Senior Project Associate (Counter-Trafficking and Criminal Justice)

Organizational Context and Scope

As part of its work to save lives, protect people on the move, and facilitate safe and regular migration pathways, IOM in Viet Nam supports the Government of Viet Nam and civil society partners across the four counter-trafficking pillars of prevention, protection, prosecution and partnership. Within the Immigration and Border Governance portfolio, IOM Viet Nam has a long-standing partnership with the Viet Nam Border Guard and works closely with the Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Supreme People’s Court, Supreme People’s Procuracy, UN agencies and non-governmental partners to strengthen victim identification, referral and protection systems; improve criminal justice responses to trafficking in persons and migrant smuggling; and address emerging forms of trafficking, including trafficking for forced criminality in cyber-scam operations.

Under the overall supervision of the Head of Projects and Partnerships in IOM Viet Nam and the direct supervision of the National Programme Officer (Border Governance), and in close coordination with relevant programme units, the Senior Programme Associate (Counter-Trafficking and Criminal Justice) will support coordination, management and technical support delivery of projects that strengthen Viet Nam’s counter-trafficking and criminal justice response. The incumbent will contribute to victim-centred, rights-based and trauma-informed approaches; support capacity development for law enforcement, border, prosecutorial and judicial actors; facilitate inter-agency coordination; and promote evidence-based programming, operational tools and knowledge management in line with IOM standards, donor requirements and national priorities.

• Lead and coordinate the day-to-day implementation of counter-trafficking and criminal justice projects, including work planning, partner coordination, monitoring of activities, and identification of implementation challenges and mitigation measures.
• Research, compile, analyse and present information on trafficking in persons, migrant smuggling, trafficking for forced criminality, cyber-enabled exploitation, victim identification, prosecution trends, relevant legislation and policy developments to inform programming, advocacy and technical assistance.
• Monitor budget expenditures by verifying availability of funds and maintaining a proper record of approved project budgets and their revisions.
• Coordinate and monitor the financial, administrative and technical aspects of assigned projects in line with IOM policies, donor requirements, workplans, results frameworks and reporting obligations.
• Plan, coordinate and deliver capacity-building activities, technical workshops and consultations for government counterparts, including border and law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, judges, social protection actors and service providers, with attention to victim-centred, trauma-informed and rights-based approaches.
• Maintain effective liaison and coordination with government ministries and agencies, justice sector institutions, local authorities, United Nations agencies, intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations, donors and other stakeholders to strengthen inter-agency cooperation, referral pathways and coherent criminal justice responses.
• Coordinate the preparation of correspondence, briefing notes, presentations, narrative and financial reports. Ensure status reports are prepared and submitted in a timely manner.
• Contribute to the development, review and rollout of operational tools, standard operating procedures, training curricula, guidance notes, screening and referral tools, reports, concept notes and project proposals related to trafficking in persons, migrant smuggling, victim identification and criminal justice responses.
• Supervise and provide guidance and training to reporting staff.
• Perform such other relevant duties as may be assigned.
• Perform such other relevant duties as maybe assigned.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Political or Social Sciences, International Relations, Development Studies, Migration Studies, Human Rights, Law or a related field from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience; or,
• High School diploma with seven years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• Demonstrated experience supporting counter-trafficking, migrant protection, border governance, criminal justice, rule of law, or related programming in Viet Nam or comparable contexts.
• Experience working with, or providing technical support to, government counterparts such as border agencies, law enforcement, prosecutors, courts, social protection authorities, legal aid providers and other justice sector actors.
• Experience developing and delivering technical assistance, capacity-building programmes, training curricula, operational guidance, standard operating procedures or tools for criminal justice, victim identification, referral, protection or case handling.
• Knowledge of trafficking in persons, migrant smuggling, forced criminality, cyber-scam operations, victim identification, non-punishment principles, protection referrals and criminal justice processes is an advantage.
• Experience in liaising with governmental authorities, national and international institutions, United Nations agencies, civil society organisations, donors and other partners in a multi-stakeholder environment.
• Experience working with migrants, victims of trafficking, children or adults in vulnerable situations, returnees or other at-risk groups, including through survivor-centred, trauma-informed or rights-based approaches, is an advantage.
• Prior work experience with government institutions/organisation, international organisations, or non-government in a multi-cultural setting is an advantage.

Skills

• Strong coordination, analytical, drafting, facilitation, stakeholder engagement and reporting skills, including the ability to translate technical issues into practical guidance and clear written products.
• Ability to work sensitively with government and non-government partners on complex protection and criminal justice issues, including victim-centred, trauma-informed, rights-based and non-discriminatory approaches.
• Knowledge of victim-centred, trauma-informed, and rights-based approaches to criminal justice responses.

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 Vietnamese 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

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators Level 2

Managerial Competencies – behavioural indicators Level 2, if with direct reports

Notes

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.