Under the direct supervision of the Project Associate (Assisted returns) and general supervision of the National Reintegration Officer in Cameroon, the project Assistant (Assisted Returns) will carry out the following tasks:

1. In coordination with sending missions and relevant partners, conduct pre-departure family tracing and assessment activities, and provide all information necessary to support migrants’ informed decision and sending missions’ assessment of the return feasibility.
2. When requested, participate in remote pre-departure counselling sessions to inform migrants of the assistance available in Cameroon and the reception and reintegration processes.
3. Support the coordination with sending missions, relevant IOM units and relevant partners, prepare and provide reception and post arrival assistance activities to returning migrants.
4. Assist to organise individual or group counselling sessions with migrants in transit and returnees to inform them of the assistance available.
5. Conduct vulnerability screening and assessment and verify eligibility for assistance under available funding in coordination with PXD unit at RO Dakar and other relevant units in line with IOM internal guidelines.
6. In coordination with sending missions support the provision of reintegration assistance to returnees, including the confirmation of eligibility and level of assistance, validation of reintegration plans, and validation of payment of service fees.
7. Support individual counselling sessions with eligible returnees to assess their needs and capacities and develop an integrated reintegration plan considering the migrants’ economic, social, and psychosocial needs.
8. Based on the outcome of the vulnerability assessment, refer migrants to specialized services and facilitate access to protection services as needed, conducting regular case follow-up and monitoring.
9. Support the provision of assistance with relevant support units, following programmatic, administrative, and financial guidance and procedures.
10. Systematically update case information and supporting documents in IOM’s Migrant Management Operational System Application (MiMOSA).
11. Support the liaisons with relevant government and non-government partners for the implementation of activities.
12. Perform any other functions that may be considered necessary.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• 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 two years of relevant experience; or,
• High Scholl degree in the above fields with four years of relevant professional experience.

Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.

Experience

• Experience in social work, case management, protection work or assistance to populations in situations of vulnerability is required.
• Experience working on livelihood project implementation, business support or similar fields is a strong advantage.
• Prior work experience with international humanitarian organizations, non-government or government institutions/organization in a multi-cultural setting is an advantage.

Skills

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

Languages

All IOM staff members in all categories are required to be fluent in one of the IOM’s official languages (English, French, Spanish).

For this position, fluency in French and English is required (oral and written).

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Required Competencies

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.

Values – all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these five values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
• 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.
• Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
• Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

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 actions and delegated work.
• Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Managerial Competencies – behavioural indicators Level 2, if with direct reports

• Leadership: Provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example and demonstrates the ability to carry out the Organization’s vision. Assists others to realize and develop their leadership and professional potential.
• Empowering others: Creates an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
• Building Trust: Promotes shared values and creates an atmosphere of trust and honesty.
• Strategic thinking and vision: Works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.
• Humility: Leads with humility and shows openness to acknowledging own shortcomings.

COORDINATION:

• Facilitate the development of an operational PSEAH Work Plan, in line with IOM and United Nations (UN) strategic frameworks, and in coordination with the global PSEAH Unit, Regional PSEAH Officer, and senior management of the Country Office.
• Facilitate the inclusion of PSEAH within the IOM Country Office Strategy, Crisis Response Plans/Migrant Response Plans, or other appeals as appropriate; ensure Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Harassment (SEAH) risks are considered in the Country Office risk register and that PSEAH is mainstreamed in proposal development, programming, monitoring and evaluation, and budgeting; develop PSEAH programming and liaise with relevant donors.
• Contribute to the in-country interagency PSEA Network (support in the development of the collective PSEA workplan, risk management plan, PSEA Strategies, Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)  for an inter-agency Community-Based Complaint Mechanism, etc.) and actively participate in IOM internal coordination initiatives.
• Provide technical support in collection, analysis, and use of data related to PSEAH efforts, in line with relevant IOM data protection standards, to showcase trends, results, and impact.
• Showcase PSEAH results and good practices through internal and external reporting, visibility materials, and knowledge-sharing initiatives in coordination with global and regional PSEAH teams.

PREVENTION:

• Undertake assessments to identify potential SEAH risks and define appropriate mitigation measures; in coordination with relevant units, ensure that risk mitigation measures are embedded within IOM programming, operations, and administration.
• Develop a PSEAH training plan for the Country Office and coordinate, organize, and deliver PSEAH trainings for IOM personnel, implementing partners, and key institutional stakeholders; support the work of PSEAH focal points within the country to deliver key messaging and trainings as appropriate.
• On a regular basis, compile and report data on the number of IOM personnel and partners trained in-country on PSEAH in coordination with HR. Oversee the registration of all participants within the IOM system and the timely issuance of certificates.
• Continually share key messages on PSEAH, including information on reporting requirements and support mechanisms at the country and global levels in close coordination with relevant colleagues.
• Develop, localize, contextualize, and implement communication and awareness-raising strategies and tools to ensure appropriate PSEAH messaging and understanding of prohibited behaviors, reporting channels, and available assistance.
• Map existing Country Office community engagement projects and work with project/programme managers to gather community inputs, insert PSEAH messages, and strengthen and/or establish safe and accessible reporting channels.

