SVN 2026/21/ Project Associate (Assisted Returns)-G5-Yaounde

Mid Senior

Overview

Supervise and coordinate reception and reintegration support for returning migrants.

You have:

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, International Studies, Law, Political or Social sciences, Development Studies, Education, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with three years of relevant experience; or High School degree in the above fields with five years of relevant professional experience.
• Experience in social work, case management, protection, or assistance to vulnerable populations.
• Experience supervising staff and coordinating multi-stakeholder processes.
• Prior work experience with international humanitarian organizations, NGOs, or government institutions in a multi-cultural setting is an advantage.
• Good understanding of social protection and/or migration issues, in particular migrants’ rights and migrants’ protection.
• Proven knowledge and mastery of reception and airport assistance processes is a strong asset.
• Strong understanding of migration and reintegration issues, including migrants’ rights and protection.
• Excellent organizational, reporting, and communication skills.

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.

​​The International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations Migration Agency, has been active since 1951, working closely with governmental, intergovernmental, and non-governmental partners to promote a better understanding of migration dynamics. IOM is committed to ensuring that migration is safe, orderly, and regular, recognizing that it benefits both migrants and societies. In this context, the Organization supports the social, psychosocial, and economic reintegration of returning migrants, with the aim of improving their well-being and fostering their sustainable empowerment.

​From June 2017 to December 2022, IOM implemented the “EU–IOM Joint Initiative for Migrant Protection and Reintegration”, funded by the European Union Emergency Trust Fund for Africa. This regional programme, covering multiple countries along the Central Mediterranean migration route, aimed to protect migrants, save lives, and support their voluntary return and reintegration. During this period, IOM Cameroon significantly strengthened its operational capacity and achieved substantial results in reintegration programming.

​Since August 2022, the Migrant Protection, Return and Reintegration Programme for Sub-Saharan Africa (MPRR SSA) has succeeded in the Joint Initiative and related projects. It continues to contribute to the protection of vulnerable and stranded migrants along the Central and Western Mediterranean routes, including through assisted voluntary return, while promoting sustainable reintegration in countries of origin, including Cameroon.

​Building on these efforts, the European Union–funded project “Migration Governance Enhancement: Comprehensive Support to National Policy Development and Return, Readmission and Reintegration (RRR)”, launched in March 2025, represents a strategic shift towards a more comprehensive and institutionalized migration governance framework in Cameroon. The project aims to strengthen national capacities in managing return, readmission, and reintegration processes, while also supporting the development of the country’s first national migration policy. It adopts an integrated approach combining institutional strengthening, socio-economic and community-based reintegration, and enhanced data, policy, and coordination mechanisms.

​Within this framework, the Reintegration Associate (ACOR – Accueil, Coordination et Orientation des Retours) will play a pivotal role in supervising Reintegration Assistants (G4), ensuring the effective coordination of reception and reintegration support, and guaranteeing compliance with organizational standards.

​Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission, the MHPSS Officer and the direct supervision of the National Reintegration Officer in Cameroon in collaboration with relevant units and offices, the successful candidate will carry out the following responsibilities.

Qualifications

EDUCATION

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​- Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, International Studies, Law, Political or Social sciences, Development Studies, Education, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with three years of relevant experience; or,

• - ​High Scholl degree in the above fields with five years of relevant professional experience.

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EXPERIENCE

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• - ​Experience in social work, case management, protection, or assistance to vulnerable populations.

• - ​Experience supervising staff and coordinating multi-stakeholder processes.

• - ​Prior work experience with international humanitarian organizations, NGOs, or government institutions in a multi-cultural setting is an advantage.

• - ​Prior work experience with international humanitarian organizations, non-government or government institutions/organization in a multi-cultural setting is an advantage. ​

SKILLS

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• - ​Good understanding of social protection and/ or migration issues, in particular migrants’ rights and migrants’ protection is a strong advantage.

• - ​Proven knowledge and mastery of reception and airport assistance processes is a strong asset.

• - ​Strong understanding of migration and reintegration issues, including migrants’ rights and protection.

• - ​Proven ability to supervise, coach, and build capacity of junior staff.

• - ​Excellent organizational, reporting, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist the National Reintegration Officer in carrying out pre-departure family tracing and assessment activities , ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with IOM guidelines. Validate the information provided to migrants and sending missions to guarantee informed decision-making and reliable assessment of return feasibility.
• Contribute to the implementation of reception and reintegration activities, following established procedures and quality standards and reporting any issues to the National Reintegration Officer.
• Support the preparation and follow-up of of Advance Booking Notifications (ABN), review forecasted budgets prepared by G4 staff for airport assistance, and draft administrative correspondence with government institutions for theNational Reintegration Officer’s approval.
• Participate in preparatory meetings ahead of migrant arrivals, facilitating coordination with internal stakeholders (RMU, reintegration counsellors) and external partners (national authorities, NGOs).
• Assist in organizing counselling sessions (online and in person), ensuring the relevance of information provided and referring i sensitive or complex cases to the National Reintegration Officer.
• Contribute to administrative formalities and logistical assistance (accommodation, catering, transport), guaranteeing dignified and efficient support to arriving migrants.
• Review and validate the case information and supporting documents entered into MiMOSA , ensuring accuracy, completeness, and compliance with IOM data management standards. Consolidate data for reporting and provide guidance to staff on proper documentation practices.
• Support the conduct of Post Arrival Needs Assessments (PANA), ensuring comprehensive identification of migrants’ immediate needs and facilitating the coordination of appropriate responses.
• Identify training needs of G4 staff and organize coaching sessions to strengthen their skills in reception, orientation, and management of vulnerable cases.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of ACOR procedures, proposing adjustments to enhance efficiency, coordination, and sustainability of reintegration interventions.
• Perform any other functions that may be considered necessary.

Apply now

Potential interview questions

Added 4 months ago - Updated 4 months ago - Source: iom.int