Case Worker, Damascus

IOM is committed to addressing the needs and promoting and upholding the rights of migrants.

IOM’s Protection Division (PXD) aims to reduce protection risks of individuals in vulnerable situations, and in particular those who are exposed to abuse, exploitation, violence, neglect and deliberate deprivation. It does so by addressing protection threats and vulnerabilities while increasing the capacities of individuals, their communities as well as those of their duty bearers.

Protection encompasses all activities aimed at obtaining full respect for the rights of the individual in accordance with the letter and spirit of the relevant bodies of law. Specifically, protection involves activities that seek to directly secure, individual or group rights, as well as activities that aim to create a society in which individual and group rights are recognized and upheld.

Assistance includes all direct support activities that target individuals and their families, their communities, as well as broader structural level interventions and support to governments as duty bearers. Individual and family assistance can include support to meet immediate, medium or long-term needs including food; shelter and accommodation; healthcare; education and training; employment and/or income generation; family assessments and reunification; counseling; referrals; safe and dignified return and/or sustainable reintegration.

IOM’s case management staff are at the frontline of delivery of this assistance. These staff provide case management and assistance services to a wide range of individuals, including separated and unaccompanied children; victims of trafficking; migrants vulnerable to violence, exploitation and abuse; survivors of gender-based violence, and migrants unable or unwilling to remain in host countries.

Under the overall supervision of the Head of Programme and the direct supervision of the AVRR Programme Coordinator, the incumbent will be responsible for working together with beneficiaries to assess their needs, identify goals, develop an assistance plan, organize delivery of the plan, and monitor and follow up on the effectiveness of the plan in meeting the identified goals

Responsibilities

1. Participate in efforts to identify beneficiaries eligible for IOM protection and assistance services. This may involve outreach to populations of concern, for example through community-based awareness raising sessions or assisted voluntary return and reintegration counselling sessions; responding to requests from partners to interview persons of concern; screening persons of concern in contact with IOM through protection or other programming, etc.
2. Conduct screening and interviews with potential beneficiaries to identify protection concerns, identify protection and/or assistance needs, and/or to assess eligibility for IOM protection and assistance programmes, in line with IOM rules, standards, procedures, guidelines, forms, and templates.
3. Inform individuals of services available from IOM or other partners, eligibility requirements for services, referral pathways, and options available to them. Maintain familiarity with available ser-vices, pathways and options to ensure accuracy of information shared.
4. Complete intake formalities, using IOM standard intake forms, in instances where individuals are eligible for and want IOM protection and/or assistance services.
5. Refer individuals for external services, when they are available, in instances where needs are identified but the individual is either not eligible or does not want IOM protection and/or assistance services.
6. Conduct assessments, using and in line with relevant IOM rules, standards, procedures, guidelines, forms, and templates, to gather relevant information on individuals’ situations, needs, wishes and preferences.
7. Based on the information gathered, develop – in consultation with the individual – a case plan that specifies the services to be provided and the objectives of the plan. Submit the plan to the case manager for approval.
8. Directly provide – or organize for provision through referrals to other IOM units, external partners and the private sector - the services necessary to meet the needs and progress towards the objectives identified in the case plan. The services to be provided are individualized and will depend on the specific needs, but may include: shelter, health care, legal assistance, counselling, information services, documentation assistance, integration assistance, travel assistance, return assistance, reintegration assistance, assistance in accessing regular migration pathways, livelihoods support, access to education, family assessments, family reunification, and referral for best interest determinations, amongst others. Direct service delivery is to be undertaken in line with IOM rules, standards and procedures.
9. Monitor service provision to verify that necessary services are accessed, are of appropriate quality, and are supporting progress towards identified goals.
10. Follow up and evaluate beneficiary progress and outcomes, on a voluntary basis, and in line with IOM rules, standards, procedures, guidelines, forms, and templates.
11. Update the Senior Case Worker on case progression and any concerns or roadblocks, as relevant.
12. Complete case files and documentation in line with IOM rules, standards, procedures, guidelines, forms, and templates, including entry of data in IOM MiMOSA.
13. Coordinate with colleagues in finance and procurement on costing, billing, and payment of internal and external service provision.
14. Maintain statistics on beneficiaries, services provided, etc. and provide reports and information to the case manager for reporting or other purposes, as required.
15. Undertake duty travel, as required.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• University degree in social work, psychology, law, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with three years of relevant experience; or,
• High school diploma with five years of relevant professional experience.

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

Experience

• Experience in the fields of protection, counter-trafficking, child protection, return and reintegration, gender-based violence, and/or humanitarian affairs;
• Experience working with vulnerable populations;
• Experience in community-based protection and assistance services;
• Ability to organize work, work independently and prioritize work under pressure, coordinate multiple tasks, maintain attention to detail, and coordination with a variety of stakeholders.

Skills

• Knowledge and understanding of human rights and rights protection;
• Knowledge and understanding of social work theory and evidence-based practices;
• Knowledge and understanding of human behaviour, growth and development, and of cognitive, physiological, and psychological processes and well-being at various stages of life;
• Understanding of human behaviour and well-being, including coping patterns, emotional resilience, and physical and mental health and well-being.
• Knowledge of mainstreaming best practices and partnership models to ensure coordination of the same across a diversified range of actors; and,
• Good knowledge of community-based protection, including understanding of the community’s role, structure and practices, including the community’s social, cultural and gender norms within the operation;
• Knowledge of the national protection systems, including roles of different actors, and processes for protection;
• Good inter-personal skills, and the ability to work well with and meet the needs of individuals of different ages, nationalities, genders, and diversities.
• Ability to provide trauma-informed and age, gender, and diversity appropriate care.
• Good analytical and report writing skills.
• Ability to work with and maintain strict confidentiality, when necessary.

Languages

• For all applicants, fluency in English and Arabic is required (oral and written).

IOM’s official languages are English, French and Spanish.

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

Required Competencies

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link . Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.

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 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.

Managerial Competencies – behavioural indicators Level 2, if with direct reports

• 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.

Notes

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