Program Associate (Reintegration)
Organizational Context
IOM, established in 1951, is a leading UN agency promoting humane and orderly migration. IOM Ethiopia focuses on migrant rights and well-being through a six-pillar intervention approach. The Protection Unit (PXU) collaborates with government and stakeholders to reduce protection risks. This role sits within the Return and Reintegration sub-unit, supporting Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) activities.
Job Purpose
This Program Associate role supports the smooth implementation of IOM's reintegration assistance activities in Ethiopia. The purpose is to facilitate the safe, dignified, and voluntary return of migrants and provide comprehensive reintegration support. This involves assisting returnees in achieving economic self-sufficiency, social stability, and psychosocial well-being, enabling them to make future migration decisions by choice rather than necessity. The role contributes to a multidimensional reintegration process by addressing individual, community, and structural factors affecting returnees.
Responsibilities
The Program Associate will conduct individual assessments to develop reintegration plans, considering economic, social, and psychosocial needs. Responsibilities include coordinating reintegration assistance with sending missions, referring migrants to specialized services, and maintaining up-to-date case files in MiMOSA. The role involves preparing and undertaking field missions for activities like training and monitoring, and coordinating with government and non-government counterparts. Additionally, the associate will support administrative processes, participate in partner selection, assist with capacity development activities, and contribute to reporting and proposal development.
Work Experience
Required experience includes working with vulnerable groups like migrants and IDPs, providing counseling and referral pathways. Proven ability to build strong working relations with government and non-governmental partners is essential. Experience in return and reintegration, AVRR schemes, or related fields like livelihood or protection programming is preferred, as is prior experience with UN agencies or NGOs.
Skills
Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Demonstrated organizational and planning abilities. Capacity to work independently and under pressure. Ability to collaborate effectively with diverse colleagues. A good understanding of social protection and/or migration issues is a strong advantage.