Senior Protection Officer (Cooperation on Migration and Partnerships to Achieve Sustainable Solutions (COMPASS))

Position Title: Senior Protection Officer (COMPASS)

Duty Station: Geneva, Switzerland

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P4

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

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 23 June 2024

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. External female candidates:
3. Candidate from the following non-represented member states:

Antigua and Barbuda; Barbados; Botswana; Cabo Verde; Comoros; Congo (the); Cook Islands; Fiji; 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; Samoa; Sao Tome and Principe; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Tonga; Tuvalu; Uzbekistan; Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:

All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM and female candidates.

Context:

The Protection Division (PXD) within IOM is responsible for specialized protection interventions that aim to address protection risks by preventing or responding to actual or potential violations of rights defined by relevant international instruments including migration, human rights, refugee, and international humanitarian law. PXD works to ensure the upholding, or restoration of the rights of individuals who are vulnerable to or at risk of violence, abuse, exploitation, discrimination, neglect, and deliberate deprivation. PXD also supports other IOM divisions and departments in protection mainstreaming. PXD is the thematic home for inter alia, combating human trafficking, child protection, addressing gender-based violence (GBV); addressing xenophobia and racism; disability inclusion; housing, land, and property as well as return and reintegration. In partnership with IOM divisions and departments and external stakeholders,

PXD responds to protection needs in both humanitarian and non-humanitarian settings, through the following six programmatic pillars: data, research, and learning; training and capacity development; advocacy and communications; convening and dialogue; direct assistance; and thematic guidance.

The Cooperation on Migration and Partnerships to Achieve Sustainable Solutions (COMPASS) programme, funded by the Government of the Netherlands, is a global initiative, in partnership with 14 countries, designed to enhance access to protection-sensitive pathways and empowerment for migrants of all gender and diversity groups, thereby enabling them to contribute to sustainable development outcomes in their communities.

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Programme Manager (COMPASS), the successful candidate will be responsible and accountability for the programmatic, technical, operational, administrative and financial oversight of the COMPASS Protection portfolio in line with IOM’s Protection Approach.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Lead technical support and the elaboration of tools and trainings, to ensure quality protection programming through COMPASS and capacity building for Headquarters (HQ) and field-based colleagues on Protection commitments within the frame of the IOM Protection Approach, the United Nations Charter and the 2013 Inter-Agency Standing Committee Statement (IASC) on the Centrality of Protection in Humanitarian Action.
2. Formulate and develop protection related guidance notes and internal operational tools to ensure IOM compliance with minimum protection standards and policies.
3. Provide authoritative technical advice, guidance and support to COMPASS countries on all protection related interventions to ensure the centrality of protection in programming.
4. Provide authoritative recommendations and advice on protection to senior management, including regular protection analysis and assessment to guide IOM decision making.
5. Ensure that programming across IOM missions including COMPASS countries has integrated protection mainstreaming as well as protection outcomes in their interventions.
6. Oversee and manage the overall development and implementation of COMPASS Protection portfolio/activities to guarantee that scope, budget, staffing, time, and quality are in accordance with the programme specifications, donor requirements and IOM rules and regulations.
7. Exercise strategic, technical, operational, administrative, and financial management responsibility for Protection programming/interventions with special focus on child protection and gender-based violence (GBV).
8. Proactively identify and pursue programme development opportunities, new funding sources and new thematic areas of technical intervention, and advance existing and/or new strategic institutional partnerships that would promote the expansion of the IOM Protection portfolio at the global, regional, and country level.
9. Liaise with PXD Units and other relevant IOM Departments, Divisions and Programmes regarding projects, initiatives and events which might have implications for COMPASS.
10. Build and strengthen protection workforce within IOM on integrated and specialized protection through workshops and trainings and provide expert back-stop support to missions as required.
11. Prepare and review reports covering protection related activities including for COMPASS; prepare briefings, statistical or narrative reports and background notes including specific information requested by IOM, Governments, and other entities.
12. Perform such other duties as may be assigned .

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Humanitarian Action, Political Science, International Law, Development Studies, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with seven years of relevant professional experience; or,
• University degree in the above fields with nine years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• Demonstrated experience and expertise in implementing varied protection programs(protection, GBV, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), child protection, gender diversity and inclusion, Housing, Land and Property (HLP), Protection of Civilians (POC), community-based protection, protection advocacy, etc.) in different contexts including crisis or conflict contexts;
• Demonstrated experience in protection coordination and IASC platforms;
• Demonstrated experience in managing Protection programmes, at a managerial professional level including in emergency and conflict environment;
• Experience in managing and mentoring staff;
• Experience in liaison and working with partners and government counterpart; and,
• Experience in liaison with donors and in fundraising is an advantage.

Skills

• Demonstrated analytical and negotiation skills;
• Excellent monitoring and evaluation skills, managerial skills, organizational skills andaccuracy;
• Effectively coordinates actions with implementing partners;
• Works effectively with donors, local authorities, stakeholders, beneficiaries, and the broader community to advance country office or regional objectives;
• In depth knowledge of various protection specialized fields and activities and their respective standards (protection, GBV, MHPSS, child protection, gender diversity and inclusion, HLP, POC, community-based protection, protection advocacy, etc.);
• In depth knowledge and understanding of IASC, humanitarian ecosystem, and UN systems;
• Excellent analytical, drafting and negotiations skills;
• Knowledge of UN and bilateral donor programming and cycles; and,
• Knowledge of project development cycle.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish. All staff members are required to be fluent in one of the three languages.

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, 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.

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 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 3

• 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 3

• 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.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 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.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and background verification 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.