Project Officer (MHPSS) (P3) Kalemie, Democratic Republic of Congo Full Time

Job Identification (Reference Number): 14155
Position Title: Project Officer (MHPSS) (P)
Duty Station City: Kalemie
Duty Station Country: Congo, The Democratic Republic of the
Grade: P-3
Contract Type: Special Short Term Graded (Up to 9 months)
Recruiting Type: Professional
Vacancy Type: Special Vacancy Notice
Initial duration: 9 months
Closing date: 15 April 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:

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, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Madagascar, Marshall Islands, Namibia, Nauru, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu

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

Context

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission (CoM) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the direct supervision of the MHPSS Program Coordinator, and in close cooperation with the Head of Sub-Office in Tanganyika (Stabilization, Transition and Recovery), the Project Officer (MHPSS) will be responsible for the overall management, oversight, and coordination of the five-year initiative (2025-29) “Improving the living conditions of population groups in security-critical contexts in DRC. Mental Health and Psychosocial Support for Peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo”, implemented in the Tanganyika province and funded by the German Development Bank KfW under the mandate of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

Responsibilities

1. Manage the overall implementation and budget monitoring of the KfW-funded project while maintaining relevant donor visibility, in line with IOM Rules and Regulations.
2. Provide technical and operational guidance to a multidisciplinary team composed by psychologists, social workers, educators, arts and sports animators, and a social cohesion officer.
3. Develop a capacity building plan and lead on the training of IOM’s mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) and social cohesion programme staff, and implementing partners in line with the IOM Manual on Community-Based MHPSS in Emergencies and Displacement and the IOM Technical Note Integrating MHPSS in Peace and Recovery Programming.
4. Liaise closely with governmental and non-governmental counterparts, including the National Mental Health Program and the Ministry of Health (DPS) at provincial level and other relevant entities in respective health zones.
5. Represent IOM in relevant MHPSS fora including in other Eastern DRC provinces than Tanganyika.
6. Lead on training activities for governmental and non-governmental stakeholders at provincial level, including community-based organisations (CBOs), community leadership structures, peacebuilding actors focusing on MHPSS and social cohesion.
7. Lead on awareness-raising and communication campaigns fostering psychosocial support, social cohesion, mutual tolerance and peacebuilding initiatives in the project areas.
8. Oversee the rehabilitation plans for primary health care centres, community spaces, etc. as well as the development of small scale community projects aiming at enhancing social cohesion, in close collaboration with relevant units of the Tanganyika sub-office.
9. Produce quality progress financial, narrative, and other reports related to the project activities by ensuring timely submission and compliance with donor and IOM requirements.
10. Ensure adequate information management on project related activities including visibility by providing regular updates, summaries, press releases and other relevant materials, in coordination with the donor and relevant units at the country office.
11. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Qualifications

Education

• Master’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, Psychiatry, Social Sciences, Anthropology 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.
• Professional accreditation from a recognized medical, psychological or counselling association-society is an advantage.

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

Experience

• Experience in project development, management and reporting;
• Experience in assessing and analysing MHPSS needs in complex emergency and post-conflict contexts;
• Experience in coordinating and providing multi-layered, community-based MHPSS including via implementing partners;
• Proven experience in integrating MHPSS in post-recovery and activities related to livelihood, social cohesion, disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration (DDR), dialogue and conflict transformation and durable solutions;
• Experience in working with peace brokers and small-scale community initiatives;
• Experience in clinical supervision and capacity building of mental health professionals and social workers is an asset;
• Experience working with migrants, refugees, internally displaced persons, survivors of gender-based violence (GBV), ex-combatants and other vulnerable groups;
• Knowledge and experience in facilitating training and developing training curricula; and,
• Prior work experience with international humanitarian organizations, non-government or government institutions/organization in a multi-cultural setting.

Skills

• Previous participation to IOM corporate programme in “Psychosocial Interventions in Emergency and Displacement” will be considered an asset;
• Capacity to effectively coordinate actions with other implementing partners including from the emergency sector;
• Capacity to support adequate levels of information sharing between internal units, cluster partners, IOM and other emergency and post-recovery response actors;
• Demonstrated leadership skills and proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with persons of diverse cultural and national backgrounds;
• Proven interpersonal and teamwork skills;
• Excellent communication and report-writing skills;
• Knowledge of protection principles and IOM policies and procedures is an advantage; and,
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Languages

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

Working knowledge of Swahili 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 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.

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 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

Tagged as: Democratic Republic of the Congo, International Organization for Migration