Organizational Context and Scope:

Established in 1951, IOM is a leading inter-governmental organization providing services to governments and migrants in the field of migration. With its 173 member States and offices in more than 100 countries, IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all.

Under the umbrella of a multi-year consortium, IOM works to ensure the safety, dignity, and rights of populations in situations of displacement, conflict, and vulnerability. As part of its climate resilience and humanitarian efforts, it is crucial to integrate protection considerations into all programmatic activities, ensuring that IOM’s response is provided in a way that avoids any unintended negative effects (do no harm), ensures meaningful access and fosters the participation and empowerment of local capacities; and ultimately holds humanitarian actors accountable with regard to affected individuals and communities. 

Under the technical supervision of the Protection Officer, the overall supervision of the National Protection Officer, and the direct supervision of the Climate Resilience Field Team leader - Sukkur, and in collaboration with relevant units, the Senior Project Associate (Protection) will be responsible for supporting the coordination and implementation of protection mainstreaming efforts across IOM’s interventions in targeted districts in Sindh. The Senior Project Associate (Protection), will work closely with protection, livelihoods, shelter, Monitoring and Evaluation, and Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) colleagues, to verify that IOM’s responses across humanitarian and resilience programming, respect the rights, safety, and dignity of all people, in line with IOM’s protection policies. .

Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

Protection Mainstreaming:

• Support the integration of protection principles (non-discrimination, participation, accountability, do no harm) into program design, implementation, and evaluation processes.
• Assist in providing  best practices for gender, age, and disability mainstreaming to sectoral teams, contributing to the development of programs that are inclusive, equitable, and responsive to the specific needs of these groups.
• Support the organization and coordination of capacity-building activities to program teams on protection mainstreaming, including assisting with training logistics and dissemination of protection-sensitive guidance.
• Support the identification of protection risks within programmatic activities, while assisting in the coordination of appropriate risk mitigation measures.
• Assist in mapping of available services for affected populations in target locations in Sindh, helping to identify whether services are inclusive and meet the protection needs of the most vulnerable groups, including women, children, persons with disabilities, and elderly.
• Conduct safe referrals if and when required.
• Support the development and dissemination of Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials related to protection, facilitating their accessibility and cultural appropriateness for all community members, including marginalized groups.
• Support the monitoring of protection impacts across sectoral programs (Livelihoods, Shelter, WASH) by assisting with data collection, reporting, and coordination to inform risks mitigation efforts.

Collaboration and Coordination:

• Support collaboration with sectoral teams and stakeholders (including UN agencies, INGOs, NGOs, and government actors) to promote coherent and integrated approaches to protection across programme activities.
• Support the Protection Technical Working Group, in sharing tools, templates, and findings from assessments, to facilitate mainstreaming of protection across the entire consortium.
• Collaborate and coordinate with M&E and AAP colleagues to help maintain effective complaints and feedback mechanisms are in place for all protection activities.

Monitoring and Reporting:

• Contribute to the monitoring and reporting of protection-related issues and risks within the context of program implementation.
• Assist in reviewing and compiling information on the impact of protection mainstreaming initiatives, and contribute to documenting lessons learned, challenges, and best practices.

Capacity Building:

• Provide logistical and administrative assistance in the organization of training, workshops, and orientation sessions for staff and partners on  protection mainstreaming principles, tools, and techniques.
• Help facilitate the integration of protection-sensitive tools and methodologies in sectoral activities and interventions.
• Undertake frequent travel duties as required.
• Perform other such duties as required. 

Required Qualifications and Experience

EDUCATION:

• High 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:

• Proven experience in supporting protection mainstreaming activities, including working with vulnerable populations.
• Experience with cross-cutting issues such as gender, age, disability, and diversity in humanitarian programming.
• In-depth understanding of the protection sector in Pakistan, its challenges, priorities, and existing referral pathways, and demonstrated knowledge of principles of applying safe referrals.
• Experience in liaising and coordinating with other actors and relevant services providers.
• Experience in supporting GBV, child protection, and psychosocial support cases is highly desirable.
• Understanding of critical issues around data protection principles and knowledge of safe, confidential, and ethical data collection, processing, and analysis.
• Familiarity with IOM policies and procedures is an advantage. 

Languages:

Required:
Fluency in English (Oral and written)
Desirable :
Working knowledge of Urdu, sindhi (oral and written).

Note

Only short-listed candidates who is matching required criteria for the position will be contacted by IOM.

Any off er made to the candidate in relation to these VNs are subject to funding confirmation.

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

IOM provides equal opportunity to all qualified female and male including the physically challenged candidates.