Regional Project Development Officer (P)
Nairobi, Kenya
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Job Description
Job Identification (Reference Number): 16025
Position Title: Regional Project Development Officer (P)
Duty Station City: Nairobi
Duty Station Country: Kenya
Grade: P-4
Contract Type: Fixed-term (1 year with possibility of extension)
Recruiting Type: Professional
Vacancy Type: Vacancy Notice
Initial duration: 1 year with possibility of extension
Closing date: 10 August 2025
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:
- Internal candidates
- External female candidates
- 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 and female candidates.
Context
Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Regional Director (DRD) for Operations, the overall supervision of the Regional Director (RD), and the guidance of the Office of Strategy and Organisational Performance, the Regional Project Development Officer provides advice and supports to the implementation of institutional policy from HQ in Country Offices (COs) across the Region. Specifically, Regional Project Development Officer provides oversight, quality control, and technical support to promote consistent, cohesive, and quality evidence-based programming. Together with the Regional Thematic Units (RTUs), the Regional Project Development Officer helps identify programme and project-related funding, support identification and design of programme opportunities together with relevant RTUs, promote programmatic operational excellence and organizational coherence at regional and national level, in collaboration with HQ and Country Offices (COs). This is done through promoting adherence to IOM institutional policy and guidance on results-based management and project cycle approaches, particularly to small COs in the Region, as the lead of the Regional Project Development Unit (RPDU).
Responsibilities
Technical Support and Capacity Development
1. Specific Project Development (PD): Provide specific and substantive inputs with the drafting of project proposals, in coordination with relevant Regional Thematic Units (RTUs) for small COs, for projects with a regional, multi-country or multi-thematic lens, and for countries with no IOM presence.
2. Technical Support to PD and Funding Requests: Provide substantive inputs to COs in the Region on Project Development to ensure that projects, inter-agency joint projects, and other funding requests are aligned to institutional strategies, guidance and practices, as well as grounded in data (in partnership with Regional Data Hub, RDH).
3. Reporting: Ensure donor reports are results-based, grounded in data, and in line with the objectives laid out in the Strategic Plan in coordination with RTUs and the Region Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer (RPMEO).
4. Capacity Development and Compliance: Support, promote and enhance compliance to, the PCM process in the Region (including on PD, results-based reporting, and PRIMA) by providing capacity development and technical support to the RO and COs, particularly small COs, as may be requested.
Knowledge Management
5. Knowledge Management: Lead RO and COs engagement in knowledge management (KM) platforms, tools and practices across the region based on existing project development and reporting duties, including driving the effective use of PRIMA, in close coordination with the Innovation and Knowledge Management Unit (IKM) in HQ.
6. Collaboration: Promote coordination and information sharing across HQ, ROs and COs in respect to key multi-country projects, KM and reporting practices, resource mobilization efforts, and project development opportunities.
Quality Control and Oversight
7. Project Proposal and Report Endorsement: Ensure smooth and timely project proposal endorsement and donor report approval processes, in collaboration with relevant RTS and/or designated endorser.
8. IOM Development Fund (IDF): Facilitate IDF proposal submissions in the Region.
9. IOM Strategic Results Framework (SRF): Ensure integration of the SRF in project development across the Region, in close coordination with the RPMEU and RTSs.
Partnerships and Resource Mobilization
10. Partnerships: Lead the coordination with the RPLOs and RTUs, in support of the DRD for Operations, to build partnerships with regional donors and linkages with donor capitals.
11. Specific Resource Mobilization (RM): Provide specific guidance and advice on donor engagement, mapping, and response to calls for proposals, as well as on application procedures, for small COs, in close coordination with the Resource Mobilization Division.
12. Technical Support on RM: Support COs with resource mobilization through donor and private sector mapping, engagement, briefings, and outreach to promote diversification and partnership engagement.
Planning and Coordination
13. HQ Coordination: Coordinate the Region’s participation in global initiatives such as IOM Annual Global Appeal, and directly participate in the Donor Accountability Working Group, and IOM Project Handbook processes, as may be requested.
14. Flexible Funding: Support with flexible funding administration, in coordination with HQ and the RPMEO.
Cross Cutting Priorities
15. Mainstreaming: In line with the IOM Strategic Plan and corresponding custodianship outlined in the Regional Office Terms of Reference, promote, integrate, and mainstream cross-cutting priorities in all areas of the RPDU’s work in the Region.
Regional Project Development Unit Management
16. Manage the RPDU, including overseeing and managing the delivery of the Unit’s specific responsibilities in their entirety as outlined in the RPDU Terms of Reference.
17. Perform any other duties as may be assigned.
Qualifications
Education
- Master’s degree in International Relations, Political Science, Social Science, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with at least seven years of relevant professional experience; or,
- University degree in the above fields with at least nine years of relevant professional experience.
Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.
Experience
- Demonstrated experience in project development and management, thematic capacity building, and liaison;
- Minimum five years’ experience working in non-OECD countries developing projects and mobilizing resources;
- Experience in liaison, resource mobilization, and advocacy with governmental and diplomatic officials, national and international institutions and organizations, civil society, and private sector actors;
- Experience working in an international, inter-governmental, or non-governmental organization, United Nations, or government; and,
- Experience in the design and implementation of capacity building on project development.
Skills
- Ability to understand complex contexts and fast-changing migration and displacement dynamics and ability to frame them in their regional, global, and political contexts;
- Proven track record of successful engagement with donors, developing projects, and mobilizing resources for IOM priority areas;
- Demonstrated ability to effectively coordinate with a diverse teams of specialists;
- Strong analytical skills combined with the ability to effectively summarize, present, and communicate findings;
- Demonstrated knowledge and expertise in IOM’s policies, practices and norms relevant to project development; and,
- Proven agent of change or willingness to foster a culture of learning and knowledge management.
Languages
For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written).
Working knowledge of French is an advantage.
IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish. All staff members are required to be fluent in one of the three languages.
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 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.
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 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 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 Apply Now
