SVN-2026-019 Senior Project Associate - ( Legal Identity - IBG) G7

Organizational Context

Established in 1951, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is a UN agency focused on migration. The Senior Project Associate - Legal Identity role in Costa Rica supports migrants who remain in the country, assisting them in establishing, verifying, and documenting their legal identity to facilitate access to regular migration status, services, and integration opportunities.

Job Purpose

This role is crucial for supporting IOM Costa Rica's program for migrants who do not opt for Assisted Voluntary Return. The Senior Project Associate - Legal Identity will contribute to enabling migrants to obtain legal identity, a prerequisite for accessing regular migration status, protection pathways, basic services, and socioeconomic integration. This involves supporting identity verification processes, managing personal and biometric information, and ensuring interventions are integrated into individualized assistance plans to support migrants' access to regularization pathways established by the Government of Costa Rica.

Responsibilities

Lead and coordinate project activities related to legal identity, monitoring implementation and recommending adjustments. Research and analyze developments in legal identity, migration, and related documentation. Monitor budget expenditures and ensure compliance with IOM policies and donor requirements. Plan and conduct capacity-building workshops for internal and external parties on legal identity verification and document issuance. Maintain liaison with local authorities, partners, UN agencies, and other stakeholders. Prepare correspondence, reports, and presentations. Identify and document best practices and lessons learned, contributing to SOP development. Supervise and train reporting staff.

Work Experience

Experience is required in liaising with governmental authorities, national/international institutions, UN agencies, and NGOs. Experience working with migrants, refugees, IDPs, victims of trafficking, and other vulnerable groups is also necessary. Prior experience in a multicultural setting with international humanitarian organizations or government institutions is advantageous.

Skills

Strong knowledge of legal identity, civil documentation, migration management, and regularization pathways, including identity verification. Ability to coordinate with government counterparts and service providers. Skill in managing sensitive personal and biometric information ethically. Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills for case follow-up, reporting, and operational coordination.

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