SVN 2026-035 Case Manager and Psychosocial Support - SST UG, San José

SVN 2026-035 Case Manager and Psychosocial Support - SST UG

San Jose, Costa Rica

Job Info

• Job Identification 23677
• Posting Date 10/20/2026, 03:19 AM
• Apply Before 10/26/2026, 06:00 AM
• Contract Type Special Short term ungraded (Up to 9 months)
• Org Type Country Office
• Vacancy Type Call for Applications
• Recruiting Type General Service
• Grade UG
• Is this S/VN based in an L3 office or in support to an L3 emergency response? No

Job Description

Introduction

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations and the leading UN agency in the field of migration. Working closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners, IOM promotes humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It saves lives and protects people on the move, drives solutions to displacement, and facilitates pathways for regular migration, while providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

IOM is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive and supportive workplace where all employees can thrive professionally and feel valued. By creating such an environment, IOM aims to better harness the full potential of migration and strengthen its support to people on the move.

IOM invites candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply and provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process when required. Learn more about IOM’s workplace culture at https://www.iom.int/iom-workplace-cultureIOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration

Applications are welcome from internal and external candidates. For all IOM vacancies, applications from qualified and eligible first-tier candidates are considered before those of qualified and eligible second-tier candidates in the selection process. For the purpose of this vacancy, https://www.iom.int/resources/iom-candidate-tier-systemsinternal and internal-equivalent candidates are considered as first-tier candidates.

Organizational Context and Scope

As part of the Voluntary Assisted Return (AVR) response provided by IOM for extra-regional migrants from the United States, as well as other nationalities in the Americas, IOM in Costa Rica is seeking to hire AVR case managers who, as part of a comprehensive approach, will be responsible for both case management and psychosocial support for beneficiaries. The tasks to be performed are:

Responsibilities

1. Conduct pre-screening assessments for individuals applying for Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) services, gathering necessary information to determine eligibility and specific needs.
2. Use the MIMOSA system to input and track case details, ensuring accurate and up-to-date records are maintained.
3. Conduct interviews with individuals to gather further information, assess their situation, and explain the AVR process and available services.
4. Complete data entry in Kobo and Excel, ensuring all required fields are filled accurately and in a timely manner.
5. Provide follow-up services for the individuals throughout the AVR process, ensuring they are fully informed and supported.
6. Manage cases by coordinating with other teams and stakeholders, ensuring that the necessary steps are taken for the successful return of the individual.
7. Analyze each case to identify specific needs, challenges, and appropriate interventions.
8. Liaise with translators to ensure clear communication with migrants who speak different languages.
9. Collaborate with other case managers to share information, strategies, and best practices to ensure effective case management.
10. Communicate and coordinate with IOM offices in the country of origin to arrange for the individual’s return, ensuring the necessary documentation and assistance are in place.
11. Handle the coordination with Movements to purchase airline tickets for individuals, ensuring all travel arrangements are made in accordance with IOM guidelines and the individual's preferences when possible.
12. Provide support and accompaniment at the airport, assisting individuals through check-in and departure procedures to ensure safe and smooth travel.
13. Ensure all case management activities are documented accurately, following IOM guidelines and protocols.
14. Other associated and relevant functions for the correct execution of the project assigned by the Supervisor according to the needs of the position.
15. Conduct TDYs in Paso Canoas and other border areas where the AVR project is being implemented, as required.
16. Provide psychological first aid (PFA) and emotional support to migrants, prioritizing a person-centered, culturally appropriate, and rights-based approach.
17. Conduct initial and follow-up psychosocial assessments to identify risk factors, protection needs, conditions of vulnerability, and protective factors that may influence the return process.
18. Design and implement individualized psychosocial support plans aimed at strengthening coping skills, informed decision-making, and emotional well-being.
19. Identify physical and mental health needs during psychosocial care sessions, and ensure timely referrals to medical and specialized services, while ensuring interagency coordination and appropriate case follow-up.
20. Record the psychosocial care provided, ensuring that cases are properly documented in the established systems and that information is kept confidential and secure, in compliance with data protection principles and ethical standards of care.
21. Design and implement group-based psychosocial care interventions when appropriate, creating safe spaces for emotional support, mutual assistance, and self-expression that help strengthen individual and collective resources.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Professional with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, with four years of relevant experience; and registered with the Professional Association of Psychologists.
• General studies in gender studies, migration, case management, peace and conflict studies, will be an advantage.

Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.

Experience

• Minimum of four years of experience in working with vulnerable populations.
  • Fluency in English is required (at least B2 level).
  • Fluency in any other language (French, Arabic, Russian, Mandarin, Portuguese) is an advantage.
  • Previous experience in case management in humanitarian settings.
  • Experience in communicating and working with a wide range of people, including those from culturally diverse backgrounds.
  • Previous experience in protection activities in related intervention areas is an advantage.
  • Experience in coordinating with institutional and UN counterparts.
  • Excellent writing and systematization skills.
  • Excellent analytical skills.
  • Ability to multitask.
  • Excellent organizational and planning skills.
  • Ability to incorporate all diversities into work.
  • Excellent and proven ability to work both in a team and independently.

