Reintegration Assistant - Agriculture and livelihood - UG

Job Description

Cameroonian agriculture, which accounts for a significant share of the national GDP (17.44% in 2024), continues to face deep structural challenges: increasing climate variability, ongoing land degradation, and limited access to land tenure, modern technologies, and competitive markets. These constraints hinder the sector’s modernization and reduce its ability to generate meaningful socio-economic opportunities, particularly for young people in rural areas. As a result, rural exodus and irregular migration intensify, while the resilience of rural communities against economic, social, and environmental shocks weakens. The intersection of these vulnerabilities with the lack of agricultural prospects further undermines rural stability and drives growing youth mobility away from agricultural zones.

Against this backdrop, the Cameroonian diaspora emerges as a powerful catalyst for agricultural transformation and innovation. With skills acquired abroad, diverse professional networks, and strong investment capacity, the diaspora can play a decisive role in introducing appropriate technologies, developing competitive value chains, and mobilizing sustainable financing. By transferring knowledge and expertise, the diaspora can stimulate agricultural entrepreneurship, promote youth employability, and foster inclusive, resilient, and sustainable farming systems. Its contribution goes far beyond financial support; it also revitalizes rural socio-economic structures and strengthens bridges between global innovations and local needs.

The Ministry of Agriculture’s initiative to allocate land to members of the diaspora represents a unique opportunity to operationalize Objective 19 of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM): “Create conditions for migrants and diasporas to fully contribute to sustainable development.” This strategic measure addresses a dual challenge: harnessing migratory potential for rural development and integrating migration into climate adaptation strategies.

Within this dynamic, the diaspora positions itself as a key actor in promoting youth socio-economic empowerment, particularly for those in mobility situations (returnees and internally displaced persons). Through international expertise and the mobilization of financial and human resources, the diaspora can support professional integration, foster entrepreneurial innovation, and strengthen the resilience of young people facing socio-economic and environmental vulnerabilities. Initiatives led by IOM Cameroon, in collaboration with national authorities and civil society, provide a strong framework for enhancing these synergies. By facilitating networking, multi-stakeholder cooperation, and access to tailored support mechanisms, these partnerships foster active diaspora engagement in the design and implementation of targeted actions.

The project “Strengthening Migration Governance in Cameroon: Comprehensive Support to the Development of National Policies and to Return, Readmission and Reintegration (RRR)” builds on this approach. It provides a strategic opportunity to promote innovative collaboration between diaspora and youth, while consolidating IOM’s key functions as a facilitator of dialogue, policy advisor, and operational actor committed to advancing migration governance and sustainable development.

To support IOM Cameroon in designing and piloting evidence-based models that mobilize diaspora human capital, private sector CSR, social protection schemes, and academic partnerships to develop climate-resilient and youth-inclusive agriculture in Cameroon.

And the specific objectives of this position are:

1. Research and Evidence Generation – Assess diaspora contributions (remittances, skills transfer, investments) to agricultural productivity and climate resilience.
2. Reintegration and Pilot Action – Design and implement small-scale pilots linking diaspora, youth, and cooperatives in climate-smart agriculture.
3. Social Services and Protection – Strengthen access to social protection and insurance schemes in partnership with CNPS to improve the well-being of migrants and rural youth.
4. Partnership Mobilization – Facilitate collaborations with the private sector, academia (notably the University of San Francisco), and government institutions.

Responsibilities

1. Finalize the analysis of diaspora–agriculture linkages using available data (DTM, MGI, GCM Voluntary Review).
2. Pilot reintegration pathways for migrants interested in agriculture, including access to land, cooperatives, and CSR-backed value chains.
3. Work with CNPS to develop insurance and social security solutions tailored to young farmers and returned migrants, ensuring portability and inclusion.
4. Engage the University of San Francisco (USF) to establish an academic partnership, including:
   • Joint research with Cameroonian universities on diaspora engagement and climate adaptation;
   • Opportunities for USF students and faculty to contribute to data analysis, policy briefs, and field research;
   • Development of co-branded publications and policy dialogues that elevate Cameroon as a global case study.
5. Collect and consolidate existing studies, data, and research produced by USF and other universities (national and international) on migration and agriculture in Cameroon, to feed into IOM’s migration knowledge base and national documentation system.
6. Support private sector partnerships by mapping agribusiness CSR priorities and structuring co-investment models.
7. Produce a knowledge package (policy briefs, investment prospectus, communication materials) to facilitate scale-up.

Qualifications

EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s degree in Migration Studies, Agricultural Economics, Development Studies, or related field;
• Knowledge of migration issues, reintegration processes, or humanitarian principles is an advantage.

EXPERIENCE

• Minimum 2 years of experience in diaspora engagement, reintegration, climate resilience programming, agriculture, rural development, or livelihood projects, preferably within international organizations or NGOs. 
• in agriculture, rural development, or livelihood projects, preferably within international organizations, NGOs, or development agencies.
• Experience in diaspora engagement, reintegration, or climate resilience programming;
• Familiarity with social protection schemes and agricultural value chains in sub-Saharan Africa;
• Experience in data analysis, research consolidation, and preparation of policy briefs or knowledge products.
• Demonstrated ability to engage with academia and produce peer-reviewed research outputs;
• Strong coordination, facilitation, and drafting skills in English and French.
• Previous collaboration with universities, research institutions, or private sector actors is an asset.
• Prior work experience with international humanitarian organizations, non-government or government institutions/organization in a multi-cultural setting is an advantage.

SKILLS

• Computer literacy including proficiency in MS Office applications. 
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
• High sense of responsibility and ability to show initiative and maintain accuracy, including while under pressure.
• Ability to meet tight deadlines.
• Good understanding of agriculture and livelihood programming, including climate adaptation and social protection mechanisms.
• Ability to manage data collection, analysis, and reporting for research and policy development.
• Capacity to engage with academic institutions and private sector partners for joint initiatives.
• Good communication and networking skills to liaise with diverse stakeholders (government, academia, private sector).
• Good organizational and planning abilities for multi-stakeholder projects.
• Ability to work independently and under pressure while maintaining attention to detail.
• Team-oriented mindset with flexibility to adapt to evolving priorities.

LANGUAGE

For this position, fluency in French and English is required (oral and written).

Required Skills

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