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 IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration

Project Context and Scope

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.

The “Return Assistance for migrants in vulnerable Situations” Programme offers tailored assistance in order to support returnees with identified special protection needs (e.g. people with health conditions or medical needs, unaccompanied and separated children, or victims of trafficking) to support their successful and sustainable return. Cases in which vulnerabilities are specifically indicated in the application process, or it becomes apparent that specific vulnerabilities exist, are referred by BAMF to the IOM.

Migrants with health issues may require medical assistance during the movement phase of their journey. Those with significant medical conditions, including patients in intensive or palliative care, may require the assistance of a medical escort (ME), who is either a physician or a nurse. Potential MEs are required to escort patients based on their diagnoses and current conditions.

Medical escorts are responsible for providing the best possible care to migrants under existing circumstances. Therefore, escorts need sound professional judgment and clinical skills commensurate with the range of clinical events that a specific medical case might entail. This requires familiarity with the conditions involved, expertise in managing those conditions, understanding of aviation medicine, and emergency medicine experience.

IOM Germany is seeking qualified, professional medical escorts to include in a roster of consultants who can support beneficiaries with medical conditions participating in IOM-managed programs on an ad hoc basis.

This consultancy aims to create a flexible pool of medical consultants who can provide medical support and movement assistance between locations in Syria and Germany. Assignments may include medical escort services, travel health support, pre-departure or post-arrival medical coordination, review of medical documentation, medical monitoring during travel, and other related activities necessary for safe and dignified movement.

The roster is intended to cover a broader target group than medical escorts only. Qualified doctors, nurses, emergency medical professionals, paramedics, midwives, and other licensed healthcare professionals with relevant clinical experience and the ability to travel between Syria and Germany are encouraged to apply.

Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing

The consultant will contribute to the Due Diligence and Case Processing Team (DDP team) in the Migrant Protection and Inclusion Unit (MPIU) of IOM Germany. Overall, the consultant will work closely with members of the DDP team, the MHD focal point for IOM Germany (who is responsible for the medical evaluation of all cases), treating physicians in Germany, and other external service providers.

1. Category B Consultants:

• Availability confirmed and assignment-specific travel and medical instructions reviewed before deployment.
• Assigned medical travel support for beneficiaries between locations in Syria and Germany, including medical monitoring and professional assistance before, during and, where applicable, after travel.
• Coordination with IOM teams, healthcare providers, hospitals, airport authorities, airlines and other relevant counterparts in Syria and Germany, as required by the assignment.
• Complete post-assignment documentation within the agreed timeframe, including mission report, relevant medical observations and any required follow-up information.

Performance indicators for the evaluation of results

• Assignments are completed safely, professionally and in accordance with agreed instructions.
• Documentation is submitted on time, complete and fit for operational follow-up.
• Communication with IOM is timely, clear and solution-oriented.
• SOPs, MEPs and confidentiality requirements are followed accurately.
• Feedback from IOM teams and relevant counterparts confirms professional conduct and reliability.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• University degree in Medicine, Nursing, Emergency Medicine, Paramedicine, Midwifery or another relevant health discipline from an accredited institution.
• A valid professional license to practice in the applicant’s country of residence, citizenship or professional registration.

Experience

• Minimum of four years of relevant clinical experience. Four or more years are desirable.
• Relevant experience in patient care, emergency medicine, internal medicine, surgery, intensive care, community health, travel medicine, humanitarian response or related areas.
• Previous experience accompanying patients or vulnerable individuals during domestic or international travel is an advantage.
• Experience working in multicultural, humanitarian or migration-related contexts is desirable.

Skills

• Valid Basic Life Support (BLS) certification or equivalent.
• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), Advanced Life Support, emergency care or equivalent certification is highly desirable.
• Ability to respond appropriately to medical incidents within the limits of the consultant’s professional qualifications and assignment instructions.
• Availability to comply with IOM medical clearance, reference check and administrative onboarding requirements before engagement.
• Strong communication, documentation and coordination skills.
• Ability to work independently, under time pressure and in changing operational environments.
• Ability and willingness to undertake short-notice assignments involving travel between Syria and Germany, subject to confirmed operational needs.

Languages

• Fluency in English is required.
• Arabic language skills are highly desirable.
• German language skills are an asset.
• Additional language skills relevant to the beneficiary groups may be considered an advantage.

Travel required

The consultancy requires travel between locations in Syria and Germany. Specific travel routes, departure points, destinations and assignment schedules will be determined by IOM on a case-by-case basis according to programme needs and beneficiary requirements.

Consultants may be deployed from locations in Syria or Germany depending on operational requirements. Travel arrangements, reimbursements and applicable allowances will be regulated in the individual consultancy contract or assignment confirmation, in line with IOM rules and procedures.

Mandatory eligibility criteria

Only candidates meeting the following mandatory eligibility requirements will be considered:

• Valid passport with at least six months validity at the time of engagement and for the anticipated travel period.
• Legal ability to travel between locations in Syria and Germany.
• Eligibility to obtain and maintain all required visas, entry authorizations, permits or other official travel documentation for assignments in Syria and Germany.
• No legal, administrative, medical or professional restrictions preventing the candidate from undertaking the required travel and medical support duties.

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

• 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.

Notes

IOM covers Consultants against occupational accidents and illnesses under the Compensation Plan (CP), free of charge, for the duration of the consultancy. IOM does not provide evacuation or medical insurance for reasons related to non-occupational accidents and illnesses. Consultants are responsible for their own medical insurance for non-occupational accident or illness and will be required to provide written proof of such coverage before commencing work.

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

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

IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities.

IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.

IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment system (for internal candidates link here). The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.

No late applications will be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies