Regional 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:

1. Internal candidates
2. 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

Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) is one of the core areas of International Organization for Migration IOM expertise, and a field in which the organization has over 40 years of experience. The Protection (MPX) Unit within the Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) is responsible for thematic oversight and technical support for all Protection, Return and Reintegration programmes implemented within the LAC Region. Together with IOM Headquarters, IOM Global Office in Washington, D.C. and IOM in respective Country Offices (Cos), Regional Office (RO) LAC works to provide eligible beneficiaries with access to protection services including assisted voluntary return to their countries of origin or of legal status, in a safe and dignified manner. In addition to travel arrangements, IOM’s assistance may include protection screening, counselling, acquisition of travel documents, provision of medical or other escorts, departure, transit and arrival assistance.

Under the overall supervision of the Deputy Regional Director for Operations, the direct supervision of the Senior Regional Migrant Assistance Thematic Specialist and in coordination with IOM Global Office in Washington, D.C. colleagues and relevant IOM LAC Country Offices, the Regional Protection Officer will have the following duties and responsibilities:

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, 
• Bachelor’s 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;
• Experience working in multicultural and multidisciplinary teams;
• Proven experience supporting protection programming, as well as mainstreaming protection across operations, preferably across multiple countries;
• Proven experience providing protection and assistance to migrants in vulnerable situations and communicating with individuals who have complex needs;
• Experience working in return and reintegration programs;
• Experience in capacity building, training delivery, and the development of operational tools and guidance is preferred;
• Experience with IOM or other UN agencies, and specialized protection programs, is preferred. 
   

Skills

• Demonstrated knowledge of IOM and inter-agency protection standards and operational procedures and guidelines;
• Proven coordination skills;
• Ability to research and adapt to different operational and cultural contexts;
• Demonstrated writing, editing, presentation and training facilitation skills;
• Excellent computer skills: including proficiency in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, email/internet software, and relevant 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, with the ability to work independently within assigned responsibilities;
• Demonstrated interpersonal and teamwork skills;
• Proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of diverse cultural and national backgrounds.
   

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 and Spanish is required (oral and written).

Working knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, and Russian) 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 - 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.

Notes

Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile. Please refer to this link for guidance on IOM Job Category. 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.

Appointment will be subject to all clearances, including medical and security as well as accreditation, any residency or visa requirements. Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.

IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, including sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and any forms of discrimination. IOM is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children.

IOM conducts reference checks and background verification, including through system wide databases such as ClearCheck, to help ensure that candidates have no record of misconduct, including on sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse, or fraud. Candidates are expected to uphold these standards and principles at all times.

IOM does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process—whether for application, interview, processing, training, or otherwise—and does not request any information related to bank accounts.

IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM WAVE system (for internal candidates link here). The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies