National Project Officer

Host entity: IOM

Volunteer type: National

Areas of expertise: Climate change, environment, Energy, Natural resources management

Application deadline: 19/10/2026

Mission and objectives

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) was established in 1951, and its mission is to help ensure the orderly and humane management of migration, to promote international cooperation on migration issues, to assist in the search for practical solutions to migration problems and to provide humanitarian assistance to migrants in need. IOM is committed to the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits both migrants and society in general. As the United Nations Migration Agency, IOM works with its partners to assist in meeting the growing operational challenges of migration, advance understanding of migration issues, encourage social and economic development through migration, and uphold the wellbeing and human rights of migrants. The IOM constitution gives explicit recognition to the link between migration and economic, social and cultural development, as well as to the principle of freedom of movement of persons. IOM has 174 Member States, eight countries holding Observer Status, and offices in more than 100 countries.
Uganda became a member state of IOM in 1984, and the IOM Uganda office was opened in 1988. Its decades of operation in the country have been characterized by rapid growth of staff and scope of work – in light of aiding humane and orderly migration, sphere of influence, partnership networks and impact on various migration and mobility dimensions in the country. IOM Uganda emphasizes its extensive experience in empowering governments and communities to prevent, detect and respond to health threats along the mobility continuum, while advocating for migrant-inclusive approaches that minimize stigma and discrimination.

Assignment context

IOM is committed to humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. In Uganda, its Migration Environment Climate Change and Risk Reduction (MECR) Unit works with government, communities and partners to reduce disaster- and climate-related displacement, protect people affected by crises, strengthen preparedness and anticipatory action, and advance durable, climate-resilient solutions.

MECR Unit places disaster risk reduction at the centre of its work to strengthen resilience, reduce disaster-related displacement and protect vulnerable communities. It integrates climate mobility, displacement data, early warning, climate adaptation, renewable energy, water systems and green livelihoods into risk-informed programming that connects preparedness, anticipatory action, response and sustainable recovery. The assignment provides day-to-day technical and operational coordination to ensure these interventions jointly reduce exposure and vulnerability to disasters.

The UN Volunteer will support disaster risk analysis, multi-hazard preparedness, early warning and anticipatory action, drawing on integrated disaster information management and Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) activities to inform planning and operational decisions. The role will also integrate disaster resilience into community energy and water systems, livelihood initiatives and partnerships with national and district institutions. In doing so, the assignment will translate the MECR Strategy 2025–2028 into coordinated workplans, measurable outputs, quality technical products and accountable field implementation.

The assignment contributes to three interconnected MECR outcomes: strengthening adaptive capacities, preparedness and response mechanisms; advancing sustainable solutions that prevent and address displacement; and integrating human mobility, environmental sustainability and climate change considerations into disaster risk reduction and development planning. Across these outcomes, the UN Volunteer will promote protection, gender, age and disability inclusion, accountability to affected populations, conflict sensitivity, responsible data management, localization, environmental safeguards and continuous learning.

The UN Volunteer will coordinate closely with Programme Support, DTM and Information Management, WASH, Shelter and Operations, Procurement and Logistics, Resource Management, Monitoring and Evaluation, Legal, Communications, Protection and Health teams. External engagement will support coordinated disaster risk reduction and resilience-building with the Office of the Prime Minister; the Department of Meteorological Services in the Ministry of Water and Environment; the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries; district authorities; UN agencies; civil society; academia; private-sector partners; and participating communities.

