Protection Officer

Position Title: Protection Officer

Duty Station: Port Sudan, Sudan

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P3

Type of Appointment: Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 08 November 2023

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; Barbados; Botswana; Cabo Verde; Comoros; Congo (the); Cook Islands; Dominica; Fiji; Grenada; Guinea-Bissau; Holy See; Iceland; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the); Madagascar; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Tonga; Tuvalu; Uzbekistan; Vanuatu

Second-tier candidates include:

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

Context:

Situated between North Africa and the Horn of Africa, Sudan is the country of transit and destination for mixed migration flows from the Horn of Africa and West Africa aiming to reach Europe through North Africa, as well as the country of origin for Sudanese who aspire to seek employment in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. In line with IOM’s mandate, IOM Sudan works to uphold the human dignity and well-being of migrants and internally displaced persons (IDPs), advocate for regular migration and to advance the understanding of migration issues in the region. IOM works in close partnership with national and local government institutions, non-governmental agencies, community organisations and the donor community to address pressing and complex challenges in migration management, to respond to the needs created by humanitarian emergencies in the country and to ensure improved living conditions for vulnerable communities.

The Migrant Protection and Assistance (MPA) programme under the Migration Management and Development Unit (MMDU) of IOM Sudan responds to the protection needs of both Sudanese and foreign migrants. For vulnerable migrants of foreign origin and Sudanese returning migrants, IOM Sudan provides direct assistance and Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) through the multiple Migrant Resource and Response Centres (MRRC) and through multi-disciplinary mobile teams. The services of the MRRCs and Multi-disciplinary mobile teams are also extended to the Internally Displaced Persons affected by the recent outbreak of war in Sudan.

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission, the direct supervision of the Programme Coordinator, and in close coordination with other relevant colleagues at IOM Sudan and the thematic specialist in IOM Cairo Regional Office, the Protection Officer will be responsible for managing and strengthening the Sudan CO’s engagement to Protection activities in emergency settings, prevention of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Counter Trafficking (CT).

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Manage, coordinate, prioritize and oversee protection activities for migrants and population affected by forced displacement in Medani.
2. Coordinate and monitor relevant field team staff in their response to individual cases of concern and ensure the quality of assistance (e.g. screening, interview, counselling, referral or assistance, depending on programme capacities), including individualized and vulnerability-based response.
3. Manage and coordinate the activities of the GBV and CT project field teams.
4. Provide technical expertise for IOM’s GBV and CT programmes, including training and coaching on case management and psychosocial support and psychological first aid, as well as management of women-friendly spaces as per minimum standards, to ensure IOM’s GBV programmes meet sectoral best practices and adhere to GBV Minimum standards.
5. Coordinate and monitor the responses that promote the protection of women and girls, through participatory approaches to ensure participation of women and girls throughout project implementation from design and implementation to monitoring.
6. Collaborate with appropriate IOM units and field offices, including with protection operations and communication units, to ensure timely and qualitative delivery of protection assistance.
7. Ensure the development and/or implementation of interagency coordination mechanisms standard operating procedures (SOPs) that define exchanges of information and interaction between site management-GBV-child protection-CT actors.
8. Prepare regular reports covering protection activities; ensure the preparation of briefing, statistical/narrative reports, and background information as required, including specific information requested by Officials and other entities.
9. Undertake duty travels, in line with prevailing security restrictions, relating to project assessments, liaison with counterparts, problem resolution and project development and implementation, as required.
10. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Social/Political Science or a related field from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience; or
• University degree in the above field with seven years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• Demonstrated experience in project coordination, implementation donor liaison and reporting, including in the areas of direct assistance to vulnerable migrants and community engagement.
• Demonstrated experience in implementation and management of GBV Programming including prevention and response.
• Experience with working as part of and managing of a multicultural team.
• Demonstrated experience working with government entities, donors, UN agencies, and other developmental partners and civil society actors.
• Experience of the implementation of assistance to vulnerable migrants and the reintegration of returning migrants.

Skills

• Knowledge of Migrant Management Operational System Application (MiMOSA) or other relevant data management system to an advantage.

Languages

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

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of Arabic 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

1 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 five values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
• 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.
• Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
• Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

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 actions 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 leadership and professional potential.
• Empowering others: Creates an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
• Building Trust: Promotes shared values and creates an atmosphere of trust and honesty.
• Strategic thinking and vision: Works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.
• Humility: Leads with humility and shows openness to acknowledging own shortcomings.

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

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

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 endorsed by the Appointments and Postings Board 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.