National Programme Officer (Protection)

Job Posting Organization:
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is a leading intergovernmental organization that provides services and advice concerning migration to governments and migrants alike. Established in 1951, IOM has grown to include 173 member states and operates in over 100 countries worldwide. The organization aims to promote humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all, focusing on the needs of migrants and the communities they inhabit. IOM's mission includes providing humanitarian assistance, supporting sustainable development, and fostering international cooperation on migration issues.

Job Overview:
The National Programme Officer (Protection) will play a crucial role in managing and overseeing protection operations within IOM's program in Pakistan. This position requires strategic leadership in coordinating a network of international and national protection implementing partners across various provinces, including Islamabad Capital Territory, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Sindh. The incumbent will ensure the quality and relevance of protection interventions, such as case management and community-based protection, while also leading the development of new protection projects. The role involves direct supervision of field teams, capacity development, and representation of IOM in inter-agency meetings, making it essential for the candidate to possess strong leadership and coordination skills.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the National Programme Officer (Protection) include:

• Providing strategic leadership and oversight of multiple protection implementing partners across Pakistan.
• Ensuring the quality and strategic relevance of protection interventions, including case management and legal protection.
• Identifying and establishing new strategic partnerships to enhance protection services.
• Leading the design and development of new protection projects in collaboration with the Programme Coordinator.
• Supervising protection field teams, ensuring effective coordination and performance management.
• Coordinating with Protection Team Leaders to define programmatic priorities and streamline advocacy efforts.
• Designing and implementing capacity development strategies for field staff.
• Representing IOM in relevant inter-agency meetings and contributing to the articulation of IOM's protection vision.
• Undertaking regular duty travel for program implementation and oversight. 1
• Performing other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree in Humanitarian Affairs, Political Science, Law, Human Rights, Development Studies, Social Sciences, or a related field, along with five years of relevant professional experience. Alternatively, a Bachelor's degree in the aforementioned fields with seven years of relevant experience is acceptable. The position requires extensive experience in protection IP management, coordination, and overseeing multiple protection interventions, particularly for displaced Afghan communities in Pakistan. Strong skills in developing management processes and monitoring tools are essential, as well as experience in engaging with protection coordination mechanisms and liaising with government stakeholders and NGOs.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master's degree in relevant fields such as Humanitarian Affairs, Political Science, Law, Human Rights, Development Studies, or Social Sciences from an accredited institution. Candidates with a Bachelor's degree in these fields must have additional years of relevant professional experience to qualify for the role. Accredited institutions are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have extensive experience in managing and coordinating protection implementing partners, particularly in complex operational environments. This includes strong experience in overseeing specialized protection interventions for displaced Afghan communities, developing internal management processes, and supervising large field teams across various locations. In-depth exposure to protection coordination mechanisms in Pakistan and experience in migration and refugee assistance are also critical for this role.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Urdu is required for this position, both oral and written. Additionally, working knowledge of Dari or Pashto, or any other local languages, is desirable. Proficiency in IOM's official languages, which include English, French, and Spanish, is also beneficial.

Additional Notes:
The position is subject to funding confirmation, and national professional officers must be nationals of the country of their employment. The role is at a professional level, with standards of recruitment qualifications and performance similar to those required for international professional staff. Appointment is contingent upon medical fitness certification, residency verification, and necessary government authorizations. IOM maintains a zero-tolerance policy regarding conduct incompatible with its objectives, including discrimination and harassment. The organization does not charge fees at any stage of the recruitment process and only accepts applications submitted through its online recruitment system.