Protection Officer (2 positions) (P)

Job Identification (Reference Number): 15733
Position Title: Protection Officer (P)
Duty Station City: Islamabad
Duty Station Country: Pakistan
Grade: P-2
Contract Type: Special Short Term Graded (Up to Six months with possibility of extension)
Recruiting Type: Professional
Vacancy Type: Special Vacancy Notice
Initial duration: Six months
Closing date: 22 July 2025

Introduction

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 ensuring a workplace where all employees can thrive professionally, while working towards harnessing the full potential of migration. Read more about IOM's workplace culture at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration

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. Candidates from the following non-represented member states: 
   Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Comoros, Congo (the), Cook Islands, Dominica, Federated States of Micronesia, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Holy See, Iceland, Israel, Kiribati, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Madagascar, Marshall Islands, Namibia, Nauru, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:
All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM.

Organizational Context and Scope

Under the overall supervision of the Senior Programme Coordinator (EPC) and the direct supervision of the Programme Coordinator (Protection), the Protection Officer will provide both programmatic and technical support for the coordination, development, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of IOM Pakistan’s protection portfolio. This includes key activities such as programme support, advocacy, protection mainstreaming as well as protection case management, community-based protection, legal assistance, disability inclusion, and protection monitoring. The successful candidate will be responsible for the following tasks:

1. Assist the Programme Coordinator (Protection) in managing and monitoring the implementation of IOM Pakistan’s protection projects, workplans and budgets.
2. Provide technical inputs for guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for IOM’s protection programming and regularly draft updates to guidelines according to lessons learned, feedback from the relevant working groups, field teams, and global standards.
3. Provide technical support to field teams and implementing partners, including protection case management, community-based protection, legal aid, protection mainstreaming, disability inclusion as well as protection monitoring and analysis, checking that implementation is in line with global best practices and frameworks.
4. Coordinate the Protection Unit’s efforts on various thematic areas spearhead new initiatives to expend the scope of the protection programme in Pakistan, as needed, including but not limited to protection mainstreaming and disability inclusion.
5. Draft concept notes and provide support for proposal development and project reporting, with relevant teams and units, as well as for regular internal and external project and visibility reports that promote the work of the Protection Unit and expand operations in new geographic and thematic areas.
6. Maintain close contacts with donors and other United Nations (UN) agencies and International Non-Governmental Organization (I/NGO) partners, and national and local authorities as required, and participate in relevant Working Groups in close coordination with the Protection Coordinator.
7. Participate in assessing training needs on related programmatic issues and need for capacity building among IOM field staff, implementing partners (IPs) and other stakeholders and provide training, as necessary.
8. Strengthen protection mainstreaming efforts across IOM Pakistan’s programming including in related assessments, methodologies, and non-protection related activities. Regularly review project tools and update and amend as required (including selection criteria, assessment tools, distribution methodologies etc.).
9. Contribute to the improvement of the Protection Unit’s project tracking, IP management, monitoring and evaluation, information management systems and communication capacities.
10. Undertake frequent travel duties as required.
11. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Master’s degree in Humanitarian Affairs, Political Science, Law, Human Rights, Development Studies, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with two years of relevant professional experience; or
• University degree in the above fields with four years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• Experience in humanitarian protection and human rights;
• Experience in specialized protection interventions for displaced populations in emergencies and familiarity with related protection coordination mechanisms;
• Experience with providing technical guidance and conducting capacity building on protection principles and approaches for various stakeholders (including non-protection specialized staff, partners, e.g., national authorities, implementing partners, etc.);
• Experience in project management and/or coordination;
• Experience in liaising with governmental authorities, other national/international institutions, and NGOs;
• Working experience with an operational UN agency or a major international NGO in the field of protection and assistance of refugees, internally displaced people, and/or migrants, is an asset.
• Experience working in the region an asset.

Skills

• Ability to formulate relevant programmatic inputs.
• Ability to work quickly and accurately and pay attention to detail.
• Willingness to assist efficiently in a very busy project environment.
• Excellent writing skills with the ability to analyses complex problems and identify and convey clear, rapid solutions.
• Effective resource management skills.
• Proven general analytical skills.
• In depth knowledge of the broad range of migration related subject areas dealt with by IOM.
• Knowledge of UN and bilateral donor programming.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish. 

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, French 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.

Required Competencies

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.

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 2

• 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 2

• 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. 

Notes

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 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. For this staff category, candidates who are nationals of the duty station’s country cannot be considered eligible.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, security clearances.

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

IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities.

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.

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

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. 

For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies.