Programme Officer (Protection)

Host entity: IOM IRN

Volunteer type: International

Areas of expertise: Emergency preparedness, crisis response, Safety and security

Application deadline: 13/09/2026

Mission and objectives

Established in 1951, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is the leading intergovernmental organization in the field of migration and is committed to the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits migrants and society. IOM is part of the United Nations system, as a related organization. IOM supports migrants across the world, developing effective responses to the shifting dynamics of migration and, as such, is a key source of advice on migration policy and practice. The organization works in emergency situations, developing the resilience of all people on the move, and particularly those in situations of vulnerability, as well as building capacity within governments to manage all forms and impacts of mobility. The Organization is guided by the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, including upholding human rights for all. Respect for the rights, dignity and well-being of migrants remains paramount.

Assignment context

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission (CoM) and direct supervision of the Head of Programmes, in close coordination with programme unit colleagues, other senior managers and the Regional Thematic Specialists (RTS) based in the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (ROAP), the Programme Officer will be responsible for implementing protection activities and strategies that address the needs of people on the move in Iran, including victims of trafficking and smuggling, unaccompanied minors, migrants and displaced persons. Activities will be carried out in close coordination with the United Nations (UN), coordinated humanitarian strategies and government counterparts.
The assignment includes supervision of one direct report.

Task description

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission (CoM) and direct supervision of the Head of Programmes, in close coordination with programme unit colleagues, other senior managers and the Regional Thematic Specialists (RTS) based in the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (ROAP), the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
• Support protection programming across IOM Iran and provide technical support to other IOM units on protection mainstreaming, including safe programming and capacity building.
• In close coordination with relevant protection actors, including the Government, United Nations agencies and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), contribute to strengthening referral mechanisms, capacities and services for protection cases of Afghan migrants, including smuggled migrants, victims of trafficking and other vulnerable migrants, and host communities; participate in and contribute to inter-agency protection fora as needed with technical and operational input.
• Coordinate and implement activities included in IOM's protection portfolio, including contributing to the development of protection Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and internal guidelines for protection case management; facilitate protection mainstreaming interventions based on international protection standards, including Sphere, IASC protection policies and guidelines, Child Protection Minimum Standards, IOM's Framework for Addressing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Crises and International Committee of the Red Cross Professional Protection Standards; and supervise the IOM Iran Protection Team.
• Provide technical inputs for the development and support the implementation of capacity-building activities for government officials, local actors and partners on protection, including GBV, counter-trafficking, counter-smuggling principles and protection mainstreaming.
• Facilitate the integration of protection elements into IOM assessments to understand protection risks in the working context and in IOM's operations, and coordinate data analysis within IOM and with other key protection actors.
• Facilitate the establishment or strengthening of appropriate and culture-specific complaint and feedback mechanisms for mobile populations and communities affected by mobility, and ensure that needs are systematically reported and appropriately addressed through specific and/or joint activities.
• Provide information, technical guidance and capacity building to field-based colleagues on IOM protection guidelines and practices, as well as international protection standards, to support capacity development.
• Draft reports and documents, including briefings, statistical and narrative reports, background information and specific information requested by governments and other entities, as required.
• Assist in the expansion of the IOM protection and assistance portfolio in Iran by selecting and summarizing background information, assessing the local context for project planning and administration, and drafting segments of proposals.
• Document opportunities to provide specialized protection services and communicate and coordinate with appropriate IOM units and field offices, including those responsible for psychosocial activities.
• Undertake regular duty travel as required, in line with prevailing security restrictions, for project assessments, liaison with counterparts and project implementation.
• Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Skills and experience

• Previous work on protection, such as child protection, counter-trafficking or gender-based violence.
• Experience in managing teams, mentoring and delivering training.
• Experience working with specialized international agencies, including UN agencies, international organizations and international NGOs.
• Experience in project management and monitoring and evaluation is an asset.
• Experience in regional coordination among different stakeholders is an asset.
• Experience working effectively with local authorities, stakeholders, beneficiaries and the broader community to advance country office or regional objectives.
• Efficiency, flexibility, a high level of professionalism and the ability to work under pressure and adhere to strict deadlines.
• Ability to work effectively and harmoniously with colleagues from varied cultures and professional backgrounds.
• Ability to guide and supervise staff and coordinate administrative matters.
• In-depth communication and interpersonal skills, as well as excellent strategic and creative thinking.
• Demonstrated writing skills.
• Good understanding of regional migration trends and dynamics.

Competencies and values

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences and encourages diversity and inclusion.
• Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts consistently with organizational principles, rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: Works 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 and helps people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.
• 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 and is committed to 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 and explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.
• 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 remains open to acknowledging own shortcomings.

Living conditions

This is a volunteer assignment, not employment. By sharing your time, energy, and talents, you can support communities in need and become part of something greater than yourself — a global movement for peace, development, and humanitarian aid. Volunteering strengthens trust, solidarity, and reciprocity among citizens, and it can promote a sense of belonging and purpose.

The assignment will be based in Tehran and is to be performed at the IOM Iran Country Office. The UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging her/his own housing and other living essentials.

The assignment may require regular duty travel for project assessments, liaison with counterparts and project implementation, subject to prevailing security restrictions.

The Summary of UNV Entitlement:
• Current Monthly Living Allowance (MLA): USD 2,533
• Private insurance coverage by CIGNA
• Entry allowance (one-time payment): USD 3,500
• Exit allowance: USD 225 per month and upon the satisfactory completion of assignment
• Annual leave: 2.5 days accrued per calendar month
• Free access to different learning platforms and the UN & UNV network

Notes:
1) The allowances are in no way to be understood as a compensation, reward or salary in exchange for the volunteer work.
2) It's important to note that UNV assignments are volunteer assignments, not employment. The purpose of the allowances and entitlements paid to UN Volunteers is to enable UN Volunteers to sustain a secure standard of living at the duty stations in line with United Nations standards without incurring personal costs.
3) You can check full entitlements at the duty station: https://app.unv.org/calculator
4) Please read the complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos

Full eligibility requirements, conditions of service and application instructions are available on the official UNV platform.