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

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission (COM) and the direct supervision of the Head of Programme and in close coordination with relevant units in the Country Office (CO), Regional Office (RO) at Headquarters (HQ), Protection Division (PXD), Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), the Protection Officer will provide strategic, technical and managerial coordination for IOM Guinea’s Protection portfolios.

The Protection Officer will have mission-wide responsibility for the implementation of the Protection programming, ensuring high-quality implementation, donor compliance and alignment with IOM policies and international standards.

The position will ensure coherence, complementarity and alignment of protection and MHPSS interventions, with a strong focus on:

• Protection and assistance to Guinean returnees in situations of vulnerability;
• Strengthening national and local protection, MHPSS and referral systems;
• Reinforcement of government and partner technical capacities; and,
• Transition from direct assistance toward sustainable, nationally anchored systems.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Master’s degree (or higher) in Political or Human Sciences, International Relations, Public Administration Management, or a related field from an accredited academic institution, with at least 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 in designing protection, counter-trafficking and related support programmes in various contexts;
• Experience in coordination, community-based approaches that are customized to address a range of vulnerabilities across diverse groups to prevent main risk factors such as human trafficking, re-migration;
• Professional experience in direct implementation of protection programming in contexts of migration or displacement; and,
• Experience of working in the field and familiarity with the region will be an advantage. Proven experience in managing multi-project protection and/or MHPSS portfolios, including supervision.

Skills

• Good project management, communication, writing, and organizational skills; with the ability to prepare clear, accurate, and concise donor and institutional reports;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds, governmental authorities, national and international institutions, and Non-Governmental Organizations;
• Knowledge of Protection principles and IOM policies and procedures;
• Knowledge of data-driven approaches that guide collective action across local agencies and institutions and the priorities of the response in the programme;
• Commitment to help persons of concern and willingness to cooperate with counterparts;
• Knowledge and experience in facilitating training and developing curricula;
• Capacity to support knowledge management, documentation, and information management processes; and,
• Good level of computer literacy, including experience with databases, reporting tools, and standard office applications.

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

A- Strategic Leadership & Programme Management

1. Coordinate the implementation of IOM Guinea’s Protection portfolios, ensuring coordination between different protection projects and thematic areas.
2. Manage the full implementation of protection programmes, including planning, budgeting, donor compliance, reporting and evaluation.
3. Supervise the mission’s protection and MHPSS teams, and contribute to the development of partnerships, referral mechanisms, Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and inter-sectoral coordination frameworks in line with IOM policies and international standards.

How to Apply

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.