IOM Seeks Protection Officer

International Organization for Migration

International Organization for Migration seeks a special short-term graded protection officer for its Gaziantep, Turkey Duty Station.  The position is expected to last six-months with possible extension. IOM is the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of migration and works closely with governmental, intergovernmental, and non-governmental partners.

Most of the current IOM cross-border activities focus on NFI distribution, with protection activities only at an embryonic stage. GBV survivors, child labour cases, child and early marriages as well as trafficking cases remain under-identified, under-reported and under-addressed, and have been identified as areas of current and future work. Of particular concern are unspecified numbers of unaccompanied and separated children who are displaced and separated from their families for various reasons and do not get tracked nor assisted properly by the current operations inside Syria.

Under the overall supervision of the Head of Sub-Office in Gaziantep and the direct supervision of the Programme Coordinator, the successful candidate will contribute to the integration of protection considerations in on-going response operations as well as to the development of protection focused activities.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

  1. Regularly participate in inter-agency protection fora (e.g. protection cluster, child-protection sub-cluster, gender -based violence sub-cluster, relevant task forces, as well as Whole of Syria protection meetings happening in Turkey etc.).
  2. In consultation with the Programme Coordinator, ensure regular liaison with relevant HQ colleagues in Geneva and contribute to the development and follow-up of the IOM Whole of Syria protection component.
  3. Propose protection related variables to be included into assessments conducted by IOM (NPM) and support their analysis and treatment within IOM and other key protection actors.
  4. Ensure that IOM staff and IPs benefit from planned trainings organized by protection actors and gradually mainstream GBV, Child Protection and counter-human trafficking into other sectorial interventions (NFI and shelter, livelihood projects, transportation). In the absence of  planned trainings, deliver trainings directly to the benefit of implementing partners.
  5. Contribute to the management of projects, notably on identification, referral and assistance activities for children (special focus on unaccompanied and separated children), victims of human trafficking and exploitation, victims of gender-based violence and/or other survivors of violence, exploitation and abuse, in coordination with other colleagues and concerned protection actors.
  6. When needed and feasible, support the provision of responses to individual cases of concern and refer or treat them as appropriate (e.g. screening, interview, counseling, development of referral pathways or identify direct assistance options, depending on programme capacities).
  7. Support capacity building efforts among field based colleagues on both IOM protection modus operandi and internal guidelines, counter-trafficking IOM, protection mainstreaming standards and practices as well as international protection standards (Sphere, Child Protection Minimum Standards, ICRC Professional Protection Standards, etc.).
  8. Prepare regular reports covering protection activities; prepare briefing, statistical/narrative reports and background information as required including specific information requested by IOM and other entities.
  9.  Perform such other duties as may be assigned

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

  • Master’s degree in Political Science, Social Science 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 the field of migration, IDP (Internally Displaced Person) and refugee assistance and protection (including specific knowledge of GBV, Child Protection and Human Trafficking);
  • Experience in emergency operations and liaison with other UN and non-UN humanitarian actors;
  • Understanding of complex social-political environments;
  • Knowledge of the Syrian conflict and its impact on the affected population;
  • Knowledge of the humanitarian architecture, especially in relation to protection (focus on internal displacement, child protection, gender-based violence, identity documentation, etc.);
  • Understanding and knowledge of human trafficking phenomena;
  • Understanding of complex social-political environments;
  • Knowledge of the Syrian conflict and its impact on the affected population;
  • Working experience in the region is an asset;
  • Knowledge of the humanitarian architecture, especially in relation to protection (focus on internal displacement, child protection, gender-based violence, identity documentation, etc.);
  • Good level of computer literacy;
  • Proven ability to draft clearly and concisely in English;
  • Working experience in the region is an asset. Languages Fluency in English and working knowledge of Arabic is required. Working knowledge of Turkish is an advantage.

Deadline: 28 March 2017