Project Assistant

Host entity: OIM Madagascar

Volunteer type: International

Areas of expertise: Energy, Project management, programme development, strategy

Application deadline: 29/10/2026

Mission and objectives

L’OIM s’efforce de promouvoir des migrations humaines et ordonnées dans l’intérêt de tous. Pour cela, elle offre des services et prodigue des conseils aux gouvernements et aux migrants.

Son mandat est de contribuer à faire en sorte que les migrations soient gérées de manière humaine et ordonnée, de promouvoir la coopération internationale en matière migratoire, de faciliter la recherche de solutions pratiques aux problèmes de migration, et enfin de fournir une aide humanitaire aux migrants dans le besoin, qu’il s’agisse de réfugiés, de personnes déplacées ou d’autres personnes déracinées. La Constitution de l’OIM reconnaît explicitement le lien entre la migration et le développement économique, social et culturel, de même que le respect du droit à la liberté de mouvement des êtres humains.

L’OIM déploie son action dans les quatre grands domaines de gestion des migrations qu’elle a elle-même définis: le couple migration et développement, la migration assistée, la migration régulée et les mesures à mettre en place face à la migration forcée. Parmi les activités transversales, il faut citer la promotion du droit international de la migration, le débat politique et l’effort d’orientation sur la scène migratoire, la protection des droits des migrants, la santé dans le contexte migratoire et la dimension sexospécifique de la migration.

Assignment context

According to the Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN) index, Madagascar is among the least prepared countries to deal with climate shocks, ranking 174th out of 181 countries. Deforestation is critical: it is estimated that 30% of forests have been lost since 2001, and the province of Toamasina alone accounts for 55% of national forest losses. The municipality of Andasibe presents a strategic paradox: as a global biodiversity centre home to the endemic Indri Indri and the Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, Madagascar's leading ecotourism destination, it is facing accelerated deforestation linked to a strong dependence on wood energy.

This dynamic is compounded by the pronounced landlocked nature of many fokontany, some of which are hamlets, located up to 12 km from the communal capital, are only accessible on foot. Deprived of regular access to markets, basic services and employment opportunities, rural households are turning to charcoal and firewood as immediately accessible sources of income; internal migration flows to the park area are increasing this pressure.

In response to this challenge, IOM is implementing a pilot programme titled “Integrated Territorial Model of Andasibe: Clean Cooking, Reforestation, and Rural Roads” articulating the transition to clean cooking, ecological restoration and rural access planning. Aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 7 and 13, the National Clean Cooking Development Policy, the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and the National Strategy and Action Plan for Biodiversity (NBSAP), the project aims to constitute a model that can be replicated at the national level.

Task description

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission (CoM) in Madagascar, and direct supervision of the Programme officer, the successful candidate will support in general project support tasks including project planning, development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation, and reporting for the emergency programmes and humanitarian assistance activities in the Country Office.

• Assist in the implementation and monitoring of project activities.
• Retrieve, compile, summarise, analyse, and present information/data on specific project topics.
• Monitor budget by verifying availability of funds, obtaining necessary approval and updating budget-related information.
• Act as focal point for administrative coordination of project implementation, involving extensive liaison with diverse organisational units and external parties to initiate requests, obtain necessary clearances, process and follow-up on administrative actions, etc.
• Draft status reports, identify shortfalls, bring them to the attention of the supervisor and suggest remedial actions to address delivery gaps.
• Draft correspondence on project issues; prepare and update reports, briefing notes, graphics, statistical tables, presentation and other forms of documentation.
• Respond to complex information requests and inquiries, set up and maintain files/records, and organise meetings, workshops and training sessions.
• Participate in meetings and conferences to assist in coordinating implementation activities with local authorities, partners, United Nation (UN) agencies, intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations, donors and other stakeholders relevant to the project.
• Assist in monitoring work of Implementing Partners (IP) and report non-compliances to the supervisor.
• Provides guidance/training to new/junior staff.
• Perform such other relevant duties as may be assigned.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:
• 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 instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
• Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• 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.
• As an active IOM team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to IOM and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including:
o Support IOM in strengthening its programmes
• Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment
• A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed

Skills and experience

Demonstrated interest and/or up to two years of experience in environmental sustainability, climate resilience, natural resource management, sustainable livelihoods, rural development, reforestation, clean energy, or community-based development programmes.

Competencies and values

Values:
• Inclusion and respect for diversity: respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
• Integrity and transparency: maintains 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.
• Courage: demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
• Empathy: shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators:
• 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 actions and delegated work.
• Communication: encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Living conditions

Antananarivo is the capital and largest city of Madagascar. The larger urban area surrounding the city, known as Antananarivo-Renivohitra ("Antananarivo-Mother Hill" or "Antananarivo-Capital"), is the capital of Analamanga region. The city is located 1,280m above the sea level in the center of the island, and has been the island's largest population center since at least the 18th century. Antananarivo is the political, economic, educational and cultural heart of Madagascar. The Presidency, National Assembly, Senate and Supreme Court are located here, as are 21 diplomatic missions and the headquarters of many national and international businesses and NGOs. Antananarivo also hosts the largest number of universities, nightclubs, art venues, medical services and other social service institutions of any city on the island.
Madagascar is no stranger to natural disasters, and the island experiences three or four devastating cyclones each year. Cyclones cause massive structural and property damage. Madagascar is one of the countries most at risk of natural disasters in Africa.
Eighty percent of the population of Madagascar is employed in the agricultural field. Despite improvements to the economy in some areas, this sector has grown smaller by 0.8 percent every year since 2014. Most farmers are unable to use modern technologies, and weather shocks make farming difficult. However, Madagascar has an excellent climate for growing certain crops like clove and vanilla. Vanilla exports have increased significantly since 2017.

You may check the full benefits and allowances applicable to the duty station using the UVP calculator: https://app.unv.org/calculator
The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://app.unv.org/explore

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