Task description

Under the overall supervision of the Chief Of Mission and direct supervision of the Programme Manager - MECR and DRR WASH, the UN Volunteer will coordinate assigned MECR projects within delegated authority, ensuring technical coherence, effective partnerships and timely delivery within approved scope and budgets, in accordance with IOM procedures, donor requirements and safeguards.

a) Portfolio planning and delivery: Develop integrated workplans, budgets and procurement schedules; track milestones, expenditure, risks and contractual deliverables; recommend corrective action; and maintain complete records in PRIMA and approved systems.

b) Disaster risk reduction and anticipatory action: Support multi-hazard risk analysis, contingency planning, early warning and preparedness at national, district and community levels. Integrate mobility and protection considerations, strengthen local capacities and use rapid assessments to inform response and recovery.

c) Climate mobility and disaster information: Coordinate DTM, mobility analysis and multisectoral assessments, ensuring quality-assured collection, analysis and use of disaggregated data. Support disaster information systems, GIS and interoperability, applying data protection and sharing standards.

d) Resilient infrastructure and livelihoods: Coordinate community energy hubs, renewable-energy cooperatives, water systems and climate-resilient livelihoods, from feasibility and site selection through commissioning and handover. Ensure safeguards, inclusive governance, market viability, community ownership and operation and maintenance arrangements.

e) Procurement and partner performance: Prepare technical procurement documentation and support transparent evaluations and selection. Monitor consultants, vendors and partners against agreed standards and deliverables, coordinating compliant contracting, payments, asset management and close-out.

f) Monitoring, accountability and reporting: Implement results frameworks, M&E tools and reporting schedules aligned with the MECR Strategy. Verify evidence, prepare donor and management reports, strengthen accountability to affected populations and apply lessons to improve delivery.

g) Partnerships and policy coordination: Maintain government, community, UN and other stakeholder partnerships; represent IOM in assigned forums; and track agreed actions. Support KDMECC implementation, localization and integration of human mobility and durable solutions into DRR, adaptation and development planning.

h) Programme development and unit support: Prepare concepts, proposals, budgets and donor briefs; track policy and financing opportunities; and support resource mobilization, knowledge management, audit readiness and team coordination. Perform other related duties as assigned.

Skills and experience

• Demonstrated experience coordinating disaster risk reduction or climate-resilience interventions within humanitarian or development programmes, including work planning, budgeting, implementation monitoring and risk management.
• Practical experience in disaster preparedness, early warning or anticipatory action, complemented by experience in at least one related area: DTM or mobility analysis; disaster information systems or GIS; climate adaptation; renewable energy; water systems; resilient livelihoods; or durable solutions.
• Experience engaging government institutions and district authorities and coordinating with communities, UN agencies, civil society, donors or private-sector partners.
• Experience preparing terms of reference, technical specifications or evaluation criteria, reviewing technical and procurement submissions, and monitoring consultants, vendors or implementing partners.
• Experience applying results-based management and M&E frameworks, preparing donor reports and management briefs, and maintaining accurate, audit-ready project records.
• Sound understanding of climate mobility, protection-sensitive DRR and humanitarian, development and peace linkages, with the ability to translate technical evidence into practical recommendations.
• Knowledge of responsible data collection, quality assurance, disaggregation, protection and analysis to support operational decisions.
• Strong drafting, analytical, presentation and facilitation skills, with the ability to prioritize competing tasks, solve implementation problems and work effectively in diverse field settings.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and collaborative document-management platforms, and willingness to travel regularly to project locations.

Desirable experience and skills

• Experience supervising field assessments, enumerators or multidisciplinary implementation teams.
• Familiarity with project-management, data-visualization or GIS tools.
• Previous experience with IOM, another UN agency or an international organization.

Competencies and values

Values;

• Inclusion and respect for diversity respects and promotes individual and cultural differences; encourages diversity and inclusion wherever possible.
• Integrity and transparency: maintain high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.

Core Competencies – behavioral indicators level 3

• Teamwork: develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner; is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own action and delegated work.
• Communication: encourages and contributes to clear and open communication; explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Managerial Competencies – behavioral indicators level 3

• Leadership: provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example and demonstrates the ability to carry out the organization’s vision; assists others to realize and develop their potential.
• Empowering others and building trust creates an atmosphere of trust and an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
• Strategic thinking and vision: work strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.

Living conditions

The assignment is in Kampala, the capital city with access to all amenities and service.

Full eligibility requirements, conditions of service and application instructions are available on the official UNV platform.