Position Title: Protection Officer

Duty Station: Bangui, Central African Republic

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P2

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

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 09 July 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; Fiji; 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; Samoa; Sao Tome and Principe; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Tonga; Tuvalu; Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:

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

Context:

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission (COM) and direct supervision of the Programme Coordinator, and in coordination with the Resources Management Unit (RMU) and relevant Regional Thematic Specialist at Regional Office (RO) Dakar, the Protection Officer will be responsible and accountable for the effective and efficient implementation of project activities. They will collaborate and coordinate closely with Office of Staff Security (OSS) and the Resources Management Unit (RMU) on relevant matters related to the implementation of all protection related interventions in Central African Republic (CAR). They will also supervise project staff, monitor and follow up on the budgetary aspects, and ensure effective and timely implementation of project activities, contributing to the implementation of appropriate safety and security management procedures that will effectively address staff safety and the protection of IOM assets at field office level. The Protection Officer will facilitate synergies with concurrent protection programming in the Country Office and will work in an integrated manner with the national government, partner organizations and IOM Country Office (CO) in the Region, participating in resource mobilization and donor liaison efforts on protection projects, as well as facilitating protection mainstreaming across CAR Country Office.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Supervise and coordinate the implementation of protection related project activities.
2. Supervise and implement the operational activities of the protection projects and, in close coordination with the Programme Coordinator, COM, and RMU, closely monitor the budgetary aspects, recommending the administrative and staffing needs of the project as required.
3. Supervise the implementation of the work plan for the optimal execution of the project.
4. Maintain adequate liaison and coordination with relevant stakeholders (both internal and external). This includes obtaining and maintaining written approvals from the COM, Headquarters, Donors, Government Authorities and other stakeholders for modifications to the original and approved work plan, budget, implementation timeline and/or other project details.
5. Draft donor reports (both narrative and financial) with due coordination with the Resources Management Officer after approval by the COM (or equivalent), before submission to the donor.
6. Regularly conduct field monitoring visits and present lessons learnt in the form of sharable recommendations to relevant partners.
7. Draft portions of advocacy messages, protection strategies, Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs), harmonized approaches, and contingency plans.
8. Regularly participate and contribute to inter-agency protection fora (e.g. protection cluster, child-protection sub-cluster, gender-based violence sub-cluster, relevant task forces) with technical and operational inputs.
9. Participate in building the capacity of protection staff with respect to project implementation and administration, IOM protection procedures and internal guidelines, protection mainstreaming standards and practices, as well as international protection standards (Sphere, Child Protection Minimum Standards, International Committee of the Red Cross Professional Protection Standards, etc.). Support capacity building of implementing partners as appropriate.
10. Participate as a focal point for Gender, Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) and Respectful Working Environment, including conducting specific training/awareness raising sessions on relevant topics and issues.
11. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Political or Social Science, Business Administration, International Relations, Law, 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

• Experience in project implementation/support, liaison activities and capacity building related activities preferably in a developing country and/or post–conflict context;
• Previous related experience in the Central African Republic field operations is an advantage.

Skills

• Ability to coordinate and/or manage projects and monitor budgets , including grants administration;
• Ability to supervise multidisciplinary teams;
• Ability to work in dynamic, fast pace environment; Ability to formulate relevant programmatic inputs;
• Ability to work quickly and accurately and pay attention to detail;
• Excellent writing skills with the ability to analyses complex problems and identify and convey clear, rapid solutions;
• Excellent communication skills in multicultural environments;
• Knowledge of the broad range of migration-related subject areas dealt with by the Organization;
• Knowledge of international protection standards;
• Knowledge of case management principles an asset;
• Strong knowledge of data analytics programs is an asset.

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 and French is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of at least one local language 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 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 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. 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.