Protection Associate (Desk - Humanitarian Protection)

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.

Organizational Context and Scope

Türkiye hosts a large and diverse population of migrants and refugees who face a range of protection risks, including barriers to accessing essential services, exploitation, trafficking, gender-based violence (GBV), and heightened socio-economic vulnerabilities. These risks may be further exacerbated in emergency contexts and disproportionately affect individuals with specific needs.

In response, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) implements humanitarian protection programming through Emergency Case Management (ECM), Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), and the Voluntary Return and Advisory Desks, which serve as accessible entry points for information, counselling and referrals, including for Syrians under Temporary Protection. Programming includes outreach, identification and referral of individuals with protection needs, including victims of trafficking and survivors of GBV, ensuring access to appropriate assistance and specialized services through coordinated referral pathways in line with protection principles. It also includes capacity-building of staff and partners, as well as coordination with relevant stakeholders to strengthen the quality, consistency and accessibility of protection services.

This Job Requisition is for 6 positions, 5 in Gaziantep and 1 in Sanliurfa.

Under the overall supervision of the Senior Protection Coordinator and the direct supervision of the Senior Project Associate (Field Coordinator), and in close coordination with the Head of Sub-Office in Gaziantep, the Protection Associate (HPX) will support the day-to-day implementation of the Voluntary Return and Advisory Desks by providing outreach, information, protection counselling, identification and vulnerability screening of individuals with specific protection needs, facilitating referrals to appropriate services, and supporting follow-up in accordance with project Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), protection principles and quality standards.

The incumbent will be based at the Voluntary Return and Advisory Desks located within the Turkish Red Crescent (TRC) Community Centres.

• Provide information, outreach, protection counselling, vulnerability screening and identification of individuals with specific protection needs accessing the Voluntary Return and Advisory Desks, ensuring services are delivered in accordance with project Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), protection principles and quality standards.
• Conduct protection and vulnerability assessments to identify individuals with specific protection needs, provide individualized protection counseling and information on available services, facilitate the provision of assistance, including cash and in-kind assistance where applicable; and refer beneficiaries with complex protection needs to specialized services.

Follow up with beneficiaries to monitor access to assistance and referred services, support the implementation of referral pathways, and coordinate closely with relevant partners to facilitate timely access to assistance and services.

• Maintain accurate, complete and up-to-date case records, counselling documentation, beneficiary assistance records and tracking tools in approved case management and information management systems, ensuring timely documentation, data quality, and compliance with IOM data protection, confidentiality, information-sharing principles and project SOPs.
• Support the implementation of project activities by identifying implementation challenges, reporting protection risks and referral gaps, and bringing operational issues to the attention of the supervisor.
• Prepare and track Purchase Requests (PRs), Payment Request Forms (PRFs) and other administrative documentation related to beneficiary assistance, in coordination with relevant support units
• Prepare routine reports, case summaries, statistics and other documentation related to counselling activities, referrals and project implementation; support the preparation and tracking of beneficiary assistance documentation in accordance with project eligibility criteria and IOM financial procedures.
• Participate in meetings, capacity-building activities and training sessions, and contribute to outreach, awareness-raising and information dissemination activities for migrants and refugees.
• Maintain effective liaison with the Turkish Red Crescent (TRC) Community Centre staff, government counterparts and relevant service providers to strengthen coordination, referral pathways and access to protection services.
• Perform such other related duties as may be assigned.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, Political or Social Sciences, International Relations, Development Studies, Migration Studies, Human Rights, Law or a related field from an accredited academic institution with three years of relevant professional experience; or,

Experience

• Experience providing protection counselling, vulnerability screening, referrals and/or case management support, preferably in humanitarian, migration or refugee contexts. Experience accompanying beneficiaries to access healthcare, legal assistance, social services or other protection services is an advantage.
• Experience working with vulnerable migrants and refugees, including survivors of gender-based violence (GBV), victims of trafficking (VoTs), unaccompanied and separated children (UASC), persons with disabilities, individuals with serious medical conditions, and other individuals with specific protection needs.
• Experience liaising and coordinating with government authorities, United Nations agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations and other service providers to facilitate referrals and access to protection services.
• Experience maintaining case records and using case management or information management systems, with an understanding of data protection, confidentiality and information-sharing principles.
• Experience preparing reports, maintaining accurate documentation and supporting project implementation and monitoring.
• Previous experience working with international organizations, humanitarian agencies, government institutions or non-governmental organizations in a multicultural environment is desirable.

Skills

• Strong knowledge of protection principles, case management methodologies, referral mechanisms and survivor-centred approaches.
• Sound understanding of humanitarian principles, confidentiality, data protection, informed consent and the Do No Harm principle.
• Strong communication, interpersonal and counselling skills, with the ability to work effectively with vulnerable individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Strong organizational, coordination and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple cases and competing priorities.
• Proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with government authorities, United Nations agencies, implementing partners and other stakeholders.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills, with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Excellent report writing, documentation and information management skills, including maintaining accurate case records and ensuring data quality.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint); experience with MiMOSA or other case management information systems is an advantage.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary and multicultural environment.

Languages

All IOM staff members in all categories are required to be fluent in one of the IOM's official languages (English, French, Spanish).

For this position, fluency in English, Turkish and/or Arabic is required (oral and written).

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Required Competencies

Notes

This Job Requisition is for 6 positions, 5 in Gaziantep and 1 in Sanliurfa.

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 certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, security clearances.

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, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities.

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.

No late applications will be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.