Protection 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, 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 IOM Protection Unit leads and coordinates the design and implementation of protection programming within the Country Office, addressing the needs of migrants, internally displaced persons, vulnerable host communities affected by violence, poverty and climate-related shocks, and other populations at risk. Working within a complex humanitarian and migration context, the Unit delivers integrated protection services—including GBV, counter-trafficking, child protection (NNA), MHPSS and AVR/RR—while promoting protection mainstreaming across all programmes, strengthening partnerships and referral systems, and ensuring compliance with IOM standards and humanitarian principles to reduce risks, safeguard rights and support durable solutions.

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Mission and in close coordination with the Regional Thematic Specialist (RTS), Head of Programmes, Programme Managers, Programme Support Unit, Resources Management Unit, and relevant Divisions/Departments/Units at Headquarters (HQ), the Protection Officer will be responsible and accountable  for supporting the management, coordination  and oversight of   the Country Office’s (CO) Protection Programme activities and strategies, including child protection, counter-trafficking and smuggling of migrants, violence against women and girls, men and boys, Disability Inclusion, assistance to vulnerable migrants, and overall specialized protection programming in the CO. 

1. Contribute to Protection programming across the CO and provide technical support to other units of the CO on Protection Mainstreaming, including safe programming and capacity development.
2. Support the effective development and implementation of 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 on programmatic strategy and implementation, including where to focus programme resources and address operational challenges with focus on protection. Mentor and support staff, conduct relevant training and ensure capacity building of Programme staff.
3. Coordinate and implement activities included in the CO’s Protection portfolio, which may include contributing to the development of protection Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and internal guidelines for protection case management and facilitating protection mainstreaming interventions, in line with IOM’s institutional tools and guidance and international protection standards. 
4. Contribute to establishing, maintaining and further expanding 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.
5. Contribute to the 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.
6. Contribute to 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, Evaluations and Learning (MEAL) team. 
7. Provide technical support in production of visibility/communications materials in close coordination with Public Information Officer/Focal Point of the CO.
8. Participate at the relevant donor or partner meetings, briefings and conferences at international and national level.
9. Undertake regular visits to the Sub-Offices, to support the Protection programme implementation.
10. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

• Master’s degree in Social Sciences, Psychology, International Relations, Political Science, Humanitarian Affairs, Economic Development 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.

• Experience in programme development and capacity-building activities;
• Experience in liaising with governmental and diplomatic authorities as well as with national and international institutions; and,
• Experience in organizing consultations, workshops and seminars with high level stakeholders.

• Good management, coordination, and information management skills;
• Knowledge of the UN System, NGOs and other international organizations/institutions;
• Knowledge of protection programming, migration data, labour migration patterns and ability to negotiate with government authorities;
• Good knowledge of human and financial resources management;
• Good analytical and writing skills;
• Good communication, organizational and interpersonal relationship skills; and,
• Knowledge of UN and bilateral donor programming.

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

Working knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, and Russian) 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, any residency or visa requirements. Vacancies close at 23:59 local time 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.