Under the overall supervision of the Head of Programs, IOM Costa Rica, and the direct supervision of the Protection Officer in the duty station, with technical supervision from the Chief Migration Health Officer (CMHO) or the Regional Health Assessment Programme Coordinator, the incumbent will be responsible for the implementation and management of the medical components of the Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) programme in Costa Rica under the GAVR programme funded by PRM, in full compliance with applicable IOM and Migration Health Division (MHD) procedures.
Responsibilities
- Review the applicant’s medical history, including available medical records and prescriptions/medications and provide predeparture counselling where necessary;
- Liaise with the treating physician/medical facility to gather additional information on the health of the applicant, as needed;
- Organize and If necessary, conduct physical examination to establish the migrant’s ability to take an independent decision and their fitness to travel; and to identify post-arrival needs and provide or request a report;
- Recommend or refer urgent, high‑risk and significant medical conditions for additional investigations or stabilization treatment, to ensure their fitness to travel;
- Assess the feasibility of return from a medical standpoint, in close coordination with the relevant focal points, and with medical (if available) or AVRR colleagues in the IOM country of return, where relevant;
- In coordination with the AVRR counsellors in the sending and receiving countries, coordinate a plan for the returnee’s continuity of care post-arrival;
- Determine any medical travel arrangements required (e.g. physician or nurse escort, a non-medical escort/family companion and/or wheelchair, additional seats, stretcher, oxygen, diapers/catheters/others);
- Coordinate the medical travel requirements for the applicant’s itinerary with IOM Operations; review and approve the proposed itinerary, if necessary, in coordination with relevant focal points; and where applicable, complete airline medical forms (i.e. MEDA, MEDIF);
- Liaise with medical escorts; discuss the medical management plan for the escorted returnee during travel, receive and review the medical escort’s reports. Ensure that medical escorts are familiar with the IOM SOP Guidelines on Medical Escort Services, and have the relevant contact information of IOM OPS and Medical staff in case of questions or problems during travel and review medical escort reports and any travel/post-arrival incidents, and initiate corrective actions, if necessary;
- Supervise health staff and external consultants/escorts, involved in AVRR medical process; ensure that medical structure are sufficient and adequate for the planned levels of medical activites and ensure performance evaluations for health staff are completed in a timely manner.
- Organize systematic collection, processing and analyses of migration health data according to guidelines established by the MHD and AVR. Ensure data quality. Provide periodic, as well as ad-hoc reporting to the AVR program management and MHD for AVR Migration Health activities.
- Ensure that all data related to the AVR medical activities are appropriately entered to Migrant Management Operational System Application (MiMOSA) and/or other related databases. Maintain confidentiality and security of migration health data in accordance with the IOM Data Protection Principles.
- Establish and maintain a system of quality improvement and undertake quality control activities on a regular basis. Ensure implementation of the global IOM Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Instructions; create and implement country-specific SOPs for the medical componement of the AVR. Ensure proper reporting and management of medical incidents according to the Guidance Note for Incident Management.
- Liaise with external medical service providers to negotiate agreements for the provision of medical services required under the AVR in coordination with the Resource Management Unit. Exercise quality control over outsourced medical services and take corrective measures if necessary.
- Support the planning, budgeting, monitoring, and suggest adjustments and cost-effective solutions for health‑related activities of the financial aspect in close coordination with the mission financial staff and the AVR program management.
- Perform other duties as may be assigned.
Qualifications
Education:
- University degree in Medicine from an accredited academic institution with at least four years of professional work experience.
- Valid license to practice within Costa Rica is mandatory.
Experience:
- Minimum of two years’ experience in emergency medicine; and proven experience in internal medicine or its subspecialties in a multidisciplinary hospital.
- Experience in conducting medical assessments, preparing medical reports, and coordinating patient care.
- Experience in migration health, humanitarian health programmes, or return/reintegration support is highly desirable, ideally in context involving fitness-to-travel assessment and continuity-of-care planning. Experience working with international organizations, NGOs, or government health services is an asset.
- Good knowledge of clinical medicine and knowledge of patient safety and infection prevention and control.
Skills:
- Understanding of in-flight physiology; formal training in aviation medicine a significant advantage;
- Knowledge of medical protocols, patient rights, and ethical standards in healthcare delivery.
- Personal commitment, efficiency, organizational skills and drive for results;
- Strong ability to liaise with physicians, hospitals, AVRR and operations staff across countries.
- Demonstrated availability and adaptability to work flexible hours in line with operational needs.;
- Valid driving license issued in Costa Rica or an internationally recognized driving license is required.
Languages:
For all applicants, fluency in Spanish and English is required (oral and written).
Competencies
The incumbent is expected to demonstrate the following values and competencies:
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 – Choose a level.
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.
MANAGERIAL COMPETENCIES - Behavioural indicators – Choose a level.
Leadership: Provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example and demonstrates the ability to carry out the Organization’s vision. Assists others to realize and develop their leadership and professional potential.
Empowering others: Creates an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
Building Trust: Promotes shared values and creates an atmosphere of trust and honesty.
Strategic thinking and vision: Works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.
Humility: Leads with humility and shows openness to acknowledging own shortcomings
