Senior Project Associate (PSEA and AAP)

Job Description

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 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 and internal-equivalent candidates are considered as first-tier candidates.

Organizational Context and Scope

The Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) Framework establishes the International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) common approach for implementing and mainstreaming AAP throughout  its crisis-related  work  as contained  in  its Migration  Crisis  Operational Framework (MCOF).  It  helps the  Organization  ensure quality  and  responsive programming  in  line with the evolving   needs   of beneficiaries, affected   populations  and   communities   and  enforce   the Organization’s zero tolerance against sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) and other misconduct. The commitments of this framework were developed in line with the Inter-Agency Standing Committee’s (IASC) commitments to AAP and adapted to meet IOM’s operational realities. IOM has an AAP toolkit as well as additional tools for specific thematic and operational areas to ensure all IOM activities are designed to use power responsibly by taking account of, giving account to and being held to account by the people they seek to assist. 

Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) by aid workers is a violation of human rights and IOM is committed to combat any kind of SEA by its staff related personnel and partners.

IOM’s zero tolerance policy not only applies to IOM staff but also extends to IOM third party contracted staff, suppliers, service providers and implementing partners. With over 16,000 staff and over 6,000 related personnel, operating in 450 Offices, and 165 countries throughout the world, the impact of SEA on victims and within IOM’s operating environments, and the reputational risk it poses for the Organization needs to be addressed and remains a key priority.

The protection against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), including the prevention of and response to SEA, continues to gain momentum not only within the United Nations (UN) and Interagency Standing Committee (IASC) common systems but also amongst governments, institutional partners, media and the general public. 

Over the past decade, IOM has increasingly been seen as a strong player supporting the prevention and response to SEA and Sexual Harassment within the UN, IASC, and amongst the humanitarian community. While significant progress has been made to prevent and respond to SEA within the Organization such as through the development of innovative PSEA trainings, the development of a misconduct platform to report SEA, and extensive interagency collaboration on PSEA, more needs to be done within country and at the programmatic level and the PSEA Officer will support these efforts. 

In 2021, IOM developed its strategic approach toward the prevention of and response to SEA and sexual harassment focusing on five priority areas: 1) Leadership and Organizational Culture; 2) Institutional Accountability and Transparency; 3) Capacity-Development, Training, and Communication; 4) Quality and Accessible Victim Assistance; 5) Partnership and Coordination. 

Under the direct supervision of the IOM Chief of Mission, in close collaboration with Viet Nam mission senior managers, the, IOM Senior Coordinator for PSEA based in HQ and relevant technical experts and managers, the incumbent will be responsible for supporting the management of IOM’s prevention of and response to sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA) activities in Viet Nam. As the technical PSEA Focal Point in Viet Nam, will implement PSEA and AAP activities in direct coordination with the Chief of Mission, both internally and as an active member of the interagency PSEA Network. While the incumbent will support the PSEA and AAP agenda within the Country Office and coordinate PSEA within programming, accountability for PSEA remains with the Chief of Mission.

Responsibilities

PSEA and AAP COORDINATION:

• Support the development of an operational PSEA and AAP Work Plan for IOM Viet Nam in line with IOM’s PSEA and AAP Strategy, the IASC’s PSEA Minimum Operating Standards (MOS), and the UNCT country level framework and work plan, through strategic workshops with IOM Heads of Units and other senior management at the country and programmatic levels; ensure the resulting work plan is detailed and operational with clear actions, roles and responsibilities to deliver on the actions, timeframes, technical and resource requirements, and internal reporting requirements;

• Support the inclusion of PSEA and AAP within IOM Country Office Strategy, programming, risk mitigation and management, planning, reporting, monitoring and evaluation and budgeting; develop PSEA and AAP programming and liaise with relevant donors as required;

• Contribute to the in-country interagency PSEA Network (support in the development of the collective PSEA workplan, risk management plan, PSEA Strategies, etc.), as well as actively participate within IOM internal and other interagency PSEA communication and coordination initiatives;

• Support the PSEA Network to develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)[1], and establish an inter-agency Community-Based Complaint Mechanism, incorporating existing IOM complaint and feedback mechanisms (CFM) and in line with PSEA and GBV good practice[2];

• Support the facilitation and participation in the establishment of an inter-agency community-based complaints mechanism (in coordination with the Accountability to Affected Populations Unit in HQ), in coordination with the interagency PSEA Network, programme managers and relevant IOM units, as well as with communities and implementing partners as appropriate;

• In coordination with relevant colleagues, work closely with Focal Points at the IOM Regional Office  and HQ to ensure prevention, mitigation and response mechanisms are in line with IOM’s global PSEA Strategy;

• Support IOM Teams, programmes and units to ensure the mitigation of SEA risks are developed, embedded and strengthened within all IOM programming and within HR practices; and,

• At all possible opportunities (during relevant trainings, in staff and programme meetings, through newsletters, in email messages, etc) continually share key messages on PSEA, including mandatory reporting requirements within the country office and programming, in coordination with relevant colleagues.

PREVENTION:

• Support a Country-wide SEA risk assessment to identify locations and programmes with the highest SEA risk; ensure appropriate mitigation and response strategies within IOM programming and operations;

• Participate in the development of a training plan and coordinate the delivery and organization of PSEA and AAP trainings for IOM staff and related personnel, implementing partners[3], key institutional stakeholders; Support the work of identified PSEA focal points within Country to deliver key messaging and trainings as appropriate;

• On a yearly basis, provide an update on the number of staff, non-staff trained, contractors, implementing partners, and service providers trained in the mission on PSEA and AAP, in an effort to track compliance and facilitate the management of training delivery and refresher courses, in coordination with HR. Support the registration of all participants (staff and non-staff) within the IOM system and the delivery of certificates;

• Support the development of a  communication and awareness-raising strategies and tools to ensure appropriate PSEA messaging and knowledge on prohibited behaviours as well as how to report allegations of misconduct, including SEA within communities and amongst beneficiaries; ensure localization of SEA messaging; and,

• Map existing community engagement projects in IOM and work with project leads to insert PSEA messages and/or gather community input where appropriate. 

RESPONSE:

• Participate and support the development of PSEA proposals and ensure the mainstreaming of PSEA within IOM programming; coordinate closely with institutional partners, governments, donors, and communities on PSEA needs and responses; 

• Support the development and contribute to reporting on PSEA and communication to highlight IOM’s PSEA work within programming; 

• Support the development and mapping of Country-specific interagency victim assistance pathways and/or existing IOM programmes to refer victims for assistance and other support services;

• Review and assess referrals for victim assistance in coordination with gender-based violence and/or protection colleagues and support the strengthening of victim services within country and/or programming; 

• Undertake duty travel as required; and,

• Perform any other duties as may be assigned

Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• University degree in Law, International Relations, Psychology, Social Sciences, Development Studies and Planning or a related field from an accredited academic institution with four years of relevant professional experience; or,

• Master’s degree in the above fields will be considered an advantage.

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

Experience

• Experience in the fields of sexual exploitation and abuse, protection, child protection, gender-based violence, accountability to affected populations (AAP), gender mainstreaming and/or humanitarian affairs;

• Strong coordination experience within the UN system and amongst interagency partners, including governments, NGOs, and communities; 

• Experience in developing and facilitating PSEA trainings, in particular capacity-building, and communication materials to promote behavior change; 

• Experience undertaking PSEA risk assessments, in coordination with communities, partners, and UN and other key stakeholders; 

• Demonstrated ability to work across a wide variety of sectors/teams on cross-cutting themes; 

• Good written and oral communication skills, effective in representation and liaison with external partners; 

• Experience in policy and proposal development and the creation of standard operating procedures and tools; and,

Skills

• Knowledge and understanding of IOM’s institutional approach on PSEA and related strategies, policies, rules and regulations

• Knowledge of the UN system and architecture;

• Knowledge of mainstreaming best practices and partnership models to ensure coordination of the same across a diversified range of actors; and,

• Ability to work with and maintain strict confidentiality, when necessary

Languages

All IOM staff members in all categories are required to be fluent in one of the IOM's official languages (English, French, Spanish).

For this position, TO COPY-PASTE FROM POSTING DESCRIPTION

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Required Competencies

English (oral and written). 

For this position, fluency in Vietnamese is preferred (oral and written).

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.

Managerial Competencies – behavioural indicators Level 2, if with direct reports

• Leadership: Provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example and demonstrates the ability to carry out the Organization’s vision. Assists others to realize and develop their leadership and professional potential.
• Empowering others: Creates an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
• Building Trust: Promotes shared values and creates an atmosphere of trust and honesty.
• Strategic thinking and vision: Works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.
• Humility: Leads with humility and shows openness to acknowledging own shortcomings. 

Notes

Please refer to this link for guidance on IOM Job Category.

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.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, security clearances.

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.

No late applications will be accepted. 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