SVN-2026-025 Senior Project Associate (Socioeconomic Integration) - G7

Position details

• Vacancy type: Special Vacancy Notice
• Recruiting type: General Service
• Contract type: Special Short Term Graded (Up to 9 months)
• Office or unit: Country Office
• Location: San Jose, Costa Rica
• Application deadline: 2026-08-31T06:00:00+00:00

Context

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

Organizational Context and Scope

The project “Regular Migration Status and Socioeconomic Integration for Migrants Received by the Government of Costa Rica” implemented by IOM Costa Rica aims to contribute to the successful integration of migrants who after being received by the Government of Costa Rica, and offered the possibility to opt for Assisted Voluntary Return, decide to remain in the country as their destination country.  To this end, IOM will support migrants to access to legal identity and a long-term regular status, via categories determined by the government of Costa Rica, as well as to access basic services and livelihood opportunities that sustain their integration process. Among the activities, the project will facilitate access to basic services such as housing, food, and essential health, mental health and psychosocial support, referral to protection services; the project will also provide educational opportunities to learn Spanish, improve their job-seeking profiles and certify previously acquired skills, to facilitate their socioeconomic integration. Hence, the project will work through IOM’s Community-Based approach, aiming to foster social connectedness and support migrants during their integration process. 

All project activities will be carried out in the Great Metropolitan Area (GAM) and will be implemented at a community level, in geographical areas that have high integration indexes for migrant populations. 

Under the overall supervision of the Head Of Program in Costa Rica, Integration Project Manager and the direct supervision of the Head of the Migration and Development Unit, and in close coordination with relevant IOM technical units, the Senior Project Associate – socio-economic Integration will provide support for the implementation, coordination and monitoring of project activities aimed at facilitating access to employment services and/or comprehensive livelihood support, enabling migrants from the United States who have been admitted by the Government of Costa Rica and who do not opt for assisted voluntary return to generate short-, medium- and long-term income in line with the requirements of their stay in the country. The successful candidate will provide technical, administrative and operational support for activities carried out in collaboration with the National Employment System, led by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MTSS) and the National Employment Agency (ANE), including at least: a. Coordinate the review and updating of the mapping of employment services and referral pathways available to regular migrants within the National Employment System; b. Coordinate case-by-case socio-occupational profiling and the definition of the pathway for the required employment services; c. Coordinate the entry of profiles via the BRETE platform to improve job placement through the National Employment Agency (ANE); d. Facilitate inclusion in the formal financial system (banking), e. Coordinate efforts with trade associations and individual private-sector organisations to improve labour market inclusion for migrants.

Responsibilities

1. Independently lead and coordinate the implementation of the project. Monitor implementation of the activities to ensure work is proceeding according to established plans; analyse implementation difficulties and make recommendations for adjusting implementation modalities and work plans to best reflect changing environment on the field. 

2. Regularly research, follow-up, compile, analyse and present information/data on national, regional and international developments, reports, legislation and other relevant documentation, highlighting noteworthy issues for the consideration of appropriate parties.
3. Monitor budget expenditures by verifying availability of funds and maintaining a proper record of approved project budgets and their revisions.
4. Coordinate and monitor the financial, administrative and technical aspects of the project in line with IOM policies and donor requirements.
5. Plan, coordinate and conduct capacity building workshops for relevant internal and external parties.  
6. Participate in meetings and conferences. Maintain effective liaison and coordination with local authorities, partners, United Nation (UN) agencies, intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations, donors and other stakeholders relevant to the project. 
7. Coordinate the preparation of correspondence, briefing notes, presentations, narrative and financial reports. Ensure status reports are prepared and submitted in a timely manner. 
8. Identify and document good practices and lessons learned and contribute to the development of Standard Operations Procedures (SOP), policies and concept papers to support the development of new projects.
9. Supervise and provide guidance and training to reporting staff. 
10. Perform such other relevant duties as maybe assigned.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Professional in Business Administration, Operations Management, Public Administration, Project Management, Political or Social Sciences, International Relations, Migration Studies, Law, economy, or related field, with at least one completed Bachelor Degree, with five years of relevant professional experience; or
• High School diploma with seven years of relevant professional experience.
• General studies in gender studies, labour migration, case management, peace and conflict studies, will be an advantage.

