Protection Assistant - Case Management

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

Applications are welcome from internal and external candidates. For all IOM vacancies, applications from qualified and eligible first-tier candidates are considered before those of qualified and eligible second-tier candidates in the selection process. For the purpose of this vacancy, internal and internal-equivalent candidates are considered as first-tier candidates.

Organizational Context and Scope

The Global Assisted Voluntary Return (GAVR) programme aims to provide Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) to migrants ensuring that returns are safe, dignified, voluntary, and based on migrants’ free, prior, and informed consent. The programme also offers independent, needs-based post-arrival humanitarian assistance at the request of countries of origin or receiving countries, with the explicit informed consent and participation of migrants in line with the International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) Constitution, relevant international legal frameworks, and IOM’s Policy on the Full Spectrum of Return, Readmission and Reintegration. IOM’s assistance is guided by principles of (among which) do-no-harm, confidentiality, confidentiality and data protection.

Under the overall supervision of the Head of Office (HoO) and the direct supervision of the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Response Officer, and where needed with the technical support from GAVR Protection Coordinator or Senior Return Specialist, the Protection Assistant – Case Management will be based in Mbabane, Eswatini, and will be responsible and accountable for protection case management and assistance services for migrants.

Responsibilities

1. Facilitate individual protection screening of vulnerable migrants, using IOM’s standard screening tools to identify migrant’s risks and vulnerabilities for appropriate case management support.
2. Document and identify migrants’ basic and specific needs, coordinate with multi-disciplinary team, prepare individual case management plans and record referral actions with full participation of migrants using culturally, age- and linguistically-appropriate communication method.
3. Provide case management support by providing individualised assistance, processing referrals for specialised services (i.e. consular, health, psychosocial, voluntary return, family tracing, risk assessment, and others), monitoring and documenting progress and maintaining case records.
4. Support the coordination of case management activities with other IOM Country Offices (COs), Regional Thematic Specialist (RTS), Migrant Health Unit (MHU), and other relevant IOM units by assessing protection risk, sharing of individual case files, when needed, providing remote counselling, facilitating consular assistance including coordination with relevant authorities, provision of post arrival support, AVR movements, and supporting migrants in accessing relevant documentation.
5. Apply IOM’s established protection principles and case management procedures when providing assistance, maintaining confidentiality and data protection, supporting equitable and inclusive access to services, promoting informed participation, and documenting feedback through coordinated case management activities.
6. Maintain accurate and timely data collection and case notes/records in IOM’s case management systems (including MiMOSA and program-specific tools), in accordance with data protection and confidentiality standards.
7. Compile case information and assist the MHPSS Response Officer in preparing reports, summaries, case work outcomes, lessons learned and monitoring of protection-related project indicators as required by the programme.
8. Undertake duty travel, as required, to support the delivery of assigned case management activities.
9. Attend case management and coordination meetings, when required, with related units or stakeholders, providing relevant updates on case staus and progress.
10. Perform such other relevant duties as may be assigned.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, International Relations/Affairs, Research, Law or a related field from an accredited academic institution with three years of relevant professional experience; or,
• High School Diploma with five years of relevant professional experience.

Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.

Experience

• Experience in protection case management (including for survivors of gender based violence and human trafficking, children at risk) in humanitarian or migration contexts;
• Experience working with vulnerable persons, ideally including returnees or deported migrants, who have complex needs;
• Experience with referrals and coordination with local protection actors, NGOs, or government services;
• 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

• Knowledge of IOM and Inter-agency protection standards and operational guidelines, including IOM Case Management Guidelines. Knowledge of human rights and international migration law is an asset;
• Knowledge of MiMOSA is a strong asset;
• Ability to interact respectfully with migrants with trauma or complex needs, and proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of diverse cultural and national backgrounds;
• Good interpersonal and teamwork skills;
• Ability to deliver assistance in challenging conditions; adaptability and good judgment;
• Good written and verbal communication skills; ability to prepare case notes and reports; and,
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel), tools used for case management.

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).

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 1

• 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

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.

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