Position Title : Senior Protection Officer (Centrality of Protection)
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 : 03 November 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; Comoros; Congo (the); Cook Islands;
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; Saint Lucia;
Samoa; Sao Tome and Principe; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas;
Tonga; Tuvalu; Vanuatu
Second tier candidates include:
All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM and
female candidates.
Context:
Adhering to the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Statement on the Centrality of
Protection and Policy on Protection in Humanitarian Action, the International Organization for
Migration (IOM) places Protection at the core of its humanitarian actions, decision-making and
analysis. IOM does so through its different implementation modalities such as delivering
specialized protection services, integrating protection with other programming sectors, and
mainstreaming protection across its sectors of intervention before, during and after a crisis
strikes.
The systematization of Protection in the design and implementation of IOM programming needs
to be reinforced through the roll-out of advisory and technical support on the uptake of guidance
and tools, reinforcement of protocols, and capacity building of IOM leadership, staff and

partners. The Senior Protection Officer will directly contribute to the uptake and integration of
the IASC Policy on Protection and Centrality of Protection within IOM’s strategies and
programming with the aim to reducing protection risks and contributing to collective protection
outcomes.
Under the direct supervision of the Head of the Protection in Humanitarian Action Unit (HPX)
and close coordination with the Senior Protection Officer of the Protection in Humanitarian
Action Unit (HPX), and in collaboration with relevant departments at Headquarters, regional
offices, and field missions, the Senior Protection Officer (Centrality of Protection) will be
responsible to give a boost to the implementation and internalization of Protection within
selected IOM field missions, requiring sustained travels to field.
Core Functions / Responsibilities:
1. Coordinate with relevant departments, regional (RO) and country offices to identify selected
IOM operations in need of scale up of internalization of global and institutional protection
policies. Liaise with selected Chief of Mission and senior management, including Emergency
coordinators, and provide close strategic advice on Protection both through in-country and
sustained remote support.
2. Through in-country deployments to selected ROs and country missions with an Humanitarian
Coordination Structure (HCT), assess the internalization of Protection (both global and internal
policy and minimum standards) and act as an advisor to IOM Chiefs of Mission and senior
management, including emergency coordinators and colleagues, to facilitate the internalization
of the IASC Protection Policy by providing strategic and technical guidance on positioning on
protection risks, on scaling up protection integrated programs and protection mainstreaming,
and on specialized protection programs, in line with Centrality of Protection benchmarks,
internal policies and global commitments.
3. Advise Department of Humanitarian Response and Recovery (DHRR) and Protection Division
(PXD) - Regional Thematic Specialist (RTS) in ROs, as well as chiefs of mission and relevant
senior managers, including emergency coordinators, on internalizing and contributing to
protection analysis, contextualized positioning on protection, and advocacy for protection.
Support and review the elaboration of contextualized guidance and tools as relevant, including
contextualized protection analysis flows -with the support of relevant HPX (humanitarian
protection unit) team members, protection advocacy strategies or position papers.
4. Support the selected supported missions with drafting of protection analysis, advocacy notes,
lines to take or position papers on contextual protection risks, as required.
5. Coordinate as relevant to fundraise on protection, such activities may comprise of organizing
donors’ discussions on protection in close coordination with relevant internal departments, or the
elaboration of concept notes and project proposals.
6. Lead and organize regular events such as roundtables, workshops, webinars, to raise
awareness on the Centrality of Protection with relevant departments and IOM senior managers,
and follow-up any pending actions, in close coordination with HPX and PXD at headquarters
and ROs.
7. Elaborate strategic frameworks, action plans, guidance or tools on Centrality of Protection,
and other related fields such as advocacy for protection, as required. Contribute to talking points
on Humanitarian Protection.
8. Create training modules targeting senior management and leadership on relevant topics
linked to the implementation of the IASC Protection Policy and Centrality of Protection, to be
delivered in-person and online to IOM staff and leadership in selected country missions, ROs,
and at headquarters.

9. Produce a repository of good practice and case studies from IOM country missions on the
internalization and implementation on the Centrality of Protection and introduce relevant tools,
guidance and resources.
10. Develop an overall action plan defining the approach and strategic, and institutional
recommendations and workplans to further scale-up the internalization and implementation of
the IASC Protection Policy and Centrality of Protection.
11. Review and advance relevant IOM policies such as on protection mainstreaming or on child
protection, under lead and close coordination with PXD.
Required Qualifications and Experience:
Education

• Master’s degree in law, political or social science, human rights, international relations,

humanitarian aid, social work, 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

• Extensive experience and expertise in implementing varied protection programs in multiple

duty stations (i.e., protection, gender-based violence, protection of civilians, housing land and
property, child protection, community-based protection, protection advocacy, protection
information management, and others);

• Specific experience working within the humanitarian protection sectors, including project

development and implementation, programme coordination, representation and managerial
responsibilities;

• Demonstrated experience in developing operational guidance and tools, such as position

papers, protection strategies, protection analyses and advocacy notes;

• Demonstrated experience in working in inter-agency and multisectoral coordination platforms

to advance strategic, thematic, or operational objectives;

• Experience in designing and training modules to various stakeholders, including thematic

experts, senior management, and leadership teams, on protection and related cross-cutting
areas;

• Experience with developing comprehensive action plans and advancing the internalization and

implementation of policies related to protection;

• Experience in leading and organizing events such as consultations, roundtables, workshops,

and webinars; and,

• Professional experience must include fieldwork in multiple duty stations, including in

emergency, humanitarian and transitional settings. Skills

• Proven ability to liaise, coordinate and communicate with multiple stakeholders, and provide

strategic advice and guidance on protection in humanitarian action;

• In depth knowledge of various protection specialized fields and activities in different crisis and

conflict contexts, and their respective inter-agency global standards;

• Proven leadership and negotiation skills, particularly in a multi-stakeholder and multi-cultural

environment, and in complex socio-political contexts;

• Excellent coordination and communication skills, and ability to work with minimum supervision;
• Excellent organizational, monitoring and evaluation skills applied in protection programming;
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of the humanitarian ecosystem, IASC and UN systems;
• Strong strategic, analytical and creative thinking, with the ability to work under pressure;
• Knowledge of donor programming and cycles, and of project development processes;
• Knowledge of the humanitarian, development and peace nexus; and,

• Flexibility and focus on processes and their improvements.

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
1 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.p
df
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.
How to apply:
Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications via PRISM, IOM e-Recruitment
system, by 03 November 2024 at the latest, referring to this advertisement.
IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment
system. The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
For further information please refer to: www.iom.int/recruitment
Posting period:
From 21.10.2024 to 03.11.2024
No Fees:
IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview,
processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank
accounts.
Requisition: VN 2024 622 Senior Protection Officer (Centrality of Protection) (P4) Geneva, Switzerland
(59213456) Released
Posting: Posting NC59213457 (59213457) Released