Migrant Protection Officer (P)

Introduction

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:

• Internal candidates
• 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.

Organizational Context and Scope

IOM’s Approach to Protection promotes a coherent and accountable organizational role in safeguarding the rights of individuals across operational contexts, in line with the Inter-Agency Standing Committee definition. Working with States as primary duty bearers, IOM programs aim at ensuring full respect for the rights of the individual in accordance with the letter and the spirit of relevant bodies of laws to ensure that individuals’ and communities' (rights holders’) exposure to risks of violence are reduced and addressed and that their rights are upheld and needs fulfilled. This approach is implemented through operational pillars – thematic guidance, direct assistance, convening and dialogue, advocacy and communication, training and capacity building, and data, research and learning – guided by a core commitment to protection mainstreaming, accountability, inclusion, sustainability, systemic change and effective partnership. 

The IOM Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) seeks to appoint a Migrant Protection Officer who will support in the development and implementation of migrant protection program portfolios, including – inter alia– Return, Readmission and Reintegration (RRR) and Counter Trafficking in Persons. The Migrant Protection Officer will operate under the direct supervision of the Senior Protection Coordinator and overall supervision of the Chief of Mission (COM) in DRC. The Migrant Protection Officer will be responsible and accountable for effective delivery of the migrant protection program, in full adherence to international standards, operational parameters, risk-informed analysis, and IOM’s institutional policies and regulations. 

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Master’s degree in social sciences, International Relations/Affairs, Research, Law, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience; or,
• University degree in the above fields with seven years of relevant professional experience

Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.

Experience

• Experience working with migrants, civil society, and governments;
• Proven experience in leading and managing a large multinational team;
• Proven experience managing protection programming across multiple countries, as well as mainstreaming protection across operations;
• Proven experience providing protection and assistance to migrants in vulnerable situations and communicating with individuals who have complex needs;
• Experience working in programs that include a movement operations component is an advantage; and,
• Experience with IOM or other UN agencies, particularly working on assisted voluntary return and reintegration, and specialized protection programs, is preferred.

Skills

• Strong knowledge of IOM and inter-agency protection standards, operational procedures and guidelines;
• Solid coordination skills;
• Strong writing, editing, presentation and training facilitation skills;
• Excellent computer skills: excellent knowledge of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and email/internet software, statistical analysis packages;
• Knowledge of UN cooperation frameworks and bilateral donor programming requirements;
• Ability to gather, consolidate, and attribute information from multiple sources;
• High degree of judgment and initiative, ability to work with a high degree of independence within assigned areas;
• Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills;
• Proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of diverse cultural and national backgrounds; and,
• Have completed mandatory trainings of IOM including BSAFE, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), Ethics and Conduct, Information Security Awareness, Data Protection, and I know Gender 123 and 16.

Languages

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

Working knowledge of another official UN languages (Arabic, Chinese, 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.

Required Competencies

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.

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

• 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

• 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.

Responsibilities and Accountabilities

1. Conduct migrant protection assessments and identify risk mitigation measures focusing on, among others, operational conditions, access to essential services – including long-term shelter/accommodation, legal identity, protection risks for specific vulnerable groups – key protection actors, referral pathways, and safe environments across return, readmission and reintegration programs, and counter trafficking interventions.
2. Support in the development of IOM DRC’s protection programmatic strategies, risk planning and mitigation, staff guidance, accountability to affected population planning, Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Sexual Harassment (PSEAH) and related safeguards.
3. Provide technical guidance to national staff to ensure high-quality outcomes for migrants, while providing oversight of operational case management and program development, ensuring adherence to IOM policies.
4. Contribute to protection information management in line with IOM and interagency standards.
5. Provide technical guidance to national staff and support, when required, and support engagement with national authorities and relevant protection actors in countries of origin and destination on case management, facilitation of referral to appropriate services, including consular assistance, access to documentation, family tracing, and reunification where possible.