Programme Officer (Protection)

Position Title: Programme Officer (Protection)

Duty Station: Kabul, Afghanistan

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P2

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

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 21 June 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.

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; Kingdom of Eswatini; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the); Madagascar; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Seychelles; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Timor-Leste; 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) has been present in Afghanistan since 1992 and works in close partnership with national and local government institutions, non-governmental agencies, community organizations and the donor community to address pressing and complex challenges in migration management, to respond to the needs created by humanitarian emergencies in the country and to ensure improved living conditions for vulnerable communities.

IOM currently implements a range of humanitarian assistance, community stabilization, development, and migration management initiatives in Afghanistan, in cooperation with government and humanitarian partners as well as local communities. The Covid-19 pandemic critically affects Afghanistan and created or exacerbated protection risks for undocumented migrants, requiring additional expertise within the Protection Programme.

Under the overall supervision of the Emergency Coordinator and direct supervision of the Programme Coordinator (Protection), and in coordination with the Protection Assistants, the Programme Officer (Protection) will be responsible for supporting the implementation of protection monitoring, advocacy, and communication activities of Protection Programme of IOM Afghanistan Country Office (CO).

The Programme Officer (Protection) will ensure synergies with concurrent protection programming in country. In doing so, the Programme Officer (Protection) will work in an integrated manner with the Afghanistan Protection Cluster, relevant protection-related working groups, the Afghan Government and its provincial and district authorities. In addition, the Programme Officer (Protection) will closely collaborate with the Case Management and Remote Protection Officer to support Afghanistan CO through provision of protection mainstreaming expertise to other units.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Support Protection programming related to Protection Monitoring, Advocacy and Communications across Afghanistan CO and provide expertise to other IOM units on Protection Mainstreaming, including safe programming.
2. Analyse protection assessments to elaborate protection monitoring reports, key advocacy messages, communication products, protection strategies and Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs).
3. Support the development and maintenance of data collection and analysis mechanisms for IOM’s protection-related projects and share relevant information with partners within the humanitarian community, in line with IOM’s protection of data policies. Existing mechanisms may need adaptation to the Covid-19 context.
4. Participate in and contribute to inter-agency Protection fora (e.g., Protection Cluster, Child Protection Sub-Cluster, Gender-Based Violence Sub-Cluster, relevant task forces) as needed with strategic and operational input.
5. Mentor and support protection staff on protection monitoring, advocacy, and communication, including creation or adaptation of tools to the Covid-19 context.
6. Under the lead of the Programme Coordinator (Protection) and in coordination with the Case Management and Remote Protection Officer, support capacity building efforts among field-based personnel on IOM protection SOPs and internal guidelines, protection mainstreaming standards and practices, and international protection standards (e.g., Sphere, IASC Protection policies and guidelines, Child Protection Minimum Standards, International Committee of the Red Cross Professional Protection Standards, etc.). Emphasis should be put on building capacity of Covid-19 response staff in Protection principles to ensure surge staff are trained and able to implement in a safe manner.
7. Undertake regular duty travel as required, including to the borders with Pakistan and Iran and the Sub-Offices where the Protection Programme is active in order to develop and/or support programme implementation.
8. Prepare at least four products over three months: a protection monitoring report, advocacy products (including private advocacy and summary of protection incident reports), and communication products (e.g., case studies).
9. Develop or update tools for case studies, including photos, and train all IOM Protection staff on undertaking safe and dignified advocacy and communications.
10. In coordination with the Case Management and Remote Protection Officer, train IOM staff and partners responders on Protection Mainstreaming.
11. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Political or Social Sciences, Law, International Relations 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

• Professional Experience in the fields of migration, internal displacement, and refugeeassistance;
• Professional Experience in General Protection programming, including protection monitoringand protection advocacy;
• Professional Experience in emergency operations and liaising with other UN and non-UNhumanitarian actors;
• Professional Experience building staff capacity in Protection topics, including developing anddelivering Protection-related trainings in conflict, post conflict and emergency context;
• Experience developing monitoring tools for Protection programming and carrying out protectionanalyses;
• Experience writing reports and other information products; and,
• Working experience in the Region is an asset.

Skills

• Knowledge of the humanitarian architecture, especially in relation to Protection coordination structures;
• Understanding of complex socio-political environments;
• Knowledge of the Afghan conflict and return/displacement dynamics and the impacts on the affected population;
• Strong planning, coordination and information management skills;
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including ability to work in a multi-cultural environment;
• Sound ability to communicate practical knowledge on actions to address Protection issues at the operational level;
• Demonstrated ability to analyze data for use in reporting, advocacy and communications products;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships with relevant Government counterparts, international organizations, local implementing partners and other relevant stakeholders; and,
• Strong writing and communication skills.

Languages

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

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