Job Identification (Reference Number): 15964
Position Title: Protection Officer (P)
Duty Station City: Niamey
Duty Station Country: Niger
Grade: P-2
Contract Type: Special Short Term Graded (Up to 9 months)
Recruiting Type: Professional
Vacancy Type: Special Vacancy Notice
Initial duration: 6 months
Closing date: 04 August 2024

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:

1. Internal candidates

2. Candidates from the following non-represented member states:
   Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Comoros, Congo (the), Cook Islands, Dominica, Federated States of Micronesia, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Holy See, Iceland, Israel, Kiribati, Madagascar, Marshall Islands, Namibia, Nauru, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:
All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM.

Context

Under the overall supervision of Senior Programme Coordinator, the direct supervision of the Programme Officer (Protection and Reintegration), the Protection Officer will be responsible and accountable for providing assistance in the implementation, monitoring and development of protection activities in Niger Country Office, including in emergency, with a focus on Counter-Trafficking, Child Protection and Gender Based Violence. The Protection Officer will also be responsible to foster protection mainstreaming into other areas of intervention (Assisted Voluntary Return & Reintegration, Emergency Responses, Immigration and Border Management, Peace and Recovery). Activities will be carried out in coordination with the United Nations, coordinated humanitarian strategies and government counterparts.

Responsibilities

1. Assist the Programme Officer (Protection and Reintegration) in the development and management (financial, reporting, operational) of programmes and directly manage projects assigned in compliance with donor and IOM institutional requirements.

2. Supervise the daily activities of protection team members in coordination with the Programme Officer (Protection and Reintegration) and the other Protection Officers. Organize and assist the team in achieving their tasks, provide technical guidance and training, and ensure compliance to IOM guidelines, policy and standards.

3. Facilitate protection mainstreaming (including Gender-Based Violence (GBV)) and integration of cross-cutting issues (disability, Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP), gender) in IOM regular programmes and crisis response activities (including assistance to returnees). This shall include tip sheets, guidance notes, communication/awareness tools, protection checklists for specific measures in different sectors, good practices, and more.

4. Supervise and coordinate the implementation of IOM Niger GBV in Crises (GBViC) action plan in consultation with relevant units.

5. Participate in inter-agency protection fora/meetings (e.g., protection, child-protection, gender-based violence, health and relevant task forces) when needed and monitor the protection needs of mobile populations as well as communities affected by mobility in coordination with the Programme Officer (Protection and Reintegration).

6. In close coordination with the Protection Officer in Agadez and the Assisted Voluntary Return Case Management Focal Point (FP) in Niamey, oversee the response to individual cases of concern and coordinate case management mechanisms and reporting.

7. Contribute to knowledge management and capacity development by providing technical expertise in the field of protection to colleagues and partners, implementing capacity building activities and producing briefs.

8. Support developing and maintaining strong working relationships with government authorities and partners and facilitate the timely and qualitative information sharing.

9. Contribute to improvement of the Protection Unit’s information management and communication capacities in coordination with Communication and Data & Research Units.

10. Undertake duty travel, in line with prevailing security restrictions, relating to project assessments, liaison with counterparts and project implementation, as required.

11. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Qualifications

Education

• Master’s degree in Humanitarian Affairs, Political Science, Law, Human Rights, Development 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.

Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.

Experience

• Experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, protection and human rights;

• Experience in counter-trafficking, protection/GBV in emergencies and familiarity with related coordination mechanisms;

• Experience with providing technical guidance and conducting capacity building on counter-trafficking, protection/GBV principles and approaches for various stakeholders (including non-Protection/GBV specialized staff, partners (e.g., national authorities, implementing partners, etc.);

• Experience in project management and coordination;

• Experience in liaising with governmental authorities, other national/international institutions and NGOs; and,

• Working experience with an operational UN agency or a major international NGO in the field of protection and assistance of refugees, internally displaced people, and/or migrants, is an asset.

Skills

• Ability to supervise a multidisciplinary teams;

• Ability to work in dynamic, fast pace environment;

• Ability to formulate relevant programmatic inputs;

• Ability to work quickly and accurately and pay attention to detail;

• Good writing skills with the ability to analyses complex problems and identify and convey clear, rapid solutions;

• Good communication skills in multicultural environments;

• Knowledge of the broad range of migration-related subject areas dealt with by the Organization;

• Knowledge of international protection standards;

• Knowledge of case management principles an asset; and,

• Strong IT skills and knowledge of data analytics programs is an asset.

Languages

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

Working knowledge of local languages is an advantage.

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish. All staff members are required to be fluent in one of the three languages.

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-Recruitmentsystem (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

How to apply

Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications HERE by 04 August 2025 at the latest, referring to this advertisement.