Migration Health Physician

Host entity: IOM ZAF

Volunteer type: National

Areas of expertise: Migration, refugees, Public health, immunisation

Application deadline: 19/08/2026

Mission and objectives

IOM provides emergency and humanitarian assistance to migrants and displaced people, enhancing preparedness and early warning systems, as well as initiating early recovery for disaster risk reduction and community stabilization in areas affected by natural and unnatural disasters.

Assignment context

Under the overall supervision of the Sub-Regional Health Assessment Programme (HAP) Coordinator (SRHAPC), the direct 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

Under the overall supervision of the Sub-Regional Health Assessment Programme (HAP) Coordinator (SRHAPC), the direct 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.

1. Ensure the efficient daily operations of the Migration Health Assessment Center (MHAC), in close coordination with the Clinic Head.

2. Conduct the Pretoria MHAC’s migration health assessment process to fulfil the technical requirements of the resettlement countries in the areas of:
a) Medical examinations,
b) Imaging,
c) Laboratory testing,
d) Vaccinations,
e) TB management,
f) Treatment and referrals,
g) Pre-departure procedures and medical movements,
h) Documentation, certification and information transmission, and,
i) Other technical areas as may be required.

3. Ensure proper identification of refugees and migrants during the health assessment and record all relevant health information in standard forms; ensuring completeness and accuracy of the recorded information.

4. Perform treatment for TB and sexually transmitted infections and provide support to the HIV and counselling activities. Oversee and coordinate the management of TB cases to ensure effective TB treatment.

5. Contribute to oversight and coordination of accurate and effective provision of immunization and presumptive treatment programmes in full compliance with the technical guidelines and protocols of the resettlement countries as well as assist the Clinic Head in monitoring, supervising and educating all staff in the delivery of these programmes.

6. Contribute to and maintain a system of quality improvement for each service area within the MHAC.
• Undertake quality control activities on a regular basis, including practice observation, desk audits and use of self-assessment tools.
• Use data analysis and web reporting system to monitor performance indicators. Ensure implementation of the global IOM Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs); create and implement Pretoria MHAC specific SOPs for each service area.
• Ensure proper reporting and management of incidents according to the Guidance Note for Incident Management.

7. Contribute to systematic collection, processing and analyses of migration health data according to guidelines established by the Clinic Head. Ensure data quality. Provide periodic, as well as ad-hoc reporting to the Clinic Head on Migration Health activities.

8. Ensure that all data related to heath assessment programmes is appropriately entered to Migrant Management Operational System Application (MiMOSA) and other related databases.

9. Contribute to oversight of the financial aspects of the MHAC in close coordination with the supervisor, mission's finance staff: contribute to budget preparation, suggest adjustments and cost-effective solutions, and contribute to reviewing financial reports.

10. Contribute to oversight and coordination of the procurement of medical equipment, vaccines, medications and other medical supplies in coordination with the Clinic Head and the Resource Management Unit.

11. Perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Supervisor

Skills and experience

• Professional continuous clinical experience, preferably in a multidisciplinary hospital setting. The last clinical posting should be within the last three years;
• Good knowledge of clinical medicine;
• Excellent bedside manner;
• Knowledge of patient safety and infection prevention and control;
• Good communication and organizational skills.
• Candidates with 4 years of experience may be considered.

Competencies and values

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.

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 action 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): R33 348,22 per month,
• A once off entry lumpsum of $350 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.