Protection Coordinator (P)

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 first- and second-tier candidates, particularly qualified female candidates as well as applications from the non-represented member countries of IOM. 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, the following are considered first-tier candidates:

1. Internal candidates

2. Candidates from the following IOM Member States that are not represented among staff members in the Professional and higher categories: 

   Bahamas, Barbados, Cabo Verde, 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, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Vanuatu 
    

Second tier candidates include:
All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM.

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Programmes (HoP), the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission (CoM), and the overall guidance and technical support of the Regional Thematic Specialist (RTS) on Protection (PxD), the Protection Coordinator coordinates and support the implementation of protection institutional policy in the Rwanda Country Office (CO). The Global Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) program aims to provide Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) to migrants in Rwanda, ensuring that returns are safe, dignified, and based on the migrants’ free, prior, and informed consent. Additionally, the program offers independent, needs-based post-arrival assistance at the request of countries of origin or receiving countries, always with the explicit consent of the migrants.

Specifically, the Protection Coordinator provides oversight, quality control, and thematic coordination and support to promote consistent, cohesive, and quality evidence-based programming while fostering opportunities and risks as well as knowledge sharing. 

1. Oversee and manage the  Protection programming across the CO and provide technical support to other units of the CO on Protection Mainstreaming to ensure safe programming and capacity development.
2. Oversee the effective development and implementation of the CO’s Protection programming by exercising administrative, operational, and financial management for relevant projects.
   Provide operational management, guidance and supervision to the relevant staff, assisting with programmatic strategy and implementation, including where to focus programme resources and address operational challenges with a focus on protection. Mentor and support staff, conduct relevant training, and ensure capacity building of Programme staff.
3. Establish, maintain and further expand strong relationships across UN Agencies, humanitarian
   organizations, government and community interlocutors, and with a broad range of other local interests toward the successful implementation of CO’s Protection programming, including IOM’s representation at national and international levels.
4. In close coordination with the relevant units at the CO, Regional Offices and HQ, as well as with government counterparts and other relevant partner organizations, identify priorities arising during implementation of the Programme and develop new projects and activities, aligning them with the identified areas of focus based on a solid results framework and in response to emerging trends and priorities, as well as donor interests and requirements based on IOM’s institutional strategies, policies and guidelines.
5. Ensure the key programmatic directions are shared with international stakeholders, including donors, to maximize impact, minimize overlapping and stimulate fund mobilization for new programmes.
6. Ensure timely and quality preparation and submission of Programme reports, in close
   coordination with relevant units in the CO and according to requirements of IOM, donors
   and relevant stakeholders.
7. Monitor progress against strategic objectives, programme benchmarks, and provide advice
   with respect to improvements and corrections; oversee the establishment of a common
   Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) framework that incorporates regular reporting requirements
   and impact evaluation strategies, in close coordination with CO’s Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEAL) team. 
8. Oversee the production of visibility/communications materials in close coordination with
   Public Information Officer/Focal Point of the CO.
9. Oversee the development and maintenance of data collection and analysis mechanisms for
   IOM’s ongoing or new programmes and share relevant information with partners.
10. Undertake regular visits to the Sub-Offices to oversee, coordinate, and support the Protection programme implementation.
11. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.
     

• 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.

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

• Demonstrated experience in migrant and/or humanitarian protection and related areas relevant to project development and management, thematic capacity building, and liaison; 

• Experience working in non-Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries managing protection projects for a minimum of 5 years; 

• Experience in liaison, resource mobilization, and advocacy with governmental and diplomatic officials, national and international institutions and organizations, civil society, and private sector actors;

• Experience working in an international, intergovernmental, or non-governmental organization, the United Nations, or government; and,

• Experience in the design and implementation of capacity building on protection. 

• Ability to understand complex contexts and fast-changing migration 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 diverse teams of specialists; 
• ​​Demonstrated 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 protection; and,

• ​​Proven agent of change or willingness to foster a culture of learning and knowledge management. 

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

Working knowledge of another official UN languages (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.

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.

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 all clearances, including medical and security, as well as accreditation, and any residency or visa requirements. Vacancies close at 23:59 local time in 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, harassment, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and any forms of discrimination. IOM is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children.

IOM conducts reference checks and background verification, including through system-wide databases such as ClearCheck, to help ensure that candidates have no record of misconduct, including on sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse, or fraud. Candidates are expected to uphold these standards and principles at all times.

IOM does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process—whether for application, interview, processing, training, or otherwise—and does not request any information related to bank accounts.

IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM WAVE 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.