Project Associate (Emergencies and Disaster Management)

Support project activities related to emergencies and disaster management.

IOM - UN Migration

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Application deadline in 7 days: Monday 20 Jul 2026 at 00:00 UTC

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Overview

Support project activities related to emergencies and disaster management.

You have:

  • High school diploma with five years of relevant experience; or a Bachelor’s degree in related fields with three years of relevant professional experience.
  • Previous experience supporting humanitarian response, DRR, emergency management, shelter/NFI, CCCM, or community stabilization activities.
  • Experience supporting field activities such as assessments, distributions, monitoring, and coordination meetings.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook etc).
  • Fluency in English and Tok Pisin is required.

Contract

This is a G-5 contract. This kind of contract is known as General Service and related categories. It is normally only for nationals. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education. More about G-5 contracts.

This is a Fixed Term contract. More about Fixed Term contracts.

Introduction

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations and the leading UN agency in the field of migration. Working closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners, IOM promotes humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It saves lives and protects people on the move, drives solutions to displacement, and facilitates pathways for regular migration, while providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

IOM is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive and supportive workplace where all employees can thrive professionally and feel valued. By creating such an environment, IOM aims to better harness the full potential of migration and strengthen its support to people on the move.

IOM invites candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply and provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process when required. Learn more about IOM’s workplace culture at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration

Applications are welcome from internal and external candidates. For all IOM vacancies, applications from qualified and eligible first-tier candidates are considered before those of qualified and eligible second-tier candidates in the selection process. For the purpose of this vacancy, internal and internal-equivalent candidates are considered as first-tier candidates.

Organizational Context and Scope

IOM has been operating in Papua New Guinea since 2001, working on complex emergencies, providing humanitarian relief, and building capacity of the Government. With generous support from the Governments of Australia, the US and the EU, and in close partnership with Government partners, the UN country team and civil society, IOM is reaching displaced populations in remote communities, assisting stranded migrants, and safeguarding the rights of vulnerable groups. Operating through its Head of Office in Port Moresby and numerous satellite offices in the provinces, IOM’s programmes focus on disaster management, emergency preparedness and response, counter-trafficking in persons, assisted voluntary return, migration and border management, and integration. Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the National Project Officer, Resilience Building in Port Moresby, the Project Associate (Emergencies and Disaster Management) will provide day-to-day assistance to the staff in EDM Unit including Port Moresby and in all Field Offices to support the implementation of project activities with attention to accuracy and consistency of work.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

  • High school diploma with five years of relevant experience; or,
  • Bachelor’s degree in political or social sciences, International Relations, Development Studies, Migration Studies, Human Rights, Law or related fields from an accredited academic institution with three years of relevant professional experience

Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.

Experience

  • Previous experience supporting humanitarian response, DRR, emergency management, shelter/NFI, CCCM, or community stabilization activities.
  • Experience supporting field activities such as assessments, distributions, monitoring, and coordination meetings.
  • Experience reviewing field reports, plans, and related documents.
  • Experience supporting the consolidation of field inputs into situation reports or summaries.
  • Exposure to supporting cluster coordination and displacement tracking (e.g., DTM) is an advantage.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook etc)

Skills

  • Good coordination and organizational skills.
  • Good report drafting and documentation skills.
  • Ability to collect, consolidate, and summarize information from multiple sources.
  • Good communication skills (written and verbal).
  • Attention to detail and ability to review documents for accuracy.
  • Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
  • Teamwork skills and ability to work with field offices and partners.

Languages

All IOM staff members in all categories are required to be fluent in one of the IOM's official languages (English, French, Spanish).

For this position, fluency in English and Tok Pisin is required.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Required Competencies

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.

Values - all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these five 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 Level 1

  • 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.

Managerial Competencies – behavioural indicators Level 2, if with direct reports

  • 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 leadership and professional potential.
  • Empowering others: Creates an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
  • Building Trust: Promotes shared values and creates an atmosphere of trust and honesty.
  • Strategic thinking and vision: Works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.
  • Humility: Leads with humility and shows openness to acknowledging own shortcomings.

Notes

Please refer to this link for guidance on IOM Job Category.

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

This selection process may be used to staff similar positions in various duty stations. Recommended candidates will remain eligible to be appointed in a similar position for a period of 24 months.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, security clearances.

IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities.

IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.

IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment system (for internal candidates link here). The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.

No late applications will be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies

Responsibilities

  1. Support and monitorthe timely delivery of project interventions, including assessments, distributions, monitoring activities, coordination meetings, and capacity‑building initiatives.
  2. Review key field‑generated documents, including ward‑level plans, Disaster Risk Reduction strategies, field activity reports, and related IEC materials, for clarity and completeness.
  3. Gather inputs from Field Offices and compile and draft consolidated situation reports in a timely manner.
  4. Support the coordination of activities, including follow-up on operational requests, by liaising with Field Offices and senior staff to obtain guidance on required actions.
  5. Support staff participation in external meetings by organizing attendance and preparing meeting notes and reports.
  6. Support the coordination and organization of key meetings for the Shelter, Non‑Food Items, and Camp Coordination and Camp Management Clusters, including logistical arrangements and documentation.
  7. Contribute to field‑based evidence gathering by supporting post‑assistance monitoring and displacement‑tracking activities, including the preparation of mission plans and data compilation and management, in coordination with the DTM/SMI Officer.
  8. Support the EDM unit with other tasks as requested.

Potential interview questions

Describe a time you worked under pressure to meet a deadline on a project. What was the situation? This question assesses your stress management and time management skills in high-pressure environments. Provide an example outlining the context, the actions you took, and the results achieved.
How would you coordinate with field offices to ensure the success of project interventions? This evaluates your coordination and teamwork skills. Pro members can see the explanation.
Can you provide an example of how you have contributed to a humanitarian response in the past? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What methods do you use to ensure the accuracy of reports and documents you draft? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Describe a time when you had to summarize complex information. How did you go about it? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How do you handle feedback regarding your reports or project contributions? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What experience do you have in organizing meetings and coordinating activities for a team? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Explain your understanding of disaster risk reduction strategies and their importance in humanitarian efforts. Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Added 5 days ago - Updated 9 hours ago - Source: iom.int