Senior Project Assistant (Migration Environment and Climate Change)

The International Organization for Migration (IOM), as the leading intergovernmental migration agency, has been at the forefront of operational, research, policy and advocacy efforts, seeking to bring environmental migration to the heart of international, regional and national agenda and plans of actions, in collaboration with its Member States, observers and partners.

In recent years, Rwanda is experiencing more frequent and severe climate-induced disasters due to climate change. These disasters include both sudden onset events, such as floods and landslides, and slow onset events, such as land degradation and soil erosion. Both types of events have the potential to cause significant displacement and migration of people, disrupting communities and livelihoods.

In response to these challenges, IOM supports the government of Rwanda in building resilience of affected communities to the impacts of climate change and enhancing the country’s capacity to manage and mitigate the effects of both sudden and slow onset climate events.

Under the overall supervision of Head of Programmes and direct supervision of the Project Manager; and in collaboration with relevant units, the Senior Project Assistant will provide support on the implementation of projects related to Migration, Environment, and Climate Change (MECC) in the country including disaster risk reduction.

Responsibilities

1. Assist in the planning, coordination, implementation and monitoring of project activities;
2. Compile, summarize, analyse, and present information/data on specific project topics, highlighting noteworthy issues for the consideration of appropriate parties;
3. Monitor budget implementation and propose adjustments as necessary;
4. Act as focal point for administrative coordination of project implementation, involving extensive liaison with diverse organizational units and external parties to initiate requests, obtain necessary clearances, follow-up on administrative actions, etc;
5. Maintain regular and effective liaison with various project partners at the provincial and local levels, including governmental institutions, civil society organizations, and other UN agencies;
6. Organize meetings, workshops and training sessions; prepare training materials and participate in the delivering of capacity building workshops.
7. Respond to complex information requests and inquiries; set up and maintain files/records;
8. Participate in meetings and conferences; maintain effective liaison and coordination with local authorities, partners, United Nation agencies, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, donors and other stakeholders relevant to the project;
9. Monitor work of implementing partners and report any non-compliance to the supervisor;
10. Draft status reports related to projects identify shortfalls in delivery, bring them to the attention of the supervisor and suggest corrective measures, and contribute to the preparation of regular project reports in compliance with deadlines;
11. Draft correspondence on project issues; prepare and update reports, briefing notes, graphics, statistical tables, and other forms of documentation
12. Provide inputs for the development of Standard Operations Procedures (SOP) and concept papers and provide general support for the development of new projects;
13. Provides guidance/training and assist in coordinating and monitoring work of other staff in the unit; may supervise other staff as assigned;
14. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Education

• Master’s degree in engineering, Architecture, Humanitarian Affairs, International Relations or other relevant field from an accredited academic institution with three years of experience; or,
• Bachelor’s degree in the above fields with five years of relevant professional experience.

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

Experience

• At least three years of relevant professional experience in Climate Action or Disaster Risk Reduction project development and implementation, preferably within governmental, inter-governmental, or non-governmental organizations;
• At least two years of experience in liaising with governmental counterparts and civil society organizations in Rwanda;
• Experience in working with migrants, refugees, internally displaced persons, victims of climate-induced disasters
• Prior work experience in project management is an advantage;
• Prior work experience in coordinating an inter-agency working group is an advantage;
• Prior work experience in shelter-related projects is an advantage.

Skills

• In depth knowledge of the broad range of migration and climate related subject areas dealt with by the Organization;
• Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills;
• Excellent coordination and liaison skills and strong conflict resolution/mediation skills;
• Very good writing skills;
• High level of digital literacy including intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office;
• Attention to detail;
• Knowledge of UN programming is advantage.

Languages

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

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

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