Job Description

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission (CoM) in Syria and direct supervision of the Senior Programme Coordinator; and, in collaboration with relevant units at Headquarters and the Administrative Centres, the National Protection Officer will perform the following tasks: 

Responsibilities

• Coordinate the planning and implementation of AVRR activities across pre-departure, return, and post-arrival reintegration phases.
•  Promote coherence and harmonization of AVRR approaches across the area of responsibility. 
•  Serve as the focal point for AVRR-related activities  and coordination with donors, and internal IOM units. Ensure all returns comply with the principles of voluntariness, informed consent, and non-refoulement. 
• Develop AVRR SOPs and guidelines for IOM Syria in collaboration with respective ROs. 
• Plan, manage and coordinate the work of the Protection Unit ensuring effective implementation of the Protection Program. 
• Directly supervise and provide guidance to the HPX and MPX staff within the designated       area of responsibility
• In coordination with relevant colleagues, participate in the development of new project proposals, liaise with donors on needs and gaps, lessons learned, good practices, etc.. 
• Coordinate operational, administrative and financial aspect of all projects, including oversight responsibility of daily implementation and monitoring of project activities
• Provide updates on program issues, including regular risk analysis and recommendations for operational improvements, to the  Snr Emergency Coordinator
•  Participate in relevant meetings and coordination fora, and maintain strong relationships with UN agencies, International/national Non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Ensure that projects meet their intended scope, time frame and quality and budget, in alignment with IOM’s policies and procedures, global standards and best interest as well as donor requirements
• Provide first-line technical guidance to implementing partners,
• Ensure compliance with IOM and donor requirements, including those related to procurement, finance, and human resources, maintaining close contact with relevant IOM support units
• Coordinate with IOM’s sectorial Units on protection activities, including the transition and recovery Units
• Provide guidance and feedback regarding protection mainstreaming efforts in activities across projects implemented by other IOM  Units, including support units, and  provide technical inputs for proposals, concept notes, guidelines and SOPs. 
• Participate in the development of Protection program Strategy, identify new areas of intervention and develop ongoing initiatives 
• Support capacity building efforts among partner and IOM staff on, on protection mainstreaming standards and practices as well as international protection standards (Sphere, Child Protection Minimum Standards, ICRC Professional Protection Standards, etc.); 
• Identify needs and gaps within Protection team structure and propose remedial action
• Perform other duties as may be assigned.

Qualifications

EDUCATION

• Master’s degree in Political Science, Social Science, Law or a related field from an accredited academic institution with two years of relevant experience; or 

• University degree in the above fields with  four years of relevant professional experience.  

EXPERIENCE

• Experience in the field of migration, IDP (Internally Displaced Person) and refugee assistance and protection (including specific knowledge of GBV, Child Protection); 

• Experience in emergency operations and liaison with other UN and non-UN humanitarian actors; 

• Understanding of complex social-political environments; Knowledge of the Syrian conflict and its impact on the affected population; 

• Knowledge of the humanitarian Cluster architecture, especially in relation to protection (general protection, child protection, gender-based violence, etc.); 

• Working experience in the region is an asset. 

SKILLS

• Proven ability to establish and maintain strong working relations with relevant Government counterparts, international organizations and private sector entities; 

• Good supervision, coordination, and information management skills;

• Good knowledge of the UN System, NGOs and other international organizations/institutions;

• Knowledge of migration data, labour migration patterns in [ Syria ] and ability to negotiate with government authorities; 

• Good knowledge of Protection area; 

• Good conceptualization, analytical and writing skills; 

• Good communication, organizational and interpersonal relationship skills; 

• Ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure with minimum supervision; and, 

Ability to maintain partnerships with development partners, government counterparts, UN agencies, local authorities and other relevant stakeholders.

Required Skills

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