Ireland (Ireland)
Job Description
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
Project Context and Scope
IOM Ireland implements the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Project for International Protection Applicants residing in Ireland. The project provides counselling, case management, cultural mediation, psychosocial support, information and referral assistance, community-based activities, capacity building and follow-up through the MHPSS Infoline.
The project has developed a range of SOPs, guidelines, workflows, forms and operational tools. To strengthen consistency, accountability, safeguarding and service quality, IOM Ireland requires an external consultant to systematically review existing documentation, identify gaps and duplication, harmonise terminology and processes, and develop a practical SOP package for MHPSS project operations.
The objective of the consultancy is to develop a coherent, standardised and implementation-ready package of SOPs that reflects current MHPSS project operations and supports safe, ethical, consistent and accountable service delivery across International Protection Applicant centres.
The consultant will coordinate closely with designated MHPSS focal points while remaining accountable to the Hiring Manager for the timely submission, revision and finalisation of all deliverables. The SOP package will be aligned with relevant IOM standards, policies and principles, including safeguarding, PSEA, protection, accountability to affected populations, data protection and confidentiality requirements.
Responsibilities
- Review and revise the current draft and existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), guidelines, workflows, templates and tools for the IOM Ireland MHPSS Project, ensuring they define the minimum procedures required for safe, ethical, consistent and accountable service delivery.
- Establish and facilitate consultations with the SOP Working Group, coordinated by the Head of the MHPSS Unit, and collect inputs from designated MHPSS focal points and relevant multidisciplinary team members to ensure that SOPs reflect operational realities, roles, responsibilities and service delivery requirements.
- Map, review and strengthen referral pathways and coordination mechanisms within Citywest and with external service providers, ensuring that referral procedures are practical, context-specific, client-centred and aligned with national systems and available services in Ireland.
- Ensure that SOPs clearly define the minimum actions and responsibilities required of MHPSS staff and focal points, including identification of needs and vulnerabilities, triage, immediate response, safeguarding measures, informed consent, confidentiality, data protection, referrals, follow-up, case documentation, escalation procedures and case closure.
- Coordinate with relevant internal IOM colleagues and external stakeholders, where appropriate, to ensure alignment with IOM policies, protection standards, existing referral mechanisms, interagency coordination processes and operational arrangements in Ireland.
- Validate draft SOPs through consultation with the SOP Working Group and key operational focal points, testing the feasibility, practicality and applicability of procedures within the Citywest context and incorporating feedback as required.
- Compile and present the revised SOP package, including SOPs, referral pathways, workflows, tools and templates, to IOM Ireland management and technical focal points for review, validation and final endorsement.
- Facilitate the finalisation of the SOP package, incorporating consolidated feedback and submitting editable final versions together with implementation recommendations and a practical roll-out plan.
- Develop and deliver capacity-building sessions and practical training workshops for MHPSS staff, focal points and relevant partner organizations on the finalised SOPs, referral pathways, roles and responsibilities, and key procedures to support consistent implementation.
- Provide post-training guidance and recommendations to support the operationalization, monitoring and continuous improvement of the SOPs and referral pathways.
Deliverable 1. Inception, inventory and gap analysis
Due date: Fri 13 Nov 2026
Required outputs: Inception report; methodology and work plan; consultation schedule; inventory of existing SOPs; gap and duplication analysis; prioritised SOP list; proposed template and document-control framework.
Acceptance standard: Complete, evidence-based and approved in writing by IOM as sufficient to proceed to drafting.
Payment: First instalment: 20%
Deliverable 2. Draft harmonised SOP package
Due date: Fri 4 Dec 2026
Required outputs: First complete draft of agreed SOPs; process maps; associated forms, checklists and annexes; draft SOP register; consultation and validation summary; presentation to IOM..
Acceptance standard: Operationally accurate, internally consistent and sufficiently complete for structured validation by IOM.
Payment: Second instalment: 30%
Deliverable 3. Final SOP package and handover
Due date: Fri 18 Dec 2026
Required outputs: Final editable SOP suite; final workflows, forms and annexes; SOP register; feedback-response matrix; implementation and review plan; final report; staff handover session..
Acceptance standard: All consolidated comments addressed and final outputs accepted in writing by IOM.
Payment:Third Instalment: 30%
Deliverable 4.Capacity building, post-training guidance and final report (Tasks 9–10)
Due date: Training: 11–15 Jan 2027; report: Fri 22 Jan 2027
Required outputs: Training plan and materials; delivery of training workshops for MHPSS staff, focal points and relevant partners; attendance records and pre/post assessment; post-training guidance and recommendations for operationalisation, monitoring and continuous improvement; final consultancy report.
Acceptance standard: Training delivered as planned; materials and final report accepted in writing by IOM.
Payment:Final Instalment: 20%
Qualifications
Required Qualifications and Experience
Education
- Advanced university degree in social work, psychology, public health, mental health, humanitarian affairs, international development, organisational development, quality management, public administration, law, policy development or a related field, with at least five years of relevant professional experience; or
- A university degree in one of the above fields with at least seven years of relevant professional experience. Relevant certification in quality assurance, process mapping, safeguarding, project management, policy development or technical writing is an advantage.
Experience
- Demonstrated experience developing, reviewing or implementing SOPs, operational manuals, policies, protocols or quality-assurance frameworks.
- Experience translating complex operational processes into clear, practical and user-friendly procedures.
- Relevant experience in MHPSS, protection, safeguarding, migration, social work, case management, public health or humanitarian programming.
- Experience conducting document reviews, gap analyses, stakeholder consultations and process-mapping exercises.
- Knowledge of confidentiality, informed consent, referral management, records management, incident reporting and risk-management principles.
- Experience working with multidisciplinary and culturally diverse teams.
- Experience with a UN agency, international organisation, NGO or government body is desirable.
- Experience supporting services for refugees, migrants, asylum seekers or other populations in vulnerable situations is desirable.
Skills
- Excellent analytical, drafting, editing and technical-writing skills in English.
- Strong knowledge of SOP development methods, process mapping and document-control systems.
- Ability to structure complex information into clear steps, roles, decision points and escalation pathways.
- Strong consultation, facilitation, presentation and stakeholder-management skills.
- Excellent attention to detail, consistency and quality assurance.
- Ability to manage multiple documents and priorities within fixed contractual deadlines.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Word, including styles, tables of contents, tracked changes, cross-referencing and version control.
- Ability to work independently while maintaining effective coordination with IOM.
Languages
For this consultancy, fluency in 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
- 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.
Notes
IOM covers Consultants against occupational accidents and illnesses under the Compensation Plan (CP), free of charge, for the duration of the consultancy. IOM does not provide evacuation or medical insurance for reasons related to non-occupational accidents and illnesses. Consultants are responsible for their own medical insurance for non-occupational accident or illness and will be required to provide written proof of such coverage before commencing work.
Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.
Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, security clearances.
This post is subject to local recruitment. Only persons holding a valid residence and work permit in Ireland will be eligible for consideration.
As the right to live and work in Ireland is required, the contract issued may be shorter than the period mentioned in the advertisement, in order to align with expiry date of the work permit.
IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities.
IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.
IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment system (for internal candidates link here). The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.
No late applications will be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies
Required Skills
Job info
Contract Type: Consultancy (Up to 11 months)Org Type: Country Office
Vacancy Type: Consultancy
Recruiting Type: Consultant
Grade: UG
Is this S/VN based in an L3 office or in support to an L3 emergency response?: No
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