Programme Assistant (Protection)

Context

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) stands as the leading intergovernmental organization in the field of migration and is a member of the United Nations system. IOM’s overarching goal is to promote humane, orderly, and safe migration by delivering technical and operational support to States, fortifying the protection of migrants, and fostering the respect for human rights. Within the domain of preventing and responding to trafficking in persons, IOM brings extensive experience in providing direct assistance to victims, building institutional capacity, developing regulatory frameworks and referral mechanisms, and conducting awareness‑raising, training, and knowledge generation activities.

In Uruguay, IOM collaborates closely with government institutions, civil society organizations, and international partners to enhance the national response to trafficking in persons, encompassing trafficking for sexual and labor exploitation as well as other forms of exploitation. These efforts are aligned with international standards and are guided by victim‑centered approaches, trauma‑informed methodologies, and the principles of non‑re‑victimization, gender equality, and interculturality.

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Office and in coordination with IOM’s Protection Unit, the Project Assistant (Protection) is responsible for providing administrative and logistical support to the implementation of initiatives focused on the early identification and protection of migrants in vulnerable situations, with special attention to victims and potential victims of trafficking in persons, in line with established procedures.

The incumbent will contribute to these tasks in accordance with IOM’s guiding principles, supporting a holistic protection approach and assisting in the implementation of project activities aimed at strengthening Uruguay’s response in the areas of prevention, prosecution, and assistance to victims of trafficking in persons.

1. Assist with the administrative documentation of cases of migrants with protection needs, including maintaining records and filing referral documentation, under clear instructions and supervisor guidance. 

2. Provide logistical and administrative support to socio‑economic, sociocultural, and community‑based integration and reintegration activities for migrants in vulnerable situations, including survivors of trafficking, following established guidelines.

3. Support routine information sharing by compiling and circulating information among relevant units, as instructed.

4. Compile data and draft routine inputs for project activity reports, monitoring tools, and statistics, following templates and instructions provided. 

5. Assist in procurement and logistical processes by preparing requests, maintaining records of documentation, and supporting the receipt of goods, in line with established procedures and instructions. 

6. Maintain and update protection files, SharePoint directories, and databases in accordance with established SOPs and data protection standards.

7. Provide logistical and administrative support for workshops, seminars, and capacity‑building activities with national stakeholders, with materials and logistics arrangements prepared in advance.

8. Uphold IOM’s Standards of Conduct, Protection Mainstreaming Minimum Standards, and PSEAH requirements; and inform supervisors of any observed non‑compliance.

9. Support liaison activities by preparing correspondence, meeting logistics, and documentation with governmental counterparts and partners. 

10. Respond to general inquiries, maintain organized filing systems, support meeting scheduling and documentation, and maintain proper archiving.

11. Perform other related duties as assigned.

EXPERIENCE

• Prior experience supporting activities related to migrants, including administrative or operational support in protection‑related contexts. 

• Experience supporting administrative and operational processes, including procurement, logistics, documentation or financial procedures.

• Demonstrated ability to use office software packages (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and maintain spreadsheets and databases.

• Experience supporting administrative control or documentation procedures in line with organizational standards.

• Prior experience in Movement Operations or similar operational environments is considered an advantage.

SKILLS

• Strong computer literacy, with proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and the ability to manage data, spreadsheets, and digital documentation effectively.

• Self‑motivated, proactive, and able to complete assigned tasks within clearly defined instructions and supervision, while meeting objectives and deadlines.

• Strong interpersonal skills to engage respectfully and effectively with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds.

• Demonstrated empathy, patience, and a protection‑focused approach when interacting with individuals in vulnerable situations.

• Flexibility and adaptability to respond to evolving operational needs.

Languages
IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish. 

REQUIRED

For this position, fluency in Spanish and English is required (oral and written). 

DESIRABLE

Working knowledge of Portuguese is an advantage..