SVN-2025-18 Protection Associate
Budapest, Hungary
JOB DETAIL
Internal and external candidates will be considered for this vacancy. For the purposes of this vacancy, internal candidates are defined as staff members holding a regular, fixed-term or short-term graded or ungraded contract, including Junior Professional Officers (JPOs), staff on Special Leave Without Pay (SLWOP), and staff members on secondment/loan released by the Organization, unless otherwise specified in their contract. Staff members holding a regular, fixed-term or short-term graded contract will not retain their contract type if appointed to an ungraded position.
Context
Under the direct supervision of the Senior Project Associate (Protection), the Protection Associate will play a key role in PSEAH (Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment), Child Protection, and Protection of Vulnerable Groups within IOM Hungary’s protection programmes. The incumbent will be responsible for ensuring compliance with IOM standards, implementing protection strategies, and coordinating with internal and external stakeholders to enhance protection mechanisms.
1. PSEAH Responsibilities
- Serve as the primary focal point for all PSEAH-related matters within the organization.
- Develop, implement, and continuously enhance PSEAH policies and procedures in line with IOM standards and best practices.
- Conduct training and awareness sessions for staff, partners, and beneficiaries to strengthen PSEAH compliance and reporting mechanisms.
- Monitor, document, and report on PSEAH-related incidents, ensuring confidentiality and appropriate follow-up actions.
- Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to enhance PSEAH mechanisms, response, and preventive measures.
2. Child Protection Responsibilities
- Develop and implement Child Protection policies aligned with IOM Hungary’s Child Protection Framework.
- Conduct risk assessments to identify challenges and vulnerabilities affecting children in IOM programmes.
- Facilitate and coordinate referral services for children at risk of violence, exploitation, or abuse.
- Promote child-friendly spaces and activities to support the safety, well-being, and development of children in IOM-supported initiatives.
3. Protection of Vulnerable Groups Responsibilities
- Identify and assess the needs of vulnerable populations, including women, the elderly, persons with disabilities, minorities, and marginalized communities.
- Design and implement protection strategies and tailored programmes to address the specific challenges faced by these groups.
- Establish and maintain strong collaboration with protection actors, service providers, and government agencies.
- Support case management and referral pathways for individuals requiring specialized protection services.
4. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting
- Assist in data collection, monitoring, and evaluation of protection-related programmes.
- Contribute to the development of project reports, donor submissions, and case studies to highlight protection achievements and gaps.
- Maintain up-to-date documentation of protection cases, ensuring confidentiality and compliance with data protection policies.
- Work closely with the Programme Support Unit (PSU) to ensure adherence to donor reporting requirements and quality standards.
5. Stakeholder Coordination and Capacity Building
- Represent IOM Hungary in protection coordination forums and working groups.
- Provide technical support and guidance to staff, implementing partners, and service providers on protection-related policies and best practices.
- Develop and facilitate trainings and capacity-building workshops on protection topics for government counterparts, NGOs, and community-based organizations.
6. Other Duties
- Undertake duty travel as required to support protection activities and stakeholder engagement.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Education
- University degree in Social Sciences, Human Rights, International Relations, Law, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with three years of relevant professional experience; or
- High school diploma with five years of relevant professional experience.
Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.
Experience
- Experience in protection, case management, PSEAH, child protection, or humanitarian assistance.
- Knowledge of gender-based violence (GBV) prevention, human trafficking, and victim assistance frameworks.
- Familiarity with international protection standards, referral mechanisms, and risk mitigation strategies.
- Previous experience working with government agencies, NGOs, and international organizations is an advantage.
- Experience in data management, reporting, and stakeholder coordination
Skills
- Strong knowledge of protection principles, safeguarding frameworks, and rights-based approaches.
- Excellent organizational and administrative skills, with attention to detail.
- Ability to manage confidential and sensitive information appropriately.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills for stakeholder engagement and advocacy.
- Proficiency in MS Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
Languages
- For this position, Fluency in English is required. (oral and written).
- Fluency in Hungarian and/or Ukrainian is a distinct advantage.
IOM’s official languages are English, French and Spanish.
Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.
Required Competencies
IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.
Values – all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these three 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
- 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.
Notes
- Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.
- This post is subject to local recruitment. Only those holding a valid residence and work permit for the country where this position is based will be eligible for consideration.
- Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, verification of residency, visa, and authorizations by the concerned Government, where applicable.
- IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities.
- IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.
- IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM online recruitment system. The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.
For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies
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