Introduction
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 ensuring a workplace where all employees can thrive professionally, while working towards harnessing the full potential of migration. Read more about IOM's workplace culture at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration
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:
Internal candidates Candidates from the following non-represented member states:Second tier candidates include:
All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM.
Organizational Context and Scope
Established in 1951, IOM is the leading inter-governmental organization providing services to governments and migrants in the field of migration. With 173 member states and offices in more than 100 countries, IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. IOM is characterized by its strong field presence, its provision of services, including in very remote areas, advice to governments, and direct contact with crisis-affected communities.
Eight years have passed since the Rohingya were compelled to flee Myanmar due to systemic discrimination and violence. Despite ongoing support from the Bangladesh government and international aid, challenges persist, with stateless Rohingya largely reliant on humanitarian assistance and facing uncertain futures. Today, Cox’s Bazar hosts the world’s largest refugee settlement, with nearly one million Rohingya living in challenging conditions across 33 camps. These communities are grappling with not just the trauma of displacement but also the ongoing threats of gender-based violence, and trafficking in persons, and other protection concerns.
The IOM Protection Unit has been pivotal in addressing the urgent needs of these vulnerable populations. With specialized teams for Gender-Based Violence, Counter-Trafficking, General Protection, and Protection Research, the Unit’s integrated approach enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of the humanitarian response. The synergy among these teams fosters a deep, nuanced understanding of the dynamic and complex protection landscape in Cox’s Bazar, ensuring a proactive and responsive humanitarian operation.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is seeking a highly skilled and motivated individual to join its humanitarian protection operations in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, as the Counter-Trafficking Officer. Under the overall supervision of the Senior Protection Programme Coordinator, and in close coordination with the Head of Sub-Office & Senior Emergency Coordinator, and the Head of Operations, the Counter-Trafficking Officer will serve as the technical lead for counter-trafficking (CT) programming within the Protection Unit. The successful candidate will guide and supervise the work of IOM’s counter-trafficking teams in Cox’s Bazar, manage partnerships with implementing partners (IPs), and monitor activities in line with IOM’s global frameworks and inter-agency standards.
Provide technical leading and coordinate the planning, management, and monitoring of counter-trafficking programming in Cox’s Bazar, ensuring activities are implemented in line with IOM’s global frameworks, inter-agency standards, and humanitarian principles.Provide technical guidance and quality assurance to protection staff and implementing partners, ensuring survivor-centred approaches, safe referrals, and access to comprehensive services.Lead the Anti-Trafficking Working Group (ATWG) and promote strong inter-agency collaboration and coordination with other protection sectors.Support the shift toward greater responsibilities for implementing partners by supporting partnership coordination, providing technical guidance and capacity-building and monitoring quality and consistency of service delivery across camps.Lead the development of mobile counter-trafficking support teams and ensure they provide technical guidance across all 33 camps, including GBV and Child Protection caseworkers from other organizations.Serve as the Protection Unit’s liaison on people smuggling and irregular migration, supporting the Protection Coordinator by facilitating information sharing and maintaining regular communication with IOM’s regional colleagues and relevant stakeholders.Maintain and strengthen collaborative relationships with government authorities, civil society organizations, I/NGOs, UN agencies, and other relevant stakeholders.Design and deliver capacity-building initiatives for IOM staff, partners, and other stakeholders on counter-trafficking and integrated protection approaches.Ensure effective monitoring and reporting systems for counter-trafficking and irregular migration activities, producing high-quality reports for donors, stakeholders, and IOM management.Promote learning, documentation and dissemination of lessons learned to strengthen programming and contribute to global knowledge.Along with other P3s in the Protection Unit, serve as Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Unit during the absence of the Protection Programme Coordinator.Perform other related 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 five years of relevant professional experience; or,University degree in the above fields with seven years of relevant professional experience.Experience
Demonstrated professional experience in counter-trafficking within humanitarian contexts, including program oversight and survivor-centred approaches. This should include ensuring that identified individuals are safely connected to comprehensive services in line with survivor-centered approaches. Additional experience with GBV and/or Child Protection casework is an asset;Proven experience in working with and supervising caseworkers, social workers, or frontline protection staff, and providing technical guidance, capacity-building, and quality oversight;Experience analysing counter-trafficking and irregular migration dynamics and translating findings into strategies and advocacy;Experience designing and delivering training curricula for protection caseworkers and partners, including in areas such as safe referrals, accountability, and community engagement;Experience in liaising with governmental authorities, civil society, I/NGOs, UN agencies, and fostering collaborative partnerships to strengthen humanitarian protection responses; and,Demonstrated experience in international and inter-agency protection coordination mechanisms, including active leadership in relevant working groups.Skills
Strong programme management and coordination skills across complex, multi-site humanitarian operations;In-depth understanding of protection issues in humanitarian contexts, including displacement, conflict, human rights, and the protection of vulnerable populations, with a strong focus on refugees and internally displaced persons;Strong background in social work, humanitarian protection, or a related applied field, with hands-on experience supporting individuals and families at risk;Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively in multicultural and multidisciplinary teams;Technical capacity to support case management and protection programming, with ability to advise and train national staff;Strong analytical and writing skills, including ability to produce quality reports and translate analysis into strategies; and,Proven skills in building networks, leading coordination forums, and promoting collaborative solutions in humanitarian operations.Languages
IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish.
For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish), Bengali, and/or Rohingya is an advantage.
Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.
Required Competencies
IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.
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.Notes
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, security clearances.
Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.
IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities.
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.
IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment system (for internal candidates link here). The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies.