Job Identification (Reference Number): 14942
Position Title: Chief, Protection and AAP Division
Duty Station City: Geneva
Duty Station Country: Switzerland
Grade: P-5
Contract Type: Fixed-term (1 year with possibility of extension)
Recruiting Type: Professional
Vacancy Type: Vacancy Notice
Initial duration: 1 year with possibility of extension
Closing date: 28 May 2025
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 atย IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration
This is an expedited recruitment process open only to:
a) internal candidates and
b) former IOM staff members who were separated in the last 12 months due to the structural adjustment process.
This process is not open to external applicants; their applications will not be considered at this time.ย
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Context:
The Protection and AAP Division within IOM is committed to achieving the Organization's primary objectives to (i) saving lives and protecting people in humanitarian crises and (ii) addressing displacement through sustainable solutions. IOM consistently adheres to the highest standards of protection mainstreaming and accountability to affected populations across its operations and programmes.
The Protection and AAP Division within the Department of Humanitarian Response and Recovery is responsible for providing comprehensive and integrated support on humanitarian protection, gender, and accountability to affected populations (AAP). The Division integrates protection principles into emergency responses, focusing on safeguarding migrants and displaced persons from violence, exploitation, and abuse. It emphasizes gender-responsive approaches, including prevention and response to gender-based violence (GBV), child protection, Protection Information Management, and Anti-trafficking measures. The Division ensures accountability by engaging affected populations in decision-making processes, promoting equitable access to services, and maintaining transparency. Through strategic guidance, capacity building, and collaboration with partners, the unit advances IOM's commitment to protecting human dignity and rights during crises.
The Division also plays a central role in ensuring that a humanitarian protection lens is applied across IOMโs institutional priorities and planning frameworks, including the Humanitarian Reset, UN80, the Solutions Agenda, and Migrant Response Plans, which are key to delivering humanitarian and recovery outcomes.
Under the direct supervision of the Director for Humanitarian Response and Recovery (DHRR), theย Chief, Protection and AAP Divisionย will be in charge of the Divisionโs Protection and AAP portfolio. Specifically, s/he will be responsible for leading and advancing IOMโs global migrant humanitarian protection policy and programming as well as institutional commitments on gender, persons with disability and AAP related to migrants and displaced persons especially in vulnerable situations.
The successful candidate is expected to carry out the duties in accordance with the strictest ethical standards and with due respect for gender and socio-cultural sensitivities.
Provide strategic leadership over the Protection, Gender, and Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) portfolio, ensuring the development and integration of global strategies and programming to support migrants and displaced persons in vulnerable situations. Emphasize inclusive approaches, particularly in relation to gender, persons with disabilities, victims of exploitation, and migrant children, in line with institutional mandates and cross-cutting objectives. Ensure a humanitarian protection lens is applied in key institutional processes and priorities such as the Humanitarian Reset, UN80, the Solutions Agenda, and Migrant Response Plans, as these are critical vehicles for delivering humanitarian and recovery efforts.Drive institutional alignment by contributing to the implementation of IOMโs Strategic Vision, specifically Objectives 2 and 3, and by supporting the rollout of the Divisionโs Global Strategy. Facilitate the development of regional and country-level strategies, ensuring coherence with global protection and inclusion priorities.Advise Senior Management and provide policy direction to HQ, Regional, and Country Offices on the mainstreaming of protection, gender, and AAP principles across IOMโs frameworks, programmes, appeals, and operations.Lead resource mobilization efforts by developing funding proposals and cultivating partnerships with governments, private sector entities, and philanthropic organizations, with a focus on expanding protection and AAP programming in both humanitarian and development contexts.Represent IOMโs protection and inclusion vision in key inter-agency and multilateral fora, including IASC coordination bodies, and engage with stakeholders on gender, localization, and disability inclusion. Build strong advocacy platforms with governments, civil society, and the private sector. Work closely with the Department of Mobility Pathways and Inclusion (DMPI) to strengthen institutional mechanisms for engagement on migrant protection needs, ensuring coherence with broader mobility and inclusion frameworks.Coordinate institution-wide efforts related to the operationalization of IOMโs