Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Sexual Harassment (PSEAH) Officer (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.

The Global Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) program aims to provide AVR to migrants in the United States, receiving countries, and the Western Hemisphere, 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.

Addressing the Prevention of and Response to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Sexual Harassment (PSEAH) is a priority within IOM and a strong contributor to United Nations (UN) and Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) efforts at both the global and country levels. 

IOM’s PSEAH strategy focuses on five key pillars: 1) Leadership and Organizational Culture; 2) Institutional Accountability and Transparency; 3) Capacity-Development, Training, and Communication; 4) Quality and Accessible Victim Assistance; 5) Partnership and Coordination.

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Mission or Head of Office and in close coordination with the Regional PSEAH Officer and the global PSEAH Unit at Headquarters, as well as relevant thematic specialists within the Country Office, Regional Office, and HQ, the incumbent will be responsible and accountable for supporting IOM’s PSEAH prevention and response efforts at the country level, providing technical oversight and management support, in line with a victim-centred approach. The PSEAH Officer will also be an active member of the inter-agency PSEA Network or Task Force in-country.

COORDINATION:

• Facilitate the development of an operational PSEAH Work Plan, in line with IOM and United Nations (UN) strategic frameworks, and in coordination with the global PSEAH Unit, Regional PSEAH Officer, and senior management of the Country Office. 

• Facilitate the inclusion of PSEAH within the IOM Country Office Strategy, Crisis Response Plans/Migrant Response Plans, or other appeals as appropriate; ensure Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Harassment (SEAH) risks are considered in the Country Office risk register and that PSEAH is mainstreamed in proposal development, programming, monitoring and evaluation, and budgeting; develop PSEAH programming and liaise with relevant donors.

• Contribute to the in-country interagency PSEA Network (support in the development of the collective PSEA workplan, risk management plan, PSEA Strategies, Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)  for an inter-agency Community-Based Complaint Mechanism, etc.) and actively participate in IOM internal coordination initiatives.

• Provide technical support in collection, analysis, and use of data related to PSEAH efforts, in line with relevant IOM data protection standards, to showcase trends, results, and impact.

• Showcase PSEAH results and good practices through internal and external reporting, visibility materials, and knowledge-sharing initiatives in coordination with global and regional PSEAH teams.

PREVENTION:

• Undertake assessments to identify potential SEAH risks and define appropriate mitigation measures; in coordination with relevant units, ensure that risk mitigation measures are embedded within IOM programming, operations, and administration.

• Develop a PSEAH training plan for the Country Office and coordinate, organize, and deliver PSEAH trainings for IOM personnel, implementing partners, and key institutional stakeholders; support the work of PSEAH focal points within the country to deliver key messaging and trainings as appropriate.

• On a regular basis, compile and report data on the number of IOM personnel and partners trained in-country on PSEAH in coordination with HR. Oversee the registration of all participants within the IOM system and the timely issuance of certificates.

• Continually share key messages on PSEAH, including information on reporting requirements and support mechanisms at the country and global levels in close coordination with relevant colleagues.

• Develop, localize, contextualize, and implement communication and awareness-raising strategies and tools to ensure appropriate PSEAH messaging and understanding of prohibited behaviors, reporting channels, and available assistance.

• Map existing Country Office community engagement projects and work with project/programme managers to gather community inputs, insert PSEAH messages, and strengthen and/or establish safe and accessible reporting channels.

RESPONSE:

• Support the development and mapping of country-specific interagency victim assistance pathways and/or existing IOM programmes to refer victims/survivors for assistance; ensure up-to-date information on available assistance services is accessible in all areas where IOM operates in country; coordinate with gender-based violence and/or child protection colleagues to support the strengthening of victim services within the country and/or programming.

• Safely respond to SEAH disclosures and coordinate referrals for victim/survivor assistance in line with country, regional, or global support mechanisms and ensure coordination with the Regional PSEAH Officer and the global SEAH case management team.

• Regularly monitor safety and other risks for SEAH victims/survivors in coordination with the Regional PSEAH Officer and the global SEAH case management team; adjust response to mitigate risks; ensure regular assessment of victims’/survivors’ needs.

• Undertake duty travel as required.

• Perform such other duties as may be assigned. 

•  Master’s degree in law, International Relations, Psychology, Social Sciences, Development Studies and Planning, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with two years of relevant professional experience; or,

• University degree in the above fields with four years of relevant professional experience.

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

•  Professional experience in the fields of sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, protection, child protection, gender-based violence, accountability to affected populations (AAP), gender mainstreaming and/or humanitarian affairs;

• Experience in management of sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, child protection or gender-based violence cases;

• Strong coordination experience within the UN system and amongst interagency partners, including governments, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and communities; 

• Experience in developing and facilitating trainings, in particular capacity-building, and communication materials to promote behavior change; 

• Experience undertaking risk assessments, in coordination with relevant offices, communities, partners, and UN and other key stakeholders; 

• Experience in proposal development and the creation of standard operating procedures and tools; and,

• Experience in mainstreaming PSEAH, gender-based violence, child protection, protection, gender, or accountability to affected populations.

• Demonstrated ability to work across a wide variety of sectors/teams on cross-cutting themes; 
• Good written and oral communication skills, effective in representation and liaison with external partners; 
• Ability to organize work, work independently and prioritize work under pressure, coordinate multiple tasks, maintain attention to detail, and coordinate with a variety of stakeholders;
• Ability to work with affected individuals with empathy, sensitivity and a victim-centred approach;
• Knowledge and understanding of IOM’s institutional approach on PSEAH and Ethics and related strategies, policies, rules and regulations; and,
• Ability to work with and maintain strict confidentiality, when necessary.

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

Working knowledge of another official UN languages (Arabic, Chinese, 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.