RESPONSE:

• Support the development and mapping of country-specific interagency victim assistance pathways and/or existing IOM programmes to refer victims/survivors for assistance; ensure up-to-date information on available assistance services is accessible in all areas where IOM operates in country; coordinate with gender-based violence and/or child protection colleagues to support the strengthening of victim services within the country and/or programming.
• Safely respond to SEAH disclosures and coordinate referrals for victim/survivor assistance in line with country, regional, or global support mechanisms and ensure coordination with the Regional PSEAH Officer and the global SEAH case management team.
• Regularly monitor safety and other risks for SEAH victims/survivors in coordination with the Regional PSEAH Officer and the global SEAH case management team; adjust response to mitigate risks; ensure regular assessment of victims’/survivors’ needs.
• Undertake duty travel as required.
• Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

1. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with security officials of other United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS) organizations, government counterparts and partner security services, the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) office, and all appropriate Security Focal Points, in order to obtain up-to-date security-related information that is beneficial to the Country Office.
2. Provide accurate and up-to-date assessments of the security situation in the Country Office and provide advice and recommendations to the COM on how to prevent and mitigate against identified threats and risks.
3. Develop, implement, and regularly test a functioning warden system. Warden testing methods should include multiple systems, including SCAAN.
4. In coordination with the RSO, COM, prepare Country-specific training activities, seminars, and briefings, coordinate staff participation, and ensure that security training is carried out professionally within IOM and UNSMS learning/training standards.
5. Provide security briefings for IOM personnel deployed to and travelling within Cameroon and coordinate all travel security requirements for the Country Office relating to all IOM operations, including assessments of road, air and river transport networks, medical evacuations and international staff travel within and from/to Cameroon.
6. In coordination with the RSO, regularly review and monitor compliance with the UN Security Risk Management Measures (SRMM) and Residential Security Measures (RSM). This includes proactively participating in the Security Cell Meetings and actively providing guidance to the COM/HOO on issues raised in the SMT, ensuring that IOM-specific operational requirements are considered for implementation of security measures and that a people-centred approach is mainstreamed in security risk management.
7. Acquire a comprehensive operational understanding of IOM programmes in Cameroon and provide recommendations, including Security Risk assessments in areas where IOM works or is planning to deploy its teams.
8. Support the COM by providing security-related inputs into the Country Office’s Business Continuity Plan, proactively advising the COM in its regular testing.
9. In coordination with the RSO, develop, implement, and test Country Office-specific security plans.
10. Supervise the Field Security National Officer to ensure that the appropriate level of security is provided to IOM personnel.
11. Closely monitor and report on deployment numbers (staff ceilings) established for the mission/s by the UN Designated Official (DO) during emergencies, in coordination with the Security Management Team (SMT) and UNDSS, ensuring that security clearance procedures are applied fairly, vis-à-vis all of the agencies working under the UNDSS Security Management System.
12. Test the functionality and implementation of IOM-specific emergency communications systems, including SCAAN, to ensure they are functional, effective, and address the programme requirements of the Country Office. This includes actively checking the SCAAN dashboard and posting relevant security advisories in a timely manner.
13. Report security matters that have a potential or direct impact on IOM operations immediately to the COM of CO and the RSO.
14. In coordination with the COM of CO and the RSO, conduct preliminary enquiries in respect to any security breaches/incidents in the Country Office, working closely with local authorities in efforts to ensure IOM personnel, its assets and interests are protected and appropriate and corrective measure taken.
15. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

1. Assist in the planning, coordination, implementation and monitoring of project activities.
2. Compile, summarise, analyse, and present information/data on specific project topics, highlighting noteworthy issues for the consideration of appropriate parties.
3. Monitor budget implementation and propose adjustments as necessary.   
4. Act as focal point for administrative coordination of project implementation, involving extensive liaison with diverse organisational units and external parties to initiate requests, obtain necessary clearances, follow-up on administrative actions, etc.
5. Draft status reports, identify shortfalls, bring them to the attention of the supervisor and suggest corrective measures to address delivery gaps.
6. Draft correspondence on project issues, prepare and update reports, briefing notes, graphics, statistical tables, and other forms of documentation.
7. Organise meetings, workshops and training sessions, prepare training materials and participate in the delivering of capacity building workshops.
8. Respond to complex information requests and inquiries. Set up and maintain files/records.
9. Participate in meetings and conferences. Maintain effective liaison and coordination with local authorities, partners, United Nation (UN) agencies, intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations, donors and other stakeholders relevant to the project.       
10. Monitor work of implementing partners and report any non-compliance to the supervisor.
11. Provide inputs for the development of Standard Operations Procedures (SOP) and concept papers and provide general support for the development of new projects.
12. Provides guidance/training and assist in coordinating and monitoring work of other staff in the unit. May supervise other staff as assigned. 
13. Perform such other relevant duties as may be assigned.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Social Science, International Relations, Development Studies, Migration Studies, Human Rights, Law or a related field from an accredited academic institution with four years of relevant professional experience; or,
• High School diploma with six years of relevant professional experience.

EXPERIENCE

• Experience in liaising with governmental authorities, national/international institutions, United Nations agencies and non-governmental organisations; 
• Experience in working with migrants, refugees, internally displaced persons, victims of trafficking and other vulnerable groups; and,
• Prior work experience with international humanitarian organisations, non-government or government institutions/organisation in a multi-cultural setting is an advantage.

SKILLS

• In depth knowledge of the broad range of migration related subject areas dealt with by the Organization; 

• Knowledge of UN and bilateral donor programming; 
• Knowledge of financial rules and regulations; and
• Knowledge of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS).