BACKGROUND
IOM is strengthening its protection, MHPSS and reintegration services for migrants, including children and families, to ensure that no individual is excluded from essential services including vaccination status due to lack of legal identity. Gaps in documentation and child-focused safeguards often interrupt migrants’ access to vaccines, primary healthcare, civil registration, and reintegration - both in transit and upon return. Ensuring continuity of identity documentation from country of departure to reintegration, and developing robust pathways for child protection, vaccination, and birth registration, are central to safe and dignified return. Since Cameroon is increasingly becoming a country of departure, it will be key to pay attention to migrants stranded in Cameroon, including victims of traficking.
This position will contribute to developing tools, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and field guidance that strengthen inclusion, access and continuity of care for migrant children and adults.
PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT
The MHPSS (Protection) Specialist – Children & Legal Identity will assess the sensitivity of programmes to children’s needs, and strengthen pathways ensuring access to vaccines, legal identity and primary healthcare for children and adults in:
transit and return centres; host communities; reintegration locations.The Specialist will also support the development of SOPs guaranteeing continuity of legal identity, from registration in the country of departure through return and reintegration, reducing any interruptions caused by missing or expired documents.
A. Child Sensitivity & Protection Pathways
Conduct a child-sensitivity assessment of existing protection, MHPSS and reintegration programmes. Identify gaps affecting children’s access to health, psychosocial support, documentation and essential services. Draft recommendations to strengthen child-friendly procedures in transit centres, reception facilities, and community reintegration workflows.B. Vaccination Access & Health Continuity
Map vaccination pathways for children and families across the return and reintegration process. Develop SOPs to ensure systematic verification of vaccination status and timely referral to primary healthcare services. Coordinate with health authorities and partners to harmonize referral mechanisms and data continuity.C. Legal Identity: Children & Adults
Analyse barriers to legal identity for children (birth registration, certificates) and adults (national ID, residency documents). Develop SOPs and workflows for obtaining, renewing, or regularizing ID documents from country of departure to reintegration. Liaise with civil registration actors, consulates, and national authorities to streamline procedures. Ensure that service provision and reintegration assistance are not interrupted due to missing identity documents.D. Capacity Building & Field Support
Train staff and partners on new SOPs relating to child protection, vaccination referrals, and legal identity. Provide technical support to centre managers and community-based teams. Integrate MHPSS and protection considerations throughout the pathways.E. Monitoring, Reporting & Coordination
Establish indicators and monitoring tools to track access to legal identity, vaccination, and services. Document good practices, gaps and lessons learned. Participate in relevant coordination groups on protection, MHPSS, child protection, and civil registration. Develop dynamic partnership with UNICEF.EDUCATION
High school diploma with six years of relevant experience; or, Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, Public Health, Law, Protection or related field from an accredited institution with four years of relevant professional experienceEXPERIENCE
Minimum 4 years of relevant experience in MHPSS, protection, child protection, civil registration, or migration. Experience conducting assessments and developing SOPs or service pathways. Familiarity with documentation, birth registration, and health referral systemsSKILLS
Strong child protection and MHPSS understanding. Knowledge of civil registration and identity systems. Strong facilitation, drafting, and coordination skillsLANGUAGE
For this position, fluency in English and/or French is required (oral and written).