Protection Officer

Position Title: Protection Officer

Duty Station: Abuja, Nigeria

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: 09 March 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; Guinea-Bissau; Guyana; Holy See; Iceland; Kingdom of Eswatini; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the); Latvia; Libya; Luxembourg; 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:

Irregular migration along the Central Mediterranean route is increasingly dangerous for migrants. Since 2017, more than 22,000 stranded migrants have been returned voluntarily from the west and central Mediterranean routes, including Europe. In addition, over 70% of the migrants interviewed by IOM report that they were victims of trafficking or other exploitative practices during their migratory journey along the routes of the Central Mediterranean.

In this context, IOM Nigeria’s Migration Management Unit works with the Government of Nigeria, civil society, and other partners to, inter alia, strengthen migration governance, counter the trafficking and smuggling of persons, and protect and assist vulnerable migrants.

Under the overall supervision of the Head of Sub-office and the Senior Programme Coordinator (Migration Management) and the direct supervision of the Programme Manager (Migrant Protection and Assistance – MPA), the Protection Officer is responsible for coordinating and implementing protection projects and activities in the country.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. In close coordination with the Programme Manager (MPA), supervise the implementation of the mission’s protection programming and contribute to the development of new initiatives in line with the mission’s strategy and the global policies and standards of IOM.

2. Monitor and track the financial, administrative and technical aspects of protection projects and activities and check adherence to IOM and donor policies and requirements.

3. Coordinate daily protection activities and participate in training development and delivery.

4. Monitor and follow up on the protection unit’s assistance to cases of concern, including family tracing and external referral and treatment.

5. Participate in the development and application of protection tools related to direct assistance and case management.

6. In close coordination with mission colleagues, work towards the transition to the more extensive use of IOM’s MiMOSA data base for the collection and analysis of protection-related beneficiary data, including MiMOSA customization.

7. Provide technical inputs to support the development, revision and operationalization of national and state policy and action documents on protection (e.g., referral mechanisms, access to and provision of social and specialized services) and facilitate IOM’s participation in the relevant coordination and technical platforms.

8. Maintain effective working relationships with protection stakeholders in Nigeria.

9. Contribute to the development of and implement protection-related capacity building activities targeting local actors.

10. Compile information, conduct analyses and provide technical inputs to support the development of innovative approaches for protection interventions under the guidance of the Programme Manager (MPA).

11. Provide technical guidance and supervise the work of implementing partners, project staff, and consultants.

12. Facilitate the mainstreaming of protection and gender in IOM Nigeria’s interventions.

13. Provide input to and support research initiatives concerning protection.

14. Coordinate regular review and update of protection activities, including identification, referral, and assistance activities for vulnerable migrants in close collaboration with other teams and concerned protection actors.

15. Prepare protection-related dashboards, and draft interim and final reports, regular briefings, inputs for press releases, other reports and communications in alignment with donor requirements and IOM standards and procedures.

16. Participate in relevant seminars and meetings as well as other events focusing on protection.

17. Undertake duty travel as required.

18. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in International Law, Development Studies, Political Science, International Relations, Social 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

• Previous work on protection (e.g., child protection, counter-trafficking) including in the provision of direct assistance to vulnerable groups;

• Experience in managing teams, mentoring and delivering trainings;

• Experience using IOM’s MiMOSA data management system;

• Experience working with specialized international agencies (UN Agencies, International

Organizations, and International NGOs);

• Experience in project management and monitoring and evaluation is an asset;

• Efficiency, flexibility, high level of professionalism and ability to work under pressure and adhere to strict deadlines;

• Experience in developing and implementing interventions on disability inclusion and gender is desirable;

• Familiarity with IOM’s Accountability to Affected Populations framework is preferable;

• Works effectively with local authorities, stakeholders, beneficiaries, and the broader community to advance country office objectives.

Skills

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills as well as strong strategic and creative thinking;

• Ability to guide and supervise staff;

• Ability to formulate relevant programmatic inputs;

• Ability to work quickly and accurately and pay attention to detail;

• Capacity to assist efficiently in a very busy project environment;

• Excellent writing skills with the ability to analyse complex problems and identify and convey clear, rapid solutions;

• Effective resource management skills;

• Strong general analytical skills;

• In depth knowledge of the broad range of migration related subject areas dealt with by theOrganization; and,

• 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 is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of French and/or 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.

Notes

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.