Senior Protection Caseworker (G6)

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.

IOM’s Approach to Protection promotes a coherent and accountable organizational role in safeguarding the rights of individuals across operational contexts, in line with the Inter-Agency Standing Committee definition. Working with States as primary duty bearers, IOM programmes aim to ensure full respect for rights, reduce exposure to risks of violence, and ensure that rights are upheld and needs fulfilled.

 The IOM Mission in the Central African Republic (CAR) seeks to appoint a Senior Protection Caseworker who will work under the direct supervision of the Migrant Protection Officer and the overall supervision of the Migrant Protection Coordinator. The incumbent will provide advanced case-management support and non-supervisory technical for complex protection cases involving vulnerable migrants, including third-country nationals, returnees and migrants requiring assisted voluntary return support.

Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• Conduct individual protection assessments throughout the assistance cycle in accordance with established procedures and protection standards, identify complex vulnerabilities and protection concerns , document needs, and  draft individualized case-management plans for assigned cases.

•  Handle assigned protection cases and  provide timely follow-up, referrals and verify continuity of assistance across legal, health, mental health and psychosocial support, family tracing, gender-based violence and child protection services.

• Share technical information and good practices with case-management colleagues, contribute to peer learning when requested, and flag cases requiring review by the Migrant Protection Officer, the Migrant Protection Coordinator or a relevant specialist. These functions do not entail supervisory or line-management responsibilities.

• Support safe and dignified post-arrival, temporary accommodation and assisted voluntary return assistance, ensuring privacy, confidentiality, informed consent, data protection and respect for the do-no-harm principle.

•  Liaise with competent Central African authorities, diplomatic and consular representations, immigration services, relevant IOM missions and specialized service providers to facilitate the processing of documentation, referrarls and follow-up of assigned cases.

• Provide clear, culturally sensitive, age-appropriate and linguistically accessible communication with beneficiaries regarding assistance, procedures, rights, responsibilities and available complaint or feedback mechanisms.

• Maintain accurate and timely case records in IOM-approved systems, including MiMOSA where applicable, and conduct routine quality checks to ensure compliance with confidentiality and information-sharing requirements.

• Coordinate closely with protection, health, MHPSS, movements, logistics, accommodation and finance colleagues; identify operational constraints, protection concerns and assistance gaps and propose practical mitigation measures.

•  Participate, when delegated, in relevant protection coordination mechanisms in CAR and  support the maintenance of referral pathways with government, UN, NGO and other partners.

• Prepare case summaries, operational updates and reports; contribute to protection assessments, lessons learned, indicator monitoring and analysis of service-delivery trends without compromising personal data. 

• Undertake duty travel as required for field visits, airport movements, service monitoring and visits to partners or service providers. 

• Perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Migrant Protection Coordinator or Migrant Protection Officer.

Required Qualifications and Experience

EDUCATION

• High School Diploma with 6 years of experience or, or  

• Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, International Relations, Law, Human Rights, Psychology, Social Work or a related field from an accredited academic institution with four (4) years of relevant professional experience.

   

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

EXPERIENCE

• Progressively responsible experience in protection case management, including management of complex cases in humanitarian or migration contexts.

• Demonstrated experience providing technical guidance, quality assurance or mentoring to case-management colleagues.

• Experience working with vulnerable migrants, including third-country nationals, returnees, stranded migrants and persons with complex protection needs.

• Experience coordinating referrals with government services, UN agencies, NGOs, diplomatic or consular representations and specialized service providers.

• Experience in movement operations, assisted voluntary return, post-arrival assistance or temporary accommodation is an advantage.

   

SKILLS

• Advanced knowledge of IOM and inter-agency protection standards, case-management guidance, human rights, international migration law, protection mainstreaming and accountability to affected populations.

• Ability to review complex cases, assess risk, provide practical technical guidance and maintain sound professional judgment.

• Knowledge of MiMOSA or another approved case-management system is a strong asset.

• Strong interpersonal, coordination, confidentiality, analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to work effectively in challenging operational conditions and manage competing priorities.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including preparation and review of case notes, summaries and reports.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Word and Excel, and digital case-management and reporting tools.

Languages 

REQUIRED

IOM’s official languages are English, French and Spanish. For this position, fluency in French and working knowledge of English are required.

DESIRABLE

Working knowledge of Sango or another language commonly used in the Central African Republic is desirable. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Required 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 - Behavioral 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.
 

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