Project Assistant
Organizational Context
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) promotes humane and orderly migration, providing services and advice to governments and migrants. Its mandate includes managing migration, fostering international cooperation, finding practical solutions, and offering humanitarian aid. Madagascar faces significant climate shocks and critical deforestation, with its biodiversity-rich areas threatened by unsustainable practices and limited access to resources. IOM is implementing a pilot program focused on clean cooking, reforestation, and rural road access in Andasibe to address these challenges and create a replicable model.
Job Purpose
The Project Assistant will support the Chief of Mission and Programme Officer in Madagascar with general project support tasks for emergency programs and humanitarian assistance. This includes assisting in project planning, development, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting. The role involves retrieving and analyzing project data, monitoring budgets, and acting as a focal point for administrative coordination. The assistant will draft reports and correspondence, manage project documentation, and respond to information requests. They will also participate in meetings with stakeholders and assist in monitoring implementing partners. A key aspect of the role is to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate, promoting voluntary action and engaging with communities.
Responsibilities
Support the Chief of Mission and Programme Officer in Madagascar with project planning, development, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting for emergency programs and humanitarian assistance. Retrieve, compile, summarize, and analyze project-related information and data. Monitor project budgets, verify fund availability, obtain approvals, and update budget information. Serve as the administrative coordination focal point, liaising with internal units and external parties to initiate requests, obtain clearances, and follow up on actions. Draft status reports, identify shortfalls, and propose remedial actions. Prepare and update project correspondence, reports, briefing notes, graphics, and statistical tables. Respond to complex information requests, maintain project files, and organize meetings, workshops, and training sessions. Participate in meetings with local authorities, partners, UN agencies, NGOs, and donors to coordinate implementation activities. Assist in monitoring the work of Implementing Partners and report any non-compliance issues. Provide guidance and training to new or junior staff. Integrate UN Volunteers programme mandate by promoting voluntary action and engaging with communities, potentially through online volunteering promotion and contributing to UNV publications. Ensure Age, Gender, and Diversity (AGD) perspectives are applied and documented in all activities.
Work Experience
Required: 1 month of general project support experience. Relevant experience: Up to two years of demonstrated interest and/or experience in environmental sustainability, climate resilience, natural resource management, sustainable livelihoods, rural development, reforestation, clean energy, or community-based development programs.
Skills
Core Competencies: Teamwork, Delivering results, Managing and sharing knowledge, Accountability, Communication. Values: Inclusion and respect for diversity, Integrity and transparency, Professionalism, Courage, Empathy. Technical Skills: Energy, Project management, Programme development, Strategy. Language: Fluent French, Working knowledge of English.