Expedited SVN - Project Associate – Community Engagement and Risk Communication - Damaturu, Yobe

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.

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Applications are welcome from internal and external candidates. 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, internal and internal-equivalent candidates are considered as first-tier candidates.

Organizational Context and Scope

IOM has been present in Nigeria since 2001 with a footprint in five sub-offices (Benin City, Lagos, Yola, Katsina and Maiduguri) and a main office in Abuja, leading its interventions in 30 States and the Federal Capital. IOM Nigeria works closely with migrants, displaced populations and affected communities, ministries, departments and agencies, and intergovernmental and non-governmental partners at the Federal and State levels.

Besides forced displacement and deepening humanitarian needs that are predominant in Nigeria, States such as Anambra, Delta, Rivers, Cross River and Bayelsa, Adamawa, Gombe, Jigawa, parts of Kaduna, Kogi, Niger, and Benue also face extreme vulnerabilities as a result of hydro-meteorological hazards such as floods and drought, and the ever-increasing competition for resources. The impact of climate change is exacerbating local farmer-herder tensions as floods and droughts become increasingly regular and intense.

Since 2009, the insurgency in the Northeast involving several armed groups has resulted in widespread violence, displacement of over two (2) million people, and humanitarian crises, with significant social, economic, and political impacts on the affected communities and the country. The region has also faced environmental degradation, resource competition, and land use competition, further exacerbating tensions. According to IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM), as of February 2023, Nigeria is currently hosting 3.57 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) due to armed conflicts and other drivers of displacement. The tensions between farmers and herders, exacerbated by the increasing issues of accessing water and land, are forcing the population in Southeast, North-central and Northwest into internal displacement. Malnutrition, and waterborne diseases, including cholera, continue to plaque mobile populations in fragile contexts. The nature and scale of forced displacement in the country present humanitarian and development challenges, that require innovative approaches and response mechanisms from IOM and other stakeholders.

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission (CoM) or the Head of Office in Maiduguri, Nigeria and direct supervision of Programme Officer (WASH), and in close coordination with the Regional Thematic Specialist (RTS) at the Regional Office and relevant Divisions/ Departments/ Units at Headquarters (HQ), the Project Assistant – Community Engagement and Risk Communication (CERC) will be responsible and accountable for supporting and coordinating the development, implementation, monitoring and reporting activities of the WASH programming in Nigeria, both for emergency and transitional programs, including settlement planning, development and improvements.