key frameworks, including the Protection Framework, AAP Framework, UN System-Wide Action Plans (e.g., Gender Equality, Disability Inclusion), and other emerging initiatives in the UN system.Engage in high-level international and regional dialogue, forging strategic partnerships to promote key issues at the intersection of protection, gender, and accountability. Actively contribute to broader thematic areas such as internal displacement, durable solutions (HDPN), peacebuilding, mixed movements, and climate/disaster-related displacement. Collaborate with the Climate Action Division (CAD) to integrate protection and disaster risk reduction measures in climate-related interventions, including the development of legal pathways for climate-affected populations.Maintain up-to-date technical oversight of evolving protection, gender, and AAP developments, and their legal implications for migrants and IDPs. Foster collaboration with Regional and Country Offices, and HQ units, to ensure responsiveness to emerging needs.Provide direct technical and operational support to field missions, including through remote engagement and in-country visits. Support capacity-building, the development of standard operating procedures (SOPs), and the rollout of tailored training for field operations.Manage and oversee divisional priorities and deliverables, supervise staff under the Protection and AAP portfolio, and ensure quality control across the divisionโs workstreams. Oversee and coordinate the implementation of the IOM Child Safeguarding Policy, ensuring its integration across relevant operations and alignment with organizational protection standards.Contribute to IOMโs institutional reporting and visibility, including inputs to annual reports, donor briefings, statistical/narrative updates, and targeted communications for internal and external stakeholders.Perform other duties as may be assigned.ย
Required Qualifications and Experience
Education:
Masterโs degree in Political or Social Sciences, Law, International Relations, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with ten years of relevant professional experience; or,ย University degree in the above fields with twelve years of relevant professional experience.Accredited Universities are those listed in theย UNESCO World Higher Education Database.
Experience:
At least ten years of experience in humanitarian and protection work with a focus on gender mainstreaming, gender-based violence, AAP, and displacement;Goodย knowledge of international humanitarian and human rights law and standards, and of protection principles and approaches; and,Strong coordination experience within the UN system and amongst interagency partners, including governments, NGOs, and communities, and knowledge and understanding of theย IASC humanitarian architecture.Skills:
Effectively inter-faces with government officials of appropriate level on matters related to substantive migration, protection and gender and the work of IOM.Proven interpersonal and influencing skills, including the ability to successfully drive agenda and work effectively with senior level stakeholders.Proven track record of building strategic alliances within own organization and with external stakeholders.Sound knowledge of IOMโs program implementation and familiarity with IOMโs administrative, financial and business rules and practices.Knowledge of PRISM, PRIMA and other IOM Technial systems.Good computer literacy and communication skills.Ability to work with and maintain strict confidentiality, when necessary.Languages:
IOMโs official languages are English, French, and Spanish.ย
For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish) is an advantage.
Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.
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Required Competencies:
IOMโs competency framework can be found at thisย linkย Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.
Valuesย - all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these three values:
ย 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.ย
Core Competenciesย โ behavioural indicators Level 3
ย Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.ย Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.ย Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organizationโs 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.ย
Managerial Competencies โ behavioural indicatorsย Level 3
Leadership: Provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example and demonstrates the ability to carry out the Organizationโs 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.ย Strategic thinking and vision: Works strategically to realize the Organizationโs goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.Humility: Leads with humility and shows openness to acknowledging own shortcomings.ยย
Notes:
Open to internal candidates and previous IOM Employees only.
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.ย Recommended candidates endorsed by the Appointments and Postings Board will remain eligible to be appointed in a similar position for a period of 24 months.
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 theย IOM e-Recruitmentย systemย (for internal candidates linkย 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:ย IOM Careers and Job Vacancies