Національний/-а старший/-а керівник/-ця з питань захисту – МОМ

Open to Internal and External Candidates 

Kindly note that all applications should be submitted through the IOM Global Career Site (View the external job posting). Applications submitted in any other manner will not be considered.   

Position Title: National Senior Protection Officer

Duty Station: Kyiv, Ukraine

Classification: National Officer, Grade NOC

Type of Appointment: Fixed-term, One year with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 24 October 2025 

Established in 1951, IOM is the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of migration and 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.

Context:

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The IOM Ukraine Protection Programme started in 1998 as the Counter-Trafficking Programme to support government and civil society efforts to combat human trafficking and to ensure survivors’ access to assistance and justice. IOM’s priorities have shifted in response to the significant changes in Ukrainian migration context; nowadays IOM offers individual case management and direct service and assistance provision for persons with protection needs because they have experienced trafficking, gender-based violence (GBV), exploitation, or conflict-related violence and rights violations; prevention efforts through awareness-raising and community outreach; and capacity development that contributes to humanitarian and development response goals.

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission in Ukraine and the direct supervision of the Head of Programs (Humanitarian), the National Senior Protection Officer will be responsible and accountable for protection operations, including oversight of project activities, supervision of staff, coordination with partners, donor engagement, and representation of IOM within relevant protection coordination structures. ​ 

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. ​​​​​​​​​​​ Support the development, planning and implementation of strategies and protection programming and provide strategic oversight and leadership with defining relevant objectives and managing administrative structures, such as staff recruitment and supervision, resource mobilization and planning, monitoring quality of activities and ensuring adaptation of response.
2. Lead and convene key processes related to protection, including negotiation, advocacy and contributing to building strategic alliances to facilitate achievement of IOM Ukraine’s protection programme objectives.
3. Support the Protection Unit in providing quality leadership and substantive contributions to technical working groups and policy platforms connected to the government, UN, humanitarian coordination, and other entities; in particular, contribute to risk and needs analysis, response planning and reporting.
4. Working closely with the National Protection Officers, provide support for the elaboration and follow-up of workplans, a monitoring, evaluation, and reporting system, as well as operational, administrative and financial backstopping for projects under the Protection Unit, including maintaining oversight of project cycles, and ensure programmes are consistent with audit and donor requirements.
5. Strengthen collaboration between the protection programme and IOM Ukraine’s humanitarian, recovery and development programmes, on joint programming and coordinated activities, particularly to mitigate protection risks and threats, and support crisis preparedness and response.
6. Contribute to the Protection Unit’s efforts to assist persons with specific protection needs and vulnerabilities, including unaccompanied and separated children (UASC) and GBV survivors in line with sectoral specialized minimum standards. Conduct national and local awareness efforts to mitigate risks and harm, and develop the capacity of external and internal stakeholders, including staff.
7. Ensure coordination with other IOM units and the mainstreaming of protection across all IOM Ukraine’s interventions, in line with IOM’s internal guidance and Approach to Protection, as well as global standards into overall IOM response and decision-making.
8. Participate in the Mission’s efforts to ensure accountability to affected populations (AAP), including Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), by providing information to staff, reinforcing reporting procedures among staff, ensuring appropriate follow up on complaints and feedback, and performing other related functions.
9. Undertake frequent duty travel to challenging operational areas.
10. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Master’s degree in International Relations, Political Science, Social Sciences 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

• ​​​​​​​​​​Demonstrated experience and expertise directly implementing and coordinating specialized protection programming, including counter-trafficking activities.
• Demonstrated experience supporting government and civil society in the development and implementation of protection and counter-trafficking strategies, policies, and action plans.
• Experience in developing strategic and operational program plans.
• Experience in inter-agency coordination, representation, and supporting cross-sectoral mainstreaming of protection.
• Experience in conducting capacity development activities related to protection topics.
• Experience in designing and delivering prevention and risk-mitigation protection activities.
• Experience in managing case management programming, including quality assurance and oversight of referral pathways.
• Proven experience supervising, mentoring and building the capacity of staff.
• Knowledge or experience in project management, results-based management, MEAL and M&E.

Skills

• Excellent track record of effective working relationships with government officials, UN agencies; NGOs, and communities.
• Proven leadership and negotiation skills, particularly in a multi-stakeholder environment.
• Understanding of complex social-political environments.
• Strong strategic and creative thinking.
• Ability to work under extreme pressure in difficult conditions while maintaining security awareness.
• Flexibility and focus on processes and their improvements.

Languages

For this position, fluency in English and Ukrainian is required (oral and written).

Required Competencies

The incumbent is expected to demonstrate the following competencies:

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  

• 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

• 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.

Other

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

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment and security clearance.

A prerequisite for taking up the position is legal residency in the country of the duty station and work permit, as applicable.

How to apply:

Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications ONLY through this link View the external job posting Position number 17308 by 24 October 2025 the latest. Applications submitted in any other manner will not be considered.  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.   

Posting period:

From 17.10.2025 to 24.10.2025