VN 2024 586 Director, Protection Division (D1) Geneva, Switzerland

Position Title: Director, Protection Division
Job Code: VN 2024 586
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: 16 October 2024

 

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 multi-stakeholder 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).