Back Project Associate (Protection)

Applications are welcome from internal and external candidates. 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, internal candidates are considered first-tier candidates.
 

Established in 1951, IOM is the leading intergovernmental organization in the field of migration and works closely with governmental, intergovernmental, and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting human and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

IOM Ethiopia's vision is to place the rights and well-being of migrants at the centre of its interventions, adopting a preventive, protective, and responsive approach. Its protection interventions in Ethiopia follow a six-pillar intervention that includes direct assistance to migrants, displaced persons and affected communities, thematic guidance, capacity development, advocacy, and research. The Protection Unit (PXU) works closely with the government of Ethiopia and various stakeholders in emergency, displacement, and migration settings to reduce protection risks and address the needs of vulnerable individuals and communities. IOM is guided by rights-based approaches across our migration programming, demonstrating commitment to the safeguarding of vulnerable groups.

Within PXU, and under the Migrant Protection and Assistance sub-unit, non-emergenciies, programming areas include Counter-trafficking, Assistance to Vulnerable Migrants (AVM), and Community Outreach. 

IOM’s CT work focuses on prevention, protection, prosecution, and partnership-strengthening, grounded in data, research, survivor engagement, and policy. It employs case management services, capacity development for service provision and protection, and referral systems, among others, with the aim to support the Government of Ethiopia’s efforts to combat the crime, improve the protection of trafficking victims, and follow international practices and trauma-informed approaches.

IOM, through its Migration Response Centres (MRCs), provides vulnerable migrants with protection and assistance delivering needs-based assistance and referrals, prioritizing victims of trafficking, children in situations of vulnerability, and those with health needs. IOM’s MRCs are strategically located on the key migratory routes in Ethiopia, with three on the Eastern Route, one on the Southern Route, and the final one on the Northern Route. These MRCs provide, often, lifesaving assistance and tailored protection support to migrants that have been returned, stranded, or otherwise find themselves in very difficult situations.

Through its Community Outreach and behavioural change area of work, communities are empowered to actively engage in protecting vulnerable groups, report on human traffickers, and become agents of change in reducing irregular migration. This supports communities to explore and access alternatives to unsafe and perilous journeys on the different migratory routes throughout Ethiopia. Due to the Community Conversations platform, strong community leaders have emerged, and norms and attitudes perpetuating irregular migration situations are challenged.

Under the overall supervision of the Programme Officer (Protection Emergencies), and direct supervision of the National Officer (Protection), the successful candidate will support in the implementation of the activities under the Protection Non-emergencies portfolio, including the MRCs, Counter-trafficking, and Community Outreach work. The selected candidate will also be required to provide additional support as necessary to other protection teams, including the Return and Reintegration teams, Protection Emergencies, Policy and Liaison, and support coordination with other programmatic units in the mission.

In particular, he/she will undertake the following responsibilities and accountabilities.

1. Assist in the implementation and monitoring of project activities. 
2. Retrieve, compile, summarize, analyse, and present information/data on specific project topics.
3. Monitor budget; verify availability of funds; obtain necessary approval and update budget related information. 
4. Act as focal point for administrative coordination of project implementation, involving extensive liaison with diverse organizational units and external parties to initiate requests, obtain necessary clearances, process and follow-up on administrative actions, etc.
5. Draft status reports, identifying shortfalls in delivery, bring them to the attention of the supervisor and suggest remedial actions.
6. Draft correspondence on project issues; prepare and update reports, briefing notes, graphics, statistical tables, presentation and other forms of documentation. 
7. Respond to complex information requests and inquiries; set up and maintain files/records; organize meetings, workshops and training sessions; 
8. Participate in meetings and conferences; assist in coordinating implementation activities with local authorities, partners, United Nation agencies, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, donors and other stakeholders relevant to the project. 
9. Assist in monitoring work of implementing partners and report non-compliances to the supervisor.
10. Provides guidance/training to new/junior staff. 
11. Perform other related duties as assigned. Education
    • School diploma with five years of relevant experience; or,

    • Bachelor’s degree in Political or Social Sciences, International Relations, Development Studies, Migration Studies, Human Rights, Law or related fields from an accredited academic institution with three years of relevant professional experience.Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database. Experience

      • Experience in liaising with governmental authorities, national/international institutions, United Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations; 

      • Experience in working with migrants, refugees, internally displaced persons, victims of trafficking and other vulnerable groups; 
      • Prior work experience with international humanitarian organizations, non-government or government institutions/organization in a multi-cultural setting is an advantage; and
      • Experience in humanitarian and/or development programming relating to migration, refugee, and internally displaced persons (IDP) issues.Skills
        • Good knowledge on broad range of migration-related subject areas including assistance to vulnerable migrants, community outreach, and other migrant proteciton areas
        • Excellent interpersonal, cross-cultural and diplomatic skills and the ability to lead and work collaboratively with a diverse team
        • Ability to deliver effective capacity building on migrant protection, trafficking, and community-based protection topics and areas for protection and non-protection teams, as well as partners including local government and partners
        • Solid reporting and organizational skills, and ability to be flexible and work well under pressure in a fast-paced and detail-oriented team environment
        • Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, SharePoint, and PowerPoint
        • Sound knowledge of IOM protection standards and frameworkLanguages

          REQUIRED

          • For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written).

            DESIRABLE

            • Working knowledge of Amharic is desirable.IOM’s official languages are English, French and Spanish.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 three 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 1)
    • Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
12. Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.