Context:

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is the UN Migration Agency committed to the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits migrants and society. Established in 1951 and now active in over 400 field locations worldwide, IOM works with partners, governments, communities and civil society to:

• Assist in meeting the operational challenges of migration and mobility.


• Advance understanding of migration issues.


• Encourage social and economic development through migration; and,


• Uphold the human dignity and well-being of migrants and mobile populations.

IOM’s Protection unit in the Regional Office contributes to promoting and upholding the rights of migrants, host communities and other vulnerable populations; addressing protection risks and supporting governments to manage migration in a rights-based manner by implementing preventive, responsive and remedial actions. These actions are implemented through six operational pillars: thematic guidance, direct assistance, convening and dialogue, advocacy and communication, training and capacity building and data, research, and learning, while adhering to the division’s core commitments of protection mainstreaming, accountability and inclusion, sustainability and systemic change and partnership and coordination. The Protection Division (PXD) oversees development of policy and technical guidance in these areas, provides programmatic support to IOM missions, and implements relevant protection and assistance interventions.

The protection unit at the regional office supports IOM country missions in the delivery of protection interventions across the six pillars. In addition, the unit supports the coordination and implementation of protection activities in regional programmes including the Migrant Protection Return and Reintegration Programme, Better Migration Management Programme, Africa

Regional Migration Programme and the Migrant Response Plan for the Horn of Africa and Yemen (MRP). The MRP is a migrant-focused humanitarian and development response strategy for vulnerable migrants from the Horn of Africa traveling along the Eastern and Southern Routes. The protection unit coordinates protection interventions along the route through the Migrant Protection Working Group (MPWG).

Under the overall supervision of the Regional Director and the direct supervision of the Senior Regional Protection Specialist, the Regional Protection Officer will be responsible for providing technical, administrative and logistical support for the implementation of protection activities in the region, including coordination of the Regional Migrant Protection Working Group and the implementation of its priorities

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

• Provide technical inputs and support to IOM staff, government, partners and other relevant actors in their development and implementation of protection assessments that enhance understanding of protection needs, risks and vulnerabilities and translate findings into tangible actions to inform policy programming and policy development and implementation.


• Evaluate training needs on protection in the region with a focus on IOM staff, government counterparts, partners and other relevant actors; recommend a capacity building plan and support its implementation.


• Provide technical and administrative support for the coordination and functionality of the Regional Migrant Protection Working Group in close consultation with relevant participants at country and regional level including agency staff, humanitarian and development partners, governments and donors.


• Participate in inter-agency regional protection fora (e.g., protection working group, child-protection network, regional Gender-Based Violence working group, relevant task forces, etc.) and follow up on IOM’s contribution into relevant processes and joint initiatives.


• Support coordination of protection interventions across regional protection programmes to facilitate complementarity, synergies, and avoid duplication. In addition, support programme managers in the implementation of regional activities and in particular, the application of protection guidelines and standards.


• Assist in standardizing the application of protection related tools, guidelines and policies in protection programming, advocacy and policy development.


• Support the implementation of protection assistance and interventions, including case management, development of protection tools and guidance, ensuring safe programming in line with Inter Agency Standing committee (IASC) Guidelines on Protection and IOM’s Gender


• Based Violence in Crisis (GBViC) and relevant Frameworks.


• Provide surge support to help advance targeted protection programming as well as protection mainstreaming in crisis/emergency situations.


• Participate in the development of regional and country projects and programmes; review proposals and reports for consistency and accuracy and facilitate information exchange on policy and operational aspects of the projects between IOM, partners, donors, and other stakeholders


• In close collaboration with regional and country programme teams, coordinate assistance to individual cases of concern and facilitate the delivery of protection and assistance.


• Contribute to knowledge management by compiling and sharing information on protection tools and best practices.


• Undertake duty travel as needed in support of the implementation of various protection initiatives in the countries covered by the region.


• Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:
Education

• Master's degree in International Law, Development Studies, Political Science, International Relations, Social Studies, 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.

Experience

• Previous work on protection (e.g., child protection, GBV, counter-trafficking, Return and Reintegration) including in the provision of direct assistance to vulnerable groups;


• Experience in translating protection policies to activities highly desirable;


• Experience in working with teams, guiding and delivering trainings;


• Experience working with donors and specialized international agencies (UN Agencies, International Organizations, and International NGOs);


• Experience in project management and monitoring and evaluation an asset; and,


• Experience in regional coordination between different stakeholders highly desirable.

Skills

• Efficiency, flexibility, high level of professionalism and ability to work under pressure and adhere to strict deadlines;


• Ability to work effectively and harmoniously with colleagues from varied cultures and professional backgrounds;


• Ability to guide and support protection staff in country offices;


• In-depth communication and interpersonal skills as well as excellent strategic and creative thinking;


• Demonstrated writing skills; and,


• Good understanding of regional migration trends and dynamics.

Languages

• IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish. All staff members are required to be


• fluent in one of the three languages.


• For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of French and any local languages spoken in the region is an advantage.


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