General Protection and Protection Research Specialist (P) at IOM

Cox's Bazar, Chittagong Division, Bangladesh -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

25 Dec, 25

Salary

0.0

Posted On

26 Sep, 25

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

General Protection, Protection Research, Technical Expertise, Collaborative Partnerships, Evidence-Based Programming, Gender-Based Violence, Child Protection, Counter-Trafficking, Humanitarian Response, Community Cohesion, Crisis Management, Stakeholder Engagement, Program Development, Risk Assessment, Capacity Building, Data Analysis

Industry

International Affairs

Description

Job Identification (Reference Number): 13054 Position Title: General Protection and Protection Research Specialist (P) Duty Station City: Cox’s Bazar Duty Station Country: Bangladesh Grade: P-3 Contract Type: Special Short Term Graded (Up to six months with possibility of extension) Recruiting Type: Professional Vacancy Type: Special Vacancy Notice Initial duration: Six months Closing date: 09 October 2025 Introduction 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 ensuring a workplace where all employees can thrive professionally, while working towards harnessing the full potential of migration. Read more about IOM's workplace culture at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration 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: Internal candidates Candidates from the following non-represented member states: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Comoros, Congo (the), Cook Islands, Dominica, Federated States of Micronesia, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Holy See, Iceland, Israel, Kiribati, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Madagascar, Marshall Islands, Namibia, Nauru, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu Second tier candidates include: All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM. Organizational Context and Scope Established in 1951, IOM is the leading inter-governmental organization providing services to governments and migrants in the field of migration. With 173 member states and offices in more than 100 countries, IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. IOM is characterized by its strong field presence, its provision of services, including in very remote areas, advice to governments, and direct contact with crisis-affected communities. Seven years have passed since the Rohingya were compelled to flee Myanmar due to systemic discrimination and violence. Despite ongoing support from the Bangladesh government and international aid, challenges persist, with stateless Rohingya largely reliant on humanitarian assistance and facing uncertain futures. Today, Cox’s Bazar hosts the world’s largest refugee settlement, with nearly one million Rohingya living in challenging conditions across 33 camps. These communities are grappling with not just the trauma of displacement but also the ongoing threats of gender-based violence, child protection, abuse and neglect of extremely vulnerable populations, and trafficking in persons. The situation in the refugee camps in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, has significantly deteriorated in 2024, with the situation in the refugee camps in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, has significantly deteriorated in 2024, with a reduced rule of law and increased criminal activity—including killings, abductions, extortion, trafficking, and other violent incidents. These developments have undermined the sense of safety within the camps and posed challenges to maintaining their civilian and humanitarian nature, impacting the overall well-being of refugees. This situation is further exacerbated by restrictions on freedom of movement and the lack of meaningful economic, livelihood, and educational opportunities for Rohingya refugees. These challenges leave young people particularly vulnerable to trafficking, dangerous onward journeys by land and sea, exploitation by criminal groups, and other harmful coping mechanisms, such as child marriage. Groups at heightened risk include young people, children, adolescent girls, single women, widows, and persons with disabilities. Additionally, refugee volunteers and community leaders face direct threats and coercion from criminal groups, further undermining safety and community cohesion. The IOM Protection Unit has been pivotal in addressing the urgent needs of these vulnerable populations. With specialized teams for Gender-Based Violence, Child Protection, Counter-Trafficking, General Protection, and Protection Research, the Unit’s integrated approach enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of the humanitarian response. The synergy among these teams fosters a deep, nuanced understanding of the dynamic and complex protection landscape in Cox’s Bazar, ensuring a proactive and responsive humanitarian operation. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is seeking a highly skilled and motivated individual to join its humanitarian protection operations in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, as the General Protection and Protection Research Specialist. This role is central to one of IOM’s largest and most complex protection responses globally, addressing critical needs in a dynamic and challenging humanitarian context. The General Protection and Protection Research Specialist will lead the General Protection (GP) and Protection Research (PR) teams, ensuring the effective delivery of high-quality protection services and evidence-based programming. The successful candidate will be instrumental in providing key inputs and advice for the development of innovative strategies, providing technical expertise, and fostering collaborative partnerships with stakeholders. The successful candidate will also be involved in supporting the broader protection portfolio, including supporting the coordinator in her responsibilities as co-lead of relevant working groups. The successful candidate will work under the direct supervision of the Protection Program Coordinator and overall supervision of the Head of Operations and Head of Sub-Office. The incumbent will be responsible for the following:

Responsibilities

The General Protection and Protection Research Specialist will lead the General Protection and Protection Research teams, ensuring the effective delivery of high-quality protection services and evidence-based programming. The role involves providing key inputs for innovative strategies and fostering collaborative partnerships with stakeholders.