The Coastal States Stability Mechanism (CSSM) is a small-grants programme operating in northern Ghana, Benin, and Togo—strategic zones exposed to the risk of violent extremist expansion from the Sahel—aimed at strengthening a locally supported state presence.
CSSM is currently funded by the German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (MINBUZA), and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). It is implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
CSSM pursues three main outcomes:

• Civil security actors strengthen security in areas threatened by violent extremist expansion.
• Governments expand and improve the delivery of essential basic services.
• Communities reduce local instability risks through targeted actions to improve social and economic conditions.

CSSM works with government partners and communities in selected areas based on government-identified security and stabilization priorities, promoting national leadership and collaboration between security actors and communities in analysis, planning, and implementation.

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission and the direct supervision of the Field Cordinator) of CSSM, the National Programme Officer (NPO) will:

• Support day-to-day operations and staff assigned to the CSSM office in Tamale and other field locations in Northern Ghana.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with beneficiaries and local authorities.
• Continuously assess the operational context, including stabilization dynamics and risks in priority intervention zones. Produce written contributions and context analysis reports as required.
• Coordinate the organization of workshops, forums, dialogues, and other participatory activities, including within the Integrated Community Stabilization Approach (ICSA).
• Identify, coordinate, and formulate new grant ideas in close collaboration with government, civil society, and community partners, based on context analysis, CSSM objectives, and ICSA priorities.
• Ensure effective implementation of small-grant initiatives by directly supervising implementation staff, including beneficiary identification, partner engagement, and technical consultant recruitment—ensuring procurement, finance, and logistics procedures and timelines are respected.
• Supervise and support staff under direct supervision.
• Work closely with the Senior Security Analyst to develop and implement security-sector programming and to ensure appropriate risk management and conflict-sensitivity measures.
• Support the Chief of Party and Field Coordinator in political engagement at national level.
• Ensure integration of cross-cutting themes in all CSSM activities, including age, gender and diversity (including persons with disabilities), accountability to affected populations (participation, transparency, complaints/feedback mechanisms), prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse, conflict sensitivity, and environmental considerations.
• Support data analysis and dissemination, ensuring quality and accuracy of information and timely entry into the grants management system, in line with MEL and data-protection requirements.
• Facilitate pause-and-reflect sessions, after-action reviews, and other participatory learning processes for field staff and partners, ensuring documentation of lessons learned and good practices.
• Conduct regular field visits and assessment missions.
• Perform any other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION

• Master’s degree in international relations, law, management, development studies, planning, business administration, social sciences, or a related field from an accredited institution, with two (2) years of professional experience; or
• Bachelor’s degree in the above fields, with four (4) years of relevant experience.

EXPERIENCE

• Required: Experience with project formulation, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting.
• Required: Experience working on development/stabilization programming in Ghana.
• Desirable: Experience in northern Ghana.
• Desirable: Experience designing/implementing small-grants activities, preferably in stabilization or conflict-prevention.
• Desirable: Experience liaising and building partnerships with government authorities, communities, civil-society organizations, and/or national/international institutions.
• Desirable: Experience in capacity-building of local organizations and/or grants management.
• Desirable: Demonstrated ability to operate in complex and violence-affected contexts.

SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES

• Able to achieve results under difficult conditions.
• Able to coordinate effectively with implementing partners.
• Able to work effectively with local authorities, stakeholders, beneficiaries, and broader communities.
• Strong writing and communication skills.
• Able to operate effectively in high-pressure and fast-moving environments.
• Knowledge of emergency-response coordination structures.
• Ability to share information across internal units, cluster partners, IOM, and other actors.
• Ability to build and maintain strong partnerships with implementing partners.
• Able to make timely and informed decisions.

LANGUAGES

• Fluency in English (oral and written) is required.
• Knowledge of an additional language spoken in northern Ghana is an asset.

VALUES AND COMPETENCIES

The incumbent is expected to demonstrate the following values and competencies:

Values- All IOM staff members must uphold 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 the organization’s principles, rules, and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: Demonstrates the ability to work in a composed, competent, and committed manner and shows sound judgment when facing daily challenges.
• Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on important issues.
• Empathy: Shows compassion toward others and ensures people feel safe, respected, and treated fairly.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• 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 of achieving the organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for one’s own actions and for work delegated.
• Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear, open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring, and motivating way.

MANAGERIAL COMPETENCIES

• Leadership: Provides clear direction, leads by example, and demonstrates the ability to realize the organization’s vision. Help others to develop their professional and leadership potential.
• Empowering Others: Creates an enabling environment where staff can excel and develop their potential.
• Building Trust: Promotes shared values and establishes a climate of trust and honesty.
• Strategic Thinking and Vision: Works strategically to achieve organizational goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.
• Humility: Leads with humility and remains open to recognizing one’s own gaps