Organizational Context/Project:
IOM opened its first offices in Turkey in 1991 and is now one of the largest globally with 900 staff in 15 different locations across the country, with the main office in Ankara, and sub-offices in Istanbul and Gaziantep. IOM Turkey manages a portfolio of over 50 projects in the areas of migration management, emergency response, community stabilization, and resettlement. To effectively manage a large and complex programme portfolio, IOM Turkey has established a centralized Project Development & Reporting Unit based in Ankara. IOM Turkey is therefore seeking an incumbent to support project development and reporting efforts, particularly in the scope of migration management. This portfolio includes projects within the scope of assisted voluntary return, assistance for vulnerable migrants, integrated border management, labour migration, integration, and counter migrant smuggling, and migration presence monitoring.
Living Conditions:
- Ankara is the capital of Turkey and the country’s second largest city following Istanbul with the population of 4.5 million people. Centrally located in Anatolia, Ankara is an important commercial and industrial city. It is the seat of the Turkish government and houses all foreign embassies. The city is strategically located at an important crossroads for trade in proximity of Turkey’s highway and railway networks. Visas are required for entry into Turkey. It is therefore strongly recommended to check with the local Turkish Embassy or Consulate before traveling (http://www.mfa.gov.tr/visa-informationforforeigners.en.mfa). Nationals of EU member states and a limited number of nations are eligible for visas-on-arrival at international air termini and certain border crossing points.
- Security: The current security level in Ankara is minimal – 1. Ankara is considered a generally a safe city, where normal use of common sense and acting responsibly takes one a long way. The public transport is safe to use. There are no direct threats towards United Nations and its staff in Turkey.
- Medical Services: No special vaccinations are required for a travel to Ankara. Medical services available are of high quality, and health care services are available also in English.
- Housing: Apartments and flats are easily available and generally of good condition, with well working services (gas, electricity, water). The cost of housing is reasonable, although smaller apartments and certain locations close to foreign embassies and the UN House tend to be more expensive. Some UN Volunteers opt for house sharing. Upon arrival, UN Volunteers will reside in a hotel until they find permanent housing. UNV Field Unit can provide assistance to UN Volunteers in identifying suitable housing.
- Cost of living and services: Housing is the largest monthly expense, and the cost of living is otherwise very affordable. Daily food and products are inexpensive, as are many services.
- Imported goods and many non-essential services and products tend to be more expensive. The provision of goods and services in general is very good. Local transportation ranges from buses, mini-busses called “dolmuş” to taxis, which are all affordable. The subway lines are very limited in the scope.
- Weather: The city has a mean elevation of 938 metres. It has cold, often snowy winters due to its elevation and inland location, and hot, dry summers. Because of Ankara’s high altitude and its dry summers, nightly temperatures in the summer months can be cool.
- Language: Turkish is the only official language. English is widely spoken in touristic areas, but less commonly in Ankara. In supermarkets and shops, few Turkish words are useful. There are Turkish language schools and tutors available in Ankara.
Description of tasks:
Under the overall supervision of the Project Development Officer, and the direct supervision of the Programme Support Officer, the national UN Volunteer will support the Project Development & Reporting Unit through the following tasks:
- Assist in drafting reports, concept notes and proposals for donors and the Country Office (CO).
- Conduct research to strengthen proposals and concept notes.
- Assist in preparing contracts and support follow up on the administrative, financial and management requirements of project development.
- Coordinate Project Development focal point meetings.
- Maintain a thorough understanding of IOM Turkey-implemented programs, projects and activities, general and specific reporting requirements, and relevant information management and reporting mechanisms.
- Organize and archive documents and communications related to projects, reports, conferences, and other important matters.
- Assist in collating and implementing the Project Development/Reporting Unit Work Plan including updating project-related data in IOM’s portals and internal reporting matrices.
- Keep accurate and pertinent records of all correspondence, project development and reporting files, and other Project Development and Reporting-related information.
- Support and assist in liaison with relevant Turkish government authorities, United Nations agencies, non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders.
- Attend internal meetings, external partner meetings, and/or thematic seminars and conferences and take notes when required.
- Undertake duty travel within Turkey as required.
- Perform such other duties as may be assigned.
Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:
- 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 IVD);
- Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
- Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;
- Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNVpublications/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.
Results/Expected Output:
- Support submission of at least 8 reports, proposals or concept notes
- Host 2 project kick-off meetings
- Coordinate at least 2 Project Development focal point meetings
- A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.
Competencies
- Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNDP; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNDP procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;
- Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNDP in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority;
- Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues;
- Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.
- Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;
- Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;
- Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary;
- Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNDP’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.
Qualifications/Requirements:
- Excellent command of spoken and written English;
- University degree in English, Politics, International Relations or a related field from an accredited academic institution
- Experience in project development, technical writing and editing, preferably in the international development/humanitarian sector;
- Proven strong background in editing and writing documents/reports in English;
- Proven strong organizational skills and practical experience of how to multi-task, prioritize and work independently;
- 2 years of experience.
