Senior Urban Displacement Advisor – Mogadishu, Somalia

Senior Urban Displacement Advisor – Mogadishu, Somalia

Position Title : Senior Urban Displacement Advisor

Duty Station :    Mogadishu, Somalia

Classification :    Professional Staff, Grade P4

Type of Appointment :    Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date :    As soon as possible

Closing Date :      19 July 2023

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 a diverse and inclusive work environment. Read more about diversity and inclusion at IOM at www.iom.int/diversity.

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. External female candidates:
3. Candidate from the following non-represented member states: Antigua and Barbuda; Barbados; Botswana; Cabo Verde; Comoros; Congo (the); Cook Islands; Dominica; Fiji; Grenada; Guinea-Bissau; Holy See; Iceland; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the); Madagascar; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Seychelles; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Timor-Leste; Tonga; Tuvalu; Uzbekistan; Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:

All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM and female candidates.

Context:

After three decades of protracted conflict and humanitarian crises, Somalia has one of the highest numbers of displacement globally. Armed conflict and climate hazards remain the top drivers of displacement, with increasing climate-related crises placing additional strains on communities. Lack of secure land tenure in places of displacement has also led to onward movements to urban centres. Approximately 80% of the estimated 3.8 million IDPs in Somalia are in urban centres. Three cities host over 50% of all displaced populations in Somalia.

As part of a national initiative to resolve displacement situations in the country, the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) published a four-year national durable solutions strategy in 2021. The strategy’s longer-term intent is to reduce and mitigate the adverse impacts of displacement created by recurrent natural disasters and related links with conflicts and governance. This is further complemented with global efforts to address displacement, whereby the United Nations Secretary-General (UNSG) established a High-Level Panel on Internal Displacement (HLP-ID) in 2019 to renew focus and global commitments to address the protection and long-term recovery and resilience needs of IDPs. As a follow on, in June 2022, the UNSG launched the Action Agenda on Internal Displacement lead by a Special Adviser, detailing 31 UN commitments to better prevent, address and support solutions to internal displacement. Together with UNRCs/UNCTs and the Steering Group on Solutions to Internal Displacement, the Special Adviser identified 16 countries including Somalia, where solutions pathways will be developed over the coming 2 years targetting up to 10 million IDPs.

In March 2023, the office of the special advisor articulated actions expected at the country level by 2024 through the “Solutions Pathway to Internal Displacement at Country Level Guidance Note”, which includes four building blocks, to be operationalized by RCs with UNCT support: i). Strong government leadership arrangements; ii) A “New Generation” of solutions strategies anchored in national development plans, iii) Financing frameworks that cost-out durable solutions strategies and iv) Solutions roadmap and coordination arrangements.

In complement to the national and global efforts to support the ongoing efforts to address the growing needs of urban displacement in Somalia, the Resident Coordinator Office (RCO) in Somalia is seeking a Senior Urban Displacement Advisor to develop, lead and coordinate localization and operational roll-out of urban displacement efforts at the sub-national level with existing partners. They will also support the Durable Solutions Advisor and the RCO to implement the Office of The Special Advisor’s solutions pathways at country level.

This position will report to the Head of the RCO with an administrative reporting line to IOM Somalia Senior Programme Coordinator (Emergency and Post Crisis), and will work closely and collaboratively with the Durable Solutions Advisor and other Durable Solutions colleagues within the Integrated office and across the UN.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. In coordination with the Durable Solutions Advisor, provide authoritative advice and support to the RCO for the development and roll-out of the Durable solutions technical working group (DSTWG) operational framework through localized and area-based approaches at sub-national level.
2. Advise the RC/HC, UNCT, and HCT to strengthen engagement and cooperation with, Federal Member State (FMS), municipalities and local authorities in order to promote whole-of-government support and advocate for integrated approaches to addressing urban displacement.

3. Provide advice, guidance and tools to support the RC/HC’s efforts to promote a common UN approach to the resolution of urban displacement in Somalia and support the Durable Solutions Advisor to ensure that solutions are appropriately incorporated in development and humanitarian response planning tools.
4. In coordination with the Durable Solutions Advisor, lead and coordinate the development and implementation of a UN and/or multistakeholder solutions strategy and technical working groups at sub-national level (and, potentially, a costed plan) to address barriers to reintegration, local integration, and relocation / resettlement and prevent new and secondary urban displacement in Somalia in line with the national durable solutions strategy.
5. Ensure the conduct of assessments and research related to urban displacement in Somalia and advise on information and analysis needs to inform coherent durable solutions policy implementation and urban displacement programmes.
6. In collaboration with the RCO Durable Solutions Data Officer / IMO, provide advice and support the coordination and harmonization or durable solutions / urban displacement data across the nexus, UNCF Results Group, Humanitarian Clusters 5W data, Joint IDP Profiling Services (JIPS), Somalia National Bureau of Statistics (SNBS), UNHCR’s Protection and Return Monitoring Network (PRMN), UNFPA, the National Commission for IDPs and Refugees (NCRI), and the Migration and Displacement Data Working group (led by the SNBS), among others.

