Regional Protection Officer (P)

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.

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, 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.

Organizational Context and Scope

Under the direct supervision of the Regional Thematic Specialist (RTS) for Humanitarian Response and Recovery (DHRR RTS) and the overall supervision of the Deputy Regional Director for Operations, as well as in direct collaboration and coordination with the Regional Migrant Protection and Assistance Specialist and guidance from relevant units in Headquarters (HQ), the Regional Protection Officer supports the implementation of institutional policy from HQ in Country Offices (COs) across the region. Specifically, they provide oversight, quality control, and thematic support to promote consistent, cohesive, and quality evidence-based programming. Under the leadership of the RTS for DHRR and Protection and together with other Regional Thematic Units (RTUs), the Regional Protection Officer contributes to thought leadership on saving lives and protecting individuals on the move, driving solutions to displacement, and facilitating regular pathways for migration. The Regional Protection Officer identifies regional opportunities and risks, fosters knowledge sharing, encourages policy and research development, and supports cross-thematic collaboration internally. Externally, the Regional Protection Officer also provides advocacy, policy, and programmatic recommendations regarding protection to regional entities, Member States, and relevant protection and migration fora, spearheaded by IOM’s RO and CO leadership. 

Responsibilities

1. Build the protection capacity of Country Offices (CO) in the region through training (formal and on-the-job) and expert thematic guidance, in line with interagency and institutional standards on specialized fields of protection. 
2. Represent IOM at various protection-related regional meetings, clusters, working groups, and (sub)groups and develop country-specific or regional initiatives in collaboration with the Regional Office (RO), relevant COs and HQ colleagues.
3. Support knowledge management efforts on protection, including the collection of information, best practices and lessons learned.
4. Maintain regular coordination with relevant HQ departments, divisions and offices, as well as regional and country offices to facilitate review, endorsement, and monitoring of proposals, and reports to integrate protection.
5. Monitor and assess protection-related contextual developments and trends across the region, in particular, protection risk trends, programming excellence and project implementation.
6. Provide technical and thematic expertise to COs to address complex protection issues and support case management. 
7. Facilitate coordination, prioritization, and operational planning grounded in protection analysis and ensure the internalization of the IASC Protection Policy.
8. Contribute to the development and coordination of regional, multi-country, and cross-border programmes and projects linked to protection, including regional work on the Routes-based Approach.
9. Support resource mobilization in the region on protection, including through advocacy in conjunction relevant internal and external stakeholders. 
10. Develop, and where relevant, contribute to regional thematic guidance notes, information sheets and policy documents within the technical area in line with global guidance and regional priorities.
11. Support the development and maintenance of partnerships on protection across the region, including with governments, UN, special political missions, NGOs, private sector, civil society, academia, and other key stakeholders.
12. Promote the use of protection analysis as a data-driven and evidence-based approach to IOM programming, in close coordination with HQ, Regional Data Hub (RDH), COs, and Protection Clusters. 
13. Undertake travel to COs in the region to advise and guide the development and implementation of humanitarian protection activities, support risk monitoring, and scale up of specialized protection programming.
14. In the absence of the MPX or DHRR RTS during leave or duty travel, provide oversight on the protection function by managing and responding to requests from internal or external partners.
15. Perform any other duties as may be assigned.     

Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Master’s degree in International Relations, Political Science, Social Science, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with at least five years of relevant professional experience; or,
• University degree in the above fields with at least seven years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• Demonstrated experience in implementing protection programming in crises, conflict, stabilization and development settings, ideally in different specialized fields such as general protection, child protection, and gender-based violence;
• Demonstrated experience on protection integrated programming and/or in protection mainstreaming with non-protection sectors in the field and through capacity building initiatives;
• Demonstrated experience in protection project development, implementation and management, and provision of technical support and liaison with internal and external stakeholders; 
• Experience working in countries in crises, conflict and post-conflict settings, non-OECD countries managing protection-related projects and activities;  
• Experience in liaison, resource mobilization, and advocacy with governmental and diplomatic officials, national and international institutions and organizations, civil society, and private sector actors;
• Excellent knowledge of interagency minimum standards on protection specialized fields, and on the humanitarian, IASC and UN architecture; and,
• Experience working in an international, inter-governmental, or non-governmental organization, United Nations, or government;

Skills

• ​​Ability to understand complex contexts and fast-changing migration and displacement dynamics and ability to frame them in their regional, global, and political contexts;  
• ​​Proven track record of successful engagement with donors, developing projects, and mobilizing resources for IOM priority areas;   
• ​​​Demonstrated ability to effectively coordinate with a diverse teams of specialists.  
• ​​Strong analytical skills combined with the ability to effectively summarize, present, and communicate findings; 
• ​​Demonstrated knowledge and expertise of relevant international standards and classifications relevant to general protection and/or humanitarian protection; and,  
• ​​Proven agent of change or willingness to foster a culture of learning and knowledge management. ​

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 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.
• 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. 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.

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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