Chief, Humanitarian Protection Unit

Position Title : Chief, Humanitarian Protection Unit

Duty Station : Geneva, Switzerland

Classification : Professional Staff, Grade P5

Type of Appointment : Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date : As soon as possible

Closing Date : 09 April 2024

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

IOM is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. Read more about diversity and inclusion at IOM at www.iom.int/diversity.

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. External female candidates:
3. Candidate from the following non-represented member states:

Antigua and Barbuda; Barbados; Botswana; Cabo Verde; Comoros; Congo (the); Cook Islands; Dominica; Fiji; Grenada; Guinea-Bissau; Holy See; Iceland; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the); Madagascar; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Tonga; Tuvalu; Uzbekistan; Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:

All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM and female candidates.

Context:

The Protection Division within IOM leads on the Organization’s overarching goals on protection in line with the following objectives of the new Strategic Plan:

• Objective 1: Saving lives and protecting people in humanitarian crises and situations ofvulnerability;
• Objective 2: Driving solutions to displacement by addressing root causes, supporting transitions and promoting durable solutions; and,
• Objective 3: Facilitating pathways for regular migration.

Protection is also a cross-cutting priority of the Strategic Plan as enabler for the Objective 3 on regular pathways and that IOM adheres to the highest standards of protection mainstreaming, and accountability to affected populations across its operations and programmes.

In line with the IASC definition and Principals’ statement on the Centrality of Protection in Humanitarian Action, IOM is committed to placing protection at the core of all its actions, and will continue working with partners and stakeholders towards common protection outcomes. The Protection Division will support this commitment by providing strategic guidance, technical support, capacity building and coordination on protection issues, both internally and externally.

The Humanitarian Protection Unit (HPX) is located within the Protection Division and works very closely with Migrant Protection Unit (MPX). HPX is responsible for all protection interventions in contexts of emergencies, crises and transition, generated by situations of violence, conflict, or disaster, climate change or environmental degradation, that aim to address protection risks by preventing or responding to actual or potential violations of rights defined by relevant international instruments including human rights, refugee and humanitarian law.

Under the overall supervision of the Deputy Director General for Operations and direct supervision of the Director, Protection Division, the Chief, Humanitarian Protection Unit will be accountable for the Division’s humanitarian protection portfolio. Specifically, they will be responsible for leading and advancing IOM’s global migrant humanitarian protection policy and programming related to migrants in vulnerable situations. This includes IOM’s commitment on humanitarian response within IASC aiming to protect migrants and displaced persons from violence, exploitation and abuse notably on Child Protection, Gender-Based Violence, and anti-trafficking policy and programming.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Manage the humanitarian portfolio on protection including developing strategies, globalpolicies related to the protection and assistance of migrants in vulnerable situations, including victims of exploitation and migrant children. Contribute to the rollout of the new IOM’s Strategic Plan and the Protection Division Global Strategy in addition to providing advice and support to the development of Regional and Country Office Strategies.
2. Represent IOM and promote its policy vision and strategy with the IASC, Grand Bargain 2.0 forum, governments, civil society, and the private sector, as well as media organizations. Promote and facilitate inter-agency collaboration and contribute to relevant UN processes, such as the Inter-Agency Coordination Group against Trafficking in Persons (ICAT), the UN Network on Migration, and the 2030 Development Agenda.
3. Advise and provide substantial and technical inputs and guidance to governmentalcounterparts and internal stakeholders notably Regional Thematic Specialists (RTS) and Country Offices in the development of humanitarian protection programmes and proposals that fall within the Unit’s purview by leading capacity development to develop staff capacity and professionalize IOM’s expertise on protection mainstreaming and specialized protection services in humanitarian settings.
4. Contribute and strengthen compliance with policies and commitment on Protection fromSexual Exploitation and Abuse measures and its operational implementation and coordination with protection services.
5. Ensure regular liaison with, and participate in, meetings with governments, internationalorganizations, and private sector partners to set common policies and standards, promote cooperation, and raise funds for new programmes and projects.
6. Stay abreast of humanitarian protection issues and legal framework for migrants and IDPs byaddressing emerging issues, in close collaboration with Regional Offices, Country Offices, and relevant HQ Departments and Divisions.
7. Engage and actively participate in relevant international and regional fora and forge regionalpartnerships to advocate for key protection and mandate issues while engaging in cross-cutting protection-related matters including mixed movement, internal displacement and climate change/disaster-related displacement responses.
8. Lead the Unit’s priorities and activities. Direct and monitor the work carried out by the Unit in general and provide direct supervision of relevant staff members.
9. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in International Human Rights Law, Political Science, Social Science or arelated field with ten years of relevant professional experience; or,
• Bachelors degree in the above with twelve years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• At least ten years (twelve years for bachelor’s degree holders) of experience in humanitarianand protection work, with a focus on protection issues such as gender-based violence, child protection, and displacement, counter-trafficking including 4 years in managerial capacity;
• Experience in working in various regions and contexts, and in leading and managing protectionteams and projects for various organizations; and,
• Experience in capacity development on protection, complex programme development andimplementation experience, including budget management.

Skills

• Excellent knowledge of international humanitarian and human rights law and standards, and ofprotection principles and approaches; and,
• In-depth knowledge in the development of legislation and policy relating to the protection ofvulnerable non-national groups, such as asylum seekers and refugees, unaccompanied migrant children, or foreign victims of trafficking.

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 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.

Notes

Accredited Universities are the ones listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database (https://whed.net/home.php).

Required Competencies:

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 3

• 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 3

• 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.

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link.

https://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/about-iom/iom_revised_competency_framework_external.pdf

Competencies will be assessed during a competency-based interview.

Other:

Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile.

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 endorsed by the Appointments and Postings Board will remain eligible to be appointed in a similar position for a period of 24 months.

The list of NMS countries above includes all IOM Member States which are non-represented in the Professional Category of staff members.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and background verification and security clearances. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required for individuals hired on or after 15 November 2021. This will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.

Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.