Protection Response Officer, Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR)
Organizational Context
The International Organization for Migration (IOM), a UN-related agency established in 1951, facilitates humane and orderly migration. The organization supports governments and migrants through various services and initiatives. This role operates within the Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) program, a core IOM expertise area with over 40 years of experience, funded by the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM).
Job Purpose
This Protection Response Officer role focuses on the Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) program, a key IOM initiative. The primary purpose is to ensure eligible beneficiaries, both within the United States and in third countries, have access to safe and dignified voluntary return to their countries of origin or legal status. This involves managing and coordinating protection activities, providing essential assistance such as counselling and travel arrangements, and ensuring adherence to IOM policies and standards. The role contributes to IOM's mandate of promoting orderly migration and protecting people on the move, working under the supervision of the Chief of Mission and in close coordination with regional protection specialists.
Responsibilities
The Protection Response Officer will conduct protection assessments and develop risk mitigation strategies, focusing on operational settings, service accessibility, and protection risks for vulnerable groups. They will lead and support national and international protection staff to ensure high-quality outcomes and adherence to IOM policies. Responsibilities include drafting reports, collaborating with various units and staff for service access, and liaising with national and protection actors for referrals. The officer will coordinate with relevant actors to facilitate documentation, family tracing, and reunification, and ensure proper protection information management. They will represent IOM in meetings, monitor activity implementation, and contribute to the design of new projects based on emerging trends and donor requirements. The role may also involve short-notice international deployments for urgent protection responses.
Work Experience
Required experience includes working with migrants, civil society, and governments. Proven experience in managing protection programming across multiple countries and mainstreaming protection is essential. The role also requires experience providing protection and assistance to vulnerable migrants and communicating with individuals with complex needs. Experience in programs with a movement operations component is advantageous, as is prior experience with IOM or other UN agencies, particularly in AVRR or specialized protection programs.
Skills
Key skills include demonstrated knowledge of IOM and inter-agency protection standards, operational procedures, and guidelines. Strong coordination, research, and adaptability skills are necessary. The role requires excellent writing, editing, presentation, and training facilitation abilities, along with proficiency in MS Office and statistical analysis packages. Candidates should possess strong judgment, initiative, interpersonal and teamwork skills, and the ability to establish effective working relationships with diverse individuals.