Project Officer (MHPSS) - KfW Funded Initiative, DRC

About the role

IOM is recruiting a Project Officer (MHPSS) in the Democratic Republic of Congo, under the supervision of the Chief of Mission in the DRC and the MHPSS Program Coordinator, in close cooperation with the Head of Sub-Office in Tanganyika. The role manages, oversees and coordinates a five-year initiative (2025-29) improving living conditions of population groups in security-critical contexts, funded by the German Development Bank KfW under the mandate of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.

Key responsibilities

• Manage the overall implementation and budget monitoring of the KfW-funded project while keeping donor visibility, in line with IOM Rules and Regulations.
• Provide technical and operational guidance to a multidisciplinary team of psychologists, social workers, educators, arts and sports animators and a social cohesion officer.
• Develop a capacity-building plan and lead training of IOM staff and implementing partners in line with IOM manuals on community-based MHPSS.
• Liaise with governmental and non-governmental counterparts, including the National Mental Health Program and the Ministry of Health at provincial level.
• Represent IOM in MHPSS fora and lead training and awareness-raising campaigns for CBOs, community leaders and peacebuilding actors.
• Oversee rehabilitation plans for primary health care centres and community spaces, and small-scale community projects on social cohesion.
• Produce quality progress reports and manage information sharing, including press releases, in coordination with the donor and country office.

Required profile

• Master's degree in Psychology, Social Work, Psychiatry, Social Sciences, Anthropology or a related field with five years of relevant experience; or university degree with seven years.
• Experience in project development, management and reporting, and in assessing MHPSS needs in complex emergencies and post-conflict settings.
• Experience coordinating community-based MHPSS and integrating it into post-recovery, livelihood, social cohesion, DDR and conflict transformation activities.
• Experience with peace brokers, small-scale community initiatives, and with migrants, refugees, IDPs, GBV survivors and ex-combatants.
• Fluency in English and French (oral and written); working knowledge of another UN language or Swahili is an advantage.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Required skills

• Training facilitation and curriculum development.
• Leadership, teamwork and communication skills.
• Knowledge of protection principles and IOM policies is an advantage.