Protection Officer (Gender-Based Violence) (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, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, 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.

Haiti has faced a worsening humanitarian crisis since its president's assassination in 2019, leading to significant displacement and irregular migration due to gang violence. Since 2025, IOM data shows 1,041,000 people displaced, with over half being children. Over 200,000 forced returns have occurred since 2024, mostly from the Dominican Republic. The displaced population are exposed to several protection risks, and gender-based violence (GBV) is a major concern, especially for women, girls, and other vulnerable groups. Amid limited services and security threats, IOM and its partners promote IDPs’ health and well-being, providing integrated protection services including access to health care, and sexual and reproductive health services, particularly for survivors of GBV.

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission, in close coordination with the Senior Emergency Coordinator and the direct supervision of the  Protection  Officer, and in coordination with the Regional Protection Division (PXD) unit. The Protection Officer (GBV) will be responsible and accountable for supporting general protection and GBV-related activities for IOM’s crisis programming in Haiti Country Office (CO).

1. Support the review and evaluation of the  existing protection, GBV and health-related interventions with the aim of enhancing and scaling them up in line with a strategic vision and defined objectives.
2. Supervise the protection field team composed of case workers specialized in general protection, case management, and organize the protection case management team’s work, in close coordination with the MHPSS team. 
3. Provide suggestions and technical input for the development of new strategies, projects, and activities to address protection and GBV risks among IDPs and migrants in Haiti.
4. Contribute to the implementation of protection strategies, working with CSOs, women’s groups, and other community groups to develop tailored protection processes and advocate for enhanced protection and GBV services.
5. Support protection needs assessments and safety audits, produce, share and discuss reports and recommendations from findings with IOM units and implementing  partners.
6. Contribute to the development and implementation of capacity-building for CO’s  staff and implementing partners on protection prevention, mitigation and response, as well as improving procedures for case management and referral practices.
7. Act as GBV Focal Point for  Haiti CO and participate and engage actively in relevant coordination forums at country level, including the Protection and Health Cluster, and the GBV Sub Cluster.
8. Promote and facilitate the inclusion of protection interventions into IOM and humanitarian appeal processes and documents, and contribute technical inputs to the reporting and project development. 
9. Prepare reports covering protection and GBV-related activities, briefings, statistical/narrative reports, and background notes as requested by CoM, Governments, donors, and other entities.
10. Perform such other duties  as may be  assigned.

• Master’s degree in Law, Political Science, Human Rights, International Relations, Cooperation and Development, Humanitarian Action or a related field from an accredited academic institution with two years of relevant professional experience; or,

• Bachelor’s 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 humanitarian affairs, and/or development relating to migration, refugee, IDP issues, showing increasing levels of responsibility; field experience preferred;
• Experience in liaising with governmental authorities, other national/international institutions, and NGOs;
• Experience in project management and development and/or monitoring, evaluation, and reporting;
• Demonstrated experience working on GBV programming and/or with GBV survivors in an emergency or post-conflict environment; and,
• Solid knowledge of Protection/GBV coordination mechanisms.

• Strong planning and coordination skills;
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including ability to work in a multi-cultural environment;
• Sound ability to communicate practical knowledge on actions to address Protection and GBV issues at the operational level;
• Demonstrated analytical, writing and reporting skills; and,
• Solid computer skills (MS Excel, Word and PowerPoint).

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

Working knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian and Spanish) and/or Haitian Creole is an advantage.

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

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

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