Project Officer, Protection Mainstreaming (P)

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.

IOM invites candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply and provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process when required. Learn more about IOM’s workplace culture at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration

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:

1. Internal candidates
2. Candidates from the following IOM Member States that are not represented among staff members in the Professional and higher categories:
   Bahamas, Barbados, Comoros, Congo (the), Cook Islands, Dominica, Federated States of Micronesia, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Holy See, Iceland, Israel, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Namibia, Nauru, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Vanuatu
    

Second tier candidates include:
All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM.

The United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) operates world-wide with a target of providing resettlement opportunities to thousands of refugees each year. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) provides a range of services and support to the USRAP including, but not limited to, case processing, migration health assessments, cultural orientation training, organized transportation and administration of a travel loan and collections program. The Department of Mobility Pathways and Inclusion, specifically the Resettlement and Movement Management Unit (RMM), has the organizational responsibility to provide direction, oversight, and guidance to IOM’s global support to all resettlement programs.  

Under the United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), Resettlement Support Centers (RSCs) provide critical support and processing assistance for resettlement to the US. Under the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the US State Department Bureau for Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM), IOM is responsible for implementing Resettlement Support Center (RSC) functions in PRM-designated locations. These activities include supporting visiting US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officers, facilitating security and medical screenings, providing information about arriving individuals to resettlement agencies in the US and offering Cultural Orientation (CO) training to individuals departing for the US.

Under the overall supervision of the Deputy Global Programme Coordinator, USRAP (Movement Operations, TLP, RSC) the direct supervision of the Project Manager, RSC, and working under the technical supervision of the Senior Programme Coordinator, Protection Mainstreaming, the Project Officer will have the following duties and responsibilities:

1. Support the implementation of protection mainstreaming efforts, including accountability to affected populations (AAP), for all IOM-led RSC activities. Under the technical supervision of the Senior Programme Coordinator, Protection Mainstreaming, ensure relevant standards and guidelines are implemented and upheld; provide support to vulnerable individuals who are engaged in RSC activities; manage and regularly review initiatives that promote meaningful and sustained program and premise access to all relevant populations; help enhance accountability mechanisms including complaints and feedback mechanisms (CFMs); and provide information and training to colleagues. In relation to the RSC protection mainstreaming team, hire, provide training, assign duties and give performance feedback on a regular basis to ensure high quality work and the accurate completion of duties. 
2. In close coordination with the Senior Programme Coordinator, Protection Mainstreaming and other relevant USRAP colleagues, apply relevant minimum standards, guidance, instructions, tools, training, and other materials to RSC activities. Provide continual feedback to the Senior Programme Coordinator on the use of the guidelines, tools and materials, highlighting the need for updates or modifications as they occur, and on the development of new materials as requested to do so.
3. Identify and provide support to vulnerable individuals: handle expedites for at-risk cases and flag to RSC management as needed; maintain a global expedite database; carry out regular data reviews in START for expedited cases, discussing with the Case Management team regularly; discuss protection referrals with IOM protection colleagues and external partners as needed; provide programmatic counselling to refugee minors and complete related documentation; work with the Senior Programme Coordinator to ensure all RSC materials and tools are appropriate for the individuals who utilize them; and liaise with the Senior Programme Coordinator on other topics such as data collection and protection.
4. Utilizing the Protection Mainstreaming Checklist, support the Senior Programme Coordinator, Protection Mainstreaming, for periodic review of RSC activities and special initiatives that promote meaningful and sustained program and premise access to all relevant populations in both IOM offices and third-party facilities. When new sites are used, work closely with RSC management and Case Management teams to ensure adequate access for relevant populations can be established and maintained. Report regularly to the Senior Programme Coordinator, Protection Mainstreaming, about accessibility opportunities and challenges.
5. In close coordination with the Senior Programme Coordinator, Protection Mainstreaming, and the USRAP Compliance team, and in collaboration with other relevant colleagues, support the maintenance of community feedback mechanisms (CFMs) in IOM-managed RSC locations. This includes regularly helping to maintain CFM channels utilized by individuals engaged with the RSC; helping to establish new channels as needed; helping to ensure the channels are accessible to all individuals in all locations where RSC activities occur; helping to maintain structured recording tools for feedback and mechanism to provide individuals with timely responses to their feedback; and helping to improve outreach efforts as needed.  
6. Contribute to regular, accurate, and accessible information-sharing on protection mainstreaming topics with RSC management and personnel through such modalities as information sheets and briefings and answer related questions in a timely manner. As needed, support the Senior Programme Coordinator, Protection Mainstreaming, in providing technical assistance, guidance and information on changes to workflows and procedures in accordance with the START, USCIS, PRM Program Announcements and updates to internal RSC Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). 
7. Deliver training sessions to RSC personnel on protection mainstreaming topics, including overarching thematic issues, guidelines, operational tools, and regular topics such as interviewing children. In coordination with the Senior Programme Coordinator, Protection Mainstreaming and relevant colleagues, contribute to training materials on protection mainstreaming topics as needed. 
8. Support USRAP monitoring efforts by engaging in necessary managerial tasks as directed by the USRAP Compliance team, speaking with Compliance colleagues about protection mainstreaming work, and making connections with relevant organizations for community feedback when requested to do so for the purposes of monitoring.  
9. Support RSC management, the Senior Programme Coordinator, Protection Mainstreaming, and relevant USRAP management in providing information to and liaising with external partners, including US resettlement agencies, UNHCR, PRM and NGO implementing partners, on issues of concern related to protection mainstreaming in the RSC context. Work with the Senior Programme Coordinator, Protection Mainstreaming, to coordinate closely with other IOM units in the country and regional offices in which RSC activities are taking place to ensure that protection mainstreaming activities are growing more closely aligned between RSCs and other IOM areas of work. Help seek to fit RSC protection mainstreaming activities into existing systems and initiatives within the mission and region, rather than duplicating efforts. As necessary, provide support to both management and personnel in identifying and adjusting approaches, including to complaints and feedback mechanisms, to align throughout the region.
10. Participate in relevant meetings, workshops, trainings, and events related to protection mainstreaming and RSC activities, ensuring close coordination on participation and information sharing with the Senior Programme Coordinator, Protection Mainstreaming, RSC management, and protection colleagues in relevant missions. 
11. Demonstrate comprehensive understanding of USRAP, SOPs and START and uphold professional, impartial and unbiased conduct in all interactions; ensure confidentiality and integrity of RSC information through control procedures aligned with USRAP standards of conduct and data protection rules, and escalating any non-compliance to RSC management.
12. Uphold Protection Mainstreaming Minimum Standards while carrying out all duties and responsibilities and demonstrate the ability to remain professional, impartial and unbiased during all interactions with migrants and colleagues per the IOM Standards of Conduct and instruction on the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA). Alert the supervisor or management of any non-compliance to SOPs, Protection Mainstreaming Minimum Standards or IOM Standards of Conduct by IOM personnel or partners.  
13. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

