Migration Health Physician – Assisted Voluntary Return Programme

About the role

The Migration Health Physician will support the Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) programme in Costa Rica, ensuring that all medical components are implemented in full compliance with IOM and Migration Health Division procedures. Reporting to the Head of Programs and the Protection Officer, the physician will assess applicants’ health, coordinate medical travel arrangements, and facilitate continuity of care after arrival.

Key responsibilities

• Review applicants’ medical histories, prescriptions, and records; provide pre‑departure counselling as needed.
• Liaise with treating physicians or medical facilities to gather additional health information.
• Conduct or organize physical examinations to determine fitness to travel and identify post‑arrival health needs.
• Recommend urgent investigations or stabilization treatment for high‑risk conditions.
• Assess medical feasibility of return and coordinate with AVRR colleagues in both sending and receiving countries.
• Develop and implement continuity‑of‑care plans with AVRR counsellors.
• Determine and arrange required medical travel support (e.g., escorts, wheelchair, oxygen, stretcher).
• Coordinate travel itineraries with IOM Operations, approve itineraries, and complete airline medical forms (MEDA, MEDIF).
• Manage medical escorts, ensure familiarity with IOM SOPs, and review escort reports.
• Supervise health staff and external consultants, ensure adequate medical structure, and complete performance evaluations.
• Collect, process, and analyse migration health data according to MHD guidelines.

Required profile

• Medical degree and valid physician licence (implied by the title).
• Experience in migration health, humanitarian health programmes, or related clinical settings.
• Ability to work under supervision of senior IOM staff and collaborate with multi‑disciplinary teams.

Required skills

• Medical assessment and clinical decision‑making.
• Coordination of medical travel logistics and escort services.
• Completion of airline medical documentation (MEDA, MEDIF).