Programme Coordinator (Protection) (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.

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:

Organizational Context and Scope

Under the overall supervision and the strategic guidance of the Deputy Chief of Mission (DCoM), and direct supervision of the Head of Programmes and Operations (HoPo), as well as in coordination with the Programme Support Unit, the Programme Coordinator (Protection) will be responsible for the management, implementation, coordination, execution, and monitoring of IOM Afghanistan’s protection projects.

The Programme Coordinator (Protection) will elevate the reduction of protection risks at the mission strategic level (in line with the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Protection Policy) and ensure synergies with concurrent programming in the country. In doing so, the Programme Coordinator (Protection) will work in a coordinated manner with the Afghanistan Protection Cluster, relevant protection-related working groups, and de facto authorities at national and sub-national levels. In addition, the Programme Coordinator (Protection) will support IOM Afghanistan Country Office (CO) through provision of protection mainstreaming expertise to other units and a coordination role with the Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) network.

Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• Manage and coordinate the development of IOM Protection activities in line with IOM and interagency policies and procedures, applying and upholding standards in protection approaches and specialized programming to ensure the rights and dignity of all persons and the reduction of protection risks, including resource mobilization and development, monitoring, and reporting of all projects under the Protection Programme portfolio.
• Strengthen and develop the CO’s capacity to analyse protection risks and deliver on the centrality of protection based on a protection strategy. Ensure the integrity and quality of IOM core protection activities including, but not limited to, protection monitoring and analysis, advocacy, and protection case management.
• Monitor, supervise, train/coach and oversee the protection staff and closely coordinate with respective project Managers and Resources Management Officers (RMOs) responsible for the implementation and monitoring of programme activities of the IOM’s humanitarian response, to ensure consolidation and a harmonized response across thematic and geographical areas of intervention as well as IOM procedural standards and policies.
• Develop a protection strategy based on regularly updated context analysis, which includes an advocacy action plan, as well as different scenarios and recommended actions and risk mitigation measures. To complement the protection monitoring activities, continuously analyse the context and dynamics to assess opportunities/capacity for adaptation of CO’s programming and cooperation with partners such as the Protection Cluster partners, including Community Based Organizations (CBOs) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), in coordination with national authorities, including local governments, and include a strategy for engagement on protection and assistance areas.
• Represent protection activities of Afghanistan CO at relevant meetings, including cluster meetings, and coordinate with national and international humanitarian assistance authorities, agencies and organizations regarding the planning and implementation of activities, as per the Joint Operating Principles agreed at the Humanitarian Country Team and/or United Nations Country Team.
• Mentor and support staff in their professional development. Regularly monitor staffing needs and participate in the recruitment of the unit’s staff as required. Support capacity building efforts among field-based colleagues on both IOM protection modus operandi and internal guidelines, protection mainstreaming standards and practices as well as international protection standards (Sphere, IASC Protection Policy, Global Protection Cluster (GPC) and Area of Responsibility (AoR) guidance, e.g. on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) or Child Protection Minimum Standards, Protection Information Management (PIM), and International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Professional Protection Standards, etc.).
• Undertake regular duty travel as required and in line with prevailing security restrictions, in order to inform adequate knowledge and understanding, and direct observation of evolving context, and related to protection analysis, project implementation and oversight, staff training, and liaison with partners and the Sub-Offices, to coordinate, develop and/or support programme implementation.
• Participate and provide sound knowledge to the Afghanistan PSEA network, including support to the Chief of Mission (CoM) and PSEA Focal Points.
• Coordinate with and provide technical expertise and Afghanistan lessons learnt to IOM’s Protection regional thematic specialist and headquarters’ relevant units to strengthen and harmonize IOM protection global work.
• Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Education

• Master’s degree in Political or Social Sciences, Business Administration, Migration Studies, International Relations, 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.

Experience

• Demonstrated extensive experience in direct implementation of protection programming in contexts of conflict, crisis, migration, internal displacement and/or refugee assistance and protection;
• Prior experience directly implementing protection work in specialized fields such as addressing GBV, in Child Protection, Housing Land and Property and in Human Trafficking;
• Prior experience implementing community-based protection and case management;
• Demonstrated analysis and advocacy skills and experience, including in developing or managing protection monitoring, or in the field of protection information management;
• Experience managing and coordinating protection teams and staff, and in protection project management;
• Prior experience in strategic representation and/or coordination in protection cluster/sector or platforms, including technical working groups such as on Child Protection, or on Case Management;
• Experience in emergency operations and liaison with other UN and non-UN humanitarian actors;
• Experience with cash-based intervention in humanitarian settings; and,
• Working experience in the region is an asset.

Skills

Analytical skills;

• Advocacy skills compounded by strong communication skills;
• Understanding of complex social-political environments;
• Knowledge of the Afghan conflict and return/displacement dynamics and the impact on the affected population;
• Knowledge of the humanitarian architecture, especially in relation to protection (focus on internal displacement, child protection, gender-based violence, identity documentation, etc.);
• Understanding and knowledge of human trafficking phenomena;
• Knowledge of border and migration management policy and actors in the region;
• Knowledge of the project management cycle an advantage;
• Works effectively with local authorities, stakeholders, beneficiaries, and the broader community to advance country office or regional objectives;
• Excellent report writing skills as well as managerial & organizational Skills; and,
• Advanced level of computer literacy.

Languages

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

Working knowledge of another official UN languages (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.

Required Competencies

Notes

Appointment will be subject to all clearances, including medical and security as well as accreditation, and any residency or visa requirements. Vacancies close at 23:59 local time in 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.