Case Worker for Roma Community, IOM Moldova

Special Vacancy Notice 2024-26

Open to Internal and External Candidates

Established in 1951, IOM is the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of migration and 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. Well qualified candidates, particularly women, persons with disabilities, Roma and other ethnic or religious minorities, persons living with HIV are particularly encouraged to apply.

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.

Organizational Context and Scope:

Following the 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. Around 90 percent of the people arriving are women and children. A big majority of these people represent at-risk populations, namely persons with disabilities, elderly, children, single mother households, minorities (e.g. Roma) 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. Conflicts in communities can also prompt refugees/TCNs to accept unsafe offers of relocation, employment, or family separation.

One of the biggest at-risk groups is represented by the ethnic Roma community members, as recent reports show that the high level of illiteracy (especially among women and girls), including digital illiteracy, and low level of trust in others (outsiders to their closed community) make it difficult to connect and communicate effectively with them.

IOM’s Protection Division (PXD) aims to reduce protection risks of individuals in vulnerable situations, and in particular those exposed to abuse, exploitation, violence, neglect and deliberate deprivation. Protection assistance includes direct support targeting individuals and their families and communities, as well as broader structural-level interventions. Individual and family assistance may include shelter and accommodation; healthcare; education and training; employment and/or income generation; family assessments and reunification; counseling; referrals; safe and dignified return and/or sustainable reintegration.

The IOM Moldova Protection Mobile Team is the frontline of delivery of this assistance in Moldova providing case management and assistance to a wide range of individuals, including separated and unaccompanied children; victims of trafficking; migrants vulnerable to violence, exploitation and abuse; survivors of gender-based violence, etc. To address the specific needs of the Roma community, 2 Roma mobile teams have been set up tasked with conducting community outreach and awareness-raising and refering indentified persons with protection risks to relevant protection services.

Under the overall supervision of Protection Coordinator (Operations) and the direct supervision of Senior Project Associate (Mobile Team) the incumbent will be responsible for working together with beneficiaries, particularly from among the Roma community members, to assess their needs, identify goals, develop an assistance plan, organize the plan delivery, and monitor and follow up on the effectiveness of the plan. Second, the incumbent will coordinate the protection response activities of the 2 Roma mobile teams, including community outreach / awareness raising and vulnerable cases’ identification and referrals. 

Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

• Coordinate the protection response activities of the 2 Roma mobile teams to identify beneficiaries eligible for IOM protection and assistance services with a focus on the Roma community representatives. This may involve outreach to the population of concern, for example, through community-based awareness raising sessions, counselling sessions; responding to requests from partners to interview persons of concern; screening persons of concern in contact with IOM through protection or other programming, etc.
• Conduct screening and interviews with referred potential beneficiaries to identify protection concerns, protection and/or assistance needs, and/or to assess eligibility for IOM protection and assistance programmes, in line with IOM rules, standards, procedures and guidelines.
• Inform individuals of services available from IOM or other partners, eligibility requirements for services, referral pathways, and options available to them. Maintain familiarity with available services, pathways and options to ensure accuracy of information shared.
• Based on the information gathered, develop – in consultation with the individual – a case plan that specifies the services to be provided and the objectives of the plan. Submit the plan to the case manager for approval.
• Directly provide – or organize for the provision through referrals to other IOM units, external partners and the private sector – the services necessary to meet the needs towards the objectives identified in the case plan. The services to be provided are individualized and will depend on the specific needs. Direct service delivery is to be undertaken in line with IOM rules, standards and procedures.
• Monitor service provision to ensure that necessary services are accessed, are of appropriate quality, and are supporting progress towards identified goals.
• Follow up and evaluate beneficiary progress and outcomes, on a voluntary basis, and in line with IOM rules, standards, procedures, guidelines, forms, and templates.
• Update the Senior Project Associate (Mobile Team) on case progression and any concerns or roadblocks, as relevant.
• Complete case files and documentation in line with the IOM rules, standards, procedures, guidelines, forms, and templates, including entry of data in IOM MiMOSA.
• Carry out other protection activities related to the above-mentioned responsibilities in coordination with the IOM Moldova Protection team.
• Undertake duty travel, as required.

Required Qualifications and Experience 

Education:   

• University degree in social work, psychology, law, social science, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with 2 years of relevant working experience ; or,
• High school diploma with four years of relevant professional experience.

Experience:  

• Experience in the fields of protection, counter-trafficking, child protection, gender-based violence, and/or humanitarian affairs;
• Experience working with vulnerable populations;
• Experience of proven consistent engagement with the Roma community members would be a strong asset;
• Experience in community-based protection services;
• Excellent management and coordination skills;
• Ability to organize work, work independently and prioritize work under pressure, coordinate multiple tasks, maintain attention to detail.

Skills:  

• Knowledge and understanding of human rights and rights protection;
• Knowledge and understanding of social work theory and evidence-based practices;
• Knowledge and understanding of human behaviour, growth and development, and of cognitive, physiological, and psychological processes and well-being at various stages of life;
• Understanding of human behaviour and well-being, including coping patterns, emotional resilience, and physical and mental health and well-being.
• Knowledge of mainstreaming best practices and partnership models to ensure coordination of the same across a diversified range of actors; and,
• Good knowledge of community-based protection, including understanding of the community’s role, structure and practices, including the community’s social, cultural and gender norms within the operation;
• Knowledge of the national protection systems, including roles of different actors, and processes for protection.

Languages: 

For all applicants, fluency in English, Romanian and Russian is required (oral and written). 

Competencies:

The incumbent is expected to demonstrate the following values and competencies:

Values - all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these three values: 

• Inclusion and respect for diversity respects and promotes individual and cultural differences; encourages diversity and inclusion wherever possible.
• Integrity and transparency maintain 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 action 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)

• 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.

Other

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

Internals of the Organization and NMS candidates will be considered as first-tier candidates. This vacancy is also open to second-tier candidates.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, security clearances, and a valid COVID certification.

Only candidates residing in either the country of the duty station or from a location in a neighbouring country that is within commuting distance of the duty station will be considered.

In all cases, a prerequisite for taking up the position is legal residency in the country of the duty station, or in the neighbouring country located within commuting distance, and work permit, as applicable.

How to apply:

Interested applicants are invited to send the IOM Personal History Form and cover letter in English to: hrchisinau@iom.int

Please, indicate the position you are applying for and reference code in the subject line of your message.

Closing date for applications is 05 September 2024.

In order for an application to be considered valid, IOM only accepts the applications duly completed.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Posting period:

From 22.08.2024 to 05.09.2024