Senior Protection Associate (Community based Protection and Outreach)

Context 

The Central Mediterranean Route remains one of the most dangerous migration corridors globally, with significant protection concerns affecting vulnerable individuals transiting through and residing in Libya. According to IOM data, a considerable number of migrants continue to experience exploitative practices, necessitating protection services and comprehensive support, especially for those undertaking voluntary humanitarian return (VHR). The Voluntary Humanitarian Return (VHR) program, led by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), provides lifesaving, humane, and dignified assistance to foreigners stranded in crisis-affected countries, such as Libya. Established in 2015, the program facilitates safe and expedited return for vulnerable migrants, including women, unaccompanied children, the elderly, and medically vulnerable individuals. VHR operates on a rights-based, protection-centered approach, offering tailored support during migrants' stays, their return journey, and upon arrival in their home countries.

IOM protection work in Libya is multi-fold and aims to improve service delivery to populations in vulnerable situations including but not limited to survivors of gender-based violence, unaccompanied and separated children and victims of trafficking; implement community based protection programming to raise awareness and foster resilience; strengthen institutional mechanisms through capacity building and advocacy on topics such as counter trafficking and smuggling of migrants, child protection, access to education, and human rights; and advocate for the decriminalization of irregular migration and establishment of alternatives to detention, especially for migrants in the most vulnerable situations including but not limited to children, women and migrants with health needs.

Under the overall supervision of the Programme Manager- Assistance to Vulnerable Migrants and the direct supervision of the CBP Officer (P2), the Senior Protection Associate  (CBP and Outreach) will be responsible for the following duties and responsibilities

1. Support the Outreach and CBP officer in planning, implementation, and monitoring of outreach activities in migrant communities across Libya, in close synergy with IOM Libya Units including the Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) and relevant PxD teams.

2. Identify and mobilize migrants interested in IOM’s Voluntary Humanitarian Return (VHR) assistance, ensuring protection-sensitive engagement and respect for informed decision-making.

3. Support the Outreach and Community based Officer in planning and coordinating participatory and community-based protection interventions, in developing a community-based protection strategy, and planning community-based protection activities in close cooperation with relevant colleagues to ensure a coordinated and complimentary approach. 

4. In close coordination with the Outreach and Community based Protection officer and data teams, prepare and adapt tools to collect information on the capacities of migrant communities of concern and risks they face, notably in terms of child protection.

5. Coordinate with local community groups and networks to conduct community-based focus groups and participatory sessions related to protection notably, working closely with relevant teams as required.

6. Coordinate the provision of information on key protection topics including access to education.

   📚 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗮 𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯! 🌍🤝 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗨𝗡𝗛𝗖𝗥, 𝗪𝗙𝗣, 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗙, 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗦𝗦, 𝗨𝗡𝗙𝗣𝗔, 𝗜𝗢𝗠 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀! 🌐

   ⚠️ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐰: 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐚 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐍𝐎𝐖!

7. Supervise the team that will in conduct community-based protection activities in close coordination with the outreach team to provide information on services to migrants in a vulnerable situation.

8. Support the Outreach and CBP Officer in planning and coordinating the implementation of community-based protection activities that integrate protection principles, including Do No Harm, confidentiality, and inclusiveness, and ensure activities are implemented in line with IOM standards and SOPs.

9. Support the Outreach and CBP Officer in the design and dissemination of information materials and sessions on community-based protection and other relevant protection topics, ensuring that messaging is clear, accessible, and culturally appropriate.

10. Safeguard the confidentiality, accuracy, and integrity of all outreach and protection documentation, adhering to IOM’s data protection rules and code of conduct.

11. Ensure full adherence to core protection principles, including Do No Harm, confidentiality, and survivor-centred approaches, while upholding IOM’s gender equality commitments and PSEA policies.

12. Perform any other community-based protection-related duties as may be assigned by PxD management

    Education
    • Completed university degree from an accredited academic institution in Political or Social Sciences, Development Studies, Social Work, Human Rights, International Relations or Law, or other relevant field with five years of relevant experience, or
    • School diploma with seven years of relevant experience. Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database. Experience
      • Demonstrated management and leadership skills
      • Experience in the field of the community based protection and outreach activities.
      • Effective organizational skills and ability to establish priorities and plans, ability to work under pressure and cope with deadlines.
      • Demonstrated problem solving attitude and skills.
      • Good written and spoken communications skills, good interpersonal skills, ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.Skills

        • Knowledge of community based protection and outreach activities

        • Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing response plans and 

        • Fluent in English and Arabic, both written and spoken, knowledge of French is considered an advantage.

        • Good knowledge of MS Office applications Excel, Word, Outlook, etcLanguages

          • Fluency in English and Arabic is required. Working knowledge of French is an advantageIOM’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.
13. Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.Core Competencies – behavioural indicators (Level 2)
14. Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.