Senior Project Associate – Protection (Counter Trafficking) (Affiliated Contract)

Introduction

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations and the leading UN agency in the field of migration. Working closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners, IOM promotes humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It saves lives and protects people on the move, 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. By creating such an environment, IOM aims to better harness the full potential of migration and strengthen its support to people on the move.

IOM invites candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply and provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process when required.

Project Context and Scope

IOM Ethiopia’s vision is to place the rights and well-being of migrants at the centre of its interventions, adopting a preventive, protective, and responsive approach. Its protection interventions in Ethiopia follow a six-pillar intervention that includes direct assistance to migrants, displaced persons and affected communities, thematic guidance, capacity development, advocacy, and research. The Protection Unit (PXU) works closely with the government of Ethiopia and various stakeholders in emergency, displacement, and migration settings to reduce protection risks and address the needs of vulnerable individuals and communities. IOM is guided by rights-based approaches across its migration programming, demonstrating commitment to the safeguarding of vulnerable groups.

Within PXU, and under the Migrant Protection and Assistance sub-unit, non-emergency programming areas include Counter-trafficking, Assistance to Vulnerable Migrants (AVM), and Community Outreach. Under the Counter Trafficking interventions, the key areas of engagement include case management to victims of trafficking, developing the capacity of service providers and justice systems, strengthening referral systems and private sector response, supporting the development and implementation of legislation and policies, as well as producing and promoting research and data to improve counter trafficking responses.  

Under the overall supervision of the Programme Officer (Protection), and direct supervision of the National Officer (Protection), the successful candidate will support the implementation of specialized protection interventions within the Protection Unit, including counter trafficking, case management, capacity development for service provision and referrals for migrants in vulnerable situations, including VoTs,  individual protection assistance, and coordination with service providers and relevant authorities to facilitate access to protection services. Additionally, the selected candidate will support the team in trainings and capacity building related to specialized protection, TiP and SoM, and other topics related to provision of assistance to vulnerable migrants. The selected candidate will also be required to provide additional support, as necessary, to other protection teams, including the Return and Reintegration teams, Protection Emergencies, Policy and Liaison, and to coordinate with other programmatic units in the mission.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• School diploma with six years of relevant experience; or,
• Bachelor’s degree in Political or Social Sciences, International Relations, Development Studies, Migration Studies, Human Rights, Law or related fields from an accredited academic institution with four years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• At least 4 years of relevant professional experience, preferably within a counter trafficking and migrant  protection role.
• Experience in coordinating implementing partner agreements, conducting regular quality and activity monitoring, and providing on-the-job capacity building
• Experience working with governmental, non-governmental institutions and UN agencies preferred
• Experience in case management preferred
• Experience in organizing events, workshops, and meetings
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality, respect, non-discrimination and safety of beneficiaries at all times
• Good written and oral communication skills, effective in representation and liaison with external parties
• Ability to organize work, work independently and prioritize work under pressure, coordinate multiple tasks and maintain attention to detail

Skills

• Excellent communication skills.
• Strong analytical and report writing skills.
• Ability to work methodically and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Awareness of trafficking in persons/smuggling of migrants/ migration/ protection issues.
• Ability to work effectively and harmoniously in a team with colleagues from varied cultures and professional backgrounds.
• Excellent Computer and database skills
• Good interpersonal and problem-solving skills

Languages

For this consultancy, fluency in English and Amharic is required (oral and written). Knowledge of other Ethiopian National Languages (Afaan Oromo; Somali, Tigrinya etc) is desirable.

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

• 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.

Notes

IOM covers Consultants against occupational accidents and illnesses under the Compensation Plan (CP), free of charge, for the duration of the consultancy. IOM does not provide evacuation or medical insurance for reasons related to non-occupational accidents and illnesses. Consultants are responsible for their own medical insurance for non-occupational accident or illness and will be required to provide written proof of such coverage before commencing work.

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

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

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.

How to Apply

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.

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.

No late applications will be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.