National Project Officer (Capacity Building & Development Unit)
Organizational Context
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is a UN agency promoting humane and orderly migration. It works with partners to save lives, protect migrants, and facilitate pathways for regular migration. This role sits within the Mission’s Capacity Building and Development Unit in San José, Costa Rica, focusing on strengthening stakeholder capacities and supporting migrant integration initiatives.
Job Purpose
The National Project Officer is responsible for managing projects within the Capacity Building and Development Unit. This involves overseeing project implementation, including financial, logistical, administrative, and technical aspects, ensuring compliance with IOM policies and donor requirements. The role focuses on strengthening the capacities of key stakeholders and supporting initiatives for migrant integration. The officer will monitor project progress, document results, identify challenges, and recommend corrective actions. They will also contribute to project development, proposal writing, and stakeholder coordination, while ensuring cross-cutting issues like gender and human rights are mainstreamed. The position aims to enhance the effectiveness of IOM's capacity-building efforts and support for migrants.
Responsibilities
Coordinate the overall implementation of projects, overseeing financial, logistical, administrative, and technical aspects in line with IOM policies and donor agreements. Monitor project progress against work plans, document results, identify deviations, and implement corrective actions. Promote the integration of gender, protection, and human rights into programme implementation. Develop monitoring, evaluation, and reporting tools, and contribute to information management and visibility. Identify project development opportunities and contribute to proposal drafting. Develop and adjust methodologies and operational procedures in consultation with stakeholders. Coordinate the elaboration and dissemination of reports for donors and other stakeholders. Liaise and coordinate with government entities, Implementing Partners, UN agencies, civil society, and donors. Plan, develop, organize, and deliver capacity-building activities for staff, partners, and government officials. Participate in relevant conferences and forums. Supervise, train, and guide project staff. Undertake duty travel as required for project implementation and monitoring.
Work Experience
Experience liaising with governmental authorities, national/international institutions, UN agencies, and NGOs. Experience working with vulnerable groups such as migrants, refugees, and victims of trafficking. Prior experience in a multicultural setting with international humanitarian organizations or government institutions is advantageous.
Skills
Strong project management (planning, budgeting, coordination, risk management, monitoring, reporting). Knowledge of migration, migrant integration, capacity development, human rights, and gender-responsive programming. Ability to analyze program data and provide recommendations. Proven ability to develop project proposals and reports. Strong stakeholder engagement, coordination, and negotiation skills. Ability to design and deliver capacity-building activities. Good knowledge of donor programming and financial regulations. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Proficiency in standard office software and digital project management tools.