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 employs a diverse workforce to achieve its mission.

Job Overview:
The Protection Officer position at IOM Guinea involves strategic, technical, and managerial coordination for the organization's Protection portfolios. The role is crucial for implementing Protection programming, ensuring high-quality execution, donor compliance, and alignment with IOM policies and international standards. The Protection Officer will oversee the mission's protection and Mental Health and psychosocial-support" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) teams, focusing on providing protection and assistance to Guinean returnees in vulnerable situations, strengthening national and local protection systems, and transitioning from direct assistance to sustainable, nationally anchored systems. This position requires close coordination with various units within the Country Office, Regional Office, and Protection Division, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and effective communication in achieving the organization's goals.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Protection Officer will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including:

• Strategic Leadership & Programme Management: Coordinating the implementation of IOM Guinea’s Protection portfolios, managing protection programmes, providing technical support to protection teams, and contributing to the development of new project proposals.
• Team Management & Supervision: Directly supervising and providing technical guidance to the protection and MHPSS teams, ensuring effective workload planning, performance management, and capacity development.
• Protection, MHPSS & Case Management Systems: Monitoring the quality implementation of protection case management and MHPSS support, ensuring a rights-based and survivor-centered approach.
• Partnerships, Referrals & Coordination: Establishing and maintaining relationships with government institutions, UN agencies, NGOs, and community-based structures, and coordinating the development of referral pathways.
• Reporting, Knowledge Management & Donor Visibility: Ensuring high-quality reporting of protection activities, coordinating knowledge management, and ensuring donor visibility and compliance with communication requirements.
• Performing other duties as assigned by the Chief of Mission or Head of Programme.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree (or higher) in Political or Human Sciences, International Relations, Public Administration Management, or a related field from an accredited institution, along with at least five years of relevant professional experience. Alternatively, a University degree in the same fields with seven years of relevant experience is acceptable. Candidates should have experience in designing protection and counter-trafficking programs, coordination, community-based approaches, and direct implementation of protection programming in migration or displacement contexts. Proven experience in managing multi-project protection and/or MHPSS portfolios is also required.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master’s degree or higher in relevant fields such as Political or Human Sciences, International Relations, or Public Administration Management from an accredited academic institution. Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database. A University degree in the same fields with additional years of relevant professional experience may also be considered.

Experience:
The position requires significant experience, specifically in designing protection and counter-trafficking programs across various contexts. Candidates should have experience in coordination and community-based approaches tailored to address vulnerabilities, as well as professional experience in direct implementation of protection programming in migration or displacement contexts. Familiarity with the region and proven experience in managing multi-project protection and/or MHPSS portfolios, including supervision, is essential.

Languages:
Fluency in English and French is required for this position, both oral and written. Working knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish) is considered an advantage. Proficiency in the required languages will be evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Additional Notes:
The position is internationally recruited, and staff members are required to be mobile. The appointment is subject to funding confirmation and all necessary clearances, including medical and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security checks. The selection process may be used to fill similar positions in various duty stations, and recommended candidates will remain eligible for appointment in a similar position for 24 months. IOM has a zero-tolerance policy regarding misconduct, including sexual exploitation and abuse, and is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. The organization does not charge any fees during the recruitment process and only accepts applications submitted through the IOM WAVE system.