Protection Officer (gender-Based Violence (GBV) And Child Protection (CP))

Organizational Context

IOM, a UN-related organization, leads in migration, promoting humane and orderly movement. This role, under the Senior Programme Coordinator and Programme Manager, focuses on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Child Protection (CP) in Libya. It addresses the severe protection crisis affecting vulnerable migrants, IDPs, and returnees along the dangerous Central Mediterranean Route, aiming to improve service delivery and strengthen institutional mechanisms.

Job Purpose

The Protection Officer (GBV and CP) is tasked with developing, implementing, and reporting on critical interventions to address the urgent needs of Gender-Based Violence survivors and migrant children within IOM's Libya country office. This role is vital in a context where the Central Mediterranean Route poses significant dangers, leading to widespread exploitative practices affecting vulnerable migrants. The officer will contribute directly to IOM's comprehensive protection strategy in Libya, which aims to enhance service delivery for populations in vulnerable situations, including survivors of GBV, unaccompanied and separated children, and victims of trafficking. Key contributions involve implementing community-based protection programming to raise awareness and build resilience, strengthening institutional mechanisms through targeted capacity building, and advocating for human rights, counter-trafficking, and child protection. Furthermore, the role supports advocacy for the decriminalization of irregular migration and the establishment of alternatives to detention, particularly for the most vulnerable migrants, thereby promoting their safety, dignity, and rights along this perilous route.

Responsibilities

The Protection Officer provides technical, administrative, and logistical support for Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Child Protection (CP) programming, ensuring alignment with Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) guidelines and IOM Libya’s strategy. This involves coordinating with the Programme Manager to expand existing GBV and CP initiatives. The role requires liaising with UN agencies and relevant actors, contributing inputs to inter-agency reports and strategic documents. A key duty is supporting the development and revision of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and capacity development materials, particularly for referral pathways, and overseeing their implementation. The officer guides GBV and CP support staff, coordinating daily activities, including participation in Best Interest Assessment (BIA) and Best Interest Determination (BID) processes, to ensure adherence to IOM Protection principles and guidelines. This includes ensuring timely identification of children at risk and GBV survivors, facilitating counselling and appropriate survivor-centred case management. The officer coordinates with team leads and inter-agency networks on protection activities, supporting the development and delivery of GBV and CP trainings. Contributions to GBV and CP-related inputs for strategic documents and participation in coordination platforms are essential. The role also involves supporting internal and inter-agency service mapping exercises, providing technical support on GBV and CP risk mitigation, child safeguarding, and contributing to monthly reports and project development efforts.

Work Experience

Experience in protection, GBV programming, child protection, Best Interest Determination (BIDs) processes, gender mainstreaming, or humanitarian affairs in MENA or similar contexts is required. Experience supporting UN system coordination (UNICEF, UNFPA, UNHCR) and interagency partners (governments, NGOs, communities) is essential. Prior experience in organizing GBV/CP trainings, developing operational/strategic documents, and contributing to proposal development and SOPs is also necessary. Familiarity with IOM’s MiMOSA system and project management/M&E is advantageous, as is experience in disability inclusion and gender interventions.

Skills

Knowledge of GBV and child protection case management principles and approaches. Familiarity with IOM’s Accountability to Affected Populations framework, Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), and IOM child safeguarding policy. Demonstrated ability to work across a wide variety of sectors/teams on cross-cutting themes. Knowledge and understanding of IOM’s institutional approach on GBV, child safeguarding, child protection, and related strategies. Ability to adapt key concepts from the GBV Coordination Handbook, familiarity with GBVIMS, and WHO ethical/safety recommendations for sexual violence in emergencies. Knowledge of the UN system and architecture, mainstreaming best practices, and partnership models. Ability to work with and maintain strict confidentiality, good written and oral communication skills, efficiency, flexibility, professionalism, and the ability to work under pressure, prioritize, and coordinate multiple tasks.

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