Experience

• Fluency in English is required (at least B2 level). 
• Fluency in any other language (French, Arabic, Russian, Mandarin) is an advantage.
• Strong previous experience in labor migration and socioeconomic integration processes and staff supervision.
• Experience in communicating and working with a wide range of people, including those from culturally diverse backgrounds.
• Previous experience in socioeconomic integration activities in related intervention areas is an advantage.
• Experience in coordinating with institutional and UN counterparts.
• Excellent writing and systematization skills.
• Excellent analytical skills.
• Ability to multitask.
• Excellent organizational and planning skills.
• Ability to incorporate all diversities into work.
• Excellent and proven ability to work both in a team and independently

Skills

The Senior Project Associate (Socioeconomic Integration) must have the following personal and technical skills. 

• Leadership and team management skills: 

  • Team supervision and coaching 

  • Staff training and onboarding 

  • Delegation and workload distribution 

  • Conflict resolution and mediation 

  • Decision-making and problem-solving

• Communication Skills

  • Active listening 

  • Clear verbal and written communication 

  • Interdisciplinary collaboration 

• Compliance & Quality Assurance

  • Policy and procedure implementation 

  • Confidentiality and privacy standards

  • Risk assessment and mitigation 

  • Ethical decision-making

• Interpersonal Skills

  • Emotional intelligence 

  • Empathy and compassion 

  • Cultural competence 

  • Relationship building 

  • Negotiation 

  • Adaptability and resilience

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, fluency in Spanish and English is required (oral and written).

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 2

• 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.

Managerial Competencies – behavioural indicators Level 2, if with direct reports

• Leadership: Provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example and demonstrates the ability to carry out the Organization’s vision. Assists others to realize and develop their leadership and professional potential.
• Empowering others: Creates an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
• Building Trust: Promotes shared values and creates an atmosphere of trust and honesty.
• Strategic thinking and vision: Works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.
• Humility: Leads with humility and shows openness to acknowledging own shortcomings. 

¿Como Aplicar?

El candidato debe enviar su aplicación por medio de esta plataforma.

La aplicación debe incluir: 

• CV.
• Una carta de interés (máx.1 página).
• Títulos.

 Salario bruto: Special Short Term / G7 / CRC 1.857.384

Notes:

1. Solo se contactará con los candidatos preseleccionados. 
2. Cualquier oferta que se haga al candidato en relación con esta convocatoria de vacante está sujeta a la confirmación de la financiación.
3. Este puesto está sujeto a contratación local. Solo podrán ser considerados aquellos que posean un permiso de residencia y de trabajo válido para el país en el que se encuentra el puesto.
4. El nombramiento estará sujeto a la certificación de que el candidato es médicamente apto para el puesto, a la verificación de la residencia, al visado y a las autorizaciones del Gobierno correspondiente, cuando proceda.
5. La OIM aplica una política de tolerancia cero ante conductas incompatibles con los fines y objetivos de las Naciones Unidas y de la OIM, incluyendo la explotación y el abuso sexuales, el acoso sexual, el abuso de autoridad y la discriminación por motivos de género, nacionalidad, edad, raza, orientación sexual, origen religioso o étnico o discapacidad.
6. La OIM no cobra ninguna tasa en ninguna fase de su proceso de selección (solicitud, entrevista, tramitación, formación u otras tasas). La OIM no solicita ninguna información relacionada con cuentas bancarias.
7. La OIM solo acepta solicitudes debidamente cumplimentadas presentadas a través del sistema de selección en línea de la OIM. La herramienta en línea también permite a los candidatos realizar un seguimiento del estado de su solicitud.

 La Organización Internacional para las Migraciones (OIM) no discrimina por motivos de discapacidad, edad, identidad y expresión de género, orientación sexual, nacionalidad, identidad racial, creencias religiosas, entre otras. La OIM está comprometida con un entorno diverso e inclusivo y por ello su personal proviene de una amplia gama de entornos socioeconómicos y perspectivas del mundo. Se alienta especialmente las candidaturas de mujeres, personas afrodescendientes y personas LGBTIQA+ que se encuentren cualificadas y cumplan los requisitos de cada vacante  

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) does not discriminate on the basis of disability, age, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, nationality, racial identity, religious beliefs, among others. IOM is committed to a diverse and inclusive environment and therefore its staff come from a wide range of socio-economic backgrounds and world perspectives. Candidates from women, people of African descent and LGBTIQA+ people who are qualified and meet the requirements of each vacancy are especially encouraged.