Associate Project Officer – Somali Speaking

The UNHCR Division of External Relations announces the vacancy of Associate Project Officer – Fluent in Somali to work in the context of the Somali segments of a project called Telling the real story.

8 Jun 2018

Duty station: Hargeisa, Somaliland

Contract/Level: International ICA – IICA -1

Duration: August 2018 – 31 December 2018. Possibility of extension

The UNHCR Division of External Relations announces the following vacancy:

Associate Project Officer – Fluent in Somali

To work in the context of the Somali segments of a project called Telling the real story – Information campaign.

This is an information campaign that reaches out to Somali refugees and migrants with a view to inform them about the full scope of the perils and difficulties related to irregular onward movements to Europe. The information campaign enables concerned people to take an informed decision about their plans and about possible onward movements.

The objectives of Telling the Real Story are:

  • Countering the narrative of smugglers and inform segments of the Somali community of the full scope of dangers associated with irregular movement to and life in Europe;
  • Maintain and reinforce the intra-community discourse on the dangers of irregular movement by countering the narrative of smugglers and undermining their credibility;

The Associate Project Officer, under the direct supervision of the Head of Sub- Office, Project Manager and in close cooperation with other competent offices, will be responsible for the overall coordination and dissemination of the project in regions of Somalia.

The Associate Project Officer will be responsible for the following:

  • Dissemination of the project to different segments of the Somali community;
  • Establish close working relations Federal and state level authorities of Somalia and the Mixed Migration Task Force (MMTF) partners in the development and dissemination of information and awareness activities on the risks and dangers of clandestine and irregular migration.;
  • Take a lead role in establishing and nurturing partnerships with stakeholders, build networks with existing anti-trafficking associations and governmental authorities;
  • Develop and sustain strategic relationships with celebrity supporters and interlocutors to expand advocacy activities;
  • Provide information on complementary pathways should they be made available;
  • Identify, establish and maintain active interaction/relations with media in order to reach the wider population;
  • In close consultation with the UNHCR teams, he/she will work towards ensuring sustainability of the project through co-designing sustainable models for the project continuity with partners and UNHCR programme officers;
  • Analyse existing data in order to provide operations information on trends and lead research into gaps in information concerning onwards movement;
  • Through direct engagement with the community, the Associate Project Officer will analyse existing trends, motivations for departure and misinformation provided within the community and by smugglers particularly related to current mixed migration developments;
  • Develop real-time evaluation strategies of the campaign to enable the adjustment of ongoing activities;
  • Drive engagement and awareness-raising activities through combining different communication ouptputs aimed at reframing the discourse to counter the narrative of the smugglers and inform the community and particularly children of the full scope of dangers associated with irregular movement to and life in Europe;
  • Hold regular awareness raising activities intended for different segments of the population. The activities will involve – and not limited to, distributing the children’s book in refugee schools, hold sessions with parents and guardians, screen testimonies, hold focus group discussions, organize community engagement sessions using a range of mechanisms such as theater, poetry, art, etc;
  • Keep internal regional/HQ abreast of activities and progress through regular reports;
  • Develop messages and create campaign materials.

Competencies:

  • Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in communication, political science, international relations, migration studies or related field;
  • Capacity to develop strategic communication visions;
  • A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in public information, migration management or related areas;
  • Work experience in the field of refugee protection and assistance would be an asset;
  • Knowledge of UN policies and procedures;
  • Basic understanding of international refugee protection and UNHCR’s mandate;
  • Conceptual and practical understanding of protection issues and approaches in humanitarian contexts, including the constraints, sensitivities and risks associated with such work;
  • General familiarity with the regional mixed migration dynamics;
  • Excellent analytical skills and strategic thinking;
  • Experience of working with persons of concern;
  • Proven ability to establish and maintain strong working relations with relevant Government counterparts;
  • Excellent command of English and Somali, (written, oral, comprehension) including highly developed drafting skills;
  • Field experience is an asset;

Duty station:

The Associate Project Officer will be stationed in Hargeisa, Somaliland.

Applications:

Send a UNHCR Personal History Form (P 11) and a motivation letter in English by 24 June, 2018 for the attention of Ms. Christa Awuor Odinga at AWUORODI@unhcr.org

Applications without a P11 will not be considered.

Please note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.