Community mobilizer (consultancy)

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Reference code:  SVN2023-28

Open to External Candidates

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

IOM is committed to a diverse and inclusive environment. Internal and external candidates are eligible to apply to this vacancy. For the purpose of the vacancy, internal candidates are considered as first-tier candidates.

Context:

Established in 1951, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is the leading intergovernmental organization in the field of migration and it works closely with governmental, intergovernmental, and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, approximately 700,000 refugees and third-country nationals (TCNs) crossed the border from Ukraine to Moldova, and over 85,000 have remained in the country to date, making it a top refugee hosting and transit country in the region per capita. Around 90 percent of the people arriving are women and children and over 96 percent of these live in host communities and private accommodations (with less than 4% in Refugee Accommodation Centers (RACs)). A big majority of these people represent vulnerable groups and at-risk populations, namely Roma population, persons with disabilities, elderly, children, single mother households, and others.

With internal (primarily rural-urban) and largely unsafe external migration being traditionally used as a major coping mechanism, the prevalence of exploitation, abuse, and trafficking in persons (TiP) are likely to grow in the mid- to long-term perspective, alongside other negative social phenomena, such as domestic and gender-based violence, long-term family separation, lack of care for children and elderly left behind, among others. Conflicts in communities can also prompt refugees/TCNs to accept unsafe offers of relocation, employment, or family separation.

IOM launched in 2022 three Community Information Centers (CIC) across Moldova (in Cahul, Comrat and Balti), and plans to open two more in 2023, in Chisinau and the Transnistrian Region. As one of CIC’s objectives is to refer vulnerable persons to adequate service providers and make sure the referral is complete, there is a need for a person in each CIC dedicated to groups vulnerable to trafficking in that area (e.g. Roma, Russian nationals, Moldovans, children etc.). The CICs are also supported and fully coordinated with the local authorities, who are also participating in the activities there.

IOM Moldova is seeking for two community mobilizers to represent at-risk communities (such as persons with disabilities, Roma people, displaced individuals, etc.), promote social inclusion, build the network with service providers and support the case management, identify the protection risks and mitigation measures, assist the community members to extend their awareness on basic public services and access to them, resolve conflicts and exercise their human rights and timely protection services.

Core Functions/Responsibilities:

Under the direct supervision of the Mobile Team Leader and in close coordination with Protection Program Coordinator, under the overall supervision of the IOM Moldova Chief of Mission, the selected mobilizers will produce the following deliverables: 

• Identify the needs of individuals vulnerable to protection risks and refer them to the relevant service providers.
• Sensitize the CIC staff and population vulnerable to TIP-related risks on domestic and gender-based violence, trafficking in persons and exploitation (TIP&E), child sexual abuse, access to services and education, accountability and community engagement, case management.
• Liaise and coordinate community outreach, listening and referral, case management of identified vulnerable cases (with special attention to children) to the relevant protection actors, report emerging protection concerns and risk findings to the CIC Managers and Protection Program Coordinator.
• Conduct 10 awareness-raising sessions with local community representatives (teachers, church representatives).

Eligibility and Selection

• Two individuals who will be working with CICs related to their location, will support with identification of needs and referral to the relevant service providers, case management and monitoring of the individuals vulnerable to TIP and protection risks.

Required Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Migration Studies, Human Rights, or related fields from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience; or

• Prior work experience in relation to social protection, displacement and/or migrant protection thematic areas in Moldova.
• Knowledge of TIP- and protection-related subject areas in Moldova.
• Good knowledge of public services related to the area of social care and protection.
• Excellent coordination and communication skills
• Good computer skills, especially in MS Office (Excel, Outlook, Word, etc.). and experience in public sensitization.
• Ability to work independently and in teams.
• Demonstrated work experience with IOM and/or the UN Agencies or Protection NGOs is an advantage.
• Excellent time management skills and ability to produce outputs as per agreed timelines.
• Good reporting and data collection skills

Languages

Fluency in Romanian and Russian is required. Knowledge of English will be considered as an asset.

General Information

The payment will be based on deliverables reported monthly and approved by IOM as detailed above. The consultants are expected to cover the Center and Northern regions of the country.

Competencies

Values

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: respects and promotes individual and cultural differences; encourages diversity and inclusion wherever possible.
• 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.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators

• 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 action and delegated work.
• Communication: encourages and contributes to clear and open communication; explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

 Other

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this special vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, security clearances and a valid COVID certification.

A prerequisite for taking up the position is legal residency in the country of the duty station and work permit, as applicable.

How to apply:

Interested applicants are invited to send the CV, Cover Letter and Estimated workplan in Romanian or Russian (English) to: hrchisinau@iom.int  

Please include the reference code ‘Application_Community mobilizer_ SVN2023-28’ followed by your full name in the subject line.

Closing date for applications is 28 September 2023.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Posting period:

From 14.09.2023 to 28.09.2023