ThaiNGO

Open to Internal and External Candidates

Position Title               : National Project Officer (Child Protection)

Duty Station                : Bangkok, Thailand

Classification              :  National Officer (NO-A, THB 146,634.92 per month)

Type of Appointment  :  One Year Fixed Term Contract

Initial 12 months with possibility of extension

Desired Start Date      :  As soon as possible

Closing Date               :  9 October 2023

Reference Code          : VN058/2023

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.

1.ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT AND SCOPE:

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Thailand implements a range of national and regional projects aimed at addressing migration challenges and delivering increased protection and assistance to vulnerable migrants in partnership with government, civil society and private sector counterparts. 

IOM supports the development of sustainable solutions to reduce systemic vulnerabilities, promotes social cohesion among migrant and host communities, and works with its partners to provide increased support to vulnerable migrants including stranded migrants, victims of trafficking, asylum seekers, unaccompanied and separated minors (UASC), and exploited and abused migrants. In addition, IOM provides tailored protection services to vulnerable populations including, but not limited to, counselling, mental health and psychosocial support, return and reintegration, including learning and livelihood development activities.

IOM advocates for the use of alternatives to detention for migrant children, increased access to screening and basic rights services and promoting mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) and other tailored support through referral and collaboration between key protection actors.

Under the overall supervision of the Head of the Protection Unit (PXU) and the direct supervision of the Programme Manager (Protection), the National Project Officer (Child Protection) will be responsible for supporting the planning, implementation and monitoring of migrant assistance and child protection interventions in Thailand.

2.RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Plan, coordinate and implement project interventions under IOM Thailand’s Child Protection portfolio (PXU), ensuring timely delivery, quality control, monitoring and supervision of administrative and financial matters in line with IOM policies, and procedures, and donor requirements;
• In coordination with PM/HoU, and other relevant Units, plan and execute responses for persons with specific needs and vulnerabilities, specifically unaccompanied and separated children (UASC) (including counselling, family tracing and reunification, coordination of best interest assessment and determination procedures, return, or livelihood support, etc.) and oversee the development and implementation of early identification procedures, referral pathways, trends analysis and risk mitigation, in line with IOM’s Approach to Protection and other relevant institutional tools, policies and approaches (e.g. MIMOSA);
• Build and maintain close working partnerships with Royal Thai Government (RTG) counterparts, Child Protection Networks, project partners, UN Agencies, NGOs, community-based organizations and other key stakeholders to contribute to  a smooth implementation of project activities and key priority areas such as Alternatives to Detention;
• In close coordination with the Head of Unit and PM, collaborate with relevant units in IOM Thailand and the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (ROAP) on the review, development and implementation of capacity building program, curricula and other resources to support child protection in line with IOM’'s institutional report, to build a repository of training materials;
• Support the mapping of relevant stakeholders to inform the development of a strategic engagement plan to strengthen prevention and protection efforts for children in the context of migration;
• Monitor policy developments in the country in the area of migrant child protection, and provide recommendations;
• Prepare monthly progress updates, coordinate inputs for interim and final donor reports, and support the maintenance of project planners;
• Provide technical guidance and advocacy to RTG counterparts, in coordination with relevant UN partners, INGOs, NGOS/CSOs, to support the development and implementation of national policies, legislation and standard operating procedures to strengthen child protection procedures;
• Support and participate in monitoring, evaluation and learning exercises by coordinating with key stakeholders, collecting, consolidating and analysing information to institutionalize lessons learned;
• Contribute to the development of IOM Thailand Protection strategy, specially focusing on Child Protection, as well as project development and resource mobilization efforts under the Protection Unit;
• Support protection mainstreaming exercises in close coordination with Head of Unit and PM, as well as other relevant Units;
• Undertake travel duty as requested to monitor and support implementation of activities.
• Supervise staff and interns as assigned;
• Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

3.QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s degree in education, psychology, law, international relations, political science, social science, or a related field from from an accredited academic institution with at least two years of relevant professional experience;
• Master's degree is an advantage.

EXPERIENCE

• Experience working on the protection and assistance of vulnerable migrant populations especially unaccompanied and separated children. This includes inter alia providing needs-based protection services, conducting or coordinating family tracing and reunification, best interest assessments and determination for children, including through coordination with child protection networks and partners.
• Experience with the development of policy and research initiatives, designing and delivering capacity building programs on migrant children, gender-based violence, and trafficking in persons.
• Demonstrated experience building strategic partnerships with government and non-government partners, and international organizations, in the area of protection.
• Strong experience in developing budgets and tracking of financial expenditures.

SKILLS

• Sound knowledge of programme development, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation;
• Strong experience in developing budgets and tracking of financial expenditures.
• Proven understanding of migration dynamics in Thailand and vulnerabilities experienced by migrant populations, especially in the area of child protection.
• Sound knowledge and understanding of (child) safeguarding procedures.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality is mandatory;

LANGUAGES

• For all applicants, fluency in English and Thai is required (oral and written).
• Burmese or other languages spoken by minority groups from Myanmar; Khmer; Lao is desirable.

4.DESIRABLE COMPETENCIES:

The incumbent is expected to demonstrate the following values and competencies:

Values

Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences; encourages diversity and inclusion wherever possible.

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: Fosters a sense of team spirit by developing a shared understanding, accountability and enthusiasm for the team’s work.

Delivering results: Aligns projects with the Organization’s mission and objectives and demonstrates a good understanding of the impact of team’s and own work on external and internal counterparts.

Managing and sharing knowledge: Disseminates and shares knowledge openly and actively contributes to knowledge/network communities for topics relevant to area of expertise.

Accountability: Plans and organizes work with a clear and deliberate focus, ensuring commitments are easily identified and progress is widely communicated.

Communication: Shares information and keeps others up to date; actively seeks others’ views and ideas and respects their contribution.

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 potential.

Empowering others & building trust: creates an atmosphere of trust and an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.

Strategic thinking and vision:  works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.

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 verification of residency, visa and authorizations by the concerned Government, where applicable.

Only candidates residing in either the country of the duty station or from a location in a neighboring country that is within commuting distance of the duty station will be considered. In all cases, a prerequisite for taking up the position is legal residency in the country of the duty station, or in the neighboring country located within commuting distance, and work permit, as applicable.

How to apply:

Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications to the IOM Bangkok Human Resources Unit at e-mail bkkrecruitment@iom.int by October 9, 2023 at the latest.

Kindly indicate the reference code VN058/2023 followed by your full name in the subject line.

Applications should include:

a) a cover letter, indicating the dates of availability;

b) a curriculum vitae;

c) a duly completed IOM Personal History Form which can be downloaded from https://thailand.iom.int/sites/g/files/tmzbdl1371/files/Vacancies/Form/iom-personal-history-form-270122.xls.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Posting period:

From 25.09.2023 to 09.10.2023