IOM Protection Coordinator – Kigali, Rwanda: P-3 International Opportunity
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is recruiting a Protection Coordinator (P-3) for its Country Office in Kigali, Rwanda. This international professional opportunity is aimed at experienced humanitarian and migration protection specialists with a strong background in programme management, resource mobilisation, stakeholder engagement and capacity building.
The position is offered as a Special Short Term Graded contract of up to nine months, with an initial contract duration of six months and the possibility of extension.
IOM Protection Coordinator Job Overview
The Protection Coordinator will work under the direct supervision of the Head of Programmes, with overall supervision from the Chief of Mission and technical guidance from the Regional Thematic Specialist on Protection.
The successful candidate will coordinate and support the implementation of IOM’s protection policies and programmes in Rwanda. The role is closely connected to IOM’s Assisted Voluntary Return programme, which seeks to ensure that migrants returning from Rwanda do so safely, with dignity and based on their free, prior and informed consent.
The position will provide technical oversight, quality control and thematic coordination while supporting evidence-based programming across the Country Office.
Key Responsibilities
The Protection Coordinator will oversee protection programming across the Country Office and provide technical assistance to other units on protection mainstreaming.
Responsibilities include managing the administrative, operational and financial aspects of relevant projects, supporting programme strategy and implementation, mentoring staff and delivering capacity-building activities.
The successful candidate will also establish and maintain relationships with UN agencies, humanitarian organisations, government authorities, community representatives and other stakeholders.
An important component of the role involves developing new projects and activities in response to emerging migration trends, programme priorities and donor requirements. The Protection Coordinator will also support resource mobilisation and ensure that programme priorities are communicated effectively to donors and international stakeholders.
The role includes responsibility for monitoring programme performance, supporting the development of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, overseeing reporting and ensuring that programme information and data are properly collected and analysed. Regular visits to sub-offices will also be required.
Qualifications and Experience
Candidates must have either a master’s degree in International Relations, Political Science, Social Science or a related discipline with at least five years of relevant professional experience, or a university degree in one of these fields combined with at least seven years of relevant experience.
Applicants should have demonstrated experience in migrant or humanitarian protection, particularly in project development and management, thematic capacity building and stakeholder liaison.
At least five years of experience working in non-OECD countries managing protection projects is required. Candidates should also have experience working with government and diplomatic officials, international institutions, civil society and private-sector stakeholders.
Experience within an international, intergovernmental or non-governmental organisation, the United Nations or government is also required.
Skills and Languages
The successful candidate should be able to understand complex and rapidly changing migration environments and interpret them within regional, global and political contexts.
IOM is also looking for candidates with a proven record of donor engagement, project development and resource mobilisation. Strong analytical, communication and coordination skills are essential.
Fluency in English is required, both written and spoken. Knowledge of another official UN language—Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish—is considered an advantage. Language proficiency may be assessed during the recruitment process.
Location, Contract and Application Deadline
Job Title: Protection Coordinator
Location: Kigali, Rwanda
Grade: P-3
Contract: Special Short Term Graded, up to 9 months
Initial Duration: 6 months, with possibility of extension
Job Identification: 23769
Posting Date: 9 November 2026
Application Deadline: 23 November 2026 at 00:59
IOM notes that internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile. Any appointment is subject to relevant clearances, including medical and security requirements, accreditation and applicable residency or visa requirements.
How to Apply
Interested candidates must submit a completed application through the IOM WAVE system. IOM states that it does not charge applicants fees at any stage of recruitment and does not request bank-account information during the application process.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
For experienced humanitarian and migration professionals, the IOM Protection Coordinator position in Kigali offers an opportunity to contribute to protection programming, strengthen institutional capacity and support safe and dignified migration in Rwanda.
