National PVE Officer, Erbil

Context/Reporting line:

Preventing violent extremism remains a major challenge across Iraq. Despite the military defeat of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in Iraq in December 2017, the group remains active in many pockets of the country, including in rural parts of Kirkuk, Salah Al-Din, Diyala, Nineveh, and Anbar governorates. ISIL and other violent extremist groups continue to attract membership and support, exploiting grievances in the communities having to do with (real and perceived) discrimination in political representation, access to services, or human rights, among others. Almost 1.2 million people remain in displacement, including thousands of families who are living in situations where conductions could exacerbate the vulnerabilities which are associated with increased risk of recruitment or mobilization into violent extremist organizations.

In this context, IOM’s Peacebuilding and Stabilization Division is supporting the Government of Iraq (GoI) to roll out its “National Strategy to Combat Violent Extremism,” adopted in 2019 by the National Security Council and Endorsed by Prime Minister in 2021. More specifically, IOM is supporting the GoI’s Implementation Committee to pilot the National Strategy in key locations, working closely with local and regional authorities, civil society organizations (CSOs), communities and other stakeholders to develop and roll out Plans of Action based on priority components of the overarching Strategy. This approach recognizes challenges related to both vertical and horizontal intra-governmental coordination in the Iraq context, and the importance of targeted measures to bridge the policy-implementation gap.

In this context, IOM Iraq is currently seeking a PVE Officer to support its expanding PVE programme in Iraq. Under the general guidance of the Head, Peacebuilding and Stabilization Division, the overall supervision of the PVE Programme Manager, and the direct supervision of the Technical Coordinator-PVE Programme Officer, the incumbent will lead on and provide support for the PVE programme and play a key role in ensuring IOM Iraq’s PVE programming, capacity, and implementation practices are robust and sound.

Core Functions / Responsibilities

1. In coordination with the PVE Program Manager and other relevant colleagues, takes lead on developing

and implementing program management processes specific to the delivery of PVE programming. Ensures that processes incorporate gender and conflict sensitive approaches so that gender can be mainstreamed throughout the full project cycle.

2. In coordination with the PVE Program Officer, supports the development of capacity building materials for civil society, government, and other non-government actors. Supports the development of materials and professional skills for the PVE team, trainers, and civil society partners. Provides facilitation support as required during trainings and other capacity building activities.

3. In coordination with the PVE Program Manager and other relevant colleagues, leads on the implementation of PVE programming in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) and the development of future funding opportunity proposals.

4. In coordination with the PVE Program Officer and CSO Fund Officer, supports the CSO fund team by provided technical assistance to grantees and the senior program assistants on grantee deliverables. Participates in the design and delivery of CSO mentoring activities as required.

5. Attend meetings with government and donor as required, including present key findings and lessons learned from programming and research, facilitate meetings and workshops and discussions.

6. Lead on the development of capacity building efforts by contributing to the development of toolkits and training materials.

7. Coordinates with relevant IOM PSD programs and units to leverage programmatic synergies and promote effective ways of working. Specifically, coordinates with the Legal Assistance Program to align programming which can contribute to social cohesion and address feelings of marginalization resulting from legal grievances such as lack of documentation and Housing, Land, and Property (HLP) rights.

Coordinates with the Transitional Justice team to align programming which seeks to address grievances through rights based transitional justice such as reparations.

8. Support and manage, as delegated by the Technical Coordinator, filed research teams working on PVE. This may include tasks such as identification of relevant stakeholders, logistical support for data collection and other tasks that contribute to strengthening IOM PVE programming in the Kurdistan region of Iraq.

9. Travels to Baghdad and Kurdistan to attend coordination meetings with relevant government and nongovernment stakeholders.

10. As needed, contributes to narrative and progress reports, cost modifications, public information material, and other documents, as required by IOM and/or project donors.

 

Required Qualifications

Education:

 Master’s degree in social science (Economics, Statistics, International Relations, Political Sciences) or a related field from an accredited academic institution with 5 years of relevant work experience, or:

 Bachelor’s degree in above mentioned fields with 7 years of relevant work experience.

Experience and Skills:

 Relevant professional experience in capacity-building, facilitation, peacebuilding, or similar areas.

 Strong background in social sciences research, especially those relevant to violent extremist.

 Experience in progressive project management in Iraq or the region.

 Strong financial management and oversight background is required.

 Strong managerial and leadership background, including remote management.

Languages:

 Fluency in English, Kurdish and Arabic is required.