Regional Migration and Displacement Senior Officer, Asia Pacific

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

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. The overall aim of the IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies 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.” The IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises. The IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (“the Movement”), together with its member National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The work of the IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.

The 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.

The IFRC has five Regional Offices: Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. The IFRC also has country cluster delegations (CCD) and country delegations (CD) throughout the world. Together, the Geneva headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat. The Asia Pacific Regional Office (APRO) leads IFRC support to National Societies in 38 countries through eight country delegations[1] and five country cluster delegations[2] spread across East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific geographical areas.

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 direction for National Societies and the IFRC Secretariat until the end of 2022. 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 Migration and Displacement Coordinator for Asia Pacific, is an integral part of IFRC global Migration and Displacement team and the Asia Pacific regional Health, Disasters, Climate and Crises Unit (HDCC).

[1] Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea and Philippines

[2] Bangkok, Beijing, Jakarta, New Delhi and Suva

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 Priority Areas and relevant Enabling Approaches.

JOB PURPOSE

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.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

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 training and capacity strengthening materials are 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).
• Design and facilitate tailored capacity strengthening opportunities on Migration and Displacement for National Societies’ staff and volunteers.
• Support the design and implementation of national or context-specific assessments on migration and displacement, based on IFRC guidance, in Cambodia, the Philippines and Samoa.
• 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 National Society collaboration, peer support, information exchange and others.
• 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.

Coordination, representation and humanitarian diplomacy

• Support the key role of the IFRC Regional Migration and Displacement Coordinator, by representing the IFRC as an expert on Migration and Displacement at internal and external fora and events.
• Support the development of strong and effective partnerships, to enhance existing work and ensure funding for future streams of work in migration and displacement.
• Strengthen the capacity and skills of National Societies in the region on humanitarian diplomacy and advocacy related to migration and displacement.

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)

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Education

Required

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

Preferred

• Advanced degree in Social Sciences, International Human Rights or Refugee Law, International Relations or related field, or a minimum of 7 years relevant work experience

Experience

Required

• Minimum 5 years of professional experience working on migration, displacement, human rights and/or protection issues
• Relevant experience in project and budget management
• Relevant experience in reporting, monitoring and evaluation
• Experience in organising meetings and conferences
• Experience in designing, implementing and managing training courses
• 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

• 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 Red Crescent Movement or another humanitarian organisation and/or working with migrants and displaced people

Knowledge and Skills

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.

Preferred

• Knowledge of International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement principles and approach

Languages

Required

• Fluency in spoken and written English

Preferred

• Competency in Asian and/or Pacific language(s)