and opportunities for displaced, returnee and host communities, supporting alignment of programming with IOM’s objectives and national priorities.
2. Plan and oversee implementation of livelihoods programmes, including community-based infrastructure and livelihoods interventions, coordinating with field teams, national staff, and implementing partners, and providing technical guidance to ensure interventions are well-structured, context-informed, and aligned with programme objectives.
3. Translate strategic plans into actionable insights by assessing market opportunities, community needs, and vulnerabilities, providing the evidence base to guide programme design and needs assessments.
4. Facilitate community-based engagement by working closely with local and national authorities, community-based organisations, and other stakeholders, ensuring programmes are inclusive and responsive to the needs of return communities.
5. Coordinate closely with relevant programme units, including Shelter and Infrastructure, Social Cohesion, and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), to ensure integrated, and community-based approaches in the planning and implementation of recovery and livelihoods interventions. Support cross-unit collaboration, information sharing, referral mechanisms, and joint field activities to strengthen programme coherence and maximise impact for affected communities.
6. Lead the rollout of programme activities, ensuring effective implementation through detailed activity planning, budgeting, and resource allocation to ensure interventions are feasible, cost-effective, and aligned with programme objectives.
7. Contribute technical inputs to durable solutions coordination, policy discussions, and advocacy initiatives led by the Programme Officer (Durable Solutions) with government counterparts, UN agencies, donors, and other stakeholders, reflecting livelihoods, social stability, and economic recovery considerations in durable solutions frameworks and collective outcomes.
8. Provide mentorship and capacity building to national staff and partners to strengthen technical and operational skills in livelihoods programming, including the development and use of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and monitoring tools to ensure quality and consistency in programme delivery.
9. Develop and set up mechanisms to ensure accountability to affected populations, including transparent processes, grievance and feedback systems, adherence to protection and conflict-sensitivity standards, and coordination with other projects and programme teams to maintain consistency and promote programme coherence.
10. Identify and mitigate operational, security, and reputational risks, ensuring compliance with IOM policies, donor requirements, and international standards, while ensuring programmes are informed by conflict analysis and designed, adapted and monitored in accordance with conflict-sensitive programmatic principles.
11. Prepare and consolidate start-up progress updates and activity reports for monthly and quarterly donor reporting requirements and provide timely inputs to programme manager and CO outreach products.
12. Support IOM’s active participation in relevant sectors and other coordination or technical/priority working groups as well as other forums, to facilitate proper coordination of livelihood and social stability activities.
13. Support the identification of funding opportunities from government and non-government donors and contribute to meetings with donor and the development of new projects proposals in coordination with the Programme Support Unit (PSU) to strengthen resource mobilisation for livelihoods and social stability programming.
14. Monitor progress against programme objectives and benchmarks and recommend improvements and corrective actions and contribute to the application of the common Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) framework in coordination with M&E unit, incorporating results-based reporting and learning.
15. Undertake duty travels nationally or internationally, as required, including regular visits to field-offices, to coordinate and support programme implementation.
16. Perform such other relevant duties as maybe assigned.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• 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 academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience; or,
• University degree in the above fields with seven years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• Experience in programme conceptualisation, development, monitoring, reporting and evaluation;
• Experience in implementing livelihood programming, such as income generating activities, vocational training and education, community economic resilience initiatives, small-medium enterprise development/support, and decent and safe job creation;
• Experience in social stability programming, such as support to public service delivery and dialogue and participation activities with the community and local authorities;
• Experience in area-based programming;
• Experience in programme development and capacity-building activities;
• International experience working in a multilateral system, preferably UN context, along with familiarity with the UN system, its agencies, funds and programmes;
• Experience in liaising with governmental and diplomatic authorities as well as with national and international institutions; and,
• Experience in organizing consultations, workshops and seminars with high level stakeholders.

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Skills

• In depth knowledge of the broad range of migration related subject areas dealt with by the Organization;
• Knowledge of UN and bilateral donor programming;
• Familiarity with financial and business administration;
• Sound and proven understanding of internal and international migration issues as well as humanitarian debates in the country and in the region;
• Knowledge of technical and soft business and accounting skills;
• Knowledge of community dialogue, conflict prevention, and dispute resolution techniques;
• Proven ability to establish and maintain strong working relations with relevant Government counterparts, international organizations and private sector entities;
• Excellent leadership, coordination, and information management skills;
• Detailed knowledge of the UN System, NGOs and other international organizations/institutions;
• Good knowledge of human and financial resources management;
• Excellent conceptualization, analytical and writing skills;
• Demonstrated communication, organizational and interpersonal relationship skills; and,
• Ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure with minimum supervision.

Languages

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

Working knowledge of Arabic and another official UN language (Chinese, French, Russian 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

• 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