Position Title: Regional (SSA) Protection Officer

Duty Station: Dakar, Senegal

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P3

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

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 14 August 2023

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.

Context:

Irregular migration along the Mediterranean route is increasingly dangerous for migrants. Crossing the Mediterranean is by far the deadliest route, with 1 death recorded for 35 arrivals (IOM, 2016). In addition, human trafficking and other exploitative practices along the route are heavily affecting migrants during their migratory journey especially along the Mediterranean routes.

To meet these challenges IOM, with support from the European Union (EU), has developed targeted interventions in 16 countries (Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan and The Gambia) to protect the security, dignity and rights of migrants along this important and dangerous migration route and to help in improving the reintegration of returnees through an innovative approach. This will be achieved through different types of interventions including protection and assistance to vulnerable and stranded migrants, provision of direct assistance through search and rescue support, identification, referral and direct assistance to vulnerable migrants, assistance for voluntary return, and support for sustainable reintegrationin the communities of origin. The aim is to strengthen the technical and material capacities of authorities and organizations involved in these areas so that they can ultimately take over the policies and programmes related to the protection and reintegration of migrants developed and/or strengthened in the region, with a view to improving the governance of migration in the region.

Under the overall supervision of the Regional Director, and the direct supervision of the Senior Programme Coordinator in Dakar, the Regional (SSA) Protection Officer is responsible for coordinating migrant assistance and protection activities in the targeted Sub-Saharan Africa region and assisting regional and national authorities and technical partners to formulate protection policies for migrants in distress, victims of trafficking and smuggling, unaccompanied minors, migrants and displaced persons in need of psychosocial and mental health support. Activities will be carried out in coordination with the United Nations, coordinated humanitarian strategies and government counterparts.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Oversee the overall planning and development of migrant protection activities in the countries covered by the programme, in due coordination with involved IOM field offices and relevant Departments in IOM Headquarters.
2. Carry out assessments of migrant protection and assistance needs at the programme level, identify problems/gaps and propose/prioritise timely practical actions to respond to particular protection problems in coordination with the relevant Regional Thematic Specialists on Protection.
3. In coordination with the Regional Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Officer, support IOM country offices in setting up and ensuring case-management processes and protocols related to referral and treatment (e.g. screening, interview, counselling, referral or assistance, depending on programme capacities), in line with IOM standards and guidelines.
4. Support IOM country offices in the establishment of referral mechanisms and in the selection and monitoring of implementing partners in charge of providing protection services in line with IOM standards and guidelines.
5. Support IOM field offices in the establishment and management of transit centres for migrants and shelters for victims of trafficking in line with IOM counter-trafficking and protection standards.
6. Respond to requests for information on migrant protection programming in targeted Sub-Saharan Africa countries as requested by donors/external parties, IOM Missions, Regional Offices, Headquarters and other relevant counterparts.
7. Review proposals and reports related to migrant protection activities prepared by IOM field offices for consistency and accuracy and ensure proper information exchange on policy and operational aspects of the projects between IOM, donors and other stakeholders.
8. Ensure knowledge management in the region by building a regional repository of protection tools and best practices.
9. Assess training needs on protection issues and need for capacity building among IOM staff and relevant counterparts (government, civil society).
10. Develop and deliver relevant training curricula to IOM’s staff and relevant counterparts at the regional and at the national level in coordination with HQ and ROs.
11. Represent IOM in programme related meetings and conferences on a national and international level; guarantee that the Organization’s priorities, goals and positions are properly represented, and new conceptual ideas and initiatives introduced and discussed with IOM’s counterparts.
12. Participate in inter-agency protection fora (e.g. protection cluster, child-protection sub-cluster, Gender-Based Violence sub-cluster, relevant task forces, etc.) and establish partnerships to respond to protection needs of mobile populations.
13. Undertake duty travel as per need.
14. 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 five years of relevant professional experience; or
• University degree in the above fields with seven years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• Previous work experiecence on protection (e.g. child protection, counter-trafficking) including in the provision of direct assistance to vulnerable groups essential;
• Experience in managing teams, mentoring and delivering trainings required;
• Experience working with specialized international agencies (UN Agencies, International Organizations, and International NGOs) essential;
• Previous work experience in Sub-Saharan Africa preferred;
• Experience in project management and monitoring and evaluation an asset;
• Experience in regional coordination between different stakeholders an asset.

Skills

• Works effectively with local authorities, stakeholders, beneficiaries, and the broader community to advance country office or regional objectives;
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills as well as strong strategic and creative thinking;
• 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 supervise staff and coordinate administrative matters.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish.

For this position, fluency in English and working knowledge of French is required (oral and written).

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.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. For this staff category, candidates who are nationals of the duty station’s country and who do not have prior experience outside the duty station’s country as staff member in the Professional category 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 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.

How to apply

Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications HERE via PRISM, IOM e-Recruitment system, by 14 August 2023 at the latest, referring to this advertisement.

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

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

For further information please refer to: www.iom.int/recruitment

No Fees:

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.

Requisition: VN 2023 328 Regional (SSA) Protection Officer (P3) Dakar, Senegal (58280588) Released

Posting: Posting NC58280589 (58280589) Released

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