Asociado/a de Apoyo Psicosocial (RVA)

UN Atlas; Caracas; Presencial; VES 16.408.000 - 27.347.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

International Organization for Migration (IOM) Venezuela seeks a Psychosocial Support Assistant to provide technical and operational support for AVRR, family reunification, and resettlement programs, ensuring safe, dignified, and well-documented activities in line with SOPs. The role focuses on delivering psychosocial and technical support to migrants under supervision.

The position requires crisis-sensitive, confidential handling of cases, collaboration with protections teams, and field

Formación

• Two years of experience in psychosocial support, community intervention, or vulnerable population care.
• Experience in humanitarian or migration programs is desirable.
• Experience with MHPSS is desirable and beneficial.

Responsabilidades

• Conduct psychosocial assessments for AVRR beneficiaries and document findings clearly and confidentially.
• Provide pre-return orientation and reintegration support sessions to inform decisions and manage expectations.
• Refer complex cases to MHPSS, Protection, or specialized services as needed.
• Offer psychosocial support and psychological first aid (PFA) sessions, in-person or remote.
• Support monitoring of returnees and accompany cases with medical requirements to destinations.
• Assist with AVRR-related duties at airports, terminals, and intervention points.

Conocimientos

Integrity

Empathy

Teamwork

Effective communication

MHPSS principles

PFA principles

Educación

University degree in Psychology or related field

Descripción del empleo

Organizational context

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Venezuela implements Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) projects for Venezuelan migrants returning voluntarily. The selected candidate will provide technical and operational support for AVRR, family reunification, and resettlement programs, ensuring activities are conducted safely, with dignity, and in line with IOM standards, focusing on psychosocial and technical support for migrants.

Job purpose:

The Psychosocial Support Assistant (RVA) will provide crucial technical and operational support for the implementation of the Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) program in Venezuela. This role is vital for ensuring that AVRR activities, as well as family reunification and resettlement cases, are executed safely, with dignity, and efficiently, adhering strictly to IOM's Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), policies, and principles. A key focus will be on delivering specialized psychosocial and technical support to migrant individuals, contributing to their well-being and successful reintegration. The position operates under the general supervision of the Senior AVRR Operations Assistant and the direct supervision of the AVRR Operations Assistant, playing an integral part in the organization's mission to promote humane and orderly migration.

Responsibilities

Conduct psychosocial assessments for AVRR beneficiaries to identify stress, anxiety, trauma, or migration grief, available support networks, and associated risks, documenting findings clearly, structured, and confidentially. Provide pre-return orientation and reintegration support sessions to foster informed decision‑making, manage expectations, and prepare individuals emotionally. Identify complex psychosocial needs, such as severe trauma, gender‑based violence, or protection risks, and refer cases promptly to the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) component, Protection unit, specialized medical/psychological services, or other relevant organizations. Offer psychosocial support and psychological first aid (PFA) through individual or group sessions, in‑person or remotely, following IOM MHPSS guidelines for migrants. Integrate MHPSS approaches into AVRR activities by advising the AVRR team on relevant psychosocial aspects of case management and field activities. Support the monitoring of returnees using established formats, via remote contact or in‑person visits, and accompany cases with medical requirements to their destinations. Assist with the delivery of assistance at airports, land terminals, and other intervention points for AVRR, family reunification, and resettlement activities. Support the preparation of records, reports, and informational materials on AVRR activities, including psychosocial trends among assisted populations. Uphold IOM's data protection and confidentiality principles, and adhere to applicable AVRR manuals, instructions, and procedures. Assist with other tasks within the AVRR program team as required.

Education

Completion of secondary education with five years of relevant work experience, OR a University degree in Psychology or related fields, Clinical or Community Psychology, with three years of relevant professional work experience. Universities must be listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.

Work experience

Two years of experience in psychosocial support, community intervention, or vulnerable population care. Experience in humanitarian or migration programs, working with migrants or refugees, and in MHPSS is desirable. One year of specific experience in managing Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration cases is also desirable.

Skills

Integrity, professional ethics, and teamwork. Sensitivity, empathy, and effective communication. Application of MHPSS and PFA principles. Ability and flexibility to manage stress in field conditions. Confidentiality and discretion in handling sensitive documentation. Human Rights and Protection approach for recognizing vulnerability indicators.

Required languages

Spanish