National Project Officer job at United Nations Volunteers (UNV)

Background

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.

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.

• Support disaster risk analysis, multi-hazard preparedness, early warning and anticipatory action.
• Draw on integrated disaster information management and Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) activities to inform planning and operational decisions.
• Integrate disaster resilience into community energy and water systems, livelihood initiatives and partnerships with national and district institutions.
• Translate the MECR Strategy 2025–2028 into coordinated workplans, measurable outputs, quality technical products and accountable field implementation.
• Promote protection, gender, age and disability inclusion, accountability to affected populations, conflict sensitivity, responsible data management, localization, environmental safeguards and continuous learning.
• 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.
• Support coordinated disaster risk reduction and resilience-building with external partners.

• Disaster risk analysis
• Multi-hazard preparedness
• Early warning systems
• Anticipatory action
• Disaster information management
• Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM)
• Climate resilience integration
• Project coordination
• Stakeholder engagement
• Protection, gender, age and disability inclusion principles
• Conflict sensitivity
• Responsible data management
• Localization principles
• Environmental safeguards

• Experience in disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, or related fields.
• Familiarity with disaster information management systems and tools like DTM.
• Proven ability to coordinate projects and engage with diverse stakeholders.
• Understanding of protection, gender, age, and disability inclusion principles.
• Knowledge of conflict sensitivity, responsible data management, and localization principles.
• Experience working with national and district institutions.