Regional Thematic Specialist on Protection

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 is committed to ensuring a workplace where all employees can thrive professionally while working towards harnessing the full potential of migration. IOM operates in numerous countries around the world, focusing on various aspects of migration, including protection, integration, and development.

Job Overview:
The Regional Thematic Specialist on Protection (PXD RTS) plays a crucial role in advising and supporting the implementation of institutional policy from Headquarters (HQ) in Country Offices (COs) across the region. This position involves providing oversight, quality control, and thematic support to ensure consistent, cohesive, and quality evidence-based programming. The PXD RTS contributes to thought leadership on saving lives and protecting individuals on the move, driving solutions to displacement, and facilitating regular pathways for migration. The role also includes identifying regional opportunities and risks, fostering knowledge sharing, encouraging policy and research development, and supporting cross-thematic collaboration internally. Externally, the PXD RTS offers advocacy, policy, and technical program recommendations to regional entities, Member States, and relevant migration forums, spearheaded by IOM’s Regional Office (RO) and COs leadership. The PXD RTS is the go-to source for protection expertise and guidance for both IOM teams and partners in the region.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the PXD Regional Thematic Unit (RTU) in delivering thematic guidance and technical support to COs in contextualizing the strategic plan.
• Assist the Deputy Regional Director (DRD) for Operations by providing substantive inputs and articulating IOM's strategic plan to external stakeholders.
• Lead the delivery of technical assistance on thematic and cross-cutting priorities, coordinating with HQ and COs for crisis responses.
• Provide thematic training and capacity building to COs, RO staff, and external partners.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with regional actors, including donors and international organizations, to promote IOM’s Strategic Plan.
• Advocate programmatic priorities with new and traditional donors, including the private sector.
• Facilitate project development and reporting processes through technical inputs and reviews.
• Hold regular discussions with COs to assess challenges and opportunities, guiding adjustments as needed.
• Provide oversight on risk management pertaining to protection in line with IOM's Risk Management Framework. 1
• Contribute to knowledge sharing platforms and disseminate innovative practices related to protection. 1
• Provide thematic support and recommendations on regional and country-level policies. 1
• Analyze and disseminate thematic data to inform strategic planning and programming. 1
• Convene a community of practice for thematic focal points in COs to promote sharing of practices and training opportunities. 1
• Lead engagement in inter-regional initiatives and coordinate involvement of HQ functional homes. 1
• Promote and integrate cross-cutting priorities in all areas of PXD’s work. 1
• Manage the PXD Regional Thematic Unit and oversee its specific responsibilities. 1
• Perform any other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in International Relations, Political Science, Social Science, or a related field from an accredited institution with at least seven years of relevant professional experience; or a University degree in the above fields with at least nine years of relevant professional experience.
• Demonstrated experience in protection and project development, with a minimum of five years in non-OECD countries managing protection projects.
• Experience in liaison, resource mobilization, and advocacy with governmental and diplomatic officials, civil society, and private sector actors.
• Experience in international organizations, UN, or government, and in designing and implementing capacity building on protection.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to summarize and communicate findings effectively.
• Proven track record of successful engagement with donors and mobilizing resources for IOM priority areas.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in International Relations, Political Science, Social Science, or a related field from an accredited academic institution. Alternatively, a University degree in the aforementioned fields is acceptable if accompanied by at least nine years of relevant professional experience. Accredited universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of seven years of relevant professional experience for candidates with a Master’s degree, or nine years for those with a University degree. Candidates must have demonstrated experience in protection and related areas relevant to project development and management, with at least five years of experience working in non-OECD countries managing protection projects. Experience in advocacy, resource mobilization, and liaising with governmental and diplomatic officials is essential, as well as experience in international organizations or government settings.

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

Additional Notes:
This position is part of IOM’s competitive mobility exercise and is open for applications from internal and internal-equivalent candidates only. Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile. The appointment is subject to certification of medical fitness, accreditation, and any residency or visa requirements. 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. 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 any fees during the recruitment process and only accepts applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment system.