SVN-2026-002 Case Manager and Psychosocial Support - SST UG

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

Internal and external candidates will be considered for this vacancy. For the purposes of this vacancy, internal candidates are defined as staff members holding a regular, fixed-term or short-term graded or ungraded contract, including Junior Professional Officers (JPOs), staff on Special Leave Without Pay (SLWOP), UN Volunteers with at least twelve (12) months of continuous service in IOM, and staff members on secondment/loan released by the Organization, unless otherwise specified in their contract. Staff members holding a regular, fixed-term or short-term graded contract will not retain their contract type if appointed to an ungraded position.

Organizational Context and Scope

As part of the Voluntary Assisted Return (AVR) response provided by IOM for extra-regional migrants fromtheUnitedStates,aswellasothernationalitiesintheAmericas,IOM in Costa Rica is seeking to hire AVR case managers who, as part of a comprehensive approach, will be responsible for both case management and psychosocial support for beneficiaries. The tasks to be performed are:

Responsibilities

1. Conduct interviews with individuals to gather further information, assess their situation, and explain theAVRprocessandavailableservices.

2. Completedataentry inKobo and Excel, ensuring all requiredfields are filledaccurately and ina timely manner.

3. Providefollow-upservicesfortheindividualsthroughouttheAVRprocess,ensuringtheyarefully informedandsupported.

4. Manage cases by coordinating with other teams and stakeholders, ensuring that the necessary steps aretakenforthesuccessfulreturnoftheindividual.

5. Analyzeeachcasetoidentifyspecificneeds,challenges,andappropriateinterventions.

6. Liaisewithtranslatorstoensureclearcommunicationwithmigrantswhospeakdifferentlanguages.

7. Collaborate with other case managers to share information, strategies, and best practices to ensure effectivecasemanagement.

8. CommunicateandcoordinatewithIOMofficesinthecountryoforigintoarrangefortheindividual’s

   return,ensuringthenecessarydocumentationandassistanceareinplace.

9. Handle the coordination with Movements to purchase airline tickets for individuals, ensuring all travel arrangementsaremadeinaccordancewithIOMguidelinesandtheindividual'spreferenceswhen possible.

10. Providesupportandaccompanimentattheairport,assistingindividualsthroughcheck-inand departureprocedurestoensuresafeandsmoothtravel.

11. Ensure allcasemanagement activities aredocumentedaccurately, followingIOM guidelinesand protocols.

12. Otherassociatedandrelevantfunctionsforthecorrectexecutionoftheprojectassignedbythe Supervisoraccordingtotheneedsoftheposition.

13. Conduct TDYs in PasoCanoas and other border areas where theAVR projectisbeingimplemented, as required.

14. Provide psychological first aid (PFA) and emotional support to migrants, prioritizing a person-centered, culturally appropriate, and rights-based approach.

15. Conduct initial and follow-up psychosocial assessments to identify risk factors, protection needs, conditions of vulnerability, and protective factors that may influence the return process.

16. Design and implement individualized psychosocial support plans aimed at strengthening coping skills, informed decision-making, and emotional well-being.

17. Identify physical and mental health needs during psychosocial care sessions, and ensure timely referrals to medical and specialized services, while ensuring interagency coordination and appropriate case follow-up.

18. Record the psychosocial care provided, ensuring that cases are properly documented in the established systems and that information is kept confidential and secure, in compliance with data protection principles and ethical standards of care.

19. Design and implement group-based psychosocial care interventions when appropriate, creating safe spaces for emotional support, mutual assistance, and self-expression that help strengthen individual and collective resources.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Professional with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, with four years of relevant experience; and registered with the Professional Association of Psychologists. 

  Generalstudiesingenderstudies,migration,casemanagement,peaceandconflictstudies, willbe anadvantage.

Experience

• Minimumoffouryearsofexperienceinworkingwithvulnerablepopulations.

  • FluencyinEnglishisrequired(atleastB2level).

  • Fluencyinanyotherlanguage(French,Arabic,Russian,Mandarin, Portuguese)isanadvantage.

