Medical Assistant

Host entity: IOM ZAF

Volunteer type: National

Areas of expertise: Administration, Project management, programme development, strategy

Application deadline: 21/08/2026

Mission and objectives

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is the leading intergovernmental organization in the field of migration and works closely with governments, United Nations agencies, civil society, academia and development partners to promote humane, safe and orderly migration for the benefit of all. In South Africa, IOM supports migration governance, migration and sustainable development, labour mobility and integrated border governance, regional cooperation, migrant inclusion and evidence-based migration policies. Through strategic partnerships with government institutions, development partners, regional bodies and the United Nations Country Team, IOM contributes to the integration of migration considerations into national and regional development frameworks and promotes effective migration governance that advances sustainable development outcomes.

As an active member of the United Nations Country Team (UNCT), IOM contributes to joint programming, the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), and multi-stakeholder partnerships that strengthen development planning and policy coherence and advances the UN principle of leaving no one behind.

Assignment context

Under the overall supervision of the Sub-Regional Health Assessment Program Coordinator (SRHAPC) and the direct supervision of the Senior Medical Assistant and technical supervision of the Clinic Head, the successful candidate will be responsible for the carrying out the following duties and responsibilities in relation to the Migration Health Assessment Centre (MHAC) in Pretoria, South Africa.

Task description

The Medical Assistant provides information, relevant to Health Assessment Programs, Applicant processing and other IOM services to the migrants.

He/she may be assigned to one of two potential subunits within the Migration Health Assessment Centre (MHAC): the reception and data processing unit or the call centre. The incumbent will need to be capable of flexibility when assigned different tasks. Below is a description of the possible tasks, which are more detailed in the duty lists and standard operating procedures (SOPS).

Call Centre overall duties:
1. Provide migrants’ information regarding health assessments by phone.

2. Register the migrants in the IOM database, schedule and confirm medical appointments and receive and communicate messages for medical staff and beneficiaries.

3. Prepare master lists of migrants scheduled for health assessment processing and submit them to respective service providers / relevant persons as required.

4. Maintain daily statistics related to health assessments and update the records; and,

5. Contribute to customer satisfaction evaluation management.

6. Reception and Data Entry overall duties:
Perform all the necessary data processing activities of the Migration Health Assessment Centre (MHAC), such as:
a) receiving and explaining the registration process to applicants.
b) checking applicant’s identity.
c) entering biodata of the applicants in the appropriate platform.
d) taking photos using webcam and loading the image to the appropriate platform; and,
e) printing of medical forms, consent forms and other necessary documents.

7. Receive all completed medical examination forms, x-rays and other documents from Country Offices or Panel Physicians while updating the reception of the same in the database and forward for quality check before clearance, if applicable.

8. Prepare, sort and package medical files and other documents during mobile migration health assessment missions where such mobile units are available.

9. Transmit completed medical forms, DNA packages and other medical documents either by electronic means or by courier services to the various partners.
Ensure correct contacts and physical address are used whenever documents are transmitted by courier services and ensure to inform the receiving party of the parcel tracking number electronically;

10. File incoming/outgoing letters, reports, memoranda, emails faxes as well as IOM documents and forms related to IOM medical issues.

11. Check, print and make photocopy of bank deposit slips (or other proof of payment). Regularly submit these photocopies to the Administrative/Finance Assistant; and,

12. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Skills and experience

• Experience in computer data entry, elaboration and analysis or in a call centre in a busy institution, preferably a medical one.
• Knowledge of customer care.
• Knowledge of medical terminology, as well as previous secretarial and archival experience, an added advantage; and,
• Previous working experience with NGOs or international organizations is an added advantage.
• Proven knowledge and/or certification in the data analysis tools such as Power BI an advantage.
• Proven knowledge and/or certification in the programming language SQL an advantage.
• Proven experience and knowledge in healthcare specific systems such as Electronic Health Record Systems (EHRs) an advantage.
• Proven advanced knowledge in the business process and data management of Interim Federal Health Programme (IFHP) an advantage.

Skills required:
• Excellent communication skills;
• Fast and accurate typing;
• Typing speed of at least 60 words per minute;
• Knowledge of data management principles;
• High computer literacy in Windows and MS Office is mandatory; knowledge of web page design would be an asset.

• A local language spoken in South Africa, is desired.
• Secondary School Diploma with at least four years of relevant working experience.
• Candidates with a Master's degree will also be considered.

Competencies and values

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

Living conditions

Bigger cities in South África can be highly cosmopolitan. In Johannesburg and Pretoria, you will find an abundance of world class gyms, restaurants, bars, recreational classes, galleries, parks etc. The bigger shopping malls host a large selection of international brands. There is a plethora of international cuisine to be sampled, and quirky independent cinemas to be discovered. OR Tambo International Airport is a world class airport, offering highly sophisticated facilities. It is located just outside of Johannesburg, in Kempton Park. It has many international airlines that fly into this airport. Crime rates in South África are ranked on the high end, petty theft and opportunistic crimes are common, and armed robberies, smash & grabs and hijackings are also fairly frequent in certain areas. One needs to remain vigilant especially at night and at road intersections. There are usually sign posts that indicate such hot spots. Periodic security information updates are sent via email providing information at national level, with regards to circumstances such as incidents of civil unrest, transport security, computer and networking safety and trends in criminality. UNDSS sends weekly security updates via email. Updates from wardens are on an ad hoc basis, following security related events in your residential area. Updates from UNDSS are provided weekly.

UN Volunteers receives the below entitlements:
• A Monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA): R9528.08 per month,
• A once off entry lumpsum at the start of the assignment,
• Medical insurance; Life cover, and annual leave,
• Access to all learning platforms,
• A once off exit lumpsum at the end of the assignment.

Full eligibility requirements, conditions of service and application instructions are available on the official UNV platform.