Migration Health Nurse Consultant

Organizational Context

The International Organization for Migration (IOM), a UN agency established in 1951, promotes humane and orderly migration. In South Africa, IOM supports a temporary reception and processing centre in Musina, Limpopo Province, to address humanitarian needs of vulnerable migrants. This role contributes to the health component of this response.

Job Purpose

The Migration Health Nurse Consultant will provide essential nursing support at the Musina reception and processing centre. This includes delivering basic primary health care, performing triage, administering first aid, facilitating emergency referrals, and conducting fit-to-travel assessments for migrants. The role operates under the administrative supervision of the Head of Sub-Office, Musina, and technical supervision of the Sub-Regional HAP Coordinator, ensuring timely and professional nursing care within the scope of practice and available resources. Collaboration with IOM staff, health partners, and site management is crucial for effective service delivery and migrant well-being.

Responsibilities

Key duties include providing basic triage for migrants with health concerns, administering first aid and nursing care within professional scope, and identifying urgent cases for referral. The consultant will support fit-to-travel assessments, monitor vital signs, and assist with continuity of care for chronic conditions. Providing basic health advice on hygiene and danger signs is essential. Responsibilities also involve maintaining accurate records, preparing handover notes, ensuring confidentiality, monitoring medical supplies, and reporting issues to supervisors. Coordination with various stakeholders, including EMS and local health facilities, is required. The role may involve supporting 24-hour coverage and performing other related primary health care duties.

Work Experience

Candidates with a Bachelor's degree need at least three years of clinical nursing experience. Diploma holders require a minimum of five years of relevant clinical experience. Experience in primary health care, emergency triage, humanitarian response, or migration health is desirable.

Skills

Essential skills include strong clinical judgment for identifying urgent health conditions, ability to work in a fast-paced humanitarian environment, good communication and interpersonal skills, and the capacity to work respectfully with diverse migrant populations. Proficiency in record-keeping, report writing, and basic computer literacy (Word, Excel) is also necessary.

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