Senior Protection Coordinator (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

Organizational Context and Scope

IOM’s Approach to Protection promotes a coherent and accountable organizational role in safeguarding the rights of individuals across operational contexts, in line with the Inter-Agency Standing Committee. Working with States as primary duty bearers, IOM programs aim at ensuring full respect for the rights of the individual in accordance with the letter and the spirit of relevant bodies of law to ensure that individuals’ and communities (rights holders)’ exposure to risks of violence is reduced and addressed and that their rights are upheld and needs fulfilled. This approach is implemented through operational pillars – thematic guidance, direct assistance, convening and dialogue, advocacy and communication, training and capacity building, and data, research and learning – guided by a core commitment to protection mainstreaming, accountability, inclusion, sustainability, systemic change and effective partnership.

The IOM Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) seeks to appoint a Senior Protection Coordinator who will assume responsibility for providing strategic guidance, overarching oversight of the development and implementation of migrant protection program portfolios including, inter alia– Return, Readmission and Reintegration (RRR) and Counter Trafficking in Persons. The Senior Protection Coordinator will operate under the direct supervision of the Chief of Mission (COM) in DRC, and under the technical guidance of the Protection Regional Thematic Unit (PRTU) within the Regional Office for East Horn and Southern Africa. The Senior Protection Coordinator will be responsible and accountable for effective delivery of the migrant protection program, in full adherence to international standards, operational parameters, risk-informed analysis, and IOM’s institutional policies and regulations.

Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• Oversee the effective development and implementation of the Protection Programme in the mission, exercising administrative, operational and financial management responsibility for relevant projects.
• Ensure proper coordination with the Regional Office and other IOM Country Offices on the managerial, reporting and operational aspects of the Protection Programme.
• Supervise Migrant Protection Officer and project officers overseeing the different components of the programme, including transit centres, domestic and international movements of migrants, reintegration, protection, health, migration governance, and migration data and research.
• Ensure staff welfare and career development for all staff working for the Protection programme in IOM DRC.
• Coordinate with the head of the Programme Support Unit (PSU) including the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, to ensure that all programme data is collected in a precise and effective manner, using MIMOSA and other institutional tools, for reporting to donors and that targets are met in accordance with relevant workplans; ensure the reflection and integration of new modalities, policies and practices, and evaluation methods, into the project formulation process.
• Ensure compliance with IOM and donor requirements, including those related to procurement, budget utilization, and human resources, maintaining close contact with relevant IOM DRC support units, such as Resource Management, Human Resources, Procurement, and Information and Technology Communications (ITC).
• Ensure timely and accurate preparation of progress and other programme reports and ensure proper information exchange on all operational aspects of the project between IOM, the programme’s donors and other stakeholders.
• Establish, manage and strengthen working relationships with external stakeholders, including implementing partners, UN agencies, government officials, and donors. Promote understanding of Protection activities and establish and strengthen partnerships to take over certain activities, providing advice and guidance to achieve programme objectives.
• Represent the programme at national and regional-level coordination forums and other meetings, conferences and seminars, promoting information sharing and effective coordination with governmental and non-governmental stakeholders.

Maintain and strengthen relationships with donors to raise funds, including identifying new project development opportunities and coordinating the preparation of project proposals in line with the strategic objective of IOM DRC.

• In coordination with IOM’s Communication Officer, lead the development, preparation and roll out of the Programme’s communication and visibility strategy, in line with donor requirements, and undertake initiatives toward the promotion of IOM’s image and activities in the country/region.

Provide technical advice on the implications of established programme policies and needs on plans, priorities and strategic objectives, and contribute to the development of IOM DRC strategy, ensuring that MPAP contributes, complements and reinforces other programmes managed and implemented by IOM DRC

• Ensure gender and protection mainstreaming within all project activities.
• Serve as technical protection focal point for DRC.
• Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Education

Experience

Skills

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

Notes

Appointment will be subject to all clearances, including medical and security, as well as accreditation, 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.