  • Previousexperienceincasemanagementinhumanitariansettings.

  • Experienceincommunicatingandworkingwithawiderangeofpeople,includingthosefrom culturallydiversebackgrounds.

  • Previousexperienceinprotectionactivitiesinrelatedinterventionareasisanadvantage.

  • ExperienceincoordinatingwithinstitutionalandUNcounterparts.

  • Excellentwritingandsystematizationskills.

  • Excellentanalyticalskills.

  • Abilitytomultitask.

  • Excellentorganizationalandplanning skills.

  • Abilitytoincorporatealldiversitiesintowork.

  • Excellentandproven abilitytoworkbothin ateamandindependently.

Skills

• TheAVRCaseManagermusthave thefollowingtechnicalandpersonalskills:

  -Responsibility:

  Acceptandgiveconstructivecriticism.

  Followallprocedures,processesandpolicies.

  Meetdeadlines,cost,andqualityrequirementsfor results.

  Checkyourownworktocorrectmistakes.

  Assumeresponsibilitytomeetcommitmentsandpossibledeficiencies.

  -Customerorientation:

  Identifytheimmediateandperipheral clientsofthejob.

  Establishandmaintaineffectiveworkingrelationshipswithclients.

  Identifyandverifychangesintheneedsofclients, includingdonors, governmentsand projectbeneficiaries.

  -Continuous learning:

  Contribute to thelearningofcolleagues.

  Showinterestinimprovingrelevantskills.

  Showinterestinacquiringrelevantskillsfromotherfunctionalareas.

  Keepabreastofdevelopmentsinyourfield ofexpertise.

  -Communication:

  Activelysharerelevantinformation.

  Communicateclearlyandlisten/receivefeedbackonprioritiesandprocedures.

  Writeclearlyand effectively,adaptingthewordingandstyletotheintendedaudience.

  Listeneffectivelyandcommunicate clearly,tailoringdelivery totheaudience.

  -CreativityandInitiative:

  Proactivelydevelopnewwaystosolveproblems.

  LeadershipandNegotiation

  Convinceotherstoshareresources.

  Presentgoalsassharedinterests.

  -Performancemanagement:

  Provideconstructivefeedbacktocolleagues.

  Providefair,accurate,timelyandconstructivestaff evaluations.

  AppropriatelyutilizepersonnelevaluationsinrecruitmentandotherrelevantHR procedures.

  -Planningandorganization:

  Set clear and achievable goals consistent with agreed priorities for herself/himself and others.

  Identifypriorityactivitiesandtasksforherself/himselfandothers.

  Organizeanddocumentworktoallowforplannedorunplannedhandover.

  Identifyrisksanddevelopcontingencyplans.

  -Professionalism:

  Master thesubjectrelatedtoyourresponsibilities.

  Identifyfundamentalproblems,opportunitiesandriskswithresponsibilities.

  Incorporate gender-related needs, perspectives and concerns, and promote gender equality participation.

  Persistent,calmandcourteousinthefaceofchallengesandstress.

  Treatallcolleagueswithrespectanddignity.

  Workeffectivelywithpeopleofdifferentculturesadaptingtorelevantculturalcontexts.

  KnowledgeableandpromoteroftheIOM'smainmandateandmigrationsolutions.

  -Teamwork:

  Activelycontributetoan effective, collegial andfriendlyteamenvironment.

  Contributeandmeetteamgoals.

  Givecreditwhereitisdue.

  Seekinputandfeedbackfrom others.

  Appropriatelydelegatetasksandresponsibilities.

  Activelysupportandimplementfinalteamdecisions.

  Takejointresponsibilityfortheteam'swork.

  -TechnologicalKnowledge:

  Learnaboutthetechnologicaldevelopmentsavailable.

  Proactivelyidentifyandadvocateforprofitabletechnologysolutions.

  Understand the applicability and limitation of technology and seek toapply it tothe appropriate job.

Languages

Externalapplicants for allpositions in theProfessionalcategoryarerequired to be proficient in English and have at least a working knowledge of one additional UN Language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish).

