Switzerland: Director, Protection Division

Duty Station: Geneva, Switzerland

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade D1

Type of Appointment: Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 08 April 2024

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

IOM is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. Read more about diversity and inclusion at IOM at www.iom.int/diversity.

Applications are welcome from first- and second-tier candidates, particularly qualified female candidates as well as applications from the non-represented member countries of IOM. For all IOM vacancies, applications from qualified and eligible first-tier candidates are considered before those of qualified and eligible second-tier candidates in the selection process.

For the purpose of this vacancy, the following are considered first-tier candidates:

1. Internal candidates
2. External female candidates:
3. Candidate from the following non-represented member states:

Antigua and Barbuda; Barbados; Botswana; Cabo Verde; Comoros; Congo (the); Cook Islands; Dominica; Fiji; Grenada; Guinea-Bissau; Holy See; Iceland; Kiribati; Lao People's Democratic Republic (the); Madagascar; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Tonga; Tuvalu; Uzbekistan; Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:

All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM and female candidates.

Context:

Under the overall supervision of the Director General and direct supervision of the Deputy Director General for Operations, the Director, Protection Division is responsible for leading on the Organization's overarching goals on protection in line with the following objectives of the new IOM’s Strategic Plan:

• Objective 1: Saving lives and protecting people on the move;
• Objective 2: Driving solutions to displacement; and,
• Objective 3: Facilitating pathways for regular migration.

The Protection Division ensures that protection is a cross-cutting priority of the Strategic Plan as an enabler of Objective 3 for facilitating pathways for regular migration and that IOM adheres to the highest standards of protection mainstreaming, and accountability to affected populations across its operations and programmes.

In line with the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) definition and Principals' statement on the Centrality of Protection in Humanitarian Action, IOM is committed to placing protection at the core of all its actions, and work with partners and stakeholders towards common protection outcomes. The Protection Division supports this commitment by providing strategic guidance, technical support, capacity building and coordination on protection issues, both internally and externally.

The Protection Division also oversee specialized protection services along the migration journey embedding a “solution lens from the start”, such as child protection measures, activities to mitigate the risk of and respond to gender-based violence and human trafficking, and mental health psychosocial support (MHPSS). Specific interventions also include search and rescue, alternatives to immigration detention; disability inclusion as well as supporting ethical recruitment, social protection thereby facilitating multistake holder protection of migrant workers and linking to opportunities for Safe, Orderly and Regular migration will also be strengthened.

The Protection Division also promotes gender equality, the empowerment of women and girls, and diversity in all settings, safe and secure collection of sex, gender, age, ethnicity, and disability related data where relevant, and hold evidence as central to inclusive and accountable humanitarian and development programming to affected populations (AAP). In particular, the Protection Division will support the commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, and to the implementation of the United Nations System-wide Action Plan on Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-SWAP).

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Provide strategic direction, substantive inputs, and guidance to the Protection Division, in line with IOM’s Strategic Plan, vision, mission, and values.
2. Implement IOM's Global Protection Strategy, policies, and standards, and ensure their alignment with international humanitarian and human rights law and best practices.
3. Direct, facilitate and develop holistic approaches to protection and solutions, drawing on improved community-based responses and on greater knowledge and closer work with Internally Displaced Persons, migrants, refugee, and host communities.
4. Develop institutional positioning, innovative policies, and guidance for the protection of migrants and displaced persons and cross-cutting theme (AAP, Gender, and Diversity) while ensuring alignment with global standards.
5. Expand partnerships and promote IOM’s visibility including through IASC representation, Call to Action on Protection, Grand Bargain Workstreams, UN agencies and other networks regarding protection for migrants and IDPs and facilitate sustainable solutions.
6. Direct and lead IOM’s commitments on Protection and Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) framework and strategies, the Human Rights including Human Rights Due Diligence Policy and Operational Framework, and access to protection-sensitive pathways and empowerment for migrants of all gender and diversity groups through the COMPASS initiative (Cooperation on Migration and Partnerships to Achieve Sustainable Solutions initiative).
7. Strengthen support on specialized protection services for migrants and IDPs specialized protection services along the migration journey embedding a “solution lens from the start”, such as child protection measures, activities to mitigate the risk of and respond to gender-based violence and human trafficking, and mental health psychosocial support (MHPSS)
8. Stay abreast of key developments related to Grave Violations of Human Rights against Migrants and advise senior leadership on the course of action.
9. Increase visibility and raise the profile of IOM’s work as a credible protection actor with strong representation in Global Fora with Member States, notably the Standing Committee on Programme and Finance and IOM’s Council.
10. Lead and manage the protection staff and teams, and ensure their capacity building, performance management, and well-being.
11. Liaise and coordinate with IOM’s protection partners, and promote the principles of partnership, accountability, and complementarity.
12. Foster and strengthen collaboration and coordination with other Divisions and stakeholders, such as operations, advocacy, communication, and fundraising, and ensure the integration of protection across our programs and activities.
13. Represent IOM in various forums and platforms, and advocate for the protection of vulnerable and marginalized groups, and for the respect of their rights and dignity.
14. Monitor and evaluate the quality and impact of IOM’s protection work and ensure learning and innovation in protection.
15. Manage the Protection Division's budget and resources and ensure accountability and transparency.
16. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education: 

• Master's degree in International Human Rights Law, Political Science, Social Science, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with fifteen years of relevant professional experience.

Experience: 

• At least fifteen years of experience in humanitarian and human rights work, with a focus on protection issues such as gender-based violence, child protection, and displacement, including seven years in managerial capacity; and,
• Experience in working in various regions and contexts, and in leading and managing protection teams and projects for various organizations.

Skills: 

• Excellent knowledge of international humanitarian and human rights law and standards, and of protection principles and approaches;
• Strong leadership and management skills, and the ability to inspire and motivate others;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders;
• Articulate and possess strong advocacy and public speaking skills; and,
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and the ability to think strategically and creatively.

Languages: 

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

Notes: 

Accredited Universities are the ones listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database (https://whed.net/home.php).

Required Competencies:

Values - all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these five values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
• Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
• Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
• Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators level 3: 

• Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
• Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Managerial Competencies – behavioural indicators level 3: 

• Leadership: Provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example and demonstrates the ability to carry out the Organization’s vision. Assists others to realize and develop their leadership and professional potential.
• Empowering others: Creates an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
• Building Trust: Promotes shared values and creates an atmosphere of trust and honesty.
• Strategic thinking and vision: Works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.
• Humility: Leads with humility and shows openness to acknowledging own shortcomings.

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link: https://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/about-iom/iom_revised_competency_framework_external.pdf

Competencies will be assessed during a competency-based interview.

Other:

Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile.

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

This selection process may be used to staff similar positions in various duty stations. Recommended candidates endorsed by the Appointments and Postings Board will remain eligible to be appointed in a similar position for a period of 24 months.

The list of NMS countries above includes all IOM Member States which are non-represented in the Professional Category of staff members.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and background verification and security clearances. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required for individuals hired on or after 15 November 2021. This will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.

Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.

How to Apply: 

To apply, interested applicants are invited to submit their applications HERE via the IOM e-Recruitment system by 08 April 2024.

IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment system. The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

For further information please refer to: www.iom.int/recruitment

Posting period: From 26.03.2024 to 08.04.2024

No Fees:

IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.

Requisition: VN 2024 180 Director, Protection Division (D1) Geneva, Switzerland (58750355) Released

Posting: Posting NC58750356 (58750356) Released