Protection Officer (P)

Job Description

Job Identification (Reference Number): 17962
Position Title: Protection Officer (P)
Duty Station City: Addis Ababa
Duty Station Country: Ethiopia
Grade: P-2
Contract Type: Special Short Term Graded (Up to 9 months)
Recruiting Type: Professional
Vacancy Type: Special Vacancy Notice
Initial duration: 6 months
Closing date: 02 January 2026

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, Madagascar, Marshall Islands, Namibia, Nauru, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:
All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM.

Context

Established in 1951, IOM is the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of migration and 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 has been present in Ethiopia since 1995, operating from its national office in Addis Ababa and a network of field offices and Migrant Response Centers along key migratory routes Ethiopia’s migration dynamics are shaped by multiple factors, including economic hardship, political instability, conflict, and climate change. IOM Ethiopia's vision is to place the rights and well-being of migrants at the centre of its interventions, adopting a preventive, protective, and responsive approach. IOM is dedicated to mainstreaming protection across all its programming, ensuring that any intervention avoids unintended negative effects (do no harm), is delivered according to needs, prioritizes safety and dignity, is based on participation and empowerment of local capacities, and holds humanitarian actors accountable to affected individuals and communities. IOM supports the efforts of the Government of Ethiopia to fulfil their responsibilities to reduce protection risks and address the needs of vulnerable individuals and communities. IOM is guided by rights-based approaches across migration programming, demonstrating commitment to the safeguarding of children and other vulnerable groups.

Under the overall supervision of the Head of Programmes and the direct supervision of the Senior Programme Officer (Protection), and in close coordination with relevant thematic units (such as Migration Management, Emergency and Post-Crisis, Migration Health Unit and Climate and Resilience), the Protection Officer will play a key role in coordinating programme activities within the Protection Unit, including Protection in Emergencies and Migrant Protection and Assistance and supporting the development of strategic linkages with other thematic areas. The Protection Officer will support technical, operational, financial, and administrative management for assigned projects and programmes, ensuring coherence, compliance, and timely delivery. The role involves close collaboration with Programme Managers, field teams, and external partners to strengthen integrated approaches that address protection needs and strategies, including return and reintegration, child protection, counter-trafficking and smuggling of migrants, response to violence against women and girls, men and boys, assistance to vulnerable migrants, and overall specialized protection programming in the CO, while contributing to broader migration management and resilience objectives.

Responsibilities

1. Contribute to Protection programming across the CO and provide technical support to other units of the CO on Protection Mainstreaming, including safe programming and capacity development.

2. Support the Senior Programme Officer (Protection) in managing Protection projects and ensuring coherence with other thematic units, while providing analytical inputs and regular updates on programme priorities, policies, and needs to inform planning and decision-making.

3. Contribute to establishing, maintaining and further expanding 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.

4. Support the convening of regular Protection programme coordination meetings and events with stakeholders, donors, and partners to assist in promoting dialogue and innovative solutions, and document outcomes and support the implementation of follow-up actions (including related to NPC, UNSCDF, and working groups).

5. Support the effective development and implementation of CO’s Protection programming by exercising administrative, operational and financial management for relevant projects. Provide operational management, guidance and supervision to the relevant 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 training and ensure capacity building of Programme staff.

6. Coordinate and implement activities included in the CO’s Protection portfolio, which may include contributing to the development of protection Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and internal guidelines for protection case management and facilitating protection mainstreaming interventions, in line with IOM’s institutional tools and guidance and international protection standards.

7. Contribute to the timely and quality preparation and submission of Programme reports, situation updates and lessons learned in close coordination with relevant units in the CO and according to requirements of IOM, donors and relevant stakeholders.

8. Contribute to the establishment of a common Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) framework and harmonized reporting and information management system that incorporates regular reporting requirements and impact evaluation strategies, in close coordination with CO’s Monitoring, Evaluations and Learning (MEAL) team.

9. Identify and propose new opportunities for Protection interventions in IOM's Ethiopia's current programming and contribute to the development of sections of project proposals, thematic concept notes, and reports in coordination with relevant Programme/Project Managers.

10. Provide technical support in production of visibility/communications materials in close coordination with Public Information Officer/Focal Point of the CO.

11. Participate at the relevant donor or partner meetings, briefings and conferences at international and national level and support collaboration and information sharing and knowledge management on Protection Programming and related interventions.

12. Coordinate closely with Protection Programme Managers, and other unit’s Programme Managers (including MMGU, MECC, HRR, etc.) to contribute to a coherent approach and strong linkages across projects within and related to the protection portfolio.

13. Maintain the programme database and financial tracking, support budgets coordination and monitoring of expenditures and procurement plans, liaise with support units, and work with relevant units for the preparation of accurate financial reports.

14. Undertake regular visits to the Sub-Offices, to support the implementation Protection programme.

15. 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 two years of relevant professional experience; or,
• University degree in the above fields with four 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 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

• Good management, coordination, and information management skills;
• 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;
• Proven experience in project and budget management, including proposal development, planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting;
• Good analytical and writing skills;
• Good communication, organizational and interpersonal relationship skills;
• Knowledge of UN and bilateral donor programming; 
• Ability to think strategically, make effective decisions under pressure, and align actions with organizational priorities;
• High computer proficiency, including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, publishing tools, and internet research; and,
• Demonstrated ability to assess capacity needs and develop training plans for staff and partners; leadership skills to guide teams and foster collaboration across thematic areas.

Languages

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

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written).

Working knowledge of Amharic 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 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 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

Job info