Senior Programme Associate (Protection Mainstreaming)

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. Learn more about IOM’s workplace culture at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration

Applications are welcome from internal and external candidates. 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, internal and internal-equivalent candidates are considered as first-tier candidates.

Organizational Context and Scope

Since the inception of IOM in 1951, Movement Operations have been and continue to be a fundamental pillar of the Organization’s work.

The organized movement of persons in need of international migration assistance is a primary mandate of the Organization and a cornerstone of IOM’s operations. Movement Operations Units in various IOM Country Offices, coordinated under the Resettlement and Movement Management Unit (RMM) in the Department of Mobility Pathways and Inclusion at IOM’s Geneva Headquarters (HQ), are responsible for all aspects of travel for migrants and refugees under IOM’s auspices, in accordance with the various framework agreements with resettlement and receiving Governments and partners across the spectrum of the Organization's programmes.

Since 2018, RMM has been mainstreaming protection and accountability to affected populations within its activities. These efforts support implementation of the RMM minimum standards that govern protection mainstreaming in resettlement and movement management, and institutional guidance and frameworks related to protection mainstreaming and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA). Recent assessments demonstrate the need to provide more comprehensive support to protection mainstreaming efforts within RMM programming, and to strengthen linkages on protection mainstreaming between RMM and other IOM units, both of which will be essential components of this role. 

Under the general supervision of the Senior Operations Officer, the direct supervision of the National Movement Operations Coordinator, and in close coordination with the Senior Programme Coordinator, USRAP Protection Mainstreaming, the Senior Programme Assiociate, Protection Mainstreaming, has the following duties and responsibilities:

1. Undertake protection mainstreaming activities in relation to Movement Operations activities in the United States of America, including ensuring protection mainstreaming standards and guidelines are implemented and upheld; spearheading and managing initiatives that promote meaningful and sustained access for all relevant populations; regularly reviewing and advising on the accessibility of processes and premises; enhancing accountability mechanisms including complaints and feedback mechanisms (CFMs); and providing relevant training as needed.  

2. In close coordination with the USRAP Protection Mainstreaming team in Washington DC and relevant RMM colleagues, advance and support the implementation of RMM and USRAP protection mainstreaming principles and minimum standards and their associated tools in the United States. Monitor, collect and report feedback on their implementation, integrating new tools as needed. Ensure dissemination and understanding of the principles and minimum standards among personnel, including identifying knowledge gaps and facilitating targeted capacity‑building measures.  Ensure all personnel have access to relevant trainings and guidance, understand the use of the principles and guidelines in decision-making, and can explain how they are relevant and applicable to their individual work. As needed, contribute to the design of new guidance and tools. 

3. Engage with Movement Operations colleagues on the support provided to vulnerable individuals and provide updates on them to management regularly. Ensure visual materials, communications materials (such as the scripts and handouts utilised by airport office personnel), and other materials and tools are fit for purpose for regional needs, appropriate for a range of individuals, and suited to meet the needs of vulnerable individuals. Liaise with the Protection Mainstreaming team in Washington, DC on these materials as well as on topics as data collection, management, and protection. 

4. Utilising USRAP and RMM guidance and relevant institutional protection tools, conduct risk analysis exercises to assess the accessibility, safety and suitability of IOM processes, ground transportation, IOM premises, third-party premises and other spaces in which Movement Operations personnel are operating in the United States. Work closely with the Senior Movement Operations Coordinator and USRAP Protection Mainstreaming team to resolve accessibility issues on an ongoing basis. Ensure all Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), training and guidance given to ground transportation companies and third-party premises take accessibility into account when directing personnel on implementing their work. Provide briefings to personnel, companies and premises as requested. 

5. In close coordination with the Global Office Washington and in line with relevant USRAP, RMM and IOM institutional guidance, play a key role in overseeing and continuously strengthening the performance of community feedback mechanisms (CFMs). Ensure that CFMs have multiple channels; that community feedback is recorded in a structured manner; and that individuals who raise feedback receive a meaningful reply within a specified timeframe. Ensure that there is a structured system for recording feedback and anslying trends, so that it can be processed in an orderly, transparent manner. Improve outreach efforts and work to record CFM metrics. Additionally provide capacity building on CFMs, work with other IOM units to harmonise feedback mechanisms in the area and collaborate with management to address issues that are raised. 

6. Work closely with the National Programme Officer, Protection Mainstreaming, in the Washington DC Global Office, and with relevant colleagues at IOM HQ, to facilitate day to day management of prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA) activities in United States airport offices and related processes and premises. This includes ensuring the operational workplan on PSEA in United States airport offices is detailed and includes clear actions; ensuring CFMs accessible to individuals arriving to the United States are inclusive of PSEA measures; and ensuring all airport office staff are aware of PSEA-related protocols. 

7. In coordination with the National Programme Officer, Protection Mainstreaming, provide regular, effective PSEA training to all staff working in airport offices in the United States. Ensure the training provided follows institutional directives and that all personnel meet participation requirements. Serve as an ongoing resource for aiport office personnel seeking advice on issues related to PSEA and follow established reporting requirements as needed. 

8. Design, deliver and evaluate protection mainstreaming knowledge-building initiatives for the airport office personnel on a wide range of protection mainstreaming topics through regular, accurate, accessible, and inclusive information sharing that advises both management and personnel and answers questions in a timely manner. In collaboration with the USRAP Protection Mainstreaming team, support and provide training on protection mainstreaming topics in the United States as requested to do so. Ensure learners are furnished with the tools necessary to link the training to their daily work and to evaluate the effectiveness of their learning experience over a period of time.

9. Work closely with the USRAP Protection Mainstreaming team in Washington, DC to ensure that all operational SOPs, trainings, tools, and materials utilised throughout the United States are designed to ensure they are accessible to all personnel and beneficiaries. Promote coordination, collaboration and documentation of best practices and lessons learned in implementing trainings, tools, and CFMs in IOM airport offices in the United States of America.

10. Contribute to the design and strengthening of USRAP, RMM and institutional monitoring approaches by analysing operational data, advising on monitoring mechanisms, and briefing monitoring teams on protection mainstreaming risks and trends. Share relevant information about the concerned populations, brief monitoring teams on protection mainstreaming-related activities, strategize monitoring mechanisms based on the working landscape of the United States of America, and, in coordination with the USRAP Protection Mainstreaming team, make connections with relevant community-based organisations (CBOs) and civil society organisations (CSOs) if needed. 

11. Coordinate closely with other IOM units in multiple sites in the United States to ensure that national-level protection mainstreaming activities are growing more closely aligned between Movement Operations and other IOM areas of work. Participate in relevant mission-level, regional and global meetings related to protection mainstreaming, ensuring close coordination on participation and information sharing with the USRAP Protection Mainstreaming team, Global Office management, Movement Operations management, and mission-level protection colleagues. 

12. Maintain and promote the confidentiality and integrity of all relevant paperwork in line with standards of conduct and data protection rules. Alert the direct supervisor or management of any non-compliance to SOPs or codes of conduct by IOM staff members or partners.

13. Perform other relevant duties as assigned.