7. Closely collaborate and coordinate with the World Bank’s Somalia Urban Resilience Project II (SURPII) and provide strategic advice through the program interventions and government systems at the sub-national level.
8. Act as specialised resource person on urban displacement and nexus operationalisation to the UNCT and HCT, including during the design of joint programmes, including to address gaps in urban and peri-urban areas experiencing large-scale and protracted displacement.
9. Support the Durable Solutions Advisor and the RCO in ongoing high-level resource mobilization efforts with the donor community to obtain necessary funding to initiate new urban displacement and nexus programmes including preparing partnership proposals, presentations, pitches, donor briefs, and talking points on urban displacement and operationalising the nexus in Somalia.
10. In coordination with the Durable Solutions Advisor, present regular updates to the humanitarian and development community as well as government and other stakeholders on the work towards advancing the Action Agenda solutions pathways at country level.
11. Identify and map potential stakeholders on urban displacement; establish and maintain a network of key stakeholders, including government entities, international partners, private sectors, academia; and develop strategies and mechanisms to promote the participation and contribution of stakeholders.
12. Ensure knowledge sharing & learning on urban displacement, as well as information management within and outside the UN System, and lead communities of practice on urban displacement and resilience and share relevant information with UN agencies.
13. Provide expert technical guidance and strategic advice on issues related to urban displacement including data collection and analysis, monitoring and evaluation and identification of best practices to local authorities and within and outside the UN System.
14. Provide advice and support capacity mapping and building on urban displacement across the relevant government counterparts at the FMS/ district level, and the resource mobilisation for capacity building injection.
15. Provide strategic advice to RC/HC to enhance an effective national-FMS-district cooperation and relationship on matters related to internal displacement and durable solutions in Somalia.
16. Through regular travel and work with partners in the areas affected by displacement at sub-national level, work with partners in coordinating delivery and raising strategic issues and proposed long-term solutions and resilience through strategic advice, programming including community-based engagements and planning and resource mobilization.
17. Perform such other related duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Urban/Land Planning, Territorial Development and/or Public Policy, Political or Social Science, International Relations, Peace and Conflict Studies, Emergency Management, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with seven years of relevant professional experience.

• University degree in the above fields with nine years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience at the national or international level involving policy development, multi-stakeholder displacement solutions projects, partnership development, coordination, and resource mobilization at mid-professional level;
• Solid experience in humanitarian, peace, and development operations and knowledge of the UN System coordination; inclusive of minimum 3 years of specific experience in territorial/urban development is an advantage.
• Rich knowledge and experience in fragile and post-conflict settings, internal displacement, durable solutions, conflict analysis
• Experience in political, socio-economic analysis and research, and familiarity with conflict sensitivity approach and community-based planning
• Proven experience on strategy development and advocacy on urban displacement and solutions for IDPs as well as in-depth knowledge of main protection and humanitarian standards.
• Experience in liaising and building effective partnerships with donors, government authorities, other national/international institutions, and local and international NGOs;
• Experience in fundraising, public-private partnership development and high-level client relations;
• Familiarity with the UN, particularly the UN Reform Agenda is desirable;
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems
• Work experience in Somalia or the region is highly valued

Skills

• Knowledge of working in conflict/volatile contexts on durable solutions and community stabilization in Somalia;
• Excellent communication skills with multiple stakeholders including government, donors, UN agencies
• Excellent and demonstrable analytical, communication and writing skills;
• Strategic thinking and leading a diverse team

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish.

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of Somali is an advantage.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Notes

• Accredited Universities are the ones listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database (https://whed.net/home.php).

Required Competencies:

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 3

• 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 3

• 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.

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link.

https://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/about-iom/iom_revised_competency_framework_external.p df

Competencies will be assessed during a competency-based interview.

Other:

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 endorsed by the Appointments and Postings Board 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 cannot be considered eligible.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required for individuals hired on or after 15 November 2021. This will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.

Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.

How to apply:

Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications via PRISM, IOM e-Recruitment system, by 19 July 2023 at the latest, referring to this advertisement.

IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment system. The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

For further information please refer to: www.iom.int/recruitment

Posting period:

From 06.07.2023 to 19.07.2023

No Fees:

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.

Requisition: VN 2023 281 Senior Urban Displacement Advisor (P4) Mogadishu, Somalia (58237994) Released

Posting: Posting NC58237995 (58237995) Released

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