Position Title: Gender Based Violence (GBV) Officer

Duty Station: Geneva, Switzerland

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P3

Type of Appointment: Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 25 April 2024

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

IOM is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. Read more about diversity and inclusion at IOM at www.iom.int/diversity.

Applications are welcome from first- and second-tier candidates, particularly qualified female candidates as well as applications from the non-represented member countries of IOM. For all IOM vacancies, applications from qualified and eligible first-tier candidates are considered before those of qualified and eligible second-tier candidates in the selection process.

For the purpose of this vacancy, the following are considered first-tier candidates:

1. Internal candidates
2. Candidates from the following non-represented member states:

Antigua and Barbuda; Barbados; Botswana; Cabo Verde; Comoros; Congo (the); Cook Islands; Dominica; Fiji; Grenada; Guinea-Bissau; Holy See; Iceland; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the); Madagascar; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Sao Tome and Principe; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Tonga; Tuvalu; Uzbekistan; Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:

All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states.

Context:

The Protection Division (PXD) within IOM is responsible for specialized protection interventions that aim to address protection risks by preventing or responding to actual or potential violations of rights defined by relevant international instruments including migration, human rights, refugee, and international humanitarian law. PXD works to ensure the upholding, or restoration of the rights of individuals who are vulnerable to or at risk of violence, abuse, exploitation, discrimination, neglect, and deliberate deprivation. PXD also supports other IOM divisions and departments in protection mainstreaming. PXD is the thematic home for inter alia, combating human trafficking, child protection, addressing gender-based violence (GBV); addressing xenophobia and racism; disability inclusion; housing, land and property as well as return and reintegration. In partnership with IOM divisions and departments and external stakeholders, PXD responds to protection needs in both humanitarian and non-humanitarian settings, through the following six programmatic pillars: data, research and learning; training and capacity development; advocacy and communications; convening and dialogue; direct assistance; and thematic guidance.

Under the overall supervision of the Head of Protection Division and the direct supervision of the Head of Core Protection Unit, the Gender Based Violence (GBV) Officer will be responsible for leading and facilitating the technical oversight in all aspects related to GBV work in all contexts affected by migration and ensure coherence across other relevant specialized protection interventions.

The successful candidate is expected to carry out the duties in accordance with the strictest ethical standards and with due respect for gender and socio-cultural sensitivities.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Coordinate the development of IOM’s global policies, standards, and quality assurance on addressing GBV. Analyse trends and emerging issues related to GBV and protection, providing recommendations for policy development and implementation. Contribute to reports and other publications on this issue.
2. Design, implement, and oversee GBV prevention and response programs tailored to the specific needs of migrant populations.
3. Lead the harmonization of strategies in addressing GBV across different contexts with regional Thematic Specialists in close collaboration with other GBV Specialists in Department of Emergencies and Operations in alignment with global standards and practices.
4. Develop tools that support quality implementation of the Gender-based Violence thematic area are fully integrated within the larger protection and child protection programme components.
5. Lead and ensure integration of GBV risk mitigation, prevention and response into broader migration-related programs and activities. Coordinate IOM’s efforts to mainstream the responses to gender-based violence in close collaboration with GBV Specialists with the Department of Operations and Emergencies (DOE), other relevant Headquarters (HQs) Departments and Divisions and with Regional Offices. Monitor new developments in this area.
6. Represent IOM in global fora to ensure the positioning of IOMs role within addressing GBV and especially in areas where IOM has a comparative advantage in regards to support to migrants and align the streams of work as per standards set with other United Nations agencies, governments as well as the Global Protection Cluster and its various Areas of Responsibility.
7. Lead the development of technical guidance on GBV case management and oversee its implementation, ensuring survivor-centered approaches.
8. Contribute to IOM’s thematic knowledge and capacity on GBV by developing and conducting trainings for diverse audiences and updating tools for IOM missions and staff.
9. Provide technical backstopping and support IOM field missions – remotely and through travels to field missions – in ensuring protection, especially GBV and protection mainstreaming in operations through development and roll-out of reference material and technical support to missions.
10. Support monitoring and evaluation of GBV programming including preparation of regular reports, case studies, and analyses on GBV trends, outcomes, and best practices, contributing to organizational learning and knowledge sharing.
11. Promote protection information management standards, specifically including data protection and data responsibility principles, and analyse data to identify protection risk trends or patterns and provide insights to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation, and reporting.
12. Develop project proposals and support fundraising for GBV, and/or contribute to the review and endorsement of IOM projects, reports, strategies and appeals with GBV components, consolidating and updating tracking tools and follow up with relevant units in IOM HQ and Regional Technical Specialists.
13. Prepare or contribute to reports and materials covering advocacy to address GBV and GBV related activities; prepare briefings, statistical/narrative reports and background notes including specific information requested by IOM, Governments, and other entities.
14. Perform any other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Law, International Relations, Psychology, Social Sciences, Development Studies and Planning, Human Rights, International Relations, Humanitarian Action or a related field from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience; or,
• University degree in the above fields with seven years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• Professional experience in the fields of gender based violence, protection, child protection, accountability to affected populations (AAP), gender mainstreaming and/or humanitarian affairs; • Strong coordination experience within the UN system and amongst interagency partners, including governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and communities and knowledge and understanding of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) humanitarian architecture;
• Demonstrated experience working on GBV programming and/or with GBV survivors in an emergency or post-conflict environment;
• Demonstrated experience in humanitarian affairs and/or development relating to migration, refugee, Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) issues, showing increasing levels of responsibility; field experience preferred;
• Experience in conducting ethical safe assessments, data collection, and information-sharing tools;
• Experience in developing and facilitating GBV trainings, in particular capacity-building, and communication materials;
• Experience undertaking protection risk assessments, in coordination with communities, partners, and UN and other key stakeholders; and,
• Experience in protection policy and proposal development and the creation of standard operating procedures and tools.

Skills

• Knowledge and understanding of IOM’s institutional approach on protection, GBV and related strategies, policies, rules and regulations; • Knowledge of the UN system and architecture;
• In depth knowledge of protection mainstreaming best practices and partnership models to ensure coordination of the same across a diversified range of actors;
• Demonstrated ability to work across a wide variety of sectors/teams on cross-cutting themes;
• Good written and oral communication skills, effective in representation and liaison with external partners;
• Ability to organize work, work independently and prioritize work under pressure, coordinate multiple tasks, maintain attention to detail, and coordination with a variety of stakeholders; and,
• Ability to work with and maintain strict confidentiality, when necessary.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish. All staff members are required to be fluent in one of the three languages.

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish) is an advantage.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Notes

Accredited Universities are the ones listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database (https://whed.net/home.php).

Required Competencies:

Values – all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these five values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
• Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
• Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
• Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators level 2

• Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
• Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Managerial Competencies – behavioural indicators level 2

• Leadership: Provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example and demonstrates the ability to carry out the Organization’s vision. Assists others to realize and develop their leadership and professional potential.
• Empowering others: Creates an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
• Building Trust: Promotes shared values and creates an atmosphere of trust and honesty.
• Strategic thinking and vision: Works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.
• Humility: Leads with humility and shows openness to acknowledging own shortcomings.

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link.

https://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/about-iom/iom_revised_competency_framework_external.pdf

Competencies will be assessed during a competency-based interview.

Other:

Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile.

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

This selection process may be used to staff similar positions in various duty stations. Recommended candidates endorsed by the Appointments and Postings Board will remain eligible to be appointed in a similar position for a period of 24 months.

The list of NMS countries above includes all IOM Member States which are non-represented in the Professional Category of staff members.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and background verification and security clearances. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required for individuals hired on or after 15 November 2021. This will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.

Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.