Protection Officer

Position Title: Protection Officer

Duty Station: Bunia, Congo, Democratic Republic of the

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P2

Type of Appointment: Special short-term graded, six months with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 03 April 2022

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

IOM is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. Read more about diversity and inclusion at IOM at www.iom.int/diversity.

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 non-represented member states:

Antigua and Barbuda; Aruba (Netherlands); Botswana; Cabo Verde; Comoros;Congo (the); Cook Islands; Cuba; Curaçao; Fiji; Grenada; Guinea-Bissau; Guyana; Holy See; Iceland; Kingdom of Eswatini; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the); Latvia; Libya; Madagascar; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Montenegro; Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Samoa; Sao Tome and Principe; Seychelles; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Timor-Leste; Tonga; Tuvalu; Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:

All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states.

Context:

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Operations and general supervision of the Chief of Mission, the Protection Officer will be responsible for facilitating the integration of protection mainstreaming and centrality of protection within IOM’s emergency programming including Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM), Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM), Shelter, and Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH) in and out-of-camps implemented across the country. The incumbent will act as a IOM DRC protection focal point and participate in relevant coordination fora e.g. on Protection, Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA).

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Facilitate mainstreaming and the improvement of protection measures throughout the emergency programmes and projects including Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM), Shelter, Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH), return and relocation of displaced populations, and Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) in various provinces in the DRC.

2. Act as a Protection Focal Point for the IOM DRC and undertake duty travel to various field locations, participate in meetings with programme staff and provide technical information and guidance to international and national staff on protection related issues across all programming in the DRC mission.

3. In close coordination with the Head of Operations, coordinate the development of contextualized guidance notes and tools including monitoring tools on Protection Mainstreaming; facilitate and provide guidance for the use of the tools across the various units. Document challenges and good practices as well as suggest necessary corrective actions and share the findings and suggestions with other Units in the mission to help enhance inter-sectorial interventions.

4. Contribute to the development of the mission’s protection strategy for displaced populations in and out of camps, including in the context of return and reintegration, risk mitigation of gender-based violence and sexual exploitation and abuse.

5. Evaluate and document training and capacity building needs on protection issues including protection principles, housing, land and property (HLP), GBV risk mitigation, AAP, and PSEA among IOM staff, implementing partners, and other stakeholders as required and organize and provide training as necessary.

6. Collaborate closely with the Health and Transition and Recovery Units on joint programming and coordinated activities in and outside of camp settings, checking if protection is mainstreamed in the interventions.

7. Provide technical inputs and review project proposals and reporting documents, checking if the integration of protection and cross-cutting issues such as gender, children, disability, and other vulnerable groups has been included in the programmatic tools, indicators, and proposals.

8. Contribute technical inputs and information to support the development and expansion of mission’s emergency protection portfolio with possible areas including GBV, Counter Trafficking, and Psychosocial Support (PSS).

9. Liaise and coordinate with relevant stakeholders such as UN agencies, government actors, NGOs, and civil society. Participate in various coordination fora related to protection including Protection cluster, GBV, and Child Protection sub-clusters.

10. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Political Sciences, Social Sciences, International Relations, Human Rights Law, Development Studies, 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.

Experience

• Experience in the humanitarian and development fields relating to migration, internal displacement, refugee, showing increasing levels of responsibility;

• Knowledge and familiarity with humanitarian coordination mechanisms and experience in liaison with other UN, non-UN humanitarian actors and donor agencies;

• Experience working within the humanitarian protection sector and knowledge of its architecture;

• Demonstrated technical and operational expertise in the implementation of relevant protection programmes such as Protection Mainstreaming, Community-based protection, Protection analysis and assessments, Protection monitoring, Child Protection;

• Experience with providing technical guidance and conducting capacity building protection/GBV principles and approaches for various stakeholders (including non-Protection/GBV specialized staff, partners (e.g., national authorities, implementing partners, etc.);

• Working experience with an operational UN agency or a major international NGO in the field of protection and assistance of internally displaced people and migrants;

• Previous experience working in IOM and familiarity with IOM operational framework, procedures and projects, and protection mainstreaming and programming is an advantage.

Skills

• Knowledge of the IASC and humanitarian cluster system;

• Professionalism – displays mastery of subject matter;

• Excellent strategic, analysis and drafting skills;

• Knowledge of UN and bilateral donor programming.

Languages

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

External applicants for all positions in the Professional category are required to be proficient in English and have at least a working knowledge of one additional UN Language (French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian or Chinese).

For all applicants, fluency in English and French is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of local language(s) is an advantage.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Notes

Previous applicants do not need to re-apply.

Accredited Universities are the ones listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database (https://whed.net/home.php).

Required Competencies:

Values – all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these three values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: respects and promotes individual and cultural differences; encourages diversity and inclusion wherever possible.

• 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.

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 action 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

• 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 potential.

• Empowering others & building trust: creates an atmosphere of trust and an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.

• Strategic thinking and vision: works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link.

https://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/about-iom/iom_revised_competency_framework_external.pdf

Competencies will be assessed during a competency-based interview.

Other:

Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile.

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.

The list of NMS countries above includes all IOM Member States which are non-represented in the Professional Category of staff members. For this staff category, candidates who are nationals of the duty station’s country cannot be considered eligible.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required for individuals hired on or after 15 November 2021. This will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.

Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.