Protection Caseworker

Protection Caseworker

Job Requisition ID: 23911

Location: Kingston, Jamaica

Requisition Type: General Service

Category: Other

Job Function: Other

Posted Date: 2026-10-30T17:04:16+00:00

Closing Date: 2026-11-06T23:00:00+00:00

Contract Type: Special Short Term Graded (Up to 9 months)

Initial Contract Duration: 3 months

Org Type: Country Office

Vacancy Type: Special Vacancy Notice

Recruiting Type: General Service

Grade: G-5

Is this S/VN based in an L3 office or in support to an L3 emergency response?: No

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

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 (AVR) program aims to provide assisted voluntary return (AVR) to migrants 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 Chief of Mission, and direct supervision of the Programme Coordinator, the Protection Caseworker will be based in Kingston, Jamaica and will have the following duties and responsibilities:

Responsibilities

Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• Conduct individual protection screening of migrants upon arrival, in line with standard institutional tools, identifying vulnerabilities and protection risks (including survivors of GBV and human trafficking, children at risk, including unaccompanied and separated, individuals with serious health conditions and psychosocial support needs), documenting needs, and preparing individualized case plans.
• Provide case management services and assistance: follow up on cases, ensure delivery of post-arrival services, monitor progress, coordinate referrals to specialized services, including legal, health, psychosocial, family tracing, GBV, and child protection as needed, and ensure continuity of assistance.
• 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.
• Undertake duty travel within the Caribbean to support AVR/Case management-related operations when necessary.
• Maintain accurate data collection and case notes in IOM’s case management systems (such as MiMOSA or other approved tools), ensuring data protection and confidentiality standards are met.
• Coordinate with Protection Coordinator and other operational staff (health, psychosocial, logistics) to ensure service provision is timely and that operational constraints or gaps are identified and escalated.
• At the request of the Programme Coordinator, participate in protection coordination forums at the local level; collaborate with partners (NGOs, UN agencies, government) to enhance referral networks and services.
• Assist 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 the 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 Programme Coordinator related to protection activities.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Experience

EDUCATION

• Master’s degree in Social Sciences, International Relations/Affairs, Research, Law or a related field from an accredited academic institution with two years of relevant professional experience; or,
• Bachelor’s degree in the above fields with four years of relevant professional experience.

EXPERIENCE

• Experience in protection case management (including for survivors GBV 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.
• 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.
• 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

REQUIRED

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish, all staff members are required to be fluent in one of the three languages. For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of Spanish is an advantage.

DESIRABLE

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

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 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.

Additional Considerations

Any offer made to a candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, as well as verification of residency status, visa requirements, and any necessary government authorisations, where applicable.

Only candidates who are nationals of a CSME Member State and hold a valid work permit will be considered.

This is a three-month contract with the possibility of extension, subject to organisational requirements, funding availability, and satisfactory performance.

In all cases, a prerequisite for appointment is legal residence in the country of duty station together with the appropriate authorisation to work, where required.

Notes

Please refer to this https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.iom.int%2Fiom-job-categories&data=05%7C02%7Cjpales%40iom.int%7Cff1b97e25f4b41ac4d8f08de3eb92f55%7C1588262d23fb43b4bd6ebce49c8e6186%7C0%7C0%7C639017162240331322%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Wrzh1YVTrefNSivwpJJI2pKIowhzwmNbkO4MGVVyg3I%3D&reserved=0link 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 https://fa-evlj-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1IOM e-Recruitment system (for internal candidates link https://fa-evlj-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/fscmUI/redwood/internalmobilityhere). 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: https://www.iom.int/careersIOM Careers and Job Vacancies

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