Protection Officer (P)

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 is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all, providing services and advice to governments and migrants. The organization has been present in Ethiopia since 1995, operating from its national office in Addis Ababa and a network of field offices and Migrant Response Centers along key migratory routes. IOM Ethiopia's mission is to place the rights and well-being of migrants at the center of its interventions, adopting a preventive, protective, and responsive approach to migration issues. The organization is committed to ensuring a workplace where all employees can thrive professionally, while working towards harnessing the full potential of migration. IOM's workplace culture emphasizes inclusion, respect for diversity, integrity, professionalism, courage, and empathy, which are core values that guide its operations and interactions with stakeholders.

Job Overview:
The Protection Officer will play a crucial role in coordinating program activities within the Protection Unit, which includes Protection in Emergencies and Migrant Protection and Assistance. This position requires close collaboration with various thematic units such as Migration Management, Emergency and Post-Crisis, Migration Health Unit, and Climate and Resilience. The Protection Officer will support the development of strategic linkages with other thematic areas and will be responsible for technical, operational, financial, and administrative management for assigned projects and programs. The role involves ensuring coherence, compliance, and timely delivery of protection programming, while also contributing to broader migration management and resilience objectives. The Protection Officer will be expected to provide technical support to other units on Protection Mainstreaming, manage Protection projects, and maintain strong relationships with UN Agencies, humanitarian organizations, and government interlocutors. The position also includes responsibilities for mentoring staff, conducting training, and ensuring capacity building within the program staff.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Contribute to Protection programming across the Country Office (CO) and provide technical support to other units on Protection Mainstreaming, including safe programming and capacity development.
• Support the Senior Programme Officer (Protection) in managing Protection projects and ensuring coherence with other thematic units, while providing analytical inputs and regular updates on program priorities, policies, and needs to inform planning and decision-making.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships across UN Agencies, humanitarian organizations, government and community interlocutors, and other local interests to successfully implement CO’s Protection programming.
• Convene regular Protection program coordination meetings and events with stakeholders, donors, and partners to promote dialogue and innovative solutions, documenting outcomes and supporting follow-up actions.
• Develop and implement CO’s Protection programming by managing administrative, operational, and financial aspects of relevant projects, providing guidance and supervision to staff, and addressing operational challenges.
• Coordinate activities in the CO’s Protection portfolio, including developing protection Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and internal guidelines for protection case management.
• Prepare and submit Program reports, situation updates, and lessons learned in coordination with relevant units.
• Establish a common Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) framework and harmonized reporting system in coordination with the CO’s Monitoring, Evaluations and Learning (MEAL) team.
• Identify new opportunities for Protection interventions and contribute to project proposals and thematic concept notes. 1
• Provide technical support in producing visibility and communications materials. 1
• Participate in donor or partner meetings and support collaboration and information sharing on Protection Programming. 1
• Coordinate with Protection Programme Managers and other units to ensure a coherent approach across projects. 1
• Maintain the program database and financial tracking, support budget coordination, and monitor expenditures. 1
• Undertake regular visits to Sub-Offices to support Protection program implementation. 1
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in International Relations, Political Science, Humanitarian Affairs, Economic Development, Business or Public Administration, International Studies, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with two years of relevant professional experience; or a University degree in the above fields with four years of relevant professional experience. Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database. Candidates should also demonstrate good management, coordination, and information management skills, knowledge of the UN System, NGOs, and other international organizations, as well as knowledge of protection programming and migration data.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master’s degree in relevant fields such as International Relations, Political Science, Humanitarian Affairs, Economic Development, Business or Public Administration, International Studies, or a related field from an accredited institution. Alternatively, candidates with a University degree in these fields and four years of relevant professional experience are also eligible. The educational qualifications must be from accredited universities recognized by the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.

Experience:
The position requires experience in program development and capacity-building activities, as well as experience in liaising with governmental and diplomatic authorities and national and international institutions. Candidates should have experience in organizing consultations, workshops, and seminars with high-level stakeholders. Proven experience in project and budget management, including proposal development, planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting is essential. Additionally, candidates should demonstrate the ability to assess capacity needs and develop training plans for staff and partners.

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 English is required, both oral and written. A working knowledge of Amharic is considered an advantage. The proficiency of required languages will be evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Additional Notes:
The contract type for this position is Special Short Term Graded, with an initial duration of 6 months, extendable up to 9 months. The position is classified at the P-2 grade level. Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile, and any offer made to the candidate is subject to funding confirmation. This 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. Candidates who are nationals of the duty station’s country cannot be considered eligible for this staff category. Appointment will be subject to certification of medical fitness, accreditation, residency or visa requirements, and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security clearances. 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, sexual harassment, and discrimination. IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process and only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment system.