Project Assistant, PxD / MHPSS

Organizational Context and Scope

• Irregular migration along the Central Mediterranean Route (CMR) remains one of the most dangerous migration routes worldwide.
• A significant number of Nigerian citizens continue to travel within West Africa and Northern Africa, in search of better economic opportunities.
• IOM data shows that from 2017 to date, 30% of migrants in transit and destination countries in the CMR route experience exploitative practices during their migratory journey and need protection services.
• Those willing to return to Nigeria need to have access to comprehensive and sustainable reintegration assistance through national and regional mechanisms which remain limited.
• To meet these challenges and needs, IOM has partnered with the Federal Government of Nigeria, state actors, national and international NGOs in Nigeria, with the support from the European Commission (EU), the governments of The Netherlands, Italy, and Switzerland.
• Through this partnership, a comprehensive protection programme aimed at promoting the security, dignity, and rights of migrants along this dangerous migration route and improve the reintegration of returnees through an innovative approach is in place. 
• The Migration Governance programme focuses on broader programme areas which includes different types of interventions, such as protection and assistance to vulnerable migrants, counter-trafficking (CT) activities, assistance for voluntary return and reintegration (AVRR), mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), migration data and facilitating regular migration pathways.
• The Migration Governance programme is strategically aimed at fostering synergies through a whole of government and whole of society approach that leverages on partnerships with actors in the migration space, strengthening the technical and material capacities of the authorities and organizations for sustainable project outcomes.
• A major component of the migration governance programme is the protection assistance programme where over 18,000 received comprehensive reintegration assistance. 
• Reintegration assistance can be considered sustainable when returnees have reached levels of economic self-sufficiency, social stability within their communities, and psychosocial well-being that allow them to cope with and resist to (re)migration drivers. Having achieved sustainable reintegration, returnees are able to make further migration decisions as a matter of choice rather than necessity.

Responsibilities

• Support organization of training activities for IOM colleagues and other partners’ staff involved with returnees in MHPSS support, including Psychological First Aid and other relevant PSS trainings (e.g; understanding emotional issues among returning migrants, positive communication skills, basic MHPSS concepts, etc.).
• Provide administrative support in implementation of MHPSS components of the AVRR programme and activities under the Migration Management unit
• Support organization of training activities for IOM colleagues and other partners’ staff involved with returnees in MHPSS support, including Psychological First Aid and other relevant PSS trainings (e.g; understanding emotional issues among returning migrants, positive communication skills, basic MHPSS concepts, etc.).
• Assist the team in the timely implementation of community level sensitization on MHPSS issues through psychosocial and recreational activities adapted to the needs, age and abilities of migrants.
• Support the provision of reintegration assistance within the case management, specifically for vulnerable cases of returning migrant, and document and file all vulnerable cases for reference and monitoring including regular update of beneficiaries’ information.
• Assist in the day-to-day implementation of the AVRR programme and activities, within the component of MHPSS.
• Assist in collecting, preparing and presenting information through periodic and ad-hoc reports on MHPSS activities, and support coordination and exchange of information with national institutional, professional and academic counterparts.
• Provide general/basic counselling to the returnees to support smooth psychosocial reintegration within family and community in coordination with protection focal points.
• Assist in monitoring MHPSS component activities including those implemented by the local partners.
• Carry out any other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience
Education:

• A minimum of four years relevant experience (two years’ experience for Degree holders) from an accredited institution in Psychology, Counselling, or any other related Social Science course;
• Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.

Experience:

• Minimum of two years of relevant experience in programmes, preferably in standalone MHPSS programmes or programmes with MHPSS components with non-governmental organisations.
• Experience working with vulnerable groups, counselling, protection interventions in an International NGO or UN Agency
• Demonstrated ability to collect, manage, analyze, and report activity data using Microsoft Excel, KoboToolbox, CommCare, ActivityInfo, or similar data management platforms, with strong attention to accuracy, confidentiality, and data protection principles.
• Work and/or academic experience focusing on migrant/mobile and/or at-risk groups preferably.
• Experience in liaising with governmental authorities, other national / international institutions;
• Experience in the area of migration, refugees and reintegration of migrants and victims of trafficking;
• Ability to work under stressful working conditions such as tight timelines and managing large groups of beneficiaries;
• Demonstrated experience in music, drama, storytelling, dance, visual arts, or other creative and performance-based approaches, with the ability to facilitate recreational, psychosocial, and community engagement activities that promote wellbeing, social cohesion, and emotional expression.

Skills:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications especially Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Publisher, and SharePoint.
• Good knowledge of IT packages and their implementation is an advantage.
• Good inter-personal and communication skills (Oral and Written).

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, working of knowledge of Hausa / Local language is required.
• 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.

Application Closing Date
27th July, 2026. 

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:

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