Regional Protection Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) was established in 1951 and is a Related Organization of the United Nations. It is the leading UN agency in the field of migration, working closely with governmental, intergovernmental, and non-governmental partners. IOM's mission is to promote humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all, saving lives and protecting people on the move. The organization drives solutions to displacement and facilitates pathways for regular migration while providing services and advice to governments and migrants. IOM is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive, and supportive workplace where all employees can thrive professionally and feel valued. The organization operates in numerous countries worldwide, focusing on various aspects of migration and humanitarian assistance, and aims to harness the full potential of migration to strengthen its support to people on the move.

Job Overview:
The Regional Protection Officer will play a crucial role in the IOM's efforts to provide protection services to migrants in the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region. This position involves working closely with the Deputy Regional Director for Operations and the Senior Regional Migrant Assistance Thematic Specialist, as well as collaborating with IOM Global Office in Washington, D.C., and relevant Country Offices. The officer will be responsible for drafting and reviewing protection assessments, identifying risk mitigation strategies, and ensuring high-quality outcomes for migrants. The role requires participation in coordination mechanisms, providing thematic support to Country Offices, and representing the Regional Office in technical meetings. The officer will also contribute to the design and development of project proposals and activities, support case management coordination, and deliver specialized training on assisted voluntary return (AVR) and protection interventions. This position demands a proactive approach to identifying emerging operational priorities and adapting to various operational and cultural contexts.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Regional Protection Officer include:

• Collaborating with the Regional Office and IOM Global Office to draft and review protection assessments, identifying risk mitigation strategies.
• Providing technical guidance and support to national and international protection staff in the LAC Region to ensure high-quality outcomes for migrants.
• Ensuring appropriate coordination in line with IOM and interagency standards and participating in relevant coordination mechanisms.
• Offering remote and in-person thematic support to Country Offices, ensuring a coherent approach across all interventions.
• Representing the Regional Office in technical meetings and forums with donors, partners, and stakeholders.
• Identifying emerging operational priorities and contributing to project proposals and activities.
• Supporting case management coordination and providing technical input for complex AVR cases.
• Developing and delivering specialized training on AVR and protection interventions.
• Contributing to the exchange of lessons learned and best practices at the regional level. 1
• Performing other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in Social Sciences, International Relations/Affairs, Research, Law, or a related field from an accredited institution, along with five years of relevant professional experience. Alternatively, a Bachelor’s degree in the same fields with seven years of relevant experience is acceptable. Candidates should have experience working with migrants, civil society, and governments, as well as in multicultural and multidisciplinary teams. Proven experience in supporting protection programming and mainstreaming protection across operations is essential, preferably across multiple countries. Experience in providing protection and assistance to migrants in vulnerable situations and working in return and reintegration programs is also required. Additionally, experience in capacity building, training delivery, and the development of operational tools and guidance is preferred, along with experience with IOM or other UN agencies and specialized protection programs.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master’s degree in Social Sciences, International Relations/Affairs, Research, Law, or a related field from an accredited academic institution. Alternatively, a Bachelor’s degree in the same fields is acceptable if accompanied by seven years of relevant professional experience. Accredited universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database, ensuring that candidates have received their education from recognized institutions.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have a minimum of five years of relevant professional experience if they hold a Master’s degree, or seven years if they hold a Bachelor’s degree. Experience should include working with migrants, civil society, and governments, as well as in multicultural and multidisciplinary teams. Candidates should have proven experience in supporting protection programming and mainstreaming protection across operations, preferably in multiple countries. Experience in providing protection and assistance to migrants in vulnerable situations, as well as working in return and reintegration programs, is essential. Additionally, experience in capacity building, training delivery, and the development of operational tools and guidance is preferred, along with experience with IOM or other UN agencies and specialized protection programs.

Languages:
IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish. All staff members are required to be fluent in one of these languages. For this position, fluency in both English and Spanish is required, both oral and written. A working knowledge of another official UN language, such as Arabic, Chinese, French, or Russian, is considered an advantage. The proficiency of the required languages will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Additional Notes:
The position is classified as internationally recruited professional staff, which requires mobility. Candidates should refer to the IOM Job Category guidance for more information. Any offer made to the candidate is subject to funding confirmation. The selection process may be used to staff similar positions in various duty stations, and recommended candidates will remain eligible for appointment in a similar position for a period of 24 months. Appointment is subject to all clearances, including medical and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security checks, as well as any residency or visa requirements. The vacancy closes at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date, and late applications will not be accepted. IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, including sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment, and discrimination. IOM is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. The organization conducts reference checks and background verification to ensure candidates have no record of misconduct. IOM does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process and only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM WAVE system.