Job Description
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
This is an expedited recruitment process, open for applications from internal and internal-equivalent candidates only.
Organizational Context and Scope
Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) is one of the core areas of IOM expertise, and a field in which the organization has over 40 years of experience. IOM USA works with the US Department of State to provide eligible beneficiaries, both in the United States and in third countries, with their access to assisted voluntary return to their countries of origin or of legal status in a safe and dignified manner. In addition to travel arrangements, IOM’s assistance may include counselling of voluntary returnees, acquisition of travel documents, provision of medical or other escorts, departure, transit and arrival assistance.
The PRM funded-Global Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) Program aims to provide migrants with irregular status in the United States and in third countries (as in the case of Eswatini) access to assisted voluntary return to their countries of origin or legal status in a safe and dignified manner.
Under the overall supervision of the Senior Program Advisor, the direct supervision of the Protection Coordinator, the technical supervision of the Head of the Global MHPSS-CI Unit in HQ, and the Senior Migration Health Advisor, the MHPSS Response Officer (AVR) will have the following duties and responsibilities.
Responsibilities
1. Provide context-specific life-saving psychological first aid basic psychological support interventions and case management for migrants and returnees. Refer to the licensed medical officer any situation that requires emergency medical procedures, lifesaving care, or similar medical interventions.
2. Conduct individual protection screening, anamnesis, and protocol-based MHPSS assessment of migrants upon arrival, in line with standard institutional tools, identifying vulnerabilities and protection risks, documenting needs, and preparing individualized case plans.
3. Provide case management services: follow up on cases, monitor progress, support service mapping, coordinate referrals to specialized services including legal, health, psychosocial, family tracing, GBV, as needed, and ensure continuity of assistance.
4. Assist in the implementation of safe and dignified reception services, ensuring privacy, confidentiality, and informed consent; support with documentation and coordination with relevant authorities (e.g. consular, migration, local government).
5. Conduct individual, and when relevant, group counselling sessions to support migrant and returnees.
6. Facilitate referrals to licensed medical professionals for any situation that requires emergency medical procedures, psychiatric assessment, lifesaving care, fitness to fly assessment or other required medical interventions.
7. Coordinate with Migration Health Division (MHD) Health Assessment Programme (HAP) psychiatrists, travel health and other clinical experts as required.
8. Participate in suicide-prevention and suicide watch activities by monitoring at-risk individuals, documenting observations, and coordinating referral to qualified medical professionals.
9. Maintain accurate data collection and case notes in IOM’s case management systems (such as MiMOSA or other approved tools), ensuring data protection and confidentiality standards are met. Coordinate with Protection Coordinator and other operational staff (health, psychosocial, logistics) to ensure service provision is timely and that operational constraints or gaps are identified and escalated.
10. Perform other related duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications and Experience
Education
- Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology, Clinical Social Work, Psychiatry, Psychological Counselling, Forensic/Criminal Psychology, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with two years of relevant professional experience; or,
- University degree in the above fields with four years of relevant professional experience.
- Participation to IOM courses on MHPSS and population mobility a distinctive advantage.
Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.
Experience
- Experience working with migrants, civil society, and governments;
- Experience managing programming across multiple countries;
- Proven experience working with vulnerable persons and communicating with individuals who have complex needs;
- Experience working in programs that include a movement operations component is an advantage; and,
- Experience with IOM or other UN agencies, particularly working on assisted voluntary return and reintegration programs, is preferred.
Skills
- Strong writing, editing and presentation skills;
- Excellent computer skills: excellent knowledge of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and email/internet software, statistical analysis packages;
- Knowledge of UN cooperation frameworks and bilateral donor programming requirements;
- Ability to gather, consolidate, and attribute information from multiple sources;
- High degree of judgment and initiative, ability to work with a high degree of independence within assigned areas;
- Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills; and,
- Proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of diverse cultural and national backgrounds.
Languages
All IOM staff members in all categories are required to be fluent in one of the IOM's official languages (English, French, Spanish).
For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written).
Working knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) is an advantage.
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 five 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 Level 2
- 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
This vacancy is only open to current and former IOM staff members who were separated in the last 12 months due to the structural adjustment process.
Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile. Please refer to this link for guidance on IOM Job Category.
Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.
This selection process may be used to staff similar positions in various duty stations. Recommended candidates will remain eligible to be appointed in a similar position for a period of 24 months.
Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, security clearances.
Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.
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 e-Recruitment system (for internal candidates link here). The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies
Required Skills
Job info
Contract Type: Special Short Term Graded (Up to 9 months)Initial Contract Duration: 6 months
Org Type: Country Office
Vacancy Type: Special Vacancy Notice
Recruiting Type: Professional
Grade: P-2
Is this S/VN based in an L3 office or in support to an L3 emergency response?: No