Senior Protection Associate

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 internal and external candidates. 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, internal and internal-equivalent candidates are considered as first-tier candidates.

​​The IOM Protection Unit leads and coordinates the design and implementation of protection programming within the Country Office, addressing the needs of migrants, internally displaced persons, vulnerable host communities affected by violence, poverty and climate-related shocks, and other populations at risk. Working within a complex humanitarian and migration context, the Unit delivers integrated protection services—including GBV, counter-trafficking, child protection (NNA), MHPSS and AVR/RR—while promoting protection mainstreaming across all programmes, strengthening partnerships and referral systems, and ensuring compliance with IOM standards and humanitarian principles to reduce risks, safeguard rights and support durable solutions. 

Under the overall supervision of the Head of Sub-Office and in coordination with the Protection Officer, the Senior Protection Associate will be based in San Pedro Sula and will have the following duties and responsibilities:

1. Lead and coordinate the work of a team of Protection Case Workers , managing work loads and assigning cases, providing technical support, monitoring implementation of the activities, analysing implementation difficulties and make recommendations.

2. Oversee the case management services conducted by Protection Case Workers  in line with IOM standards and tools, providing quality assurance, identifying and addressing chalelnges and gaps, and ensuring compliacen with IOM standards.

3. Ensure that Protection Case Workers  remain up to date of all current guidance on case work/Protection standards and guidelines, advisories on communications with beneficiaries and partners, program-specific guidance, and all other relevant internal resources and guidelines.

4. Ensure and oversee the maintetance of accurate data collection and case notes in IOM’s case management systems (such as MiMOSA or other approved tools), ensuring data protection and confidentiality standards are met.

5. Coordinate with Head of Sub-Office and Protection Officer, and other operational staff (health, psychosocial, logistics) to ensure service provision is timely and that operational constraints or gaps are identified and escalated.

6. Lead internal case coordination with other units in the mission (including Health, MHPSS, Case managers, Operations, and other teams) and with IOM in other mission (Regional Offices, IOM missions in other countries).

7. At request of Head of  Sub-Office and Protection Officer , participate in protection coordination forums at local level; collaborate with partners (NGOs, UN agencies, government) to enhance referral networks and services.

8. Assist in preparing reports, summaries, outcomes of case work, and contribute to protection assessments, lessons learned and  monitoring of protection related project indicators as required by programme.

9. Carry out duty travel as required for field visits, monitoring of services or partner organization sites.

10. Perform other duties as may be assigned by the Head of Sub-Office and Protection Officer.

• School diploma with seven years of relevant experience; or, 

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, International Relations/Affairs, Research, Law or a related field  from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience. 

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

• Experience in protection case management (including for survivors GBV and human trafficking, children at risk) in humanitarian or migration contexts.

• Experience working with vulnerable persons, ideally including returnees or deported migrants, who have complex needs.

  Experience with referrals and coordination with local protection actors, NGOs, or government services.

• Experience working in programs that include a movement operations component is an advantage.

• Experience with IOM or other UN agencies, particularly working on assisted voluntary return and reintegration programs, is preferred. 

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, required to be fluent Spanish and working knowledge in English 

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.

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 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.

IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment system (for internal candidates link here). The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.

No late applications will be accepted. 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