Senior Thematic Associate (Protection)

Tags: international relations Law English Spanish UNESCO
  • Added Date: Tuesday, 08 April 2025
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Applications are welcome from internal and external candidates. 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, internal candidates are considered first-tier candidates.
ย  Context

The Protection Regional Thematic Unit (PXD RTU) operates under the Deputy Regional Director (DRD) for Operations to provide thematic expertise and guidance on the implementation of the IOM Strategic Plan. The PXD RTU acts as an extension of the Protection Division in IOM Headquarters (HQ) in the Regional Office (RO), supporting Country Office (CO) operations, programmes, and initiatives, as well as advocating IOMโ€™s strategic position on Protection. This support includes oversight, quality assurance, and technical backstopping, as needed. Furthermore, the PXD and other RTUs collaborate to provide evidence-based thought leadership to both internal and external stakeholders as part of regional and national efforts to save lives and protect people on the move, drive solutions to displacement, and facilitate regular pathways for migration. This includes representing IOMโ€™s PXD priorities in regional UN Networks on Migration and related GCM capacity building and review processes. Broadly, the PXD RTU works to identify opportunities and risks at the regional and national level, in collaboration with IOM HQ and COs. The PXD RTU also acts as a hub for knowledge and innovation, and promote policy, data, and research to further IOMโ€™s strategic plan. Internally, this includes promoting cross-thematic collaboration for a more comprehensive and holistic response to migration opportunities and challenges, and shared accountability for consistent, cohesive, and quality evidence-based programming in Sub-Regional Offices2 and COs. Externally, this includes advocacy and technical inputs on policies and programmes for regional bodies, Member States, the UN Network on Migration, and platforms under the leadership of the Regional Director (RD), the DRD for Operations, Chiefs of Mission (COM), and Heads of Office (HoO) as applicable. The PXD RTU are the first port of call for IOM COs on thematic expertise and institutional guidance for protection. They are also a key resource for external stakeholders on evidence-based protection, migration management, resilience, and governance, as well as opportunities and challenges posed by migration trends and dynamics in the region.

SUPERVISION

Under the direct supervision of the Regional Thematic Specialist โ€“ Protection (PXD RTS), and overall supervision of the Chief of Mission for South Africa and Sub-Regional Director for Southern Africa and in collaboration with relevant units in the Sub-Regional Office and Regional Office the Under the direct supervision of the Regional Thematic Specialist โ€“ Protection (PXD RTS), the incumbent will support the Regional Thematic Unit for Protection (PXD RTU), which operates with thematic guidance from the Protection Division in IOM Headquarters (HQ), to provide thematic expertise and resource mobilization support to Country Offices (COs); including: monitor and analyse regional thematic trends; support regional thematic project development; support thematic capacity development; and review and support project proposal endorsement processes related to PXD in the Region.ย 

๐Ÿ“š ๐——๐—ถ๐˜€๐—ฐ๐—ผ๐˜ƒ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ ๐—›๐—ผ๐˜„ ๐˜๐—ผ ๐—š๐—ฒ๐˜ ๐—ฎ ๐—๐—ผ๐—ฏ ๐—ถ๐—ป ๐˜๐—ต๐—ฒ ๐—จ๐—ก ๐—ถ๐—ป ๐Ÿฎ๐Ÿฌ๐Ÿฎ๐Ÿฏ! ๐ŸŒ๐Ÿค ๐—ฅ๐—ฒ๐—ฎ๐—ฑ ๐—ผ๐˜‚๐—ฟ ๐—ก๐—˜๐—ช ๐—ฅ๐—ฒ๐—ฐ๐—ฟ๐˜‚๐—ถ๐˜๐—บ๐—ฒ๐—ป๐˜ ๐—š๐˜‚๐—ถ๐—ฑ๐—ฒ ๐˜๐—ผ ๐˜๐—ต๐—ฒ ๐—จ๐—ก ๐Ÿฎ๐Ÿฌ๐Ÿฎ๐Ÿฏ ๐˜„๐—ถ๐˜๐—ต ๐˜๐—ฒ๐˜€๐˜ ๐˜€๐—ฎ๐—บ๐—ฝ๐—น๐—ฒ๐˜€ ๐—ณ๐—ผ๐—ฟ ๐—จ๐—ก๐—›๐—–๐—ฅ, ๐—ช๐—™๐—ฃ, ๐—จ๐—ก๐—œ๐—–๐—˜๐—™, ๐—จ๐—ก๐——๐—ฆ๐—ฆ, ๐—จ๐—ก๐—™๐—ฃ๐—”, ๐—œ๐—ข๐—  ๐—ฎ๐—ป๐—ฑ ๐—ผ๐˜๐—ต๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐˜€! ๐ŸŒ

โš ๏ธ ๐‚๐ก๐š๐ง๐ ๐ž ๐˜๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐‹๐ข๐Ÿ๐ž ๐๐จ๐ฐ: ๐๐จ๐ฐ๐ž๐ซ๐Ÿ๐ฎ๐ฅ ๐“๐ž๐œ๐ก๐ง๐ข๐ช๐ฎ๐ž๐ฌ ๐ก๐จ๐ฐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ ๐ž๐ญ ๐š ๐ฃ๐จ๐› ๐ข๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ž ๐”๐ง๐ข๐ญ๐ž๐ ๐๐š๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ ๐๐Ž๐–!

Support the PXD RTS to carry out capacity building, training, monitoring and evaluation and technical support to Country Offices in the Region on thematic areas of relevance to PXD.ย  Support the PXD RTS in the reviewing, endorsing and tracking of project proposals developed by COs in the Region.ย  Support the PXD RTS in the reviewing, approving and tracking of project reports developed by COs in the Region.ย  Identify emerging issues relevant to the thematic area, follow thematic developments at the regional and CO level and contribute to the development of thematic policy and reports in collaboration with the PXD RTS.ย  Together with the PXD RTS, serve as a resource person for COs in the Region by providing insights in the latest standards, guidelines (particularly for case management), policy and research developments at global, regional and country levels as well as best practices in project implementation.ย  In coordination with the Regional Project Development Officer (RPDO) and PXD RTS, support the development of projects that are regional/multi-country, for small COs, and for countries with no IOM presence.ย  Under the guidance of the PXD RTS, support with drafting and developing regional thematic guidance notes, information sheets, and tools together with other RTUs in the RO.ย  Prepare internal reports, presentations, talking points, speeches, statements and briefings as relevant to PXD as needed.ย  In coordination with the RPDO and the PXD RTS, contribute to ongoing knowledge management processes at the RO and COs in the Region, including sharing thematic related information between the COs and RO.ย  In the absence of the PXD RTS, ensure the continued functioning of the PXD RTU by coordinating incoming requests from internal or external partners.ย  Participate in conferences, workshops and meetings related to the thematic area of expertise, as required by the PXD RTS and/or the Deputy Regional Director (DRD) for Operations.ย  Perform any other duties as may be assigned. Education Bachelorโ€™s degree in Political or Social Sciences, Business Administration, Migration Studies, International Relations, Law, or related field with four years of relevant professional experience; or,ย  High School diploma with six years of relevant experience.ย  Accredited Universities are those listed in theย UNESCO World Higher Education Database. ย  Experience Experience in the field of migration issues, including operational and field experience, with project management and thematic experience;ย  Demonstrated expertise in protection;ย  Experience in liaising with governmental authorities, other national/international institutions, private sector and NGOs; and,ย  Work experience in protection in the region is an asset.ย  Skills Strong writing and analytical skills;ย  Takes responsibility for action and manages constructive criticisms;ย  Promotes continuous learning for self and others;ย  Listens and communicates clearly, adapting delivery to the audience;ย  Plans work, anticipates risks, and sets goals within area of responsibility;ย  Displays strong understanding of subject matter;ย  Knowledge of monitoring, evaluation, learning, project development and reporting;ย  Contributes to a collegial team environment; incorporates gender related needs, perspectives, concerns and promotes equal gender participation; and,ย  Displays awareness of relevant technological solutions Languages

For all applicants, fluency in English is required (oral and written).

DESIRABLE

Working knowledge of French, or Portuguese is an advantage

IOMโ€™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. ย  Required Competencies ย  IOMโ€™s competency framework can be found atย this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process. ย  Valuesย - 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. Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated. Core Competenciesย โ€“ 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 Organizationโ€™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. ย  Notes 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. This post is subject to local recruitment. Only those holding a valid residence and work permit for the country where this position is based will be eligible for consideration. Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, verification of residency, visa, and authorizations by the concerned Government, where applicable. 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 online recruitment system. The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application. For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies

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