SVN 23-06-26 Project Assistant - No Nation Fashion

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 candidates are considered first-tier candidates.
 IOM is committed to ensuring a workplace where all employees can thrive professionally, while working towards harnessing the full potential of migration. Read more about IOM's workplace culture at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) - the UN Migration Agency - is the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of migration and works closely with governmental, intergovernmental, and non-governmental partners. IOM, together with the international community, assists the population of BiH in rebuilding their lives and working for a better future. Today, with a focus on building the capacity of the BiH government to manage migration, IOM is working with a wide range of governmental and non-governmental partners in a wide range of migration related areas, including, amongst others, the protection of vulnerable migrants; border management; assisted voluntary return; diaspora; technical assistance on migration management; disaster risk reduction and recovery.

IOM Bosnia and Herzegovina (IOM BiH) has been supporting the response to mixed migration flows since 2018. To create dignified and meaningful opportunities for people on the move, IOM works with donors and community partners to ensure that temporary reception centres (TRCs) offer a space for innovation, skill building, and meaningful interaction with the society. In recent years, three Fashion Studios have been established for people on the move to express their creativity, use and improve their sewing and tailoring skills, exchange ideas with local artists and communities, and collaborate with the private sector. The items produced in the Fashion Studios include masks, bags, beddings, sheets, decorative items, and fashion garments mixing European, African and Asian traditions.

In December 2021, IOM BiH launched the No Nation Fashion (NNF) brand during The Story About Us Fashion Show to promote sustainable social inclusion. This initiative contributes to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development which recognizes that migration is a powerful driver of sustainable development and brings significant benefits in the form of skills, strengthening the labour market, investment and cultural diversity, and contributes to improving the lives of communities through improvement of entrepreneurship, building of social and business networks, and the transfer of skills and financial resources. Within the Sustainable Development Goals, goal 12 is striving to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns, which is also a focus of the NNF. The Fashion Studios specifically contribute to this goal by creating items using recycled, upcycled, and donated materials from private sector garment companies, utilizing dead stock or leftover fabric that would otherwise go to waste. 

IOM BiH is implementing the current No Nation Fashion (NNF) initiative through the Swedish-funded, “Translating the Sustainable Development Goals Framework in BiH into sustainable and inclusive growth” from May 2025 – February 2026. Through this project, IOM No Nation Fashion (NNF) will be continuing its existing operations in BiH, expanding visibility and sales, and engaging more migrants and host communities. Through this IOM NNF will be opening a showroom and online sales, showcasing products and the brand at international and national exhibitions, and engaging with other IOM country offices in expanding the brand and making it sustainable through private sector investments and partnerships. 

Under the direct supervision of the Project Associate – No Nation Fashion and the overall supervision of the IOM Social Cohesion Pillar Head and in close coordination with the Creative Director – No Nation Fashion, the candidate will be responsible for the following tasks: 

1. Assist the coordination of events and activities in the No Nation Fashion Studios in the temporary reception centres (TRCs). 
2. Assist in the compliance, monitoring and implementation of No Nation Fashion workshops and activities;
3. Assist migrants with learning skills on design, sewing, or other fashion/production related skills and translation as language skills allow,
4. Assist in compliant procurement of materials (fabrics, sewing supplies, arts and crafts supplied) for the No Nation Fashion initiative;
5. Monitor workshops, ensuring sign in sheets and consent forms are properly filled in and filed, 
6. Assist with the onboarding of consultants and other short-term staff hired to work on NNF; 
7. Raise awareness amongst the migrant community in the TRCs of the available workshops, services, and learning opportunities in the NNF studios; Proactively identify and map individuals within the TRC with relevant skills or interests (such as sewing, drawing, communication, or coordination) and motivate their inclusion in the No Nation Fashion initiative.
8. Provide basic assistance to migrants with small clothing repairs, alterations or tailoring support.
9. Collaborate with other organizations and service providers in the TRC to identify opportunities for joint activities and shared outreach related to NNF.
10. Assist with visibility events for the international community, pop up markets, partnership and networking events;
11. Assist in  the referral of migrants in vulnerable situations as needed. 
12. Support internal promotion and visibility of NNF within the TRC through posters, word-of-mouth outreach, informal group discussions, and liaison with community leaders or group representatives.
13. Translate workshop content and facilitate informal interpretation during sessions, helping bridge language gaps between trainers and participants.
14. Assist in the development of visual documentation, testimonials or feedback from participants  
15. Assist in documenting success stories, quotes and visuals from participants for NNF visibility and promotional purposes, in coordination with the communications team. 
16. Serve as a key cultural and linguistic bridge between NNF team and migrant communities to build trust, understanding, and regular participation
17.  Strictly adhere  to IOM policies and guidelines, including those related to confidentiality and data protection.
18. Perform such other duties as may be assigned. Education
    • University Degree in Law, Social Work or Psychology with minimum 2 (two) years of professional experience, or
    • Completed High School degree from an accredited academic institution, with 4 (four) years of relevant professional experience.  Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.   Experience
      • Experience ensuring compliance to standards of international organizations;
      • Experience in organizing or assisting in the organization of learning events, workshops, community events, and/or donor visits; 
      • Experience in working with foreign nationals, irregular migrants, trafficked persons, children, and/or people in vulnerable situations is an added advantage. 
      • Experience in counselling, networking, and ensuring access to services is an asset.
      • Proficient in computer applications.
      • Good written and spoken communications skills in English, BSC, and/or a language spoken by migrant communities in BiH.
      • Good interpersonal skills, ability to work in a multi - cultural environment and on a team.  Skills
        • Knowledge of the range of migration related subject areas dealt with by the Organization;
        • Skills in sewing, handicrafts, or other creative work an advantage;
        • Strong moral compass, ensuring compassion, understanding and tolerance of those in vulnerable situations.
        • Strong organizational skills with the ability to plan, prioritize and implement activities independently within a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
        • Capacity to engage and motivate individuals from diverse cultural and educational backgrounds Languages
          • For this position, fluency in English and one of the three official languages of Bosnia and Herzegovina is required (oral and written).
          • Fluency in Dari, Farsi, Arabic or another language that is spoken by migrant communities in BiH is a significant advantage.is highly desirable, as it enables smoother communication and more inclusive workshop facilitation. IOM’s official languages are English, French and Spanish. 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 three 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.
19. Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated. Core Competencies – behavioural indicators (Level 1)
20. Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.