Senior Project Associate (Social Support)

Position details

• Vacancy type: Vacancy Notice
• Recruiting type: General Service
• Contract type: Fixed-term (1 year with possibility of extension)
• Office or unit: Country Office
• Location: Bulgaria
• Application deadline: 2026-12-04T00:00:00+00:00

Context

Under the overall supervision of IOM Bulgaria’s Head of Mission and direct supervision of IOM’s Bulgaria Senior Protection Officer; and, in collaboration with relevant units at Country office and Regional Office, the Senior Project Associate (Social Support) will be performing the following functions and responsibilities:

Responsibilities

• Support the Senior Protection Officer and Protection team in the coordination of protection cases within a multidisciplinary team that includes other IOM staff (psychologist, legal counsellor, interpreter, cultural mediator, AVRR referral counsellor, etc.);
• Provide support to the unit in the case management of migrants by coordinating requests for IOM social assistance in line with IOM standards. Assist in identifying specific vulnerabilities and provide appropriate support and/or referral to relevant services; 
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
• Assist migrants with all the necessary information in order to access relevant specialized care and/or administrative services. Prepare documentation, leaflets and outreach messaging on various topics related to daily life in Bulgaria;
• Serve as a focal point for the Safe Zones for unaccompanied children in Voenna Rampa and/or Ovcha Kupel and/or Harmanli activities, managed by IOM and liaise with relevant units on logistical, administrative, and financial matters in support of Protection activities.
• Compile and file project documentation in relation to protection activities, including internal reports, donor reports, draft technical specifications, as needed.
• Assist in the development of monitoring, evaluation and reporting tools of in the form of satisfaction surveys, pre and post assessments, as well as needs assessments.
• Support the planning, coordination and facilitation of capacity building workshops with relevant internal and external parties.
• Participate in meetings and conferences; maintain effective liaison and coordination with local authorities, partners, United Nation agencies, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, donors and other stakeholders relevant to the MHPSS activities of the mission. 
• Identify and document good practices and lessons learned; contribute to the development of Standard Operations Procedures (SOPs), policies and concept papers and support the development of new projects and expend the MHPSS activities of the mission. 

Qualifications

• High School diploma with a minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience on projects working with migrants and/or refugees, with experience in project implementation considered an advantage.

• Bachelor’s degree in social science, social work, or another related field, with a minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience working with migrants and/or refugees

• Experience in liaising with governmental authorities, national/international institutions, United Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations; 
• Experience in working with migrants, refugees, internally displaced persons, victims of trafficking and other vulnerable groups; and,
• Prior work experience with international humanitarian organizations, non-government or government institutions/organization in a multi-cultural setting is an advantage.