Protection Coordinator (P)

Job Description

Job Identification (Reference Number): 18141
Position Title: Protection Coordinator
Duty Station City: Erbil
Duty Station Country: Iraq
Grade: P-3
Contract Type: Special Short Term (6 Months with Possibility of Extension)
Recruiting Type: Professional
Vacancy Type: Special Vacancy Notice
Initial duration: 6 Months with Possibility of Extension
Closing date: 12 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, Lao People's Democratic Republic, 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 nonrepresented member states of IOM.

Context

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) In Iraq operates in camps, informal settlements, and areas of return and relocation to provide specialized protection assistance. IOM’s overarching goal on protection is to place the rights and well-being of migrants, including Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), regardless of their status, at the center of its operations. This means ensuring the protection of migrants across the full spectrum of migration management and governance. IOM uses a rights-based approach to identify and address needs in humanitarian and transition and development contexts seeking to secure individual and group rights and to create a society in which these rights are recognized and upheld.

Under the overall supervision of the Deputy Chief of Mission (DCoM), and direct supervision of the Head of Protection, the Protection Coordinator will be responsible for the management, implementation, coordination, execution, and monitoring of IOM Iraq Country Office’s (CO) protection projects, including but not limited to core protection activities and support in IDP camps, informal sites and areas of return. The Protection Coordinator will ensure synergies with concurrent protection programming in country. In doing so, they will work in an integrated manner with the Iraq Government and its provincial and district authorities and relevant protection actors. In addition, they will support Iraq CO through provision of protection mainstreaming expertise to other units.

Responsibilities

1. Manage and coordinate the development and implementation of IOM Protection activities with a view of ensuring centrality of protection in line with IOM policies and procedures applying and upholding standards in protection approaches and programming including resource mobilization, development, monitoring and reporting of all project and components under the Core protection portfolio. 

2. Strengthen and develop the capacity to deliver protection support and core protection activities including, but not limited to, protection monitoring and advocacy, general protection, Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Trafficking in Persons (TiP) case management and community based protection initiatives.

3. Monitor, supervise, train, coach and oversee the work of the Core Protection Unit’s staff and closely coordinate with other relevant thematic divisions, to ensure consolidation and an harmonized response across thematic and geographical areas of intervention, as well as IOM procedural standards and policies. 

4. Manage core protection related projects, activities and budgets, ensure appropriate selection of Implementing Partners (IPs), monitor IPs activities and agreements, provide technical guidance and capacity building and oversee accountable delivery of protection activities and services. 

5. Analyze context and dynamics, assess opportunities and capacity for cooperation with national authorities, including local governments and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).

6. In coordination with the Head of Protection, support in representing Protection activities at relevant meetings by developing key messages and advocacy briefs based on protection monitoring findings and contextual protection analysis.

7. Mentor and support staff in their professional development from recruitment, onboarding and support their capacity building efforts on internal guidelines, protection mainstreaming standards and practises.

8. Coordinate with and provide technical expertise and lessons learned to IOM’s Protection Regional Thematic Specialist and Headquarters.

9. Undertake duty travel, as required and in line with prevailing security restrictions, related to programme implementation and oversight, staff training, and programme partners, to coordinate, develop and support programme implementation. 

10. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Qualifications

Education 

• Master’s degree in Political or Social Sciences, Business Administration, Migration Studies, International Relations, Law 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 the field of migration, internally displaced person (IDP), and protection;

• Proven experience and expertise directly implementing and coordinating specialized protection programming in General protection, Prevention and Response to GBV, and/or Counter-trafficking through case management, individual protection assistance, community based protection;

• Demonstrated experience working with other sectors and partners in implementing, measuring and providing trainings on protection mainstreaming;

• Experience and expertise in Protection information management, more specifically in protection analysis, protection monitoring or results based protection are an asset;

• Experience with cash-based intervention and cash for protection; and,

• Working experience in Iraq or the region is an asset.

Skills

• Sound understanding of complex social-political environments;

• Knowledge of Global standards on Protection, GBV and Child protection, including for Unaccompanied and Separated Children (Best Interest Procedure), as well as on Counter-trafficking, Protection Mainstreaming and Protection Information Management;

• Knowledge of Iraq and regional dynamics and the impact on the affected population in Iraq;

• Knowledge of the project management cycle;

• Works effectively with local authorities, stakeholders, beneficiaries, and the broader community to advance the CO or regional objectives;

• Excellent report writing skills, as well as managerial & organizational skills; and,

• Advanced level of computer literacy.
   

Languages

IOM's official languages are English, French and Spanish. 

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

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