Skill

The AVR Case Manager must have the following technical and personal skills:

• Responsibility:
  • Accept and give constructive criticism.
  • Follow all procedures, processes and policies.
  • Meet deadlines, cost, and quality requirements for results.
  • Check your own work to correct mistakes.
  • Assume responsibility to meet commitments and possible deficiencies.
• Customer orientation:
  • Identify the immediate and peripheral clients of the job.
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients.
  • Identify and verify changes in the needs of clients, including donors, governments and project beneficiaries.
• Continuous learning:
  • Contribute to the learning of colleagues.
  • Show interest in improving relevant skills.
  • Show interest in acquiring relevant skills from other functional areas.
  • Keep abreast of developments in your field of expertise.
• Communication:
  • Actively share relevant information.
  • Communicate clearly and listen / receive feedback on priorities and procedures.
  • Write clearly and effectively, adapting the wording and style to the intended audience.
  • Listen effectively and communicate clearly,tailoring delivery to the audience.
• Creativity and Initiative:
  • Proactively develop new ways to solve problems.
• Leadership and Negotiation
  • Convince others to share resources.
  • Present goals as shared interests.
• Performance management:
  • Provide constructive feedback to colleagues.
  • Provide fair, accurate, timely and constructive staff evaluations.
  • Appropriately utilize personnel evaluations in recruitment and other relevant HR procedures.
• Planning and organization:
  • Set clear and achievable goals consistent with agreed priorities for herself/himself and others.
  • Identify priority activities and tasks for herself/himself and others.
  • Organize and document work to allow for planned or unplanned handover.
  • Identify risks and develop contingency plans.
• Professionalism:
  • Master the subject related to your responsibilities.
  • Identify fundamental problems, opportunities and risks with responsibilities.
  • Incorporate gender-related needs, perspectives and concerns, and promote gender equality participation.
  • Persistent, calm and courteous in the face of challenges and stress.
  • Treat all colleagues with respect and dignity.
  • Work effectively with people of different cultures adapting to relevant cultural contexts.
  • Knowledgeable and promoter of the IOM's main mandate and migration solutions.
• Teamwork:
  • Actively contribute to an effective, collegial andfriendly team environment.
  • Contribute and meet team goals.
  • Give credit where it is due.
  • Seek input and feedback from others.
  • Appropriately delegate tasks and responsibilities.
  • Actively support and implement final team decisions.
  • Take joint responsibility for the team's work.
• Technological Knowledge:
  • Learn about the technological developments available.
  • Proactively identify and advocate for profitable technology solutions.
  • Understand the applicability and limitation of technology and seek to apply it to the appropriate job.

Languages

All IOM staff members in all categories are required to be fluent in one of the IOM's official languages (English, French, Spanish).

For this position, fluency in Spanish and English is required (oral and written).

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Required Competencies

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.

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

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
• 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.
• 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 actions 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, if with direct reports

• 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.

Notes

Please refer to this link for guidance on IOM Job Category.

Como Aplicar:

Los candidatos deben presentar su oferta por medio de la plataforma. No se tendrán en cuenta las solicitudes recibidas después de esa fecha. Los candidatos preseleccionados serán convocados a una entrevista.

La aplicación debe incluir:

• Curriculum.
• Título completo de licenciatura en psicología.
• Inscripción en el colegio de psicólogos. (Las personas postulantes deberán adjuntar evidencia de su incorporación vigente en el Colegio de Profesionales en Psicología de Costa Rica).
• Para esta posición las personas postulantes deberán contar con un buen nivel de inglés.
• Esta oferta de empleo está sujeta a la contratación local. Solo podrán optar al puesto aquellas personas que dispongan de un permiso de residencia y de trabajo válido para el país en el que se encuentra el puesto.
• Este puesto tendrá una duración inicial hasta diciembre 2026, con posibilidad de prórroga, siempre que haya fondos disponibles.
• Solo se contactará con los candidatos preseleccionados.
• Cualquier oferta que se haga al candidato en relación con esta convocatoria de vacante está sujeta a la confirmación de la financiación.
• El nombramiento estará sujeto a la certificación de que el candidato es médicamente apto para el puesto, a la verificación de la residencia.
• La OIM aplica una política de tolerancia cero ante conductas incompatibles con los fines y objetivos de las Naciones Unidas y de la OIM, incluyendo la explotación y el abuso sexuales, el acoso sexual, el abuso de autoridad y la discriminación por motivos de género, nacionalidad, edad, raza, orientación sexual, origen religioso o étnico o discapacidad.
• La OIM no cobra ninguna tasa en ninguna fase de su proceso de selección (solicitud, entrevista, tramitación, formación u otras tasas). La OIM no solicita ninguna información relacionada con cuentas bancarias.
• La OIM solo acepta solicitudes debidamente cumplimentadas presentadas a través del sistema de selección en línea de la OIM. La herramienta en línea también permite a los candidatos realizar un seguimiento del estado de su solicitud.

La Organización Internacional para las Migraciones (OIM) no discrimina por motivos de discapacidad, edad, identidad y expresión de género, orientación sexual, nacionalidad, identidad racial, creencias religiosas, entre otras. La OIM está comprometida con un entorno diverso e inclusivo y por ello su personal proviene de una amplia gama de entornos socioeconómicos y perspectivas del mundo. Se alienta especialmente las candidaturas de mujeres, personas afrodescendientes y personas LGBTIQA+ que se encuentren cualificadas y cumplan los requisitos de cada vacante

Forma

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) does not discriminate on the basis of disability, age, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, nationality, racial identity, religious beliefs, among others. IOM is committed to a diverse and inclusive environment and therefore its staff come from a wide range of socio-economic backgrounds and world perspectives. Candidates from women, people of African descent and LGBTIQA+ people who are qualified and meet the requirements of each vacancy are especially encouraged.