Senior Protection Associate

Job Description

Introduction

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations and the leading UN agency in the field of migration. Working closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners, IOM promotes humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It saves lives and protects people on the move, drives solutions to displacement, and facilitates pathways for regular migration, while providing services and advice to governments and migrants. 

IOM is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive and supportive workplace where all employees can thrive professionally and feel valued. By creating such an environment, IOM aims to better harness the full potential of migration and strengthen its support to people on the move.

IOM invites candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply and provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process when required. Learn 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

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission in Venezuela and the direct supervision of the Protection Officer, and in close coordination with the Protection Division at the Regional Office and Headquarters, the Senior Protection Associate will support the coordination, quality assurance and operational oversight of IOM Venezuela's emergency protection programme.

Following the devastating earthquakes of 24 June 2026 that affected Caracas (Capital District), La Guaira, Miranda and surrounding states, causing widespread infrastructure damage, population displacement and the declaration of a state of emergency, IOM Venezuela is implementing a multisectoral humanitarian response to ensure timely access to life-saving assistance. Within this framework, the Protection Unit delivers interventions aimed at preventing, mitigating and responding to protection risks affecting displaced and earthquake-affected populations, with particular attention to women, children, older persons, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups. Activities include community-based protection, protection mainstreaming, information and awareness campaigns, accountability to affected populations, prevention of gender-based violence, child protection, family reunification support and access to specialized services through established referral pathways.

The Senior Protection Associate will provide technical and operational support to Protection Assistants, consultants, mobile protection teams and implementing partners, contributing to activity planning, monitoring, partner follow-up, information management, reporting and quality assurance. The incumbent will help ensure that protection interventions are delivered in a timely, accountable and technically sound manner, in full compliance with IOM policies, protection principles, confidentiality, informed consent, data protection standards, AAP, PSEA and donor requirements.

Responsibilities

• Assist with the identification, analysis and prioritization of protection issues with the different sectors at the field level in order to support in protection mainstreaming and risk mitigation;           

• Support the implementation of Protection project activities, coordinate with the other sectors to support achieving the intended protection outcomes for integrated projects and compile regular reports; 

• Provide technical support to implementing partners on protection case management, in-kind. for protection, community based protection to  verify services are in line with minimum standards and IOM guidelines;

• Support implementing partners to liaise and build partnerships with protection actors, community networks, representative groups (women, youth, persons with disabilities, etc.) including identification of protective community structures and relevant actors towards building a protective environment;

• Assist in the collection and analysis of protection related data relevant to IOM’s programming to  contribute to identify and mitigate the protection concerns of affected populations. 

• Conduct capacity assessment and support the design capacity building strategies for implementing partners in protection mainstreaming, protection case management, protection risk mitigation, Disability Inclusion, psychological first aid,safety and disaster risk awareness,, and other protection-related issues and work jointly with sector units to monitor for protection mainstreaming;

• Support the contextualisation and adaptation of protection guidelines, tools, IEC materials and interventions to suit the Venezuelan context;

• Support the strengthening of localised referrals pathways;

• Support ongoing mentoring for all IOM staff and partners on psychological first aid and non-specialist response to disclosures of protection cases;

• Participate in interagency coordination mechanisms and actively share planned information campaigns, findings from assessments, analysis of community feedback, or monitoring of community engagement strategies to enable shared learning;  

• Coordinate with relevant Protection, PSEA, Gender, Disability Inclusion, and Localization focal points and other cross-cutting issues as applicable, both inside and outside of IOM; 

• Perform such other duties as may be assigned. 

Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• University degree in in Law, Social Work, Psychology, Political Science, Social Sciences, Humanities, International Relations or a related field from an accredited academic institution with four years of relevant professional experience or

• School diploma with six years of relevant experience.

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

Experience

• Experience in protection programming especially involving case management, human rights and/or protection, trafficking in persons and protection monitoring/human rights experience

• Comprehensive understanding of human rights and protection principles

• Excellent interpersonal skills and works well with people of different cultures, gender and backgrounds with ability to be flexible, work well under pressure and solve problems independently

• Commitment to human rights and protection principles

• Strong English writing and organizational skills

• Good analytical and facilitation skills for conducting assessments and able to analyze various data to provide comprehensive protection reports

• Specialized training in protection in emergencies, case management, GBV risk mitigation, child protection, counter-trafficking, AAP, PSEA and/or humanitarian coordination is an advantage.
• Experience supporting protection mainstreaming across sectors such as CCCM, Shelter/NFI, WASH, Health and MHPSS is desirable.
• Experience consolidating operational information, tracking workplans, supporting donor reporting and applying data protection standards is desirable.

Skills

• Strong facilitation skills and experience in providing technical support to implementing partners; 

• Excellent communication and analytical skills; 

• Strong coordination skills;

• Demonstrated knowledge of the development of trainings and capacity building activities; 

• Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills; and, 

• Proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of diverse cultural and national backgrounds. 

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, fluency in Spanish is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of  

English is required/desirable according to operational needs.

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.

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

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