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.
Internal and external candidates will be considered for this vacancy. For the purposes of this vacancy, internal candidates are defined as staff members holding a regular, fixed-term or short-term graded or ungraded contract, including Junior Professional Officers (JPOs), staff on Special Leave Without Pay (SLWOP), UN Volunteers with at least twelve (12) months of continuous service in IOM, and staff members on secondment/loan released by the Organization, unless otherwise specified in their contract. Staff members holding a regular, fixed-term or short-term graded contract will not retain their contract type if appointed to an ungraded position.
Organizational Context and Scope
Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission and the direct supervision of the Protection Officer, and in close coordination with relevant programme units, the Regional Office and Headquarters as appropriate, the Senior Programme Associate (Protection) will support the overall coordination, planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of IOM Venezuela’s protection and humanitarian programming.
Following the devastating earthquakes of 24 June 2026 that affected Caracas (Capital District), La Guaira, Miranda and surrounding states, causing widespread infrastructure damage, population displacement and the declaration of a state of emergency, IOM Venezuela is implementing a multisectoral humanitarian response to ensure timely access to life-saving assistance. Within this framework, the Protection Unit delivers interventions aimed at preventing, mitigating and responding to protection risks affecting displaced and earthquake-affected populations, with particular attention to women, children, older persons, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups. Activities include community-based protection, protection mainstreaming, information and awareness campaigns, accountability to affected populations, prevention of gender-based violence, child protection, family reunification support and access to specialized services through established referral pathways.
The Senior Programme Associate will provide operational, programmatic and administrative oversight to the implementation of protection activities and related projects, ensuring compliance with IOM regulations, donor requirements and humanitarian standards. The incumbent will supervise programme support personnel and field teams, coordinate work planning and activity implementation, monitor budgets and workplans, support donor reporting processes, strengthen partnerships with implementing partners and authorities, and contribute to quality assurance, monitoring, evaluation, information management and resource mobilization efforts. The incumbent will promote the integration of protection principles, AAP, PSEA, safeguarding, disability inclusion and data protection across programme activities and ensure timely delivery of project results.
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in development studies, political sciences, social sciences, gender studies, law, human rights, public administration, project management or other relevant field from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience; or,
- High school diploma with seven years of experience.
- Master’s degree in the above-mentioned fields is an added advantage.
Experience
- Minimum five years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian, protection, migration, recovery or development programming.
- Experience supporting general protection, community-based protection and MHPSS child protection (CP), and gender-based violence (GBV) activities, including direct work with beneficiaries.
- Experience coordinating multi-sectoral projects funded by institutional donors.
- Experience supporting programme management, project monitoring, reporting, budgeting and implementation oversight.
- Experience supervising staff, consultants, volunteers or field teams.
- Experience coordinating with government counterparts, UN agencies, NGOs, community organizations and implementing partners.
- Experience preparing donor reports, workplans, budgets and project proposals.
- Demonstrated experience in information management, data analysis and results-based management.
- Experience supporting humanitarian responses, emergency operations or post-crisis recovery programmes is highly desirable.
- Knowledge of protection principles, protection mainstreaming, GBV risk mitigation, child protection, AAP, PSEA, disability inclusion and safeguarding is desirable.
- Experience working with IOM, the UN system or international organizations is an advantage.
- Good experience working with implementing partners (IPs).
- Understanding key issues related to data protection and knowledge of safe, confidential and ethical data collection and handling.
- Knowledge of the humanitarian and development context in Venezuela, particularly as it relates to protection challenges.
Skills
- Strong programme and project management skills.
- Strong planning, organizational and coordination skills.
- Excellent analytical, reporting and problem-solving abilities.
- Demonstrated ability to supervise and support multidisciplinary teams.
- Strong partnership-building and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Excellent drafting and communication skills in English and Spanish.
- Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
- Experience using information management and monitoring systems.
- Ability to work under pressure and meet competing deadlines in emergency environments.
- Strong understanding of donor compliance and results-based management principles.
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 and Spanish are mandatory
Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.
Required Competencies
Notes
Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.
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.