Associate Project Officer (P1) Dakar, Senegal

Introduction

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.

IOM is committed to ensuring a workplace where all employees can thrive professionally, while working towards harnessing the full potential of migration. Read 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 non-represented member states:
   Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Comoros, Congo (the), Cook Islands, Dominica, Federated States of Micronesia, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Holy See, Iceland, Israel, Kiribati, Madagascar, Marshall Islands, Namibia, Nauru, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:
All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM.

Context

In recent years, countries in Sub-Saharan Africa have faced complex situations: conflicts and protracted security crisis, climate change and environmental degradation, food and nutrition crises, demographic pressure, increased competition over resources, as well as epidemic risks. All of these are a source of instability for the region and act as a risk multiplier exacerbating pre-existing vulnerabilities.

To meet these challenges, in 2022, the Migrant Protection, Return and Reintegration Programme for Sub-Saharan Africa (MPRR-SSA) was developed to continue addressing some of the most pressing challenges relating to migration and mobility between the EU and the African continents, and within the African continent. It is implemented in 16 countries across three regions: Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, the Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, and Sudan.

The programme aims to contribute to the protection of vulnerable and stranded migrants, including through assisted voluntary return, and to their sustainable reintegration within Sub-Saharan Africa. As such, knowledge management to foster ownership, partnerships and sustainability is crucial to the project.

Under the overall supervision of the Senior Regional Programme Coordination Officer (MPRR-SSA) and the direct supervision of the Programme Support Officer, the Associate Project Officer will support the MPRR-SSA Central Coordination Unit and country teams by collecting information and contributing to regional analysis and knowledge products, programme’s reporting to the donor and relevant stakeholders as well as to the organization of main regional and cross-regional events.

Responsibilities

1. Assist with the drafting and update of MPRR Operational Guidances and Protocols to facilitate consolidation and sharing of knowledge between all countries under the MPRR-SSA.

2. Provide technical and administrative support for the collection, review, production, archiving and dissemination of good practices and knowledge on the achievements of the Programme on the different areas of work at country and regional level to support the program’s institutional memory and support a coherent and sustainable approach for the Programme.

3. Contribute to the information gathering and information sharing initiatives with IOM Missions under the MPRR-SSA, as well as within the Organization, by gathering updates (on country contexts and regional trends, opportunities), preparing internal bulletins, knowledge products and periodic operational emails.

4. Prepare and keep updated Country Analysis factsheets for MPRR-SSA target countries on economic, political and social dimensions that could impact the Programme.

5. Contribute to the development of the Programme’s periodical reporting tasks, including drafting, reviewing, and proof-reading sections to ensure accuracy and coherence.

6. Liaise, together with the Programme Support Officer, with Country offices to update programme database on projects funded by other donors that contribute to the MPRR-SSA implementation, as well as, on identification of complementary funding opportunities.

7. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Qualifications

Education

• Master’s degree in Political or Social Sciences, Business Administration, Migration Studies, International Relations, Law or a related field from an accredited academic institution; or,
• University degree in the above fields with two years of relevant professional experience.

Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.

Experience

• Previous experience in working with an international organization, non-governmental or governmental institutions/organizations in a multi-cultural setting;
• Experience in the fields of knowledge management and communication;
• Experience in liaising with governmental authorities and local communities, as well as national and international institutions; and,
• Previous experience with UN and International Agencies, international or local NGOs.

Skills

• Proven ability to promote knowledge sharing and learning;
• Demonstrated analytical skills;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; and,
• Excellent command of the MS Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc).

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish. All staff members are required to be fluent in one of the three languages.

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

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.

Notes

Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile.

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.

The list of NMS countries above includes all IOM Member States which are non-represented in the Professional Category of staff members. For this staff category, candidates who are nationals of the duty station’s country and who do not have prior experience outside the duty station’s country as staff member in the Professional category cannot be considered eligible.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, security clearances.

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, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities.

IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.

IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment 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

How to apply

Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications HERE by 21 December 2025 at the latest, referring to this advertisement.