Senior Officer, Migration and Displacement

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 192-member National Societies (NSs). The overall aim of IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by NSs with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.”  IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.

IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement), together with its member National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The work of IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.

IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into three main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Operations Coordination; (ii) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization; and (iii) Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services.

IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas.  IFRC also has country cluster delegations and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.

Migration is one of five Strategic Priorities contained in the IFRC Strategy 2030. Between 2016 and 2020, Migration was one of the eight strategic ‘Areas of Focus’ for programmatic support identified in the IFRC’s Plan and Budget. An IFRC Global Migration Strategy was adopted in December 2017 and sets the current direction for National Societies and the IFRC Secretariat. A Movement Policy on Internal Displacement was also adopted in 2009 to define the approach of the Movement in responding to internal displacement. It recognizes the distinction between internal displacement and migration while acknowledging the possible links between the two phenomena in some cases.

The Regional Migration and Displacement Senior Officer reports to the Regional Thematic Lead for Migration and Displacement, and is an integral part of IFRC global Migration and Displacement team and the Asia Pacific Health, Disasters, Climate, and Crises Unit (HDCC).

The position will support effective implementation of the IFRC strategic goals related to Migration and Displacement, as well as contribute to overall programme design and strategy across the Asia Pacific region. 

The IFRC’s overall vision for Migration and Displacement is that at all stages of their journeys, and irrespective of their legal status, migrants find the IFRC ready to respond to their needs, enhance their resilience, and advocate for their rights, articulated in the IFRC Global Migration Strategy and set out in IFRC Strategy 2030. In addition, the position will contribute to enhancing cross-sectoral synergies across all IFRC Strategic Priorities and relevant Enabling Approaches.

The Regional Migration and Displacement Senior Officer provides technical and operational support to IFRC and National Societies in the Asia Pacific region in the context of migration and displacement. This support is provided in line with the IFRC Asia Pacific Migration and Displacement Framework for Action and the IFRC Global Migration Strategy, as well as relevant Red Cross and Red Crescent Policies and Guidelines on Migration and Displacement.

Priorities areas of support include community and longer-term programming; emergencies and protracted crises; advocacy and diplomacy; and capacity strengthening at all levels. This tailored support will be provided through:

• Sensitisation and awareness raising on migration and displacement policies and practices
• Mainstreaming migration and displacement into existing National Society and IFRC programming
• Developing and enhancing targeted migration and displacement programming, in both emergency and non-emergency contexts
• Strengthening the capacity of IFRC and National Societies to position ourselves as the partner of choice on migration and displacement across the region
• Developing strong and effective partnerships both internally within the Movement and with key external stakeholders, in line with the Fundamental Principles

The Senior Officer will collaborate closely with colleagues in other departments and units to ensure coherence across IFRC's related portfolio of activities.

As requested, the Senior Officer may represent the IFRC at various levels, including inter-agency, inter-governmental and with external partners.

Capacity Strengthening and Development of Tools and Guidance

• Design and/or facilitate development of contextualised training on Migration and Displacement for the Asia Pacific region, ensuring that content is based on Movement principles on Migration and Displacement and core IFRC standards, including related to community engagement and accountability (CEA) and protection, gender and inclusion (PGI).
• Support development and socialisation of IFRC tools and guidance on Migration and Displacement for IFRC and National Societies’ staff and volunteers.
• Support the design and implementation of national or context-specific assessments on migration and displacement, based on IFRC guidance.
• Support the co-Chairs and Secretariat of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Asia Pacific Migration Network (APMN) to strengthen the network as a platform for peer exchange, and ensure access to and engagement with IFRC tools, policies, guidance and initiatives.

Support for Operations and Programmes

• Identify and develop opportunities for national, cross-border and regional Movement coordination on migration and displacement including through National Society collaboration, peer support, and knowledge and information exchange.
• Produce and compile case studies including lessons learned and good practices from IFRC operations and Asia Pacific National Societies’ Migration and Displacement activities
• Ensure that IFRC delegations have the tools and support needed to include Migration and Displacement in their programmes and operations.

National Society Preparedness, Coordination and Humanitarian Diplomacy

• Support National Society preparedness for effective responses in the context of migration and displacement
• Support the development of strong and effective partnerships to enhance existing work and ensure funding for future streams of work in migration and displacement.
• Provide background research and contextual analysis to support Asia Pacific National Societies engage in humanitarian diplomacy and advocacy related to migration and displacement.
• Provide technical support to the IFRC Regional Thematic Lead for Migration and Displacement to represent the IFRC as an expert on Migration and Displacement at internal and external fora and events

Reporting and Communications

• Contribute to high quality and regular reporting as required (e.g., monthly highlights and snapshots)
• Liaise with the IFRC regional Communications team to ensure high quality communications on migration and displacement in the region (including quarterly IFRC Asia Pacific regional newsletters)

Required

• Undergraduate university degree in Social Sciences, International Human Rights or Refugee Law, International Relations or related field 

Preferred

• Postgraduate degree in Social Sciences, International Human Rights or Refugee Law, International Relations or related field

Required

• Minimum 5-7 years of working experience on migration, displacement, human rights and/or protection issues or relevant experience
• Relevant experience in project and budget management
• Relevant experience in reporting, monitoring and evaluation
• Experience in organising meetings and conferences
• Experience in providing high-quality technical and policy advice to stakeholders at all levels of organisational hierarchy on migration and displacement issues
• Experience working in a team environment, with remote team members

Preferred

• Experience in designing, implementing and managing training courses
• Demonstrated experience in programme design and implementation related to migration and displacement
• Experience in influencing decision makers and engaging in advocacy with a range of stakeholders on Migration and Displacement issues
• Experience working within the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement or another humanitarian organisation, and/or working with migrants and displaced people

Required

• Understanding of regional migration and displacement issues and dynamics, including relevant legal and policy frameworks
• Excellent oral, written and presentation skills
• Time management and organisation skills
• Strong research, analytical and report writing skills
• Ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
• Ability to create and strengthen effective partnerships and working relationships
• Computer skills and competency in the use of relevant software and other applications, such as word processing, spread sheets, internal databases, etc.
• Fluent spoken and written English

Preferred

• Knowledge of International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement principles and approach
• Able to write and speak other Asian languages
• Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic) 

Values

• Respect for diversity
• Integrity
• Professionalism
• Accountability

Core competencies

• Communication
• Collaboration and teamwork
• Judgement and decision making
• National society and customer relations
• Creativity and innovation
• Building trust