Forallapplicants,fluencyinSpanishandEnglishisrequired(oralandwritten)

Competencies

Theincumbentisexpectedtodemonstratethefollowingvaluesandcompetencies

VALUES-AllIOMstaffmembersmustabidebyanddemonstratethesefivevalues:

Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encouragesdiversityandinclusion.

Integrityand transparency: Maintains high ethical standardsand acts ina manner consistent with organizational principles/rulesand standardsof conduct.

Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in acomposed,competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.

Courage:Demonstrateswillingnesstotakeastandonissues ofimportance.

Empathy:Showscompassionforothers,makespeoplefeelsafe,respectedandfairlytreated.

CORECOMPETENCIES-Behaviouralindicators–Level3

Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is actionorientedandcommittedtoachievingagreedoutcomes.

Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate. Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes

responsibilityforownactionsanddelegatedwork.

Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex mattersinaninformative,inspiringandmotivationalway.

Como Aplicar:

Adjuntar en la aplicación: 

• Curriculum con 3 references.

• Inscripción en el colegio de psicólogos.

• Titulo completo de licenciatura en psicología.

• Las personas postulantes deberán adjuntar evidencia de su incorporación y membresía vigente en el Colegio de Profesionales en Psicología de Costa Rica. Las postulaciones que no incluyan este documento no serán consideradas.

• Esta oferta de empleo está sujeta a la contratación local. Solo podrán optar al puesto aquellas personas que dispongan de un permiso de residencia y de trabajo válido para el país en el que se encuentra el puesto.

• Este puesto tendrá una duración inicial de 1 mes, con posibilidad de prórroga, siempre que haya fondos disponibles.

Los candidatos deben presentar su oferta antes del 07 de mayo de 2026. No se tendrán en cuenta las solicitudes recibidas después de esa fecha. Los candidatos preseleccionados serán convocados a una entrevista.   

1. Solo se contactará con los candidatos preseleccionados. 
2. Cualquier oferta que se haga al candidato en relación con esta convocatoria de vacante está sujeta a la confirmación de la financiación.
3. Este puesto está sujeto a contratación local. Solo podrán ser considerados aquellos que posean un permiso de residencia y de trabajo válido para el país en el que se encuentra el puesto.
4. El nombramiento estará sujeto a la certificación de que el candidato es médicamente apto para el puesto, a la verificación de la residencia, al visado y a las autorizaciones del Gobierno correspondiente, cuando proceda.
5. La OIM aplica una política de tolerancia cero ante conductas incompatibles con los fines y objetivos de las Naciones Unidas y de la OIM, incluyendo la explotación y el abuso sexuales, el acoso sexual, el abuso de autoridad y la discriminación por motivos de género, nacionalidad, edad, raza, orientación sexual, origen religioso o étnico o discapacidad.
6. La OIM no cobra ninguna tasa en ninguna fase de su proceso de selección (solicitud, entrevista, tramitación, formación u otras tasas). La OIM no solicita ninguna información relacionada con cuentas bancarias.
7. La OIM solo acepta solicitudes debidamente cumplimentadas presentadas a través del sistema de selección en línea de la OIM. La herramienta en línea también permite a los candidatos realizar un seguimiento del estado de su solicitud.

La Organización Internacional para las Migraciones (OIM) no discrimina por motivos de discapacidad, edad, identidad y expresión de género, orientación sexual, nacionalidad, identidad racial, creencias religiosas, entre otras. La OIM está comprometida con un entorno diverso e inclusivo y por ello su personal proviene de una amplia gama de entornos socioeconómicos y perspectivas del mundo. Se alienta especialmente las candidaturas de mujeres, personas afrodescendientes y personas LGBTIQA+ que se encuentren cualificadas y cumplan los requisitos de cada vacante

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) does not discriminate on the basis of disability, age, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, nationality, racial identity, religious beliefs, among others. IOM is committed to a diverse and inclusive environment and therefore its staff come from a wide range of socio-economic backgrounds and world perspectives. Candidates from women, people of African descent and LGBTIQA+ people who are qualified and meet the requirements of each vacancy are especially encouraged. 

Required Skills

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