Migration Health Nurse Consultant

Job Description

Introduction

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations and the leading UN agency in the field of migration. Working closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners, IOM promotes humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It saves lives and protects people on the move, drives solutions to displacement, and facilitates pathways for regular migration, while providing services and advice to governments and migrants. 

IOM is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive and supportive workplace where all employees can thrive professionally and feel valued. By creating such an environment, IOM aims to better harness the full potential of migration and strengthen its support to people on the move.

IOM invites candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply and provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process when required. Learn more about IOM’s workplace culture at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration

Project Context and Scope

The Government of South Africa has established a temporary reception and processing centre in Musina, Limpopo Province, to respond to humanitarian and operational needs affecting vulnerable migrants and affected populations in the Musina border area. IOM will support the health component of the response through the deployment of a Migration Health Nurse Consultant to provide basic primary health care support, triage, first aid, emergency referral and fit-to-travel assessment at the site.

Under the administrative supervision of the Head of Sub-Office, Musina, and the technical supervision of the Sub-Regional HAP Coordinator, the consultant will provide timely nursing support within the limits of professional scope of practice and available resources. The consultant will work closely with IOM Musina staff, Migration Health Division colleagues, site management, Emergency Medical Services, local health facilities and relevant government or humanitarian partners.

The consultant will contribute to IOM South Africa operations, specifically the Musina humanitarian response health support component at the temporary reception and processing centre.

Responsibilities

1. Provide basic triage for migrants presenting with health complaints or visible medical concerns.

2. Provide first aid and basic nursing care within the consultant’s professional scope of practice.

3. Identify emergency and urgent cases requiring immediate referral to EMS or designated health facilities.

4. Support fit-to-travel assessment for migrants scheduled for onward movement, transfer or return.

5. Monitor and document basic vital signs where clinically indicated, including temperature, blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate and general condition.

6. Support continuity of care for migrants with known chronic conditions by identifying needs, documenting medication history where available and referring cases requiring medical review.

7. Provide basic health advice to migrants on hygiene, hydration, adherence to prescribed medicines, danger signs and when to seek care.

8. Maintain accurate consultation, triage, referral and fit-to-travel records using IOM-approved tools.

9. Prepare daily or shift-based handover notes to support continuity of information for incoming staff.

10. Maintain confidentiality and apply appropriate data protection standards when handling migrant health information.

11. Monitor basic medical supplies, first aid materials and emergency kits assigned to the health response.

12. Report stock-outs, referral constraints, public health concerns or urgent operational issues to the technical and administrative supervisors.

13. Coordinate with IOM Musina staff, Migration Health Division Pretoria, EMS, local health facilities and site management as required.

14. Support twenty-four-hour health response coverage through a duty roster, shift system or on-call arrangement agreed with IOM.

15. Perform other related duties within the scope of basic primary health care and emergency referral support as assigned by the supervisors.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Bachelor’s degree or Diploma in Nursing from an accredited academic institution.

• Valid license to practice nursing in South Africa.

Experience

• For Bachelor’s degree holders, at least three years of relevant clinical nursing experience.

• For Diploma holders, at least five years of relevant clinical nursing experience.

• Experience in primary health care, emergency triage, first aid, public health, humanitarian response, migration health or work with vulnerable populations is desirable.

• Experience in patient safety, infection prevention and control, documentation and referral coordination is an advantage.

Skills

• Strong clinical judgement and ability to identify urgent health conditions.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced humanitarian or reception centre environment.

• Good communication and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to work respectfully with migrants from diverse backgrounds.

• Ability to maintain accurate records and prepare concise reports.

• Computer literacy, including Microsoft Word and Excel.

Languages

For this consultancy, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of local languages commonly spoken in Musina and languages spoken by the migrant population 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

• 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

IOM covers Consultants against occupational accidents and illnesses under the Compensation Plan (CP), free of charge, for the duration of the consultancy. IOM does not provide evacuation or medical insurance for reasons related to non-occupational accidents and illnesses. Consultants are responsible for their own medical insurance for non-occupational accident or illness and will be required to provide written proof of such coverage before commencing work. 

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, security clearances.

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.

No late applications will be accepted. 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

• • Ability to maintain accurate records and prepare concise reports.
• • Ability to work in a fast-paced humanitarian or reception centre environment.
• • Ability to work respectfully with migrants from diverse backgrounds.
• • Computer literacy, including Microsoft Word and Excel.
• • Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• • Strong clinical judgement and ability to identify urgent health conditions.

Job info