National Protection Officer (Humanitarian Protection)

Job Description

Under the overall supervision of the Deputy Chief of Mission (CoM) in Türkiye and the direct supervision of the Senior Protection Coordinator, and in close coordination with the Head of Sub-Office in Gaziantep and relevant units at Headquarters (HQ), the Regional Office (RO) in Vienna, and sub-offices across Türkiye, the National Protection Officer (Humanitarian Protection) will support the coordination and monitoring of activities under the Humanitarian Protection sub-unit.

The incumbent will support implementation across teams, monitor progress of activities, and contribute to reporting and documentation processes, ensuring activities are carried out in line with IOM protection standards and donor requirements. The role also contributes to the development of tools, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and capacity-building initiatives related to protection activities under Humanitarian Protection sub-unit, including ECM, Protection Desks, and Voluntary Return and Advisory Desks.

Responsibilities

1. ​Coordinate the overall implementation and monitoring of CO Türkiye’s humanitarian protection (HPX) activities, including the oversight of the financial, logistical, administrative and technical aspects in accordance with IOM’s policies, practices and global standards as well as relevant requirements, guidelines and grant agreements.

2. Monitor the implementation of protection activities across HPX programming; document and evaluate results; identify the causes of deviations and bottlenecks and recommend and implement corrective actions. 

3. Contribute to the development, tracking and adjustment of work plans, Monitoring & Evaluation tools and standard operations procedures related to humanitarian protection programming.

4. Provide technical guidance to relevant staff and support the implementation of protection interventions, ensuring adherence to IOM protection standards and guidelines, including protection mainstreaming, PSEA, and survivor-centred approaches.

5. Provide technical guidance and oversight to case management processes, including quality control and guidance to case workers, ensuring consistent and high-quality service delivery and promoting protection-sensitive approaches, including safe referrals to specialized services (e.g. MHPSS, GBV, child protection, CT).

6. Contribute to the development, revision, and rollout of SOPs, tools, and guidance related to vulnerability screening, identification and referral as part of emergency case management, voluntary return advisory desks, and protection desks.

7. Coordinate the collection, verification and analysis of data and background information; update information management systems and social media platforms on project related activities including project awareness and visibility, summaries, press releases and other relevant materials.

8. ​Identify potential areas for project development and contribute to the development of new projects by selecting and summarizing background information, assessing the local context and drafting segments of project proposals. 

9. Coordinate the preparation and dissemination of project reports and contribute to the development of project proposals, concept notes and other planning documents, ensuring timely submission in line with donor and IOM requirements.

10. Liaise and coordinate with donors, partners, United Nations agencies, local authorities and stakeholders and government counterparts.

11. Support community engagement and outreach activities, including raising awareness on available services, strengthening feedback mechanisms, and ensuring accessibility of protection services for affected populations.

12. Plan, develop and organize capacity building activities targeting IOM staff, government and civil society partners, implementing partners and communities.

13. Participate in relevant relevant conferences, working groups, workshops, steering committees, working groups, and other forum including coordination meetings in the ESEM region.

14. Supervise, guide and support project staff and provide technical guidance to implementing partners, as required.

15. Undertake duty travel relating to project implementation, monitoring visits, project assessments, liaison with counterparts.

16. Perform other related duties as required.

Qualifications

EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s degree in Political or Social Sciences, International Relations, Development Studies, Migration Studies, Human Rights, Law or related fields from an accredited academic institution with four years of relevant professional experience; or,
• Master’s degree in the above-mentioned fields with two years of relevant professional experience 

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

EXPERIENCE

• Experience in humanitarian protection programming, including case management, emergency assistance, and/or protection desk/service delivery mechanisms.
• Experience in implementing or supporting case management systems, including supervision of case workers and ensuring adherence to protection principles and standards.
• Experience working with vulnerable populations, including migrants, refugees, survivors of gender-based violence (GBV), victims of trafficking, and/or unaccompanied and separated children (UASC).
• Experience in GBV programming, including application of survivor-centred approaches, safe referrals, and coordination with specialized service providers, is highly desirable.
• Experience in project implementation, including monitoring, reporting, coordination activities, and engagement with multiple stakeholders.
• Experience in liaising with government counterparts, UN agencies, NGOs, and community-based organizations.
• Experience in capacity building, including planning, delivering or supporting trainings on protection principles, case management, and referral pathways.
• Experience in emergency or humanitarian settings, including provision of direct assistance or case management in complex environments, is an advantage.

SKILLS

• Knowledge of protection principles, including do no harm, confidentiality, informed consent, and survivor-centred approaches.

• Understanding of case management processes, including identification, assessment, referral, follow-up, and case closure.

• Ability to provide technical guidance, support and coordination to case workers and field teams.

• Good understanding of referral pathways and coordination mechanisms within humanitarian contexts.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to identify risks and propose practical solutions.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.

• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

• Proficiency in report writing and drafting of technical and operational documents.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications; familiarity with case management systems (e.g. MiMOSA) or data collection tools is an asset.

• Strong organizational, coordination and stakeholder engagement skills.

LANGUAGES

• IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish. For this position, fluency in English and Turkish is required (oral and written). Any other languages is an asset. 

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.

Managerial Competencies - Behavioral indicators - Level 2

• 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.

1. Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.
2. 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.
3. Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, security clearances.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. No late applications will be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Required Skills

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