Job Identification (Reference Number): 14066
Position Title: Programme Officer (Environmental Peacebuilding) (P)
Duty Station City: Nairobi – SO11
Duty Station Country: Kenya
Grade: UG
Contract Type: Special Short term ungraded (Up to 9 months)
Recruiting Type: Professional
Vacancy Type: Call for Applications
Initial duration: 6 months
Closing date: 10 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

Internal and external candidates will be considered for this vacancy. For the purposes of this vacancy, internal candidates are defined as staff members holding a regular, fixed-term or short-term graded or ungraded contract, including Junior Professional Officers (JPOs), staff on Special Leave Without Pay (SLWOP), and staff members on secondment/loan released by the Organization, unless otherwise specified in their contract. Staff members holding a regular, fixed-term or short-term graded contract will not retain their contract type if appointed to an ungraded position.

Context

IOM Somalia’s Environmental Peacebuilding (EP) portfolio within Community Stabilization (CS) programming addresses the interconnections between environmental sustainability, conflict prevention, and peacebuilding, acknowledging that environmental issues can trigger or worsen conflicts and displacement. Through a holistic approach that integrates green economy, governance, and environmental activities, the EP portfolio promotes cooperation, addresses root conflict causes, and fosters inclusive development, particularly in newly recovered and fragile areas affected by Al-Shabaab.

A flagship initiative under this portfolio is the Danish-funded “Forging a Greener Peace in the Hirshabelle State of Somalia” project, which, running until December 2026, holds particular significance for Denmark as its sole climate-conflict project. With both Denmark and Somalia on the Security Council, this project presents a unique opportunity to advance climate-security best practices and strengthen diplomatic ties. As the climate crisis intensifies, Community Stabilization’s Environmental Peacebuilding efforts continue to attract donor interest, positioning IOM Somalia as a leader in climate-conflict solutions. In view of this, IOM is therefore recruiting a Project Officer (Environmental Peacebuilding).

Under the overall supervision of the Senior Programme Coordinator (Community Stabilization) and direct supervision of the Programme Manager (Environmental Peacebuilding) Portfolio, and in close coordination with the Regional Thematic Specialist (RTS) at the Regional Office (RO) for East and Horn of Africa in Nairobi and relevant Divisions/Departments/Units at Headquarters (HQ), the Programme Officer (Environmental Peacebuilding) will primarily be responsible for providing technical, administrative and logistics related support for the development, implementation, monitoring and reporting activities of the Denmark-funded “Forging a Greener Peace in the Hirshabelle State of Somalia” project, as well as other Environmental Peacebuilding projects in IOM’s Nairobi office, coordinating closely with implementing partners, providing technical inputs for the development of the overall Environmental Peacebuilding portfolio and working with other ongoing Jowhar projects and initiatives. This position will require frequent travel to Mogadishu.

1. Provide technical, logistical and process related support for the implementation of the “Forging a Greener Peace in the Hirshabelle State of Somalia” project and other Environmental Peacebuilding projects as tasked, including monitoring and following up on its budgetary, administrative and reporting aspects, in compliance with IOM policies and standards, as well as donor requirements, agreed timelines and deliverables.
2. Supervise relevant staff assigned to project activities and monitor the work of consultants, implementing partners and service providers recruited to support and/or undertake specific activities.
3. Maintain close and effective collaboration and liaison with relevant stakeholders such as Government entities, national authorities, donors, development partners, United Nations agencies, and civil society to facilitate the success of the project.
4. Draft and/or produce progress and other reports and ensure proper information exchange on the operational aspects of the project or programmes between IOM, the programmes’ donors and other stakeholders.
5. Research and document donors’ priorities and strategies, recommend possible follow up initiatives, monitor new programme development processes in Somalia and draft project proposals.
6. Extract specific and environmental peacebuilding related lessons learned and best practices on tackling the climate-conflict nexus, including through monitoring, evaluation and observations of the Forging a Greener Peace project and other Environmental Peacebuilding projects as tasked, to help expand the Environmental Peacebuilding portfolio’s knowledge, skill set and advocacy ability on the topic.
7. Lead the development and implementation of the environmental peacebuilding portfolio’s Climate Resilience and Peacebuilding Hubs, building seed networks across program target locations.
8. Drive advocacy efforts for seed saving, engaging local communities, stakeholders, and policymakers.
9. Provide technical information and guidance to relevant Government authorities, donors and other stakeholders and participate in learning events, workshops and meetings to help expand the portfolio.
10. Assist in conducting contextual analysis to help identify potential activities to be implemented as part of the Forging a Greener Peace project, and other Environmental Peacebuilding Projects in line with IOM mandate and the priorities established by the Government and partners in Jowhar and other relevant locations.
11. Coordinate closely with IOM and external partners working primarily in Jowhar and other relevant locations participate in relevant working groups and meetings to support the relevant, sustainable and impactful activities of the Forging a Greener Peace project and other Environmental Peacebuilding projects as tasked.
12. Ensure information management systems on programme related activities are maintained and updated.
13. Participate in relevant conferences, workshops, steering committees and technical working groups, UN working groups and activities to facilitate the mainstreaming of Environmental Peacebuilding related issues into the UN Cooperation Framework for Somalia, and to facilitate proper coordination and presentation of IOM Environmental Peacebuilding activities.
14. Performed such other duties as may be assigned.

Education

• Master’s degree in International Relations, International Development, Environmental Studies, Security Studies, Peace and Conflict Studies, Humanitarian Affairs, Law, Migration Studies, Public Policy/Administration, Political or Social Sciences or a related field from accredited academic institutions with two years of relevant professional experience; or,
• University degree in the above fields with four years of relevant professional experience.

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

Experience

• Experience in project management, implementation, development or support, with good knowledge of IOM/UN programme/project life cycles;
• Experience coordinating various project activities;
• Experience in liaising with government authorities and other national/international institutions;
• Experience in thematic environmental peacebuilding programming;
• Experience with UN and International Agencies, international or local NGO’s is preferred;
• Work experience in the Region is an advantage;
• Knowledge of the role of environmental initiatives in conflict resolution, seed saving initiatives, and peacebuilding, with experience in integrating these elements into ecological projects;
• Knowledge of the socio-political context of Somalia and experience working in similar environments is an advantage; and,
• Knowledge and experience in working with PRIMA is an advantage.

Skills

• Sound writing, communication and negotiation skills; and,
• Excellent organization skills, analytical and creative thinking.

Languages

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

Working knowledge of Somali 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.

Notes

The duty location may move as needed by programmatic changes.

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.

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