Back Protection Case Worker

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 Protection Coordinator in Moldova and the direct supervision of the Senior Project Associate (Mobile Team), 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 identified goals.

• 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 assistance and 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. 
• 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.
• 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 services, pathways and options to ensure accuracy of information shared. 
• Based on the information gathered, draft  – 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. 
• 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. Direct service delivery is to be undertaken in line with IOM rules, standards and procedures. 
• Monitor service provision to ensure that necessary services are accessed, are of appropriate quality, and are supporting progress towards identified goals. 
• Follow up and evaluate beneficiary progress and outcomes, on a voluntary basis, and in line with IOM rules, standards, procedures, guidelines, forms, and templates.  
• Update the Senior Project Associate (Mobile Teams) on case progression and any concerns or roadblocks, as relevant. 
• Complete case files and documentation in line with IOM rules, standards, procedures, guidelines, forms, and templates, including entry of data in IOM MiMOSA. 
• Undertake duty travel, as required. 

  Perform such other duties as may be assigned. 

  EDUCATION

  • University degree in social work, psychology, law, or related with three years of relevant professional experience
  • High school diploma with five years of relevant professional experience.

    EXPERIENCE

    • Experience in the fields of protection, counter-trafficking, child protection, 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; 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.
  • This post is subject to local recruitment. Only those holding a valid residence and work permit for the country where this position is based will be eligible for consideration.
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, verification of residency, visa, and authorizations by the concerned Government, where applicable. Vaccination against COVID-19 will be required for IOM personnel who are hired or otherwise engaged by IOM. As part of the mandatory medical entry on duty clearance, candidates will be requested to provide evidence of full vaccination.