National Liaison Officer (Durable Solutions) - Ninawa (Mosul)

Context/Reporting line:

Under the general guidance of the Head, Transition and Recovery Division, the overall supervision of the Senior Durable Solutions Coordinator, the administrative supervision of the Head of Sub-Office and the direct supervision of the Durable Solutions Coordinator (RWG/DSTWG) in close coordination with the Policy and Liaison Officer, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties.

Core Functions / Responsibilities

DS Coordination Liaison and information provision

1. Perform liaison functions for the durable solutions coordination team (Durable Solutions Technical

Working Group (DSTWG) and Returns Working Group (RWG)), including establishing and maintaining contacts with key government, international and national actors in Ninewa and Kirkuk to enhance partnership, as well as other government agencies at the national/subnational level and provide guidance on potential areas for collaboration.

2. Promote the DSTWG/RWG objectives and priorities through formal and informal contacts with relevant government, international and national actors in Ninewa and Kirkuk and increase the DS (Durable Solutions) coordination structure profile across the governorates of focus.

3. In close coordination with relevant colleagues in Baghdad and DSTWG and RWG chairs, ensure appropriate coordination and information sharing within relevant government and community structures within the governorates of focus, including through the production of flash updates and bi-weekly situational reports.

4. Keep abreast of durable solutions related activities and needs across the governorates of focus and relevant line ministries, matters pertaining to IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) and returnees, and regularly inform the RWG/DSTWG staff on key DS issues.

5. Lead the organization and implantation of Durable Solutions Planning workshops/roundtables with government counterparts and other key stakeholders, for the purpose of contributing to governorate level durable solutions plans and supporting government leadership.

6. Provide support to advocacy efforts and messaging, and follow up on return and durable solutions related activities and needs across the governorates of focus and relevant line ministries, and alert on issues related to IDPs and returns, camp closure and returns, new return instructions, assistance from government etc.

7. Represent RWG/DSTWG at governorate level, Governorate Coordination mechanisms (GCMs) to advocate on key return issues and promote inclusion of returns and durable solutions issues.

8. Prepare briefing and background information as well as official correspondence to the government as requested by RWG/DSTWG, as well as weekly, monthly, and ad hoc reports.

9. Assist in Conducting mapping at field level of humanitarian, recovery and development needs, response and gaps in key return areas based on data from the field, international partners, and the government, and advise on priorities and areas to intervene.

10. Facilitate and organize joint field visits to areas of return and displacement, and provide operational guidance and coordination to return assessments, pilot projects to support return, return processes etc.,

11. Assist the DS coordinators in promoting lesson learning by identifying and sharing best practices.

12. Assist the IOM Policy and Liaison Officer in coordinating with the government counterparts, in areas of coverage with the IOM durable solutions programme units.

13. Ensure effective information sharing between IOM, government departments, local authorities and displacement affected communities.

14. Provide operational support to durable solutions assessments, pilot projects to support sustainable return, resettlement, or local integration, etc. to ensure lesson learning and development of best practices.

15. Perform other duties required by the DS Coordinator, and other senior managers in the reporting line for this position.

Required Qualifications

Education:

 Master’s degree in in Political Science, International Relations, International Law, Public Relations, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with 2 years of relevant professional experience; or

 Bachelor’s degree in the above fields with 4 years of relevant professional experience.

Experience and Skills:

 Experience in developing strategies, policies and guidelines on internal displacement.

 Demonstratable work experience in Iraq on displacement and forced migration issues.

 Proven knowledge and technical skills in return and reintegration programming.

 Excellent written skills and proven experience in drafting official correspondence is a must.

 Previous experience in coordination forums and working with government is an advantage.

 Sound presentation and communication skills/ ability to present in inter- agency and governmental forums is required.

Languages:

 Fluency in English and Arabic is required.