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.
Organizational Context and Scope
The IOM Protection Unit leads and coordinates the design and implementation of protection programming within the Country Office, addressing the needs of migrants, internally displaced persons, vulnerable host communities affected by violence, poverty and climate-related shocks, and other populations at risk. Working within a complex humanitarian and migration context, the Unit delivers integrated protection services—including GBV, counter-trafficking, child protection (NNA), MHPSS and AVR/RR—while promoting protection mainstreaming across all programmes, strengthening partnerships and referral systems, and ensuring compliance with IOM standards and humanitarian principles to reduce risks, safeguard rights and support durable solutions.
The Global Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) program aims to provide assisted voluntary return (AVR) to migrants in the United States, receiving countries, and the Western Hemisphere, ensuring that returns are safe, dignified, and based on the migrants’ free, prior, and informed consent. Additionally, the program offers independent, needs-based post-arrival assistance at the request of countries of origin or receiving countries, always with the explicit consent of the migrants.
Under the overall supervision of the Protection Officer and the direct supervision of the Senior Protection Case Worker Associate, the Protection Case Worker based in Tegucigalpa, Honduras and will have the following duties and responsibilities:
- Conduct individual protection screening of migrants upon arrival, in line with standard institutional tools and program-specific tools, identifying vulnerabilities and protection risks (including survivors of GBV and human trafficking, children at risk, including unaccompanied and separated, individuals with serious health condition and psychosocial support needs), documenting needs, and preparing individualized case plans.
- Provide case management services and assistance (including RMM related activities): follow up on cases, follow up on delivery of post arrival services, monitor progress, coordinate referrals to specialized services including consular, health, psychosocial, family tracing, GBV, child protection as needed, and monitor continuity of assistance.
- Support coordination with other IOM missions, RTSs, MHU, and other relevant IOM colleagues on individual case files, including for multi-mission protection assessments, remote counselling, consular assistance, and AVR movements.
- Assist in the implementation of safe and dignified post arrival assistance, ensuring privacy, confidentiality, and informed consent; support with documentation and coordination with relevant authorities (e.g. consular, migration, local government).
- Support communication with beneficiaries: explain available assistance, ensure clear, culturally, age and linguistically appropriate messaging.
- Maintain accurate and timely data collection and case notes in IOM’s case management systems (including MiMOSA and program-specific tools), ensuring data protection and confidentiality standards are met.
Assist the Senior Protection Case Worker in preparing reports, summaries, outcomes of case work, and contribute to protection assessments, lessons learned and monitoring of protection related project indicators as required by programme.
- Carry out duty travel as required for field visits, monitoring of services or partner organization sites.
- Perform other duties as may be assigned by the Senior Protection Case Worker or Senior Return Specialist related to AVR protection activities.
Education
Experience
- 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.
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.
- Strong interpersonal skills, 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.
- Strong 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.
- 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, required to be fluent Spanish. Working knowledge in English 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
Notes
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.
No late applications will be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.