Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) Project Assistant

Support the AVRR project activities and coordination with partners.

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Application deadline 3 months ago: Sunday 8 Mar 2026 at 00:00 UTC

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Overview

Support the AVRR project activities and coordination with partners.

You have:

  • Advanced higher degree (Master’s or equivalent) in a relevant area, e.g. Public Administration, Political Sciences, International Relations, Social Services, Law, Migration Studies, Human Rights is an asset
  • At least 3 years of professional work experience at the national and/or international level in, or other relevant programmes; experience in migration, irregular migration and return domain as well as with public institutions in Turkiye is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization
  • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills both in Turkish and in English
  • Oral and written skills in Arabic is an asset
  • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development
  • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment
  • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines
  • Have affinity with or interest in volunteerism in the field of migration as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System

Contract

This is a UNV contract. More about UNV contracts.

The Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) has been a core activity of the UN Migration Agency (IOM) in Turkiye since 2009 and is integral to ensuring a comprehensive approach to migration management. The AVRR programme facilitates the orderly and humane return and reintegration of migrants who are unable or unwilling to remain in host or transit countries and wish to return voluntarily to their countries of origin. For many migrants who need or want to return home but lack the means to do so, the AVRR programme provides a safe and supportive pathway for them to return and rebuild their lives.

In 2022, Presidency of Migration Management (PMM) has operationalized the National Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration mechanism. IOM’s AVRR programme continues its efforts for the strengthening of the NAVRR system through capacity development activities including development of policies and SOPs, trainings and also piloting of NAVRR operations.

IOM is working with the Presidency of Migration Management (PMM) to strengthen services offered to beneficiaries of AVRR under the Assisted Voluntary & Return Programme and the National Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration Mechanism (NAVRRM), and aims to support the communication and referrals of beneficiaries throughout Türkiye, as well as strengthening referral and coordination protocols between all relevant stakeholders and AVRR schemes and enhancing monitoring and evaluation of assistance provided.

IOM therefore aims to support in the developing the capacities of the National Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (NAVRR) Mechanism partners, as well as strengthening referral and coordination protocols between all relevant stakeholders and enhancing monitoring and evaluation of the capacity development efforts and the assistance provided.

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration Working Group in PMM, the UN Volunteer will be undertaking the following tasks: • Be responsible for the main coordination between IOM and Ministry of Interior, Presidency of Migration Management (PMM). • Support implementation and monitoring of day-to-day activities and administrative processes of the AVRR project(s) implemented by IOM with PMM; report regularly on the challenges and progress recorded in realization of activities. • Support in the implementation of the AVRR project(s), which can include, but is not limited to, tasks ranging from assistance in organizing workshops, meeting and conferences, and liaison with national counterparts. • Follow up on referrals of potential and actual AVRR beneficiaries. • Retrieve, compile, summarize, analyse, and present information/data on specific project topics. • Provide regular feedback, on an as-needed basis, on additional needs/gaps in referral protocols and assistance measures for AVRR beneficiaries. • Liaise with relevant partners to ensure effective partnerships, resource sharing, and flow of information (with full respect for the principle of confidentiality), and effective assistance measures in full accordance with national and international standards. • Participate in relevant trainings/workshops to learn from and contribute to strengthening capacity of relevant partners in identification, referral, and assistance of AVRR beneficiaries. • Contribute to the development of relevant tools and guidelines to support the effective identification, referral, and assistance of AVRR beneficiaries in Turkiye. • Perform other duties as may be assigned.

Values - all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these three values: • Inclusion and respect for diversity: respects and promotes individual and cultural differences; encourages diversity and inclusion wherever possible. • 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.

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 action and delegated work. • Communication: encourages and contributes to clear and open communication; explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring, and motivational way.

• Advanced higher degree (Master’s or equivalent) in a relevant area, e.g. Public Administration, Political Sciences, International Relations, Social Services, Law, Migration Studies, Human Rights is an asset; • At least 3 years of professional work experience at the national and/or international level in, or other relevant programmes; experience in migration, irregular migration and return domain as well as with public institutions in Türkiye is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization;

• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills both in Turkish and in English; • Oral and written skills in Arabic is an asset;

• Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development; • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; • Sound security awareness; • Have affinity with or interest in volunteerism in the field of migration as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

This is a volunteer assignment, not employment. By sharing your time, energy, and talents, you can support communities in need and become part of something greater than yourself — a global movement for peace, development, and humanitarian aid. Volunteering strengthens trust, solidarity, and reciprocity among citizens, and it can promote a sense of belonging and purpose.

The UN Volunteer will be based in Ankara (serving 4 days a week at the PMM office and 1 day at the IOM office), and be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.

Summary of National UN Volunteer (Specialist) Entitlements: (paid in local currency) • Current Monthly Living Allowance (MLA) is USD 1,614 (paid in Turkish Lira) • Private insurance: Health, dental, life, and dismemberment (coverage by CIGNA) As per UN’s diplomatic mission status, it is not included in National Security Institution’s (SGK) system but can be only initiated on private basis. • Entry allowance: USD 400 •Exit allowance: USD 134 per month and upon the satisfactory completion of assignment • Annual leave: 2.5 days accrued per calendar month • Free access to different learning platforms and UN & UNV network

Notes: 1) The allowances are in no way to be understood as compensation, reward, or salary in exchange for the volunteer work. 2) It is important to note that UNV assignments are volunteer assignments, not employment. The purpose of the allowances and entitlements paid to UN Volunteers is to enable UN Volunteers to sustain a secure standard of living at duty stations in line with United Nations standards without incurring personal costs. 3) You can check full entitlements at the duty station: https://app.unv.org/calculator 4) Please read the complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos 5) An additional IOM security clearance for the shortlisted candidates may be required for this assignment.

Separation from the UN Volunteer Assignment (https://explore.unv.org/cos): UNV may separate a UN Volunteer prior to the expiry of his or her contract by terminating the contract for the following reasons: i. For facts anterior to the UN Volunteer assignment, which were unknown at the time of assignment and which are relevant to the eligibility or suitability of the UN Volunteer to the assignment; ii. For misconduct following a disciplinary review process resulting in early separation for misconduct or summary dismissal (see Section XV.4(a) (iii) and (iv)); iii. For early termination of the project or operation to which the UN Volunteer is assigned; iv. For documented unsatisfactory work performance of the UN Volunteer; v. For external circumstances not caused by the UN Volunteer, which make separation necessary in the opinion of UNV in the interests of the administration of the organization; vi. If the maximum period of evacuation has been exceeded (see Annex 04); vii. For prolonged incapacity to work because of injury or illness (see Section VIII.3(j)); viii. For any other reasons provided the UN Volunteer consents to the termination.

Potential interview questions

Can you recount an experience where you coordinated a project with multiple stakeholders? This question assesses your ability to manage complex relationships and communication. Highlight a specific project, your role, and the outcome achieved.
Describe a challenging situation you faced while working in a multicultural environment and how you handled it. This question evaluates your adaptability and interpersonal skills. Pro members can see the explanation.
How do you ensure effective monitoring and evaluation of project activities? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What strategies would you implement to enhance the referral protocols for AVRR beneficiaries? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Can you share an instance where you used data analysis to inform project decisions? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How do you prioritize tasks when managing multiple project deadlines? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What role do you believe volunteerism plays in development processes? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Describe a time you had to adapt your communication style to reach different audiences. Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Added 4 months ago - Updated 3 months ago - Source: unv.org