Asylum and Protection Strategy Consultant for Europe

This consultancy has the flexibility to be based in Europe. 

Europe is a critical point of arrival, transit and destination for vulnerable people on the move seeking protection and/or opportunity. Asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants face an array of obstacles in arrival, transit and destination countries on the continent—from increasingly restrictive policies that have cut off access to protection to challenges meeting basic needs, understanding their rights, or reuniting with family. As a leading global NGO serving people whose lives have been shattered by disaster, the IRC aims to play a distinctive and impactful role in this space, consistent with our vision of being the operational and thought leader of the humanitarian sector and ensuring the best outcomes for the most vulnerable. Building on decades of experience and core strengths, IRC has integrated a new Resettlement, Asylum and Integration department (RAI) that brings together our expertise in these areas with the aim of having a greater impact in Europe, the US and beyond.

To help advance our strategic perspective and business development opportunities on the topic of Asylum and Protection in the European context, IRC seeks Asylum and Protection Strategic Consultant for Europe to develop recommendations for our work in Germany, Italy, Serbia and Greece, working closely with relevant technical units and senior management teams over a course of approximately two months.The consultant will support the shaping and development of IRC’s asylum and protection strategy in Europe, identifying key opportunities for business and program development in the sector, and adding to a draft strategy that has already been completed for IRC’s work in the US. The position requires high-level knowledge of the European context regarding asylum and protection for vulnerable people on the move, including relevant networks and coalitions, trends, and needs of vulnerable people on the move seeking asylum or other forms of protection as well as strong communication and coordination across multiple stakeholders both internally and externally. The consultant will add strategic knowledge and insight on the asylum and protection sector in these countries, with key lines of inquiry including critical stakeholders, key funding streams, strategic partnership opportunities, service gaps, and trends.

Deliverables:

The Asylum and Protection Strategic Consultant for Europewill deliver a written report and presentation with relevant data that includes:

1.A landscape and gap analysis of asylum and protection response in Europe, with a focus on Greece, Serbia, Italy and Germany, that includes descriptive and analytical overview of service provision to asylum seekers and vulnerable people on the move, identifying key actors and opportunities for partnerships; training and technical assistance needs and gaps; mapping of key stakeholders; and opportunities for impactful interventions. Insight should be based on interviews with key external stakeholders in each context and review of relevant reports and data. Asylum seekers and vulnerable people on the move should be considered among key stakeholders.

2.A breakdown and analysis of existing and emerging sources of public and private funding for asylum and protection including key intersections with funding in other sectors (i.e., legal aid, child protection, health, human rights, women’s protection and empowerment). Considerations related to the current COVID-19 pandemic are included, where relevant, as well as other trends (eg, political) that may impact funding opportunities.

3.Recommendations for IRC’s asylum and protection approach in Europe, including:

• High-level recommendations that help us define the unique contributions of IRC in this space as service provider, advocate and thought leader, including striking the right balance between service provision, policy advocacy and communications, with well-defined ideas positioned in a multi-year approach.
• Strategic partnerships and alliances to forge in order to expand business development and program opportunities.
• Opportunities for enhanced or new programming that is prioritized based on high level estimated resources required (effort, time, funding), and potential impact (high, medium, low) to the IRC mission and clients, availability of funding and fit with potential for IRC to add value
• Strategic, operational, financial, and people elements needed for success.