Senior Protection Coordinator

Organizational Context

The International Organization for Migration (IOM), established in 1951, is a leading UN agency promoting humane and orderly migration. It safeguards the rights of individuals across operational contexts by working with States as primary duty bearers. The IOM Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) seeks a Senior Protection Coordinator to oversee its migrant protection programs, operating under the Chief of Mission and regional technical guidance.

Job Purpose

The Senior Protection Coordinator in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is responsible for providing strategic guidance and overarching oversight for the development and implementation of migrant protection program portfolios, including Return, Readmission and Reintegration (RRR) and Counter Trafficking in Persons. This role operates under the direct supervision of the Chief of Mission (COM) in DRC and technical guidance from the Protection Regional Thematic Unit (PRTU). The incumbent is accountable for the effective delivery of the migrant protection program, ensuring full adherence to international standards, operational parameters, risk-informed analysis, and IOM’s institutional policies and regulations. The position contributes to IOM's mandate of promoting humane and orderly migration and protecting people on the move.

Responsibilities

The Senior Protection Coordinator will oversee the development and implementation of the Protection Programme in the mission, managing administrative, operational, and financial aspects of relevant projects. Responsibilities include ensuring coordination with the Regional Office and other IOM Country Offices, supervising protection officers, and managing staff welfare and career development. The role involves ensuring accurate data collection and reporting through institutional tools like MIMOSA, and compliance with IOM and donor requirements for procurement, budget, and human resources. The Coordinator will establish and strengthen relationships with external stakeholders, represent the program in coordination forums, and cultivate donor relationships for fundraising and proposal development. Additionally, the position will lead the program's communication strategy, provide technical advice on program policies, ensure gender and protection mainstreaming, and serve as the technical protection focal point for DRC.

Work Experience

Required experience includes working with migrants, civil society, and governments; leading and managing large multinational teams; managing protection programming across multiple countries and mainstreaming protection across operations; and providing protection and assistance to vulnerable migrants. Experience with movement operations is advantageous, and prior work with IOM or other UN agencies on assisted voluntary return, reintegration, or specialized protection programs is preferred.

Skills

Key skills include strong knowledge of IOM and inter-agency protection standards, operational procedures, and guidelines; solid coordination abilities; strong writing, editing, presentation, and training facilitation skills; excellent computer proficiency (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, email, statistical analysis); knowledge of UN cooperation frameworks and donor programming; ability to gather and consolidate information; high degree of judgment and initiative; strong interpersonal and teamwork skills; and the ability to establish effective working relationships with diverse individuals. Completion of mandatory IOM trainings is also required.

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