Project Officer (Community Development and Resilience)

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has been active in Ghana since 1987 and is contributing to the Government of Ghana’s efforts to manage migration effectively. IOM works with its partners in Ghana to promote safe migration, meet the growing migration challenges, advance the understanding of migration issues, encourage social and economic development through migration, and uphold the human dignity and well-being of all migrants.

IOM Ghana continues to stand with the Government of Ghana to ensure the full implementation of the Global Compact for Migration (GCM) - in support of national development and to the benefit of Ghanaian migrants abroad and migrants in Ghana. The Global Compact builds on target 10.7 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in which Member States committed to cooperate internationally to facilitate safe, orderly and regular migration.

IOM is an active member of the United Nations System in Ghana, and works within the United Nations Sustainable Development Partnership (UNSDP) 2018 – 2022, which presents the coherent vision and collective support of UN Agencies towards achieving Ghana’s development priorities.

In Ghana, IOM is implementing a range of community stabilization, livelihoods, and border governance interventions aimed at restoring trust between displaced and host populations, supporting peaceful cohabitation, and strengthening local governance structures and communities.

Leveraging its expertise and capacity, IOM has been supporting government counterparts and local actors to build community resilience, support public health preparedness, strengthen border governance, and reinforce coordination mechanisms at the national, regional, and local levels. The Organization also plays a leading role in developing humanitarian contingency plans and delivering essential infrastructure, including equipment and facilities.

All programming is guided by data-driven approaches, leveraging tools such as the Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM), the Transhumance Tracking Tool (TTT), and the Solutions and Mobility Index (SMI). These tools allow IOM and its partners to assess mobility dynamics, map community-level fragilities, and generate evidence to inform targeted and responsive interventions.

Additionally, IOM’s community stabilization approach is further reflected in its thematic priorities, which include:
- Strengthening agricultural productivity and the value chain to improve quality of life, including the diversification of climate-resilient and eco- friendly livelihoods, particularly for women and youth.
- Promoting social cohesion through community-led dialogue platforms and inclusive local development planning.
- Addressing resource-based tensions by strengthening sustainable natural resource management.
- Improving access to basic services and community infrastructure in displacement- and conflict-affected areas.
- Supporting the reintegration of volunteer returnees in their communities of origin.
These efforts align with the strategic objectives of contributing to Ghana Beyond Aid (GBA) by supporting regional development.

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Manager, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

Program Management (50%)
• Provide technical input, information and guidance to support the strategic planning and implementation of community stabilization/peacebuilding activities in close collaboration with field staff, technical experts, donors, government representatives at national and local levels, targeted communities, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Ensure close collaboration and coordination with other IOM teams and units, as need-ed.
• Support the Programme Manager (PM) in the overall planning, implementation and monitoring of Community Stabilization efforts.
• Oversee the production of visibility/communications materials in close coordination with Public Information Officer/Focal Point of the CO.
• Facilitate and encourage the integration of cross-cutting issues such as conflict sensitivity, human rights due diligence, gender, age and other diversity factors in projects and other initiatives.
• Monitor progress against strategic objectives, programme benchmarks, and provide advice with respect to improvements and corrections; oversee the establishment of a common Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) framework that incorporates regular re-porting requirements and impact evaluation strategies, in close coordination with M&E Officer of CO;
• Undertake travel duties nationally or internationally, as required, including the regular visits to Sub-Offices, to coordinate, develop and/or support programme implementation

Program Development (25%)
• Support the mapping of Community Stabilization needs and beneficiaries in conflict, instability, and out migration-prone areas.
• Identify the priorities and gaps arising during the implementation of the Programme and coordinate the design/ development of the new projects based on solid results framework
• Monitor emerging trends and priorities, as well as donor interests and requirements, in close coordination with the COM, Regional Office, relevant Units at HQ, as well as with Government counterparts and other relevant public/private sector’s partner organizations

Partnership and Resource Mobilization (25%)
• Contribute to resource mobilization efforts, researching and documenting potential new project opportunities in close coordination with the PM.
• Participate and engage actively at relevant donor or partner meetings, briefings, and conferences at the international and national level

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:
• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for in-stance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
• Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.