Position Title: Protection Officer

Duty Station: Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

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: 27 October 2021

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; Aruba (Netherlands); Botswana; Cabo Verde; Comoros;Congo (the); Cook Islands; Cuba; Fiji; Gabon; Guinea-Bissau; Guyana; Holy See; Iceland; Kingdom of Eswatini; Kiribati; Lao People's Democratic Republic (the); Latvia; Libya; Luxembourg; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Montenegro; Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Samoa; Sao Tome and Principe; Seychelles; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Timor-Leste; Tonga; Tuvalu; Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:

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

Context:

The European Union (EU) and IOM developed the Joint Initiative for Migrant Protection and Reintegration in Africa (hereinafter “Joint Initiative”). This initiative aims to protect the safety, dignity and rights of migrants along the Central Mediterranean Route and to contribute to the improvement of the reintegration of returning migrants through an innovative approach. This will be achieved through different types of interventions, including protection and assistance to vulnerable and stranded migrants, assistance for voluntary return, support for sustainable reintegration into communities of origin, dissemination of accurate information on migration to migrants, potential migrants and communities, and data collection on migration flows. The Joint Initiative also aims 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, with a view to improving the governance of migration in the Region.

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission (COM), and the direct supervision of the Joint Initiative Project Manager, and with the thematic support of the Regional Specialist on Migrant Assistance, the successful candidate will be responsible for coordinating and implementing Migrant Assistance and Protection activities in Burkina Faso Country Office (CO). Activities will be carried out in coordination with the United Nations, coordinated humanitarian strategies and government counterparts.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

  1. Support the Project Manager in implementing all Protection aspects and deliverables of the joint Initiative (JI) Programme in Burkina Faso CO in a timely manner and according to the budget, work plans, technical requirements and expenditure.

  2. Contribute and provide technical inputs in planning, coordination, monitoring and reporting of protection portfolio activities.

  3. Contribute to the development of project proposals / concept notes for the development of new strategies and projects to expand the Protection portfolio in Burkina Faso CO.

  4. Carry out preliminary assessments of protection needs, identify problems/gaps and propose/prioritize timely practical actions to respond to particular protection problems.

  5. Regularly participate in inter-agency protection fora (e.g. protection cluster, child-protection sub-cluster, Gender -Based Violence sub-cluster, relevant task forces, etc.) and monitor the protection needs of mobile populations, as well as communities affected by mobility and their systematic reporting and resolution. Maintain good working relationship with both national and international partners in the area of protection, including the follow-up of existing partnership agreements.

  6. Coordinate assistance to individual cases of concern and facilitate referral and treatment (e.g.screening, interview, counselling, referral or assistance, depending on programme capacities).

  7. Contribute and provide support in coordination of the activities of the transit centers formigrants, as well as the Sub-Offices in coordination with relevant managers and the Chief of Mission.

  8. Supervise the Protection and Direct Assistance Team in both delivery of services, provide training and capacity building in the area of assistance and protection to stranded migrants, including return and reintegration services, counter-human trafficking and child protection.

  9. Draft periodic and regular reports covering protection activities, briefing, statistical/narrative reports and background information, as required, including specific information requested by Government and other relevant entities.

  10. Assess training needs on protection issues and need for capacity building among local authorities, local NGOs, International NGOs, the UN Country Team and other stakeholders.

  11. Communicate and co-ordinate with appropriate IOM units and Country Offices, including with psychosocial assistance, counter-trafficking and programmes assisting other vulnerable groups that are on-going within the CO, Regional Office for Central and West Africa in Dakar, Headquarters (HQ) and relevant counterparts.

  12. Undertake travel duties in line with prevailing security restrictions, related to protection assessments, liaison with counterparts and activity implementation, as required.

  13. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in International Law, Humanitarian affairs Development Studies, Political Science, International Relations, Social Studies 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 humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, protection and human rights;

• Experience in liaising with governmental authorities, other national/international institutions, and NGOs, as well as in the Region, is an asset;

• Working experience with an operational UN agency or a major international NGO/Organization in the field of protection and assistance of refugees, IDPs and migrants;

• Experience in project development and project management, humanitarian and migration-related activities, complex project implementation, budget drafting, research and report writing;

• Knowledge and working experience with victims of trafficking is an advantage;

• Previous work on protection (e.g. child protection, counter-trafficking) including in the provision of direct assistance to vulnerable groups; and,

• Experience in managing teams, mentoring and delivering trainings.

Skills

• Efficiency, flexibility, high level of professionalism and ability to work successfully in a fast-paced environment and adhere to strict deadlines;

• Ability to work effectively and harmoniously with colleagues from varied cultures and professional backgrounds;

• Demonstrated ability supervising staff and coordinating administrative activities;

• Knowledge of Protection and Protection Mainstreaming is an advantage;

• Knowledge of project proposal development is highly desirable;

• Ability to work effectively with local authorities, stakeholders, beneficiaries, and the broader community to advance country office or regional objectives;

• Excellent organizational and communication skills; and,

• Good understanding of regional migration trends and dynamics.

Languages

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

External applicants for all positions in the Professional category are required to be proficient in English and have at least a working knowledge of one additional UN Language (French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian or Chinese).

For all applicants, fluency in English and 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 three values:

Inclusion and respect for diversity: respects and promotes individual and cultural differences; encourages diversity and inclusion wherever possible.

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.

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 action 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 potential.

Empowering others & building trust: creates an atmosphere of trust and an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.

Strategic thinking and vision: works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.

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.

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

This vacancy is archived.

Recommended for you