National Programme Officer (Protection)

1. Provide strategic leadership in the management, coordination, and oversight of a network of multiple international and/or national protection Implementing Partners (IPs) across different locations and provinces in Pakistan – including Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Balochistan, and Sindh – and, in close coordination with relevant thematic experts and field teams in the Protection Unit, ensure the overall quality and strategic relevance of IP protection interventions, such as protection case management, community-based protection, legal protection, housing land and property (HLP) and other specialized thematic areas, as needed.
2. Lead the identification of new strategic partnerships to enhance and localize the provision of protection services through IPs in Pakistan and provide inputs into the selection process of new protection IPs, in line with internal IOM compliance standards and policies, while contributing to the strategic development of long-term partnership frameworks and institutional capacity building of local actors.
3. Take a leading role in the conceptualization, design, and development of new protection projects, jointly with the Programme Coordinator (Protection), to expand the scope of IOM’s protection programme to ensure the centrality of protection, including through resource mobilization strategies, donor liaison and project development.
4. Directly supervise and oversee the work of the protection field teams across the country, ensuring effective coordination, performance management, and the harmonization of approaches across all provinces. Closely coordinate with respective Protection Team Leaders in each province to discuss and define strategic and programmatic priorities, plan field activities and streamline coordination and advocacy efforts on sensitive protection issues with Government stakeholders, other UN agencies and NGOs in each field location.
5. Design and implement capacity development strategies for the Protection Unit’s field staff across the country, ensuring structured training plans, on-the-job mentoring, and continuous learning initiatives, while monitoring staffing needs and leading the recruitment of new staff in the Protection Unit, in line with budgets and project commitments. 
6. In coordination with the Senior Programme Coordinator and the Programme Coordinator (Protection), represent IOM Pakistan in relevant Inter-Agency meetings and coordination mechanisms with Government stakeholders, other UN agencies and NGOs, and proactively contribute to the articulation of IOM’s protection vision in Pakistan.
7. Undertake regular duty travel, as required, and in line with prevailing security restrictions, related to programme implementation and oversight, staff training, and liaison with Government stakeholders, other UN agencies and NGOs in each field location, to coordinate, develop and support programme implementation.
8. Perform other such duties, as may be assigned.

• Master’s degree in Humanitarian Affairs, Political Science, Law, Human Rights, Development Studies, Social Sciences or a related field from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience; or
• Bachelor’s degree in the above fields with seven years of relevant professional experience

• Extensive and robust experience in protection IP management and coordination, especially managing, coordinating and overseeing the work of multiple protection IPs across complex operational environments.
• Strong experience in managing and overseeing the implementation of specialized protection interventions for displaced Afghan communities in Pakistan, including protection case management, community-based protection and legal protection.
• Strong experience developing internal management processes and monitoring tools to ensure the supervision of field teams and IPs.  
• Demonstrated experience in setting up, scaling up and supervising large field teams across different locations and provinces.
• In-depth exposure to and experience engaging with protection coordination mechanisms and forums in Pakistan.
• Robust experience liaising with Government stakeholders, other UN agencies and NGOs.
• Experience in the field of migration, internally displaced person (IDP) and refugee assistance and protection as well as the Afghanistan regional crisis

• Excellent knowledge of IOM’s project management and IP management standards and policies. 
• Robust understanding of complex and sensitive socio-political dynamics related to migration and forced displacement. 
• In-depth knowledge of global standards and policies on protection, gender-based violence (GBV), child protection, protection mainstreaming and protection information management.
• Extensive knowledge of the Afghanistan regional crisis as well as internal and regional dynamics impacting Afghan communities in Pakistan, including provincial specificities.
• Strong knowledge of the protection coordination architecture in Pakistan as well as Inter-Agency dynamics.
• Ability to work effectively with local Government stakeholders, other UN agencies and NGOs.
• Ability to think strategically and identify positioning opportunities for IOM. 
• Excellent report w
• riting skills, as well as managerial, planning and organizational skills. 
• Advanced level of computer literacy

REQUIRED

For this position, fluency in English and Urdu is required (oral and written).

DESIRABLE

Working knowledge of Dari or Pashto or any other local language/s.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

1. Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.
2. National Professional Officers should be nationals of the country of their employment. NPOs perform work at the professional level and the same standards of recruitment qualifications and performance, required for International Professional staff.
3. Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, verification of residency, visa, and authorizations by the concerned Government, where applicable.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM online recruitment system. The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.