Programme Officer (Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS)) (P)

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.

Applications are welcome from first- and second-tier candidates, particularly qualified female candidates, as well as applications from the non-represented member countries of IOM. 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, the following are considered first-tier candidates:

• Internal candidates

Organizational Context and Scope

Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) is one of the core areas of IOM expertise, and a field in which the organization has over 40 years of experience. IOM USA works with the US Department of State to provide eligible beneficiaries, both in the United States and in third countries, with access to assisted voluntary return to their countries of origin or of legal status in a safe and dignified manner. In addition to travel arrangements, IOM’s assistance may include counselling of voluntary returnees, acquisition of travel documents, provision of medical or other escorts, departure, transit and arrival assistance.

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission (COM) or the Head of Office in Central African Republic (CAR) and direct supervision of Migration Health Officer, and in close coordination with the MRC Manager, the technical supervision of the Head of the Global MHPSS-CI Unit in Headquarters (HQ), the Programme Officer (Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS)) will have the following duties and responsibilities:

Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• Support the coordination and implementation of MHPSS activities within transit centres and Migrant Resource Centres (MRCs) in CAR, ensuring compliance with IOM standards, operational guidelines, donor requirements, and protection principles;
• Provide day-to-day technical guidance and supervision to MHPSS staff, including the Clinical Psychologist, Counsellor, and Social Worker/Educator, to ensure quality and consistency of service delivery.
• Guide the development, contextualization, and implementation of MHPSS tools, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), referral pathways, assessment tools, and operational protocols adapted to the CAR context.
• Conduct service mapping and maintain coordination with governmental, health, protection, and community actors to strengthen referral pathways for specialized mental health, psychiatric, psychosocial, and protection services.
• Facilitate the integration and mainstreaming of MHPSS approaches across migrant assistance and Migrant Resource Centre activities, including structured psychosocial and wellbeing interventions.
• Guide the design and implementation of community-based psychosocial activities aimed at strengthening resilience, reducing distress, and promoting social inclusion among migrants and returnees.
• Create mechanisms for the identification of MHPSS needs and vulnerabilities among migrants and returnees through structured assessments, intake processes, and observation, ensuring timely referral and follow-up of complex or high-risk cases.
• Provide direct psychosocial support interventions and case consultations for complex cases, including crisis intervention, and guidance to frontline staff, as required.
• Coordinate with national mental health actors, psychiatric facilities, hospitals, protection partners, and specialized service providers to facilitate access to higher-level care when needed.
• Organize and facilitate capacity building activities for frontline workers, community focal points, government counterparts, and partner organizations on topics related to MHPSS, Psychological First Aid (PFA), stress management, community-based support, and safe referrals.
• Contribute to monitoring, data collection, reporting, and analysis of MHPSS activities, ensuring confidentiality, data protection, and accurate use of IOM systems and tools.
• Participate in interagency coordination mechanisms, technical working groups, and relevant meetings related to MHPSS, protection, and health, as requested.
• Identify operational challenges, service gaps, and emerging psychosocial trends and provide technical recommendations to strengthen programme quality and response capacity.
• Performs such other duties as may be assigned.

Education

• Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology, Clinical Social Work, Psychiatry, Psychological Counselling, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with two years of relevant professional experience; or,

Experience

• Experience in designing, implementing, coordinating, or supporting MHPSS programming in humanitarian, migration, or low-resource settings;
• Experience supervising or providing technical guidance to MHPSS or community-based staff;
• Proven experience providing direct MHPSS services, including psychological first aid, supportive counselling, group interventions, psychoeducation, or psychosocial case management;
• Experience working with migrants, displaced populations, returnees, or vulnerable populations exposed to distress, trauma, violence, or social exclusion;
• Experience supporting MHPSS capacity building initiatives for frontline workers, community actors, or government counterparts;
• Experience coordinating referrals and working with multidisciplinary service providers, including health, psychiatric, protection, and social services;
• Experience with IOM, UN agencies, INGOs, or humanitarian coordination mechanisms is desirable; and,

Skills

• Strong knowledge of community-based MHPSS approaches and humanitarian protection principles;
• Strong coordination, facilitation, and interpersonal communication skills;
• Ability to supervise and technically support multidisciplinary teams;
• Excellent report writing and analytical skills;
• Ability to work independently and under pressure in challenging operational contexts;
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office applications and data management tools; and,

Languages

For this position, fluency in English and French is required (oral and written).

Working knowledge of another official UN languages (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, and Spanish) is an advantage.

Proficiency in language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Required Competencies

Notes

Appointment will be subject to all clearances, including medical and security, as well as accreditation, any residency or visa requirements. Vacancies close at 23:59 local time in Geneva, Switzerland, on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.

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, harassment, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and any forms of discrimination. IOM is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children.

IOM conducts reference checks and background verification, including through system-wide databases such as ClearCheck, to help ensure that candidates have no record of misconduct, including on sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse, or fraud. Candidates are expected to uphold these standards and principles at all times.

IOM does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process—whether for application, interview, processing, training, or otherwise—and does not request any information related to bank accounts.