Job Identification (Reference Number): 16493
Position Title: Protection Officer (Child Protection)
Duty Station City: Geneva
Duty Station Country: Switzerland
Grade: P-3
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: 17 September 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 at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration
For the purpose of this vacancy, the following are considered first-tier candidates:ย
ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย 1.ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Internal candidates
ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย 2.ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Candidates from the following non-represented member states:
Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Comoros, Congo (the), Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Guinea-Bissau, Holy See, Iceland, Kiribati, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Madagascar, Marshall Islands, Namibia, Nauru, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu.
Context
The Protection and AAP Division within theย Department of Humanitarian Response and Recovery (DHRR) is committed to achieving the Organization's primary objectives: (i) saving lives and protecting people in humanitarian crises and (ii) addressing displacement through solutions. IOM consistently adheres to the highest standards of protection mainstreaming and accountability to affected populations across its operations and programmes.ย
In line with the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) definition and Principals' statement on the Centrality of Protection in Humanitarian Action, IOM is committed to placing protection at the core of its action. The Humanitarian Protection Unit will support this commitment by providing strategic guidance, technical support, capacity building, and coordination on protection issues, both internally and externally.ย It is responsible for all protection interventions in crises contexts generated by situations of violence, conflict, or disaster, climate change or environmental degradation, that aim to address protection risks by preventing or responding to actual or potential violations of rights defined by relevant international instruments including human rights, refugee and humanitarian law.
Under the overall guidance of the Chief, Protection and AAP and direct supervision of the Senior Humanitarian Protection Officer, theย Protection Officer (Child Protection) will substantively support HPX's protection capacity.
Provide thematic guidance and support on Protection to different internal and global initiatives, events, projects, commitments, and the elaboration, review or contribution to policies, tools, strategies, papers, roadmaps, etc.-ย in line with IOM policies and frameworks as well as global Protection standards and principles (Global Protection Cluster and Areas of Responsibility, IASC Protection Policy, etc.), - as prioritized and in complementariness to the other expertise-set on the team.Support IOM field missions โ remotely and in-country through surge support- to strengthen protection analysis, strategy and reporting, and/or to ensure the integrity and quality of specialized protection with a focus on child protection, protection mainstreaming, and integration of protection programming, in line with global and IOM Protection principles and standards.ย Such support is prioritized within the Protection team and coordinated with relevant units and regional and country operations. It can consist of supporting missions in the implementation of specific activities, such as for example protection analysis, case management, protection mainstreaming, housing, land and property, etc. and can consist of conducting assessments, developing SOPs or frameworks, facilitating trainings or workshops, coaching staff, elaborating necessary tools or plan of action on protection etc. - in line with internal IOM approaches, policies and standards as well as global guidelines and minimum standards (e.g. Global Protection Cluster andย ย Areas of Responsibility (AoRs), IASC Protection Policy, etc.).Support consistent participation in relevant global protection foras such as Global Protection Cluster (GPC), AoRs, Alliance for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action (CPHA), etc, their technical task teams and/or working groups. Participate in prioritized inter-agency protection related fora, workshops, seminars, and other meetings ensuring consistent and coordinated contributions in line with IOM priorities and positioning.Review, provide recommendations and ย preliminary approval of IOM projects, reports, strategies and appeals with protection components. Where required, elaborate concept notes or proposals and support fundraising efforts for protection, based on analysis (needs, gaps, added value), and prioritization.Elaborate, complement, update, review and conduct/co-facilitate capacity building initiatives on protection or protection mainstreaming, in coordination with relevant units, divisions and regional and country offices, and in line with global and IOM standards and principles.Prepare communication, visibility materials and reports covering protection activities; prepare talking points, briefings, statistical/narrative reports, and background notes including specific information requested by IOM, Governments, and other entities. Support results-based protection reporting.Perform such other duties as may be assigned.Education
Masterโs degree in Human Rights, Political or Social Sciences, International Relations, Humanitarian Action / Cooperation & Development, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience; orUniversity degree in the above fields with seven years of relevant professional experience.Accredited Universities are those listed in theย UNESCO World Higher Education Database.
Experience
Demonstrated experience working in crisis, conflict, disaster, displacement and/or migration settings, for the protection of internally displaced persons, migrants or refugees;Demonstrated experience directly implementing protection programming in crisis, conflict, displacement settings. Preferred with specialized experience working in detention, on child protection, GBV, Counter-Trafficking in Emergencies, case management, advocacy, or protection monitoring, etc.;Demonstrated experience producing / contributing to guidance, tools, analysis, to support the implementation of protection programming in line with principles and standards;Experience supporting and coaching field teams on protection an advantage;Experience participating to IASC and protection cluster/sector coordination foras; and,Experience facilitating trainings to protection and non-protection audiences.Skills
In depth knowledge of standards and principles in Protection work, including in specialized thematics such as in Child Protection, Protection Information Management, Protection Mainstreaming, Gender-Based Violence, Housing, Land and Properties issues, etc.Excellent context analysis skills;Proactive coordination and teamwork capacities;Excellent communication and writing skills;Knowledge of IASC / humanitarian architecture, Global Protection Cluster and AoRs standards and guidance, and UN system;Knowledge in elaboration of protection and advocacy strategies;Knowledge of proposal writing and fundraising an advantage;Knowledge of Information Management and Data an advantage; and,Knowledge of adult learning standards and proven training skills.Languages
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.
IOMโs official languages are English, French and Spanish.ย All staff members are required to be fluent in one of the 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
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 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.ย Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.Core Competenciesย โ behavioural indicators Level 2
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.ย Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organizationโs priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.ย Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.ยย
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.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. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required for individuals hired on or after 15 November 2021. This will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.
Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.
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