Protection Officer (P)

Job Description

Job Identification (Reference Number): 17626
Position Title: Protection Officer
Duty Station City: Algiers
Duty Station Country: Algeria
Grade: P-3
Contract Type: One Year Fixed Term (12 Months with possibility of extension)
Recruiting Type: Professional
Vacancy Type: Vacancy Notice
Initial duration: 12 months with Possibility of Extension
Closing date: 27 November 2025

Introduction

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

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

Applications are welcome from first- and second-tier candidates, particularly qualified female candidates as well as applications from the non-represented member countries of IOM. 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, the following are considered first-tier candidates: 

1. Internal candidates
2. Candidates from the following non-represented member states:

Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Comoros, Congo (the), Cook Islands, Dominica, Federated States of Micronesia, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Holy See, Iceland, Israel, Kiribati, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Madagascar, Marshall Islands, Namibia, Nauru, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:
All external candidates, except candidates from nonrepresented member states of IOM.

Context

Under the overall supervision of the Thematic Specialist in the Regional Office and direct supervision of the Chief of Mission (CoM), and in close cooperation with relevant departments at Headquarters (HQs) and Regional Office (RO), the Protection Officer will be responsible and accountable for managing, coordinating and overseeing  the Country Office’s (CO) Protection Programme activities and strategies, including child protection, counter-trafficking and smuggling of migrants, violence against women and girls, men and boys, Disability Inclusion, assistance to vulnerable migrants, and overall specialized protection programming in the CO. 

Responsibilities

1. Oversee and manage the Protection programming across the CO and provide technical support to other units of the CO on Protection Mainstreaming to ensure safe programming and capacity development.
2. Oversee the effective development and implementation of CO’s Protection, AAP and MHPSS, PSEA programming by exercising administrative, operational and financial management for relevant projects.
3. Provide operational management, guidance and supervision to the Head of Protection Center and its staff, assisting on programmatic strategy and implementation, including where to focus programme resources and address operational challenges with focus on protection. Mentor and support staff, conduct relevant trainings and ensure capacity building of Programme staff.
4. Support the HoP and CoM in the implementation and mainstreaming of the  programmatic strategy; provide technical inputs on where to focus programme resources and recommendations to address operational challenges as they arise,  in close coordination with the Protection Division at RO/HQ and other relevant Units at RO/HQ ensuring consistency with IOM policies, guidance and global standards.
5. Establish, maintain and further expand strong relationships across UN Agencies, humanitarian organizations, government and community interlocutors, and with a broad range of other local interests toward the successful implementation of CO’s Protection programming and MHPSS Programmes including IOM’s representation at national and international levels.
6. In close coordination with the relevant units at the CO, Regional Offices and HQ, as well as with government counterparts and other relevant partner organizations, identify priorities arising during implementation of the Programme and develop new projects and activities, aligning them with the identified areas of focus based on solid results framework and in response to emerging trends and priorities, as well as donor interests and requirements based on IOM’s institutional strategies, policies and guidelines. Contribute to the development of new projects under the Programme to address the priorities identified, in line with donor interests and requirements.
7. Develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and contextualized guidelines for Programme activities, based on IOM policies, guidance and global standards and ensure its full implementation by the Protection team in coordination with RO.
8. Contribute to the development of key programmatic directions  in consultation with Government counterparts and other relevant public/private sector’s partner organizations and and to their dissemination to  international stakeholders, including donors, to maximize impact, minimize overlapping and stimulate funds mobilization for the new programmes.
9. Ensure timely and quality preparation and submission of Programme reports, in close coordination with relevant units in the CO and according to requirements of IOM, donors and relevant stakeholders.
10. Coordinate and manage the elaboration and compilation of programme updates/briefs for donors, government and other relevant stakeholders, by ensuring compliance with donor requirements and procedures, and with existing humanitarian strategies and framework.
11. Monitor progress against strategic objectives, programme benchmarks, and provide advice with respect to improvements and corrections; and participate in the evaluation of  strategies, in close coordination with M&E Officer;
12. Ensure that the objectives set in programme documents and budgets, M&E frameworks and work plans related to Protection are compliant with IOM’s organizational policies and donor’s contractual requirements, interests and expectations.
13. Oversee the production of visibility/communications materials in close coordination with Public Information Officer/Focal Point of the CO.
14. Participate and engage actively at relevant donor or partner meetings, briefings and conferences at the international and national level.
15. Mentor and support staff, conduct relevant trainings and ensure the capacity building of Programme staff and partners on Protection and MHPSS in close coordination with the MHD Unit.
16. Work closely with the IM Unit to support the development and maintenance of data collection and analysis mechanisms for IOM’s ongoing or new programmes as well as Protection Information Management products Participate actively in relevant inter-agency platforms, such as the Protection sector, GBV & CP sectoral Working Group, PSEA Network, AAP working group, and other relevant protection related working group to  support IOM’s positioning and contribute to inter-agency efforts.
17. Undertake regular visits nationally or internationally, as required, including the regular visits within Algeria, to coordinate, develop and/or support programme implementation.
18. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Qualifications

Education

• Master’s degree in International Relations, Political Science, Humanitarian Affairs, Economic Development, Business or Public Administration, International Studies or a related field from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience, or; 
• University degree in the above fields with seven years of relevant professional experience.

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

Experience

• Experience in programme development and capacity-building activities;
• Experience in direct implementation of protection interventions, particularly, GBV;
• Experience in supervising protection risk assessments and protection monitoring;
• Experience in liaising with governmental and diplomatic authorities as well as with national and international institutions; and,
• Experience in organizing consultations, workshops and seminars with high level stakeholders.

Skills

• Proven ability to establish and maintain strong working relations with relevant Government counterparts, international organizations and private sector entities;
• Excellent management, coordination, and information management skills;
• Detailed knowledge of the UN System, NGOs and other international organizations/institutions;
• Knowledge of protection programming, migration data, labour migration patterns and ability to negotiate with government authorities;
• Good knowledge of human and financial resources management;
• Strong conceptualization, analytical and writing skills;
• Strong communication, organizational and interpersonal relationship skills;
• In depth knowledge of the broad range of migration related subject areas dealt with by the Organization;
• Knowledge of UN and bilateral donor programming; and, 
• Capacity to establish and maintain partnerships with development partners, government counterparts, UN agencies, local authorities and other relevant stakeholders.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French and Spanish. All staff members are required to be fluent in one of the the three languages.

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of Arabic and French, and of another official UN language (Chinese, Russian, and Spanish) is an advantage.

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 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 2

•  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 

Notes

Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile.

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.

The list of NMS countries above includes all IOM Member States which are non-represented in the Professional Category of staff members. For this staff category, candidates who are nationals of the duty station's country cannot be considered eligible.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, security clearances.
Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.

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.

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.

Required Skills

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