• Master’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, Social Science or a related field from an accredited academic institution with two years of relevant professional experience; or,
• University degree in the above fields with four years of relevant professional experience.

Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.

• Experience in RSC processing activities is required;
• Experience in monitoring programme implementation, analysing qualitative and quantitative data, and preparing internal reports or briefing materials;
• Experience in protection or social work (e.g. direct contacts with vulnerable/at risk groups); 
• Experience in liaising with government counterparts, UN agencies, and NGO partners in an operational or programme delivery context; 
• Experience in refugee migration related issues; and,
• Completed formal training or awareness-raising about PSEA. 
   

• Strong drafting and documentation skills, including the ability to prepare clear reports, guidance notes, and briefing materials for internal and external stakeholders;
• Takes responsibility and manages constructive criticism;  
• Works effectively with all beneficiaries and stakeholders;  
• Promotes continuous learning; communicates clearly;  
• Takes initiative and drives high levels of performance management;  
• Plans work, anticipates risks, and sets goals within area of responsibility;  
• Displays mastery of subject matter;  
• Contributes to a collegial team environment;  
• Incorporates gender-related needs, perspectives, and concerns, and promotes equal gender participation;  
• Displays awareness of relevant technological solutions;  
• Works with internal and external stakeholders to meet resource needs of IOM;  
• Delivers on set objectives in hardship situations;  
• Effectively coordinates actions with other implementing partners; and, 
• Works effectively with local authorities, stakeholders, beneficiaries, and the broader community to advance country office or regional objectives.  
   

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

At least a working knowledge of another language (including one of the six official UN languages, and/or a language that may be widely spoken in the country context) is desirable.

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

Working knowledge of another official UN language (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

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.

Values - all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these five values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
• Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
• Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
• Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

Core Competencies – Behavioural indicators- Level 2

• Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
• Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Managerial Competencies – Behavioural indicators - Level 2

• Leadership: Provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example and demonstrates the ability to carry out the Organization’s vision. Assists others to realize and develop their leadership and professional potential.
• Empowering others: Creates an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
• Building Trust: Promotes shared values and creates an atmosphere of trust and honesty.
• Strategic thinking and vision: Works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.
• Humility: Leads with humility and shows openness to acknowledging own shortcomings. 

Notes

Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile. Please refer to this link for guidance on IOM Job Category. 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 all clearances, including medical and security as well as accreditation, any residency or visa requirements. Vacancies close at 23:59 local time 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.

IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM WAVE system (for internal candidates link here). The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies