Protection Coordinator

Position Title: Protection Coordinator

Duty Station: Erbil, Iraq

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P3

Type of Appointment: Special short-term graded, six months with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 29 February 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. Candidates 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; Saint Lucia; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Tonga; Tuvalu; Uzbekistan; Vanuatu

Second-tier candidates include:

All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states.

Context:

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) In Iraq operates in camps, informal settlements, and areas of return and relocation to provide specialized protection assistance. IOM’s overarching goal on protection is to place the rights and well-being of migrants, including Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), regardless of their status, at the center of its operations. This means ensuring the protection of migrants across the full spectrum of migration management and governance. IOM uses a rights-based approach to identify and address needs in humanitarian and transition and development contexts seeking to secure individual and group rights and to create a society in which these rights are recognized and upheld.

Under the overall supervision of the Deputy Chief of Mission (DCoM), and direct supervision of the Head of Protection, the Protection Coordinator will be responsible for the management, implementation, coordination, execution, and monitoring of IOM Iraq Country Office’s (CO) protection projects, including but not limited to core protection activities and support in IDP camps, informal sites and areas of return. The Protection Coordinator will ensure synergies with concurrent protection programming in country. In addition, they will support Iraq CO through provision of protection mainstreaming expertise to other units aligned with the six pillar approach of the Protection Division (PXD).

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Manage and coordinate the development of IOM Core Protection activities with a view of ensuring centrality of protection in line with IOM policies and procedures applying and upholding standards in protection approaches and programming to ensure the rights and dignity of all persons and the reduction of protection risks, including resource mobilization and development under the Core Protection Unit Programme portfolio.
2. Strengthen and develop the capacity to deliver protection support and core protection activities including, but not limited to, protection assessments, protection monitoring and advocacy, general protection and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) case management.
3. Monitor, supervise, train, coach and oversee the work of the Core Protection Unit’s staff and closely coordinate with other relevant thematic divisions, to ensure consolidation and an harmonized response across thematic and geographical areas of intervention, as well as IOM procedural standards and policies.
4. Manage core protection related projects, activities and budgets, ensure appropriate selection of Implementing Partners (IPs), monitor IPs activities and agreements, provide technical guidance and capacity building and oversee accountable delivery of protection activities and services.
5. Analyze context and dynamics, assess opportunities and capacity for cooperation with national authorities, including local governments and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)
6. In coordination with the Head of Protection, support in representing Protection activities at relevant meetings and coordinate with national and international authorities, agencies and organizations regarding the planning and implementation of activities.
7. Undertake duty travel, as required and in line with prevailing security restrictions, related to programme implementation and oversight, staff training, and programme partners, to coordinate, develop and support programme implementation.
8. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Political or Social Sciences, Business Administration, Migration Studies, International Relations, Law or a related field from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience; or
• University degree in the above fields with seven years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• Experience in the field of migration, internally displaced person (IDP), and protection.
• Proven experience and expertise directly implementing and coordinating specialized protection programming in General protection, Prevention and Response to GBV, and/or Counter-trafficking through case management, individual protection assistance, community based protection.
• Demonstrated experience working with other sectors and partners in implementing, measuring and providing trainings on protection mainstreaming.
• Experience and expertise in Protection information management, more specifically in protection analysis, protection monitoring or results based protection are an asset.
• Experience with cash-based intervention and cash for protection.
• Working experience in Iraq or the region is an asset.

Skills

• Sound understanding of complex social-political environments.
• Knowledge of Global standards on Protection, GBV and Child protection, including for Unaccompanied and Separated Children (Best Interest Procedure), as well as on Counter-trafficking, Protection Mainstreaming and Protection Information Management.
• Knowledge of Iraq and regional dynamics and the impact on the affected population in Iraq.
• Knowledge of the project management cycle.
• Works effectively with local authorities, stakeholders, beneficiaries, and the broader community to advance the CO or regional objectives.
• Excellent report writing skills, as well as managerial & organizational skills.
• Advanced level of computer literacy.

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 Arabic or Kurdish or another official UN language (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

1 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 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.

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

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

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 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. For this staff category, candidates who are nationals of the duty station’s country cannot be considered eligible.

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.