Protection Case Worker - Expedited Recruitment

Provide case management and assistance to vulnerable individuals and communities.

This opening expired 19 days ago. Do not try to apply for this job.

IOM - UN Migration

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Application deadline 19 days ago: Sunday 10 May 2026 at 20:55 UTC

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Overview

Provide case management and assistance to vulnerable individuals and communities.

You have:

  • University degree in social work, psychology, law, or related with three years of relevant professional experience; and high school diploma with five years of relevant professional experience.
  • At least 2 years of experience in the fields of protection, counter-trafficking, child protection, gender-based violence, and/or humanitarian affairs.
  • Experience working with vulnerable populations.
  • At least 2 years of 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 coordinate with a variety of stakeholders.

Contract

This is a G-5 contract. This kind of contract is known as General Service and related categories. It is normally only for nationals. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education. More about G-5 contracts.

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 Programme Coordinator in Moldova and the direct supervision of the Project Legal Specialist, 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.

Qualifications

EDUCATION

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

EXPERIENCE

  • At least 2 years of experience in the fields of protection, counter-trafficking, child protection, gender-based violence, and/or humanitarian affairs;
  • Experience working with vulnerable populations;
  • At least 2 years of experience in community-based protection and assistance services; and
  • 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 behavior, growth and development, and of cognitive, physiological, and psychological processes and well-being at various stages of life;
  • Understanding of human behavior 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;
  • 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; and
  • Knowledge of the national protection systems, including roles of different actors, and processes for protection.

Notes

This vacancy is only open to current and former IOM staff members who were separated in the last 12 months due to the structural adjustment process.

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.

Responsibilities

  • 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 Project Legal Specialist 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; and
  • Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Potential interview questions

Can you describe a time when you had to identify the needs of a vulnerable population? This question seeks to assess your experience and approach to working with vulnerable groups. Discuss a specific example, detailing the context and the needs you identified.
How do you prioritize tasks when managing multiple cases? This question tests your organizational skills and your ability to manage time effectively. Pro members can see the explanation.
What strategies do you use to build trust with beneficiaries? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How do you ensure that beneficiaries receive the appropriate services as per their needs? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Can you provide an example of how you dealt with a challenging case? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What do you know about national protection systems and their significance? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How would you handle a situation where a beneficiary is uncooperative? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What measures do you take to ensure the confidentiality of sensitive information? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Added 24 days ago - Updated 20 days ago - Source: iom.int