Reintegration Assistant - UG

Job Description

Established in 1951, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) serves as the United Nations agency dedicated to migration, working in close collaboration with governmental, intergovernmental, and civil society partners. IOM’s mission is to promote humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all, offering services and expert advice to both governments and migrants.

Within the framework of the Migrant Protection, Return and Reintegration Program for Sub-Saharan Africa (MPRR-SSA), funded by the European Union, IOM supports returning migrants through a comprehensive reintegration process. This process includes an initial assessment, the development and implementation of individualized reintegration plans, and ongoing monitoring. The Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) teams, based in Yaoundé and Douala, are responsible for executing these activities.

Due to a significant increase in the number of migrants requiring support and heightened demands for performance and efficiency, there is a need to strengthen the AVRR team’s capacity. Recently, the team has witnessed a notable rise in returnees from transit countries in West Africa and the Maghreb under the Voluntary Return and Reintegration Assistance Program (MPRR-SSA). Over the past three months, the mission has coordinated the arrival of approximately four charter flights, each carrying around 150 migrants—resulting in about 600 returnees. An additional two or three charter flights are anticipated in the coming months.

To address this growing demand, IOM Cameroon is recruiting Reintegration Assistants (UG) to support the AVRR team. Under the supervision of AVRR Team Leaders, the Reintegration Assistants will be responsible for the key responsibilities presented below.

Responsibilities

1. Assisting in welcoming, registering, and conducting needs assessments for returnee migrants.
2. Providing counselling and socio-economic or vocational guidance, as well as supporting the development of reintegration plans for beneficiaries.
3. Contributing in the organization of initial intake sessions for returnees upon arrival, which include entrepreneurship training, civic and moral rearmament sessions, psychosocial support, profiling, registration, case file creation, and distribution of pocket money.
4. Supporting the preparation and organization of reintegration committee meetings and handling related logistics.
5. Assisting AVRR Case Workers with the preparation of in-kind or cash reintegration case files for submission in IOM system (WAVE). Where relevant, the incumbent might be require to submit files in WAVE.
6. Supporting the distribution of MAD (assistance packages) to beneficiaries.
7. Contributing to reporting efforts and ensuring accurate entry of cases into local databases.
8. Assisting AVRR Teams in the coordination and delivery of community-based reintegration activities, such as group livelihood initiatives or social cohesion projects, to foster stronger integration of returnees within their local communities.
9. Ensuring all migrants files are updated for submission in the system to procees with support (payment or in kind); it might include active follow up with migrants and / or national authorities
10. Contributing in follow-up visits and outreach to monitor the progress of reintegration plans, identify challenges faced by beneficiaries, and propose timely solutions or interventions to promote long-term sustainability. 
11. Performing any other duties as assigned by the AVRR Team Leaders.

Qualifications

EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, International Relations, Development Studies, or a related field.
• Additional training or certification in counselling, case management, or project management is an asset.
• Knowledge of migration issues, reintegration processes, or humanitarian principles acquired through formal education or specialized courses.

EXPERIENCE

• Previous experience working in migration, humanitarian assistance, social work, or related fields.
• Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and liaising with service providers (e.g., health, legal, psychosocial support).
• Demonstrated experience in organizing events or workshops, particularly those related to reintegration or community development.

SKILLS

• Proficiency in data entry and case management systems, such as the Wave system or similar digital platforms.
• Strong communication skills for conducting interviews, needs assessments, and providing counselling to returnees.
• Ability to organize and facilitate group sessions, including entrepreneurship training and psychosocial support activities